﻿Marcus worked in the stable, scooping up manure as he watched his brother mount a horse, ready to ride off.

“Edwin!” Marcus called, his voice tinged with frustration. “Why do you get to ride the horses while I’m stuck here cleaning up after them?”

Edwin turned back with a patient look. “Because I’m here to teach Alex how to be a noble. They adopted me into the family for that.”

Marcus scowled. “And why do you get to be a noble?”

Edwin didn’t want to make Marcus feel left out, but he couldn’t avoid the truth. “I escaped from slavery a year ago, risking my life to get here. When Alex found me, he looked as lost as I felt after the ferret beat me over a piece of jewelry I’d found.”

Marcus crossed his arms, still unimpressed. “I assume you’re getting somewhere with this.”

Edwin sighed, a bit apologetic. “Alex was getting bullied by his own slaves, and he fought back. He nearly killed a rabbit, but I stopped him. Our father, Nolan, was disappointed in him. So he made me a noble—the temporary heir—to teach Alex the ropes. I even went behind Nolan’s back to bring you into the family as a ‘leadership exercise’ for Alex.”

Marcus looked at Edwin, his expression softening just a little. “You really did all that just so I could be here?”

Edwin nodded. “Yeah. I wanted to help you, too. I thought maybe… if we were together, things might be better for both of us.”

Marcus stared at the ground, processing everything Edwin had told him. Though he still felt a mix of jealousy and frustration, he understood now that Edwin had been trying to help him, even if it didn’t feel fair.

Before either could say more, Alex waved to Edwin from across the courtyard, motioning him over. Edwin glanced back at Marcus. “I’ll be back soon,” he said, then rode across the yard to where Alex was waiting by the gates.

Afterward, Edwin rode across the courtyard to meet Alex, who waited by the gates. As Edwin dismounted, Alex gave him a serious look, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Marcus remained out of earshot.

“Edwin,” Alex asked in a low voice, “does Marcus know the truth?”

Edwin shook his head quickly. “No. He doesn’t need to know, Alex. I don’t want him to.”

Alex frowned. “But you know what really happened.”

Edwin sighed, his gaze dropping. “Yeah. I looked up everything about the mines and the slaves.” He paused, the words heavy. “But Marcus doesn’t need to know we were born because… because a ferret hurt our mom. She didn’t want to have kids who’d grow up as slaves.”

Alex watched Edwin, sympathy and confusion mixing in his eyes. “I get that… but if the captain hadn’t… done what he did, you and Marcus wouldn’t be here.”

Edwin’s jaw tightened. “Yeah, I know. But that doesn’t make it right. Doesn’t make it something Marcus should have to carry.” He glanced back at the stable, where Marcus continued his work, unaware of the conversation. “He deserves a chance to just… be a kid.”

Alex nodded slowly, understanding Edwin’s need to protect Marcus, even if the truth was hard to hide. They stood in silence for a moment, each feeling the weight of the secret, and then Edwin mounted his horse again, giving one last look at his little brother.

Later, Edwin entered the warm kitchen, where the comforting smell of bread baking and meat grilling filled the air. His mom worked over the stove, holding his one-year-old sister on her hip as she turned and smiled at him.

“How’s working here?” Edwin asked, his tone gentle.

She gave a small smile. “Oh, it’s… work,” she said, chuckling softly. “But I’m grateful to be here, cooking, taking care of you and Marcus.” She bounced his sister, who cooed and reached for Edwin with chubby fingers. “And how are you holding up?”

Edwin reached out, taking his sister’s tiny hand as she gripped his finger. He hesitated, then looked at his mother. “I know you didn’t want me to know… and I didn’t tell Marcus,” he admitted quietly.

She paused, her face turning serious. “Tell him what?”

Edwin took a breath. “That all your children came from… you getting hurt by a predator.”

Her face fell, and she pulled his sister closer, pain and sorrow in her eyes. She took a steadying breath. “Edwin… I never wanted you to carry that burden. Not you, not Marcus.” She looked away, her eyes glistening. “You and Marcus, and your sister… you’re my strength, not my shame.”

