The Villain Who Fell In Love

Air's breath was cut short as he ran the long hallways, making his way to Elliot's office. This was big news. No, rather than big news, it was a shocking one. Air apologizes when he bumps into a maid and keeps his legs running.

Air slammed the office's door opened and startled Elliot, who looked at him, "What's wrong? You look in a hurry. It's as if you've seen a ghost."

"I think I may have, but I could touch him," Air places hands on his knees as he catches his breath. Elliot's brows raised in confusion. Seeing Air run and lose his breath was unusual. "Your brother is still alive."

Elliot dropped his feather pen onto the ground and massaged his temple. Now, what's the issue? His younger brother acceded from death? He held his hand out in a stop motion and asked, "Air, are you playing around with him?"

"I'm sorry to break your imaginations, but then that man exactly looks like your younger brother." Air said, standing back straight but still panting, "He claims to be your brother."

Elliot shook his head, not trusting Air's words. "Edward has died since long ago. Air, don't tell me even you fell for his looks?"

"At first, I didn't want to but…he even showed proof. The birthmark on his right shoulder looked exactly like Edward's."

"Bring him here." Elliot said, pressing his fingers together, "Air, we've already accepted that he's dead. Don't let me hope any longer."

Air frowns, seeing his friend, looking stressed. As much as this topic wasn't talked about for a long time, it just so happened because he appeared. Even Air didn't want to believe, but everything from top to bottom looked like Edward. He looked exactly how Air had thought if he was still alive. 

"Bring him here," Air commanded a servant who bows her head and went to escort him to the office. He then looks at Elliot, "It may be a trap, and I'm not fully sure. But we won't know until we talk to him. And we can just kill him anytime for impersonating as a prince."

Elliot grabs the feather pen he dropped earlier and places it on his desk. After seeing the seriousness in Air's eyes, he didn't have a choice but to believe that his younger brother came back alive. It's a lie. His younger brother wouldn't be alive after all these years.

The three of them grew up together. The next day Air ran away from his house. He became dedicated to serve Elliot as this was role as the heir of his family. The first time they both met Air decided to dedicate his life to him. It was out of admiration. 

Elliot, Air, and Edward were known to never separate from each other. Their bonds are even envied by the palace servants. Elliot the future leader, Airan intelligent child since birth and Edward a kind and gentle younger brother. 

"It doesn't make sense," mutters Elliot while Air turns his head, looking away from him and agrees with him. It didn't make sense for him either. "Air, just be careful about him. The only reason why I'm letting him in is because I trust what you say."

Air nods his head. Even he knew much. As much as he wanted to deny it, everything from top to bottom looked like him. His black hair, eyes that looks like gold but isn't, the birthmark on his right shoulder, and the mole under his left eye. 

"Sir Air, the guest has arrived," announced the servant and opens the door, revealing the so called man who call himself "Edward".

Elliot's eyes grew wide just seeing him. He looks at Air who looked troubled, knowing what Elliot was thinking about. Everything what he said wasn't a lie. He looked exactly like Edward or is he really Edward?

"Brother?" Edward titles his head as his hands were about to reach out he pulled it back in. His eyes wanders around the office, and his body was slightly trembling. Even the way he acted was just like how Edward did. But it's too early to say that he is Edward. 

"What do you want from me?" Elliot asked coldly, resting his arms on the arm rest of his chair. 

"You grew up well," smiled Edward then looks at Air, "It's been a while. It's as if you've seen a ghost, my friend."

Elliot and Air looks at each other. The way he speaks is exactly the same, and he sounded much mature, but he tries to act strong. Edward covers his mouth as he coughs while Elliot didn't know why he stood up. He asked himself, was he about to run towards him?

"What's wrong, brother?" asked Edward, who walks towards him only to be stopped when Elliot told him not to take another step.

"Is it really you?" asked Elliot while Edward's lips curled upwards, smiling, giving a gently smile like he always do.

"Does my brother not believe me? I am still alive," answered Edward. 

Before saying another word, Elliot stayed silent on his seat. "You must be tired. Look at your ragged clothes go and get some rest. I'll assign some servants to tend to you," said Elliot as his eyes softens, looking at Edward. 

"I didn't mean to disturb you. Seeing the papers on your desk, you must be very busy," frowned Edward while Elliot shook his head with a smile. 

"Don't worry about this. Let's have supper together. I have a lot of questions to ask you…I can't believe you are still alive," Elliot bit his lip. 

"I…I didn't mean to give you so much pain," frowned Edward, eyes on the verge of tears. "I'm sorry brother I want to go closer to you and give you a hug, but my clothes are a bit dirty."

"Don't worry about that and stop crying," comforted Air who hands him a a handkerchief. "You're still a cry baby," Air commented, making Edward chuckle.

"Then I will not take my leave. Though I don't want to," Edward crying out loud as he left the office. 

The kindness and gentleness on their faces turned into a murderous aura. That man who just left isn't Edward. He acted how Edward did, but it's not him. 

"I'm impressed you caught on with my acting," Elliot said.

"I got the idea when your attitude changed, and we think alike. How many years do you think we have been together?" Air huffs. "But you also caught onto my acting. But I must say, running is exhausting."

"Probably longer than Master," Elliot chuckles. "Anyway, that man is clearly not Edward."

"I agree with you. They act the same, speak the same, but there is one thing he would never do," smirked Air. 

"Edward isn't a crybaby. I guess he went along it?" 

"I'll ask Tanya to keep an eye on him for now. But I'm rather suspicious about something, "said Air as he brought out a cuff and hands it to Elliot. 

"The symbol of the temple."

When Air and Edward met earlier, he unconsciously dropped something on the ground when he pulled Air into a hug. The cuff he dropped had a symbol of the temple, which was a thistle, a kind of flower.

"This…has something to do with the temple. I'm guessing right now that the temple is starting to move on us," said Air as he crossed his arms. 

Elliot stood up and leans by the window. He placed his hand on his chin, thinking and agree with the guess Air made. Interesting was the only word Elliot could say. He looks back at Air and says, "We'll need Ayfara."

When Elliot mentioned Ayfara's name, he sighed and shook his head. "Ask Tanya to dig deeper into the temple."

Air knew the frustration Elliot was feeling. The one who usually does these kinds of the task were Ayfara. She could impersonate anyone, even act as a man when needed. Now that's she no longer here things are a bit difficult. 

"If you want to we can scout a new member to replace Ayfara," suggested Air.

"No need. It's better if the team is smaller. But you are right. It's about time to add a new member to our team," Elliot said as they gaze out of the window, watching the birds fly across the sky. "This time, we need someone that has information. Lots. It doesn't need to be somebody who knows how to fight. We'll just assign someone to protect them."

"Are you sure? To add a new member?" Air asked, not disagreeing but to him, no one can replace Ayfara. 

"It's a new era. We need to learn how to accept the present and move on. As they say, the past will only bring you down."

Air bows his head, and before leaving, he asked, "Are shrimps alright for tonight?" Elliot nods his head and stops Air before he leaves his office. 

"I don't have any problems but Emelia can't eat seafood," Elliot said, scoffing. Though he has no idea why he felt proud of saying that. 

"I understand," Air said and left the office.