[CAN you meet me back on my island in VirtualNet? There is something I need to say to you.]

When Cynric read the message, he almost snorted in disbelief. He did not know if his brother was simply oblivious, or if he just did not care about what had happened between them earlier. Knowing Wulfric, it was probably both.

He was not in the mood to play games with his brother. He had just cried his heart out, and in front of Valentine no less. Remembering what happened still brought him a confusing mix of emotions.

=====

Cynric pulled himself out of Valentine’s embrace, his movements stiff and hurried. He wiped his face roughly with his sleeve, trying to erase the evidence of his breakdown. His skin felt flushed with embarrassment. He had just sobbed like a child in front of Valentine, and that obvious vulnerability made his stomach twist.

Valentine stayed kneeling on the floor, his arms slowly lowering to his sides. He did not try to touch Cynric again. His expression was calm, but his eyes were filled with concern. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novelFirｅ.net

“Are you alright?” Valentine asked in a low and gentle voice.

Cynric shook his head, still avoiding Valentine’s gaze. He felt raw and exposed, and the kindness in Valentine’s voice only made it worse. He didn’t want pity. He didn’t want to be seen like this. A rush of frustration surged through him. It was misplaced, yes, but he couldn’t hold it in.

“Just go,” he said, the words coming out clipped and cold.

He didn’t mean for it to sound so harsh, but it did. He saw Valentine’s shoulders tense almost imperceptibly. Hurt flashed in Valentine’s eyes briefly. But he didn’t argue. He simply nodded and rose smoothly to his feet.

“Alright,” Valentine replied softly. He walked toward the door but paused before opening it. He turned back. “I’m always here for you, Cynric. If you need me, I’m just one call away.”

Then he left, closing the door quietly behind him. The room felt suddenly large and hollow. Cynric stood alone in the silence, Valentine’s words hanging in the air like an offer he wasn’t sure he deserved.

=====

Cynric shook his head, trying to push away the thoughts of what had just happened. But he knew he needed to apologize to Valentine for how he had acted. Maybe he could give him a gift. Hadn’t Valentine mentioned before that he wanted to buy a mansion on one of the resort planets? Perhaps Cynric should buy it for him as a way to apologize.

He turned his attention back to Wulfric’s message and was about to dismiss it when another message appeared on his Terminal. It held only a single word.

[Please.]

Cynric paused when he read that single word. He even had the urge to rub his eyes to make sure he was seeing it correctly, and that it was not some kind of hallucination. But it was really there. Wulfric saying ‘please’, even in text form, was unexpected. No, it was more than that. It was downright baffling. Still, a small part of his heart, the part that still wanted to be a good big brother to Wulfric, softened at the sight. Before he could overthink it, he found himself typing a reply.

[Alright.]

By the time he returned to his senses, he could no longer take back the message he had sent. So he added one more detail, something he could still control.

[But not on your island. On mine.]

***

Wulfric appeared on a floating island, one of the largest in VirtualNet. The ground beneath him was covered in thick, soft grass that felt almost real under his feet. A wide, still lake lay at the center, its water so clear he could see smooth stones lining the bottom. Not far from the shore stood a rustic wooden cottage with a sloping roof. Dark green vines covered most of its walls and framed the windows, where flower boxes overflowed with bright blossoms.

To the side of the cottage was a large garden filled with rows of vegetables, herbs, and flowers of every color, all neatly organized and thriving. A few steps away, under the shade of a large oak tree with heavy branches, hung a wooden swing suspended by two sturdy ropes. The seat swayed gently in the calm air. The entire island drifted silently, surrounded by soft clouds and bathed in gentle, golden light.

It was a beautiful place. Before, he never would have bothered to care about how this place looked, but now he found himself actually noticing the finer details. The quiet peace of it, things he had always ignored without a second thought.

And he also understood now that this place, or at least how it looked, was what Cynric truly wanted for a home. Not the opulent palace, nor any of the grand mansions owned by the imperial family. Just this. A simple, cozy cottage with a garden. The very design of this island felt like a silent protest from Cynric. A quiet statement that he never wanted to be emperor at all.

But despite his lack of willingness, Cynric had been a much better emperor than their sperm donor. And that really meant something. Because even though the man was a complete piece of shit, he had been a competent ruler. Even Wulfric, who hated the guy with every fiber of his being, could admit that much.

He walked toward the lake and stood there to wait for his brother. As he watched the still water, he could feel a low nervousness building in his chest. This was not a feeling he was used to. He had faced battles and enemies without flinching, but the thought of this conversation with Cynric left him on edge. He did not know how his brother would react, or if he could even say the right things.

Wulfric took a deep breath and remembered his conversation with Aster. As long as he said what he meant to say with real sincerity, then maybe he would be able to reach Cynric. Or at least, that was what he hoped would happen.

A few yards away, the air glitched softly. Then, Cynric materialized, his expression guarded.

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