City: Venedig
Location: Central Section - Streets
He left the pub after a long chat with a contact. People would hardly go to such a place in the afternoon, but it was necessary for him to put his plan into action. He needed to do it, in order to save his youngest brother from the corruption of Venedig. That was a wish held by
Libero Fragarach, eldest son of the Fragarach House.
His brown hair and white attire gave the sensation of a peaceful noble, but Libero knew how deep his sins go. Accessary and even participant to the sudden decision of adopting the Iron Decree's holding in his family, he seeks redemption by saving Noel from participating on slavery.
As he began to leave, a strange man reached him. "Hey, you're Libero, right? One of the bosses told me to find you." The man spoke.
"Yes, what is it?" Libero asked. "We're already starting the attack on these shitty nobles. If anything goes right, we're leaving soon enough." The man now whispered in Libero's ear. Those were good news. All that he had to do now is fetch Noel.
"I see. Thank you very much. I'll pretend this never happened." Libero said with a slight smile in his face. The man left and went his way while Libero headed straight home, running as fast as he could.
"Noel, don't worry. I'll take you away from this... to somewhere and to people that will ensure you'll never resort to this!"
City: Venedig
Location: Eastern Section - Fragarach Manor EntranceAfter walking a little, Noel reached his home. Two pairs of maids and a butler were outside, tending the garden at the manor's entrance. "Oh, young lord Noel! Welcome back home!" One of the maids greeted him.
"Hello, everyone! I brought a magnolia with me today. Isn't it beautiful?" He said. "It really is, young lord. Should we plant it here at the garden with the other flowers?" The butler asked.
"Actually, I want to treat it myself. I'll be taking it to my room." Noel spoke. "I'll carry it for you, young lord!" Another maid said.
"Won't it bother you? I can take it myself, so it won't be a problem." Noel spoke. "No, no, by all means. Please, let me carry it, young lord." She said once more, picking the vase. The servants like Noel and he likes them. Exchanging smiles, the maid begins to leave with the flower when the door opens.
BGM: Black LilianaFrom the inside of the manor, a blue eyed young man appeared.
Wearing a white robe and green noble garments, with a smug smile on his face. The maid carrying the magnolia quickly went inside at his presence the rest of the servants returned to work.
"Well, look who's finally home. Daddy's waiting for you and, as usual, you turn up late." He spoke. "... It wasn't my intention to leave him waiting,
William. I just did a short trip to the florist." Noel explained himself.
The middle son,
William Fragarach. The definition of arrogance in person. Steps on everyone and plays rank in order to do whatever he wants. As the Fragarach are one of the few families with a connection to the Emperor, this makes their influence in Venedig higher. In return, they ensure the functionality of the Iron Decree and slave trading as the main economy. Raised with this rule fully engrossed in his mind, William never cared about anyone's life. Rather, he thrills on the suffering of those who are under him, whether financially or in political interests. Not only that, but as the chosen heir between the three brothers, he feels as a superior being in general.
"Well, whatever. If you were there, was there an auction going on? Or rather, is it still going on?" William asked.
"Unfortunately, there's an auction happening and it hasn't ended yet. The nobles are still doing their bids." Noel said.
"And you didn't bring a single slave back with you? Only a measly flower?" William asked again.
"I refuse to enter these auctions. Besides, we already torture enough slaves at the manor, to the point we don't need more of them around." Noel complained, only to receive a flick on the forehead from William.
"Oh, but you are an idiot. There's no such thing as "enough slaves", Noel. They should be happy to have somewhere to even sleep. We're doing a favor, a noble sacrifice to those people." Part of this speech was completely sarcastic.
"A dungeon isn't exactly what I call a "place to sleep"! Also, they are cold and starving! What part of this slavery is noble to you?!" Noel questioned. William only sighed at his brother's empathy towards slaves.
"Fool. In any case, I need to pick up your part, as always. Now go ahead and speak with Daddy." William said, barging at Noel's shoulder and leaving with a smirk.
*BGM fades*"... Slimy, arrogant, good-for-nothing imbecile." Noel muttered.
BGM: Nighteyes"What did you say, you brat?" William looked at Noel fiercely. Their relationship as brothers always had the word
argument tied to it. After all, it wasn't love. Noel and William hated each other.
"That you are a slimy, arrogant, good-for-nothing imbecile! Do you want me to repeat that again?!" Noel answered, with a bitter and sharp tongue.
"Well, at the very least, I'm not a disappointment like you! All of us know I'm Daddy's favorite, because you can't do one thing right! You're free to be jealous of me, pest." William bragged.
"I have no intentions of being jealous of you, nor do I care about not being Father's favorite! On the contrary, I'll hold myself to a sense of dignity and humility of not torturing innocents through slavery, unlike someone who loves to roll in the mud all day long!" Noel replied.
"Dignity? Humility?! You're delusional, that's what! Or what, your pure heart gives you a sense of justice in not taking any of those losers?! Get real, Noel! It's their fault for being useless!" William mocked.
"Useless?! What gives you the right to deem someone as useless?! You don't know about their lives or their story to judge someone useful or not!" Noel questioned.
"I'm a noble! Top of the food chain, standing at the pinnacle of the mountain! Any lowborn and lowlife is useless and their places as slaves is nothing more than deserved!" William answered.
