"Why are these clothes so confusing to wear?" I grumbled in frustration. As I tried fixing the threads of the two parts of clothing together again. This time I was sure to make this right.
The set of clothes left for the tributary by the servants, had been difficult beyond what he had expected. Since I Wasn't used to eastern clothing even in the real world, and has only seen them in dramas, it felt like a proper challenge for me.
More than that I didn't want to be caught yet again embarrassing myself. My tries persisted for a whole ten minutes. A few times, I have almost been convinced that I had successfully worn it, but it had been fluke.
"Finally!" I cheered as I looked at myself in the mirror. The clothes felt proper. The white seam, arranged in what might have been the modern taste for Seken. A bit folding onto the sleeves, to make it look more cooler. And when I have been decidedly done with it. I approached the doors, to look for my servants.
After all, the house had been big and the paths were confusing enough. But as soon as I was close to the door, I heard the whispering of my two servants.
"So I can't become a swordsman. I suppose that adds up." I nodded in understanding. After all, even the servants took liberty to take fun in his weakness. Then it must have been worse among the others.
That was when I heard someone shout. The voice sounded young, but hearing it, I felt my heart skip for a second. Like some kind of force rushed along with the sound.
The person seemed angry with me. That was new. And then when all of it had ended, I decided to open the door.
A man, older than me, with a sword kept around his back on his shoulder, looked at me. He looked similar to Seken from the mirror.
The man turned around and called to me.
"Seken!" There was a hint of shame in his voice. And then I decided to open the character window.
A mild pain occurred mentally, that made my head turn in confusion. It had never occurred the few times I had used the function.
But the screen appeared again.
[Name - Regen Sokyro]
[Affiliation - Sokyro]
[Description - Second Eldest son of the current head of Sokyro House. Known for his achievements from a young age. He has a good understanding of swords, and an even greater empathy for people. Currently in the Second Realm. Eagers for the upcoming battles at the Tributary…]
[Favorability - Friendly]
That was some information to be curious about. Second realm, I had no idea what it was all about. But considering that Regen was the second son of the head, he must have been decently powerful.
"Are you okay?" Regen asked.
"Huh!"
I realised I had been looking blankly at him.
"Yes… Brother." I was hesitant but I called him that.
And then he started laughing.
"You are wearing it wrong."
"What's wrong?" I questioned reflexively but became aware soon. He was looking at my clothing.
"Let me do it correctly for you." Regen had no hesitation when he started correcting my clothes.
I just decided to let it be. The world just wasn't ready to accept my fashion.
***
"So you went again through the backyard. I must again say it to you, but it is dangerous to go there. The cliff calls for the soul, especially those who are young and not battle experienced to make drastic decisions."
Regen got a headache saying that.
How many times has he tried to convince his brother? All in vain.
"So that's why," Seken mumbled.
"What is it?" Regen asked curiously.
"Nothing," Seken smiled and then he asked a question, "Brother, do you think this time the tributary will be any different than before."
"What makes you say that?"
"I think intuition probably." Seken answered, trying to be smart.
"Haha, I don't think that will be the case. The four families will take the mantle and our head will be present this time. It might be different, if some other talents rise from the noble families, or even the common people. There is always one or two with determination every few years." Regen said.
"I see." Seken said.
He looked as Seken seriously seemed to be listening to him. When was the last time, his brother took interest in these.
And then Regen's vision turned to a girl. For a moment, his face stiffened as he looked at her.
The girl was young, and wore clothes, even worse for servant standards. She had a broom in her hands, which she sweeped around the courtyard.
'No he mustn't look at her.' Regen thought in his mind and turned his head towards Seken. Who was already looking at her with deep concentration.
Regen's heart ached.
"I know you can't forgive what happened to her, and you think you are to blame. But Seken, you have to be strong, even if everything seems to be crumbling around you, for her sake." Regen said, trying his best to keep his voice clear.
Seken turned in Regen's direction. There were questions in his mind, but he still nodded hesitantly.
For a moment the girl looked in Seken's direction and stopped. Yet a few moments later she turned around and continued with her task.
***
I tried to digest the information when I looked at her. It had been an idle curiosity of mine, because she looked so young, and different from a few other servants and the guards he had seen roaming around the house.
But the information I got shocked me to the core.
[Name - Tisa Sokyro]
[Affiliation - Sokyro]
[Description - Daughter of the First hand of Sokyro House. And Seken's elder sister. A favoured star which was torn towards the earth by her own mother. Her appreciation for the sword, broken along with her hands so that those hands could never wield a sword again. Tisa, and Seken share a deep bond. Which only strengthens their resolve to rise from their hardships. She was cast away after a promise was broken…]
[Favorability - Friendly]
I choked looking at the information. A deep disgust rose inside my heart aimed at 'Seken's Mother'. I found out the reason behind that trembling, was it the fear, or was it the anger directed against his own mother, from which he couldn't run away.
Tisa and my eyes for a moment, and in those moments, I could discern everything that her eyes hid from mine.
Trust, fear, worry, and above all the strength that she wielded against her own fate. To escape it all.
I could only silently bow in her direction, hoping that I could help the brother and sister pair in some way.
"Let's go, we are getting late." Regen said, and I could find the true concern of my brother on his face. He felt pain.
He cared for both of them too. Unlike Seken's own mother.