The next morning, Elizabeth woke him early. She dressed him carefully, smoothing the white strands of his hair, and then guided him down to the dining hall.
The table was enormous, stretching nearly the length of the hall. Aldric sat at the head, dignified as always. Alaric and Damon had already taken seats opposite him. Just as Lucien moved forward to sit beside his mother, Verona, Valen rushed in and slid into the very spot Lucien had been reaching for.
Lucien hesitated, then quietly turned to sit by Damon. But Verona touched his shoulder.
"Come sit next to me, my dear," she said warmly.
Lucien shook his head. "Brother Valen is already there. It's better I sit with brother Damon instead."
Verona smiled gently, though there was sadness in her eyes. "You're too young to worry about others at this stage, my dear."
She stood, walked around, and sat directly beside Lucien, who had already taken his place next to Damon.
Aldric chuckled lightly. "Let's eat before our food gets cold."
"Of course," Verona replied.
Across the table, Valen's jaw tightened. His hand gripped his spoon so hard his knuckles turned white. He stared down at his plate, biting his lip, but when he raised his head he caught sight of Verona feeding Lucien, her expression soft and radiant. Lucien smiled back at her, a picture of innocence.
The metal of the spoon creaked in Valen's hand.
"Valen," Aldric said, frowning, "why aren't you touching your food?"
Valen didn't look up. "It's nothing… I just… I wanted Mum to feed me."
Verona's voice was kind, but firm. "Come now, Valen. I'm feeding your younger brother. You're old enough to eat on your own."
Valen lowered his gaze further. His voice trembled, soft at first, but carrying a strange edge.
"Even though I'm still your child, aren't I?"
Lucien watched, unease prickling at him as if something unseen was stirring within his brother.
Valen's words came slower, heavier. "I was once your favorite… but now…"
Alaric, sitting nearest, leaned forward with concern. "I can feed you if you'd like, Valen." He lifted his spoon toward him.
In a sudden snap of movement, Valen slapped the spoon aside, his voice rising.
"I don't need you to feed me! Only Mum is allowed to feed me!"
Alaric's brows furrowed. "What's the matter with you? Is this how to behave?"
"My dear, it's fine," Verona tried to soothe.
"No, it isn't," Aldric's voice thundered, cutting the air. "Valen, enough! Go to your room."
Valen's spoon clattered against his plate as he stood, his glare burning into Lucien before he stormed off. His caretaker hurried after him.
Lucien sat silently, watching his brother disappear down the hall.
---
Later that morning, Verona walked toward Valen's chambers and knocked gently.
"Go away!" came the muffled cry from inside.
"Valen, my dear, it's Mum," she said softly.
"I don't want to speak with you!"
She pushed the door open. The room was dim and heavy with silence. She pulled the curtains back, letting sunlight spill inside. Looking around, she noticed the wardrobe door ajar. Inside, curled in the shadows, was Valen.
"How did you know I was here?" he muttered.
Verona smiled faintly. "I know you hide in the wardrobe when you're upset." She reached for him, lifting his small frame into her arms. She carried him to the bed, sitting down with his head resting on her lap. She stroked his hair gently.
"Valen, what's the matter? What's troubling you?"
For a long moment, he didn't answer.
"Since your brother was born, you've been acting strangely," Verona whispered. "Is it because of Lucien?"
Silence.
"I thought you wanted a younger brother," she pressed. "So why are you acting this way, instead of being the big brother he needs?"
Finally, Valen's head lifted, eyes glistening. His voice cracked.
"Yes, I said I wanted a brother… but I never said I wanted him to take away my mother's love… or everyone's attention."
Verona's chest tightened. "What do you mean by that, my dear? Everyone still loves you."
"No!" Valen's voice broke, trembling and rising all at once. "No one does! Since Lucien came, it's always Lucien, Lucien, Lucien! He looks like Grandpa. He has the same hair as Grandpa. Everyone notices him. No one notices me anymore… even you."
Tears spilled down his cheeks.
"Even you've stopped treating me the way you used to. You're always with him. Even today, when I sat beside you, you chose him instead. You left me, Mum. You don't love me anymore!"
Verona's vision blurred with tears. "Valen, that's not true—"
"And Dad too!" Valen cut her off. His voice twisted, unsteady, almost unhinged.
"I know how much he respected Grandpa, and that's why he clings to Lucien—because Lucien reminds him of Grandpa! It's because of my hair, isn't it? That's why Dad doesn't love me. I'm not like Lucien. I'm not complete. I'm broken!"