The people on the streets and houses stopped to watch the argument between the brothers as it started to heat up. The maids and butlers were trying to shoo everyone away, but little did their words work.
"You're despicable... I can't believe I share blood with someone so heartless as you! Have you no shards of regards to the lives of others?!" Noel questioned.
"My life matters to me. Anyone else can just die in a fire and I wouldn't even care! Heck, even if you die, it wouldn't matter to me!" William spoke.
"Perhaps this is the only sentiment we both share. I hold no pride of knowing that I'm your brother, even less when people tell that to me! After all, I live with a pig, not with a human!" Noel insulted his brother.
"Oh, I'm a pig?! Have you ever looked yourself in the mirror, you dumb rat?! You're so petty! Who do you think you are, you failure?!" William insulted back.
"I may be a failure, but I'm noble not only in money, but in actions, while you step on everyone you meet in your way!! People aren't your stepping stones and they'll strike back at the moment you expect the less, William!!" Noel began to scream.
"Let them come!! See if I give a damn!! I'm strong enough to defend myself, unlike the weakling little brother that's standing right in my front!! Ain't that right, Noel?!" William screamed as well.
The audience was divided. Some of them defended Noel and some of them defended William. The cheers were loud at that point and none of the servants were able to contain the excitement.
*BGM fades*"ENOUGH!!!" A loud and powerful voice echoed as the door slammed. Once he appeared, the audience dispersed nervously as Noel and William looked at the figure.
It was no one other than Grandalt Fragarach, head of the family and father to Noel, William and their eldest brother Libero. As everyone dispersed, Grandalt looked at his sons.
"... Noel, with me to my study room. Now." He ordered. Noel gave William a last glance and went inside with his father.
BGM: 7 weightsNoel followed Grandalt to his study room. Once they reached it, Grandalt went to his seat while Noel stood there, looking at his father.
"Noel. Have you decided to reconsider this rebellious phase of yours, as I requested before?" Grandalt asked.
"No, Father. I won't change my morals and values." Noel answered, firmly.
"*sigh*... You are a son of the Fragarach family, one of the most influential families in Venedig, yet you act so stubbornly that it compromises our reputation. You don't participate in auctions like your brothers, you care for the slaves... do you see that you are putting everything at risk here, Noel?" Grandalt asked once more.
"With all due respect, I will repeat what I said to William. I hold no pride on my family name. To know that in my blood runs this... dirt is nothing more than despicable for me." Noel answered.
This was expected. This conversation happened more than once, times enough to lose count. No matter what Grandalt spoke, Noel didn't change. But instead of spewing words, Grandalt had an action today.
"I see. If that's your final decision, then you leave me no choice." He said, taking out a letter. While he didn't show the contents of the letter to his son, Grandalt spoke of it.
"This is an invitation from the Emperor himself. A few selected families were chosen to send representatives of their own for advanced education and training of the Iron Decree. This will include also extensive training in combat and magic training. And if you noticed by the letter... the Fragarach were chosen as well." Grandalt explained.
"OK, I understand. But what does this have to do with me, Father? I don't care about the Empire's plans with the Iron Decree. Perhaps William will be interested in going if you tell him." Noel said.
"... That is true. If I spoke to William, he would most certainly go and be our representative. However..." Grandalt spoke and paused for a moment.
*BGM fades*"You are the one going as our representative, Noel."BGM: Goddess gardenaNoel wasn't believing in his father's words. He was the chosen one? Out of all people in this house, Grandalt chose him?
"Think of it as an honor for you to possibly meet the Emperor himself and as your punishment for being unobedient for far too long. I've already asked for the maids to prepare your things. You depart tonight." Grandalt instructed him. Noel's hand closed in a fist, with mixed emotions of anger and sadness welling up through his body.
"No... no, this can't be... I... I don't want to go!! I'm not going!!" Noel protested, tears flowing from his eyes.
"I've told you already, my decision is final and there is no longer questioning. You will learn how the world works and will abandon your senseless idealism. This is for the future of our family." Grandalt spoke.
"I don't care about this stupid family, this stupid decree and your stupid decision!! You're ruining everything for me!! My life's already miserable as it is and you still want to deepen my scars?!" Noel kept arguing.
"It took me years to build our foundation. If I don't fix you, we'll eventually be led to ruin! Whether by words or by force, I'll mold you into the Fragarach way no matter the cost!" Grandalt's tone elevated, anger showing up.
"It doesn't matter to me!! I don't want to inherit this cursed legacy!! I want to create mine!!" Noel swung his arm in fury, dropping one of the vases in the room.
At that point, Grandalt got up from his seat walked to Noel and gave him a hard slap across the face.
"That's enough from you!! Noel Fragarach, you are officially our representative and this decision is final!! I won't tolerate your wailing anymore!! Now leave to your room and wait for your brother Libero to get home!!" Grandalt screamed. Noel turned his face back to his father and looked at him. Without hesitation, he slapped Grandalt back.
"I... I hate you... I hate you, hate you, HATE YOU!! You... ruined everything... my dreams... my hopes... all of it... all for some stupid legacy!!" He screamed back.
"I already knew... you never loved me from the start... I always knew we could never be father and son, like you are with William... but this... this is...!!" Under tears, Noel left the room, running away. Grandalt touched his cheek, right where Noel slapped him. He sat back on his chair. And after that, he slammed his table in anger.
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