Whoa.
Arin had only had a few seconds to register what he'd seen when the scene shifted again.
He hadn't given a new command. It seemed that the Mirror of Record had deemed it necessary to stitch multiple memories together in order to meet the needs of his previous one.
It seemed almost… confused – which made sense, given the vagueness of that 'command' - and it shuffled through some of the earliest experiences Rin had had with regard to his brother. Flashes of his life appeared before him, for only handfuls of seconds or minutes each, before breaking apart and dissolving away like differently colored inks in water.
…
…
'I would like to spend some time with him today,' said Rin.
'Oh, but he is terribly unwell today too. You know that child's health doesn't allow him any visitors,' said his mother, gently patting his head. She noticed a stray strand of dark hair, so like her own, and lovingly tucked it behind his ear. 'You needn't worry. The little prince's nurse spends all day by his side, and is there to comfort him, should he need it.'
Rin didn't avoid her hand. 'But what of us?' he asked. 'His family?'
The empress smiled softly. 'When our duties allow, your father and I pay him visits often. But we worry that the excitement of seeing you and the princess would be far too much for him to take, you see.'
Rin didn't question her words out loud.
…
…
Rin clambered up to a window in what looked like a secluded part of the castle. His fingers felt numb from all the scrabbling to find hold in the small gaps along the smooth stone exterior. Upon finally reaching his destination, he paused for a moment to peer through the glass. He then whispered, 'Open for me,' in the tone of someone used to it.
With the softest – click – the window fell open, and he scrambled into the room within.
'Brother Rin!' exclaimed a small, weak-sounding voice from the bundle of blankets on the bed on the far side.
Rin hurried over to throw them off, revealing a small, pale-haired boy within. He was so frail that he seemed to almost disappear into the covers. Rin sighed at the sight.
'Why are you unwell again?' he demanded unhappily.
'Nurse Ciare has… been looking after me,' Ralen said. 'She's a healer. I shall be fine.'
'Then why do you keep getting worse?'
The pale-haired child shook his head. 'I am happy brother is here,' he said, changing the subject. 'Can sister… come too? Next time?'
Rin shook his head.
'No one knows I'm here. Mother doesn't allow it.
'Mother…' Ralen repeated blankly. 'I haven't seen her in so long.'
…
…
'Well, I was told he was exhausted after out last visit,' Sera told him. 'Which, I do understand, of course. I'm afraid he'll start disliking us if we call upon him too often.'
'That is not true, sister! Little Ralen eagerly awaits your visits! Even today -'
'Today?' The princess narrowed her eyes. 'Have you been acting against our parents' wishes? You know that anything unexpected - even the slightest bit of unnecessary excitement – could endanger our little brother's health, do you not?'
'But he is not unwell!' Rin exclaimed weakly. 'He is not, and-'
'Enough. You've seen him. There is a reason our brother has his own nurse, whose face he sees more than any of ours. It is all for his own good.'
Rin sighed.
'That nurse…'
…
…
It was nighttime. Rin sat up in bed, mulling over something with a deep frown on his young face. After a moment, he seemed to have made up his mind about something.
Arin saw through his eyes as he clasped his hands on his lap, before raising his head and saying in almost a whisper, 'Any harm Nurse Ciare intends for Ralen shall fall upon her instead.'
He realized with a jolt that Rin had just used his talent, and felt the strength drain from his body. The boy gasped and fell limply back into his bed. Within moments, he'd shut his eyes, and had fallen into a dead faint.
He'd probably planned for it, seeing how he'd picked a time when no one else would be around to witness it, nor to question his state of unconsciousness.
…
…
A few days seemed to have passed.
When Rin scrambled into Ralen's room again, he saw his younger brother sitting up with a smile.
'I've been feeling much better of late,' he said happily.
'Oh? Has your nurse changed your regimen?' Rin asked carefully.
'No, no. She has not come by today. I have heard the poor lady has taken ill.'
Rin nodded slowly.
Ralen was taken aback by something he saw in his expression. 'Brother Rin? You are not feeling unwell too, are you?' he asked, alarmed.
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…