His breathing grew ragged, his words faster, darker. He clutched at the strands of white streaking through his blue hair. His lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"But don't worry, Mum… I can fix it. I'll dye my hair white. Would you like that? Hm? You'd like that, right? Then you'll love me again. Then everyone will love me. I won't be Valen anymore. I'll be Lucien. Yes… I'll be Lucien, and you'll love me and only me."
"Valen…" Verona's tears fell freely now as she pulled him into her arms, holding him tightly. "No, my dear. You don't have to be like Lucien. I love you just the way you are."
Valen clung to her, whispering, his voice eerie, almost broken.
"You'll surely love me… you can't share your love with anyone but me."
Verona only held him tighter, repeating, "I love you, I love you," again and again.
---
Meanwhile, in Lucien's room, Elizabeth placed a stack of books on the table. He leafed through them absentmindedly before pausing.
"Elizabeth," he asked softly, "what do you think is wrong with Valen?"
She glanced at him. "Why do you think something is wrong,Young master?"
"The way he behaves… it's as if…" Lucien hesitated.
Elizabeth cut him off gently. "Master Valen just needs time to adjust. Before you were born, he was the baby of the house. Now he must accept he's grown. Give him time."
Lucien nodded slowly. "I see…"
Elizabeth smiled faintly. "I'll give you time to read now." She closed the door behind her.
Alone, Lucien stared at the page, though his mind was elsewhere. He remembered the burning look Valen had given him at breakfast.
"He's like that… because of me," he whispered.
---
In his own room, Valen stood before a mirror, eyes fixed on his reflection.
"No matter what you say, Mum, I know you won't love me like you love him. The only way you'll give me all your love… is if I become Lucien." His smile widened.
"Yes… if I become Lucien, then you'll all love me. You'll all see me."
---
Later, Lucien closed his book and stepped out for fresh air. The halls were quiet. Then, he spotted Valen ahead, wearing a hat that shadowed his face.
"Brother Valen," Lucien called.
Valen didn't answer, just walked past him. Then, suddenly, "Lucien."
Lucien turned. "Yes?"
"Follow me. There's something I want to show you."
"Something you want to show me?"
"Quickly. It's important."
Lucien hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."
They walked together until they reached a large wooden door.
"Whose room is this?" Lucien asked.
"Grandpa's," Valen replied.
Lucien's eyes widened. "I see…"
Valen opened the door, revealing a vast, elegant chamber. The walls were lined with shelves of books, swords gleamed neatly in their racks. Lucien stepped in, awed.
"Come in. What are you waiting for?" Valen urged.
Lucien walked further, flipping through one of the books. "Brother Valen, come look at this!" He turned, expecting Valen behind him—but his brother stood outside, the door half-closed.
Lucien's stomach dropped. "Wait—"
The door slammed shut. Lucien ran, pounding against it. "What are you doing? Open the door!"
From the other side, Valen's voice echoed, chilling. "With you gone, Mum will have no choice but to shower me with all her love."
Lucien's fists hammered against the wood.
"Valen!"
Inside the lock clicked, the keys jingling. Valen slipped them into his pocket. Slowly, he removed his hat, revealing hair that was now entirely white. His voice was almost gleeful. "Now I'm the one she'll love."
His footsteps faded down the corridor.
Lucien slumped against the door, his heart racing. He caught sight of a frame on the wall: an old picture. He lifted it, and an album tumbled out, spilling across the floor. He sat there, flipping through pages of memories, staring at the face of the grandfather everyone said he resembled.
---
At the Dinner Table
Everyone had taken their seats except Lucien and Valen. Aldric glanced at the empty chairs, his voice deep and impatient.
"Where are Lucien and Valen?"
Before anyone could answer, a voice cut through the hall.
"I'm here."
Valen stepped in. Gasps rippled across the table. His once-blue hair now shone an unnatural, ghostly white.
Verona's lips parted. Her voice trembled, quiet and heavy with sorrow.
"…Valen."
He walked with slow, deliberate steps and sat beside her. Damon leaned forward, squinting at him.
"What's with your hair, Valen?"
Alaric chuckled lightly. "Nice hairdo, I guess."
Valen gave a small smile. "Thank you."
But Aldric didn't even acknowledge him. His focus was elsewhere, his brow tightening.
"Where's Lucien? Someone call for him."
Just then, Elizabeth burst in, her face pale.
"My lord—I couldn't find Master Lucien in his room!"
The entire hall stilled.
Aldric slammed his hand on the table, rising to his feet. "What do you mean you couldn't find him? He's only five years old! He should be somewhere in the mansion. Search for him!"
Damon and Alaric pushed back their chairs instantly.
"We'll look for him," they said in unison before rushing out.
Aldric strode after them, his cloak sweeping behind him.