Edwin clenched his fists, his voice barely above a whisper. “I know he did it because you didn’t get with anyone else. If you were going to have kids, it should have been with someone you loved, not some power-hungry captain.”

She reached out, resting a hand on his shoulder. “You’re right. I would have wanted it to be different. I would have wanted love, choice, and peace. But sometimes… life takes its own path.”

Edwin swallowed hard. “It just doesn’t seem fair that you had to go through that.”

She pulled him into a gentle hug, his sister’s tiny hand pressing against his shoulder as she did. “You don’t have to make sense of it, Edwin. You and Marcus deserve to be children, not to carry every pain and hardship. That’s why I didn’t want you to know.”

Edwin nodded slowly, feeling a weight lift as he returned her embrace. As he pulled away, he gave her a bittersweet smile. “It’s rather ironic, though. He hurt you to make more slaves for Ketill, but instead… he brought about its fall.”

Before his mom could respond, Nolan stepped into the room, having overheard the conversation. “You talk about your children like they’re special,” he remarked, his tone cold, “but Edwin’s clearly the smart one.”

Edwin’s mother stiffened, instinctively holding her daughter closer as she faced him. “My children are special, Nolan. Each of them. Not just Edwin.”

Nolan scoffed, folding his arms. “Maybe so, but intelligence isn’t exactly a family trait. Edwin stands out because he’s clever. And you’d do well to remember it’s the reason he’s even here, living under my roof instead of in some ditch.”

Edwin, lingering just outside the kitchen door, caught Nolan’s words and felt anger rise within him. He stepped back into view, his gaze unwavering. “My mother and my siblings deserve respect, Nolan, no matter what you think.”

Nolan sneered. “Careful, boy. I may have made you a noble, but don’t let it go to your head.”

Edwin’s mother held Nolan’s gaze, a quiet strength in her eyes. “Nolan, you may have power over us here, but remember—it’s my children who’ll make a difference in this world. Not because of you, but in spite of you.”

Nolan’s expression hardened, but he said nothing more, turning sharply on his heel and leaving the kitchen. Edwin and his mother shared a look, understanding passing between them.

Alex, who had overheard from the doorway, stepped in with a smirk. “By the way, Edwin, aren’t you supposed to be studying? And what about your girlfriend?”

Edwin’s mom raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You didn’t tell me you had a girlfriend.”

Edwin’s cheeks reddened. “I don’t! She’s just a friend.”

Alex grinned. “Just a friend? You two stared at each other harder than a starving man eyeing food.”

Edwin rolled his eyes. “Alex, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Alex shrugged, undeterred. “Are you afraid because she’s a fox and you’re a rabbit?”

Edwin hesitated, looking away. “No… it’s not that. She’s just a friend, okay?”

His mother smiled gently. “Edwin, you don’t have to be afraid of what others think. If she’s your friend—or even more than that—it’s your choice. Just remember to be true to yourself.”

Alex leaned in, dropping his voice as if sharing a secret. “I remember John laughed about it, saying it was hilarious that Lila didn’t even realize she was talking to an ex-slave. He’s been bullying you, saying it’s fitting for a slave to be close to another slave.”

Edwin’s face tightened, feeling a mix of anger and discomfort. “John needs to mind his own business. Just because Lila and I share a background doesn’t make her less of a person. He’s the one stuck on labels.”

His mom’s expression softened, her eyes filled with concern. “Edwin, I know it’s not easy. People like John, they don’t understand… but that doesn’t give them the right to look down on anyone. You’re more than your past.”

Nolan, however, gave a disapproving sigh. “It’s naive to think people won’t judge. If you’re going to step into noble circles, Edwin, you’ll face worse than John’s petty taunts. You need to be ready for that.”

Edwin glanced away, frustration simmering. “I know. But I won’t let people like him decide who I’m allowed to care about. Lila’s been through enough without needing John’s opinion of her.”

Alex nodded, giving Edwin a reassuring slap on the shoulder. “Exactly. Don’t let him get to you. He’s all bark, anyway.”

A small smile crept onto Edwin’s face. Surrounded by his family, he felt a renewed strength to stand up for himself—and for Lila.