At the table, Valen stayed where he was, calmly eating, each bite slow and deliberate.
Verona stared at him, unease gnawing at her chest. Doubt clouded her eyes.
"…Valen," she said softly, "did you do anything to your brother?"
Valen froze for half a second, then looked up, feigning innocence.
"Why would you say that, Mum?"
"Because I know you're jealous of him," Verona whispered.
Valen's smile didn't reach his eyes.
"I don't know where he is. If I did, I would've told you."
Verona rose from her chair, her voice firm though her heart ached.
"I hope you had nothing to do with this, Valen." She turned and left, her gown trailing behind her.
The clink of a spoon echoed in the silence as Valen dropped it onto his plate. His voice cracked, rising in a whisper that turned into a scream.
"Lucien… Lucien… Lucien! I'm tired of hearing that name!"
He shoved his chair back and stormed out.
---
Meanwhile, the maids scoured every corner of the mansion, calling Lucien's name. Guards rushed through corridors and gardens, but no sign of him could be found.
Inside the locked room, Lucien sat on the floor, flipping through old albums and pictures of his grandfather. His small fingers traced the worn edges of the pages. Then—voices.
He darted to the window and peered out, spotting the frantic search below. His heart leapt.
A voice came from beyond the door. "Master Lucien?"
"Elizabeth!" Lucien cried, running to the door and pounding it with his fists.
Outside, Elizabeth froze. Her eyes widened. "Is that you?!"
"Yes!"
"What are you doing in there?" She grabbed the handle, but the lock didn't budge. "The key is missing… Stay put, Lucien! I'll bring the keys!"
Lucien pressed his cheek against the wood, relief flooding him.
Moments later, Elizabeth returned, her hands trembling as she sorted through a ring of keys. By then, the whole family had gathered in the hallway.
"Where is Lucien?" Verona demanded, her voice breaking.
"In this room!" Elizabeth cried.
"Then open the door!" Aldric barked.
"I'm trying!" Her hands shook as she fumbled with the lock.
Valen lingered at the back of the group, his face pale. He muttered under his breath, panic flickering across his eyes. Damn it. They found him… I should have pushed him down the stairs instead of locking him away…
"Why is this taking so long?" Aldric's voice roared again.
Elizabeth tried the last key—and the lock finally clicked.
The door swung open, and Verona rushed inside. Lucien stood there, his small frame trembling. Verona fell to her knees, pulling him into her arms and holding him tight, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Don't scare us like that again, Lucien."
"I'm sorry, Mum," Lucien whispered into her shoulder.
Aldric stepped forward, his voice stern but controlled. "Who locked you in, Lucien?"
"Yes," Verona added gently, "tell us the truth, my dear. Who was it?"
Lucien's gaze flickered past her—straight at Valen, who stood stiff at the doorway.
Verona's breath caught.
But Lucien lowered his eyes and murmured, "No one. The door… it just jammed on its own."
Aldric frowned. "That's impossible—"
"It's alright," Verona interrupted, brushing Lucien's hair. "What matters is he's safe. Come, Lucien, I'll take you back to your room. Elizabeth, bring his food. I'll feed him myself."
Elizabeth bowed quickly. "Yes, my lady."
As Verona led Lucien away, his small shoulder brushed against Valen's as he passed. Valen's eyes burned as he watched his mother and brother disappear down the hall together.
Aldric closed the chamber door with a sigh. "Let's return to our meal." Damon and Alaric followed him silently.
Valen lingered alone, his fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms.
---
That night, Verona tucked Lucien into bed and fed him with her own hands until his eyelids grew heavy. When he finally drifted to sleep, she kissed his forehead and stepped quietly out.
In her room, Aldric was already lying down. Verona changed into her nightdress and slipped under the sheets, but sleep wouldn't come.
"Aldric," she whispered.
"Hm? What is it?"
"I think… we need to do something about Valen."
Aldric turned to her, his brow furrowed. "What are you saying? What did he do?"
"I believe he's the one who locked Lucien in that room."
Aldric sat up at once. "Why would you say such a thing? Lucien himself said the door jammed."
"You don't understand," Verona's voice cracked. "Valen is jealous of Lucien—so jealous that he's starting to change. Didn't you see him at dinner? He dyed his hair white just to look like Lucien. If we don't act soon, he might do something worse. Something dangerous."
Aldric sighed, shaking his head. "You're worrying too much. Valen is just eight years old. He's still a child. He won't hurt his brother." He laid back down, pulling the covers over himself.
Verona stared into the darkness, her heart heavy. "You don't know what I saw in his eyes today, Aldric…"
The memory of Valen's face haunted her as she finally closed her eyes.