Just another study with Reiji and Shuu, them sitting in a banquet. Wrote a story about it because it was needed..
For me.
Memories of a maid in castle:
“Young masters weren’t always bickering with each other when they’re not in front of anyone actually.. I often saw them having little conversations with each other without somebody’s presence.
It wasn’t a secret that Lady Beatrix like better her firstborn. Her motherhood was preserved to the heir, her schedule and attention were only to the apple of her eye.. but also it wasn’t unknown that Young Master Reiji was also very talented young boy. He was able to catch up his brother with his hard-work even though he was comparing himself with a golden child whom claimed child prodigy.
Lady Beatrix’s love and attention separated her sons from each other with the aspect of affection. But Master Reiji was one of the few people who could hold a conversation with Master Shuu. I always thought that he was quite lonely, since his presence made obvious for us servants that he enjoyed independence and solidarity but Master Shuu always sneaked in to Young Master’s spots.
He was perpetually lonely, outcasted, Master Shuu enjoyed being around with him when Young Master wasn’t trying to get under his skin which is consistently yet when they were alone they acted otherwise. I witnessed by accident when i was running errands for other side of the castle since The King wanted to have banquet for a holiday he learned from humans. Lady Beatrix was insisting that Master Shuu learned from the Banquet to impress His Majesty, nevertheless The Heir threw tantrums at tailors and his instructress. He must have run away after his caprices since i saw him approach to library in the second wing. His majesty had private collections in this library, very often we brought the important books to Master Shuu for his studies to other wing of the castle by his instructors orders. It’s known that Young Master spent his time in to study here all but himself to catch up on his brother but it was a rare sight see brothers together.
However it wasn’t an unusual scene they bicker, so i got the impression that they will quarrel again yet Master Shuu was persistent about not wanting to answer his brothers usual harsh remarks. He wanted to be out of sight… being around him was the perfect choice. I must have lost my mind or had a death wish since i have chosen to eavesdropped disrespectfully than doing the errands that ordered.
Yet i don’t felt regret; it was worth to witness. Master Shuu entered in nonchalantly but with caution, he saw Young Master turned back to reading his book since his comments weren’t effective. “I have read that book.” said simply, “I know you’ve read it that’s why i am reading it.” said Young Master, like he was stating an obvious fact that Master Shuu is so oblivious to understand. I thought he must be taken aback by Master Shuu’s pampered statement, but it might be both.
After was an awkward silence, I thought it was a message for me to get back to work but Master Shuu started to watch Young Master read, seem to wait something or himself, i stayed, “Did you read his manuscripts?” Master Shuu asked, he seems oddly curious, interested in conversation, it made me approach them to take a closer view. “Yes, i did read it of course, do you really think second son of sak-” Young Master was offended by his words again but i knew better, Master Shuu (even though he tease his brother a lot) trying to make conversation, painfully awkwardly even. He cut off the young one’s mechanical response and asked, “Did you read Plato?” again simple, clumsily, “I am reading it on the side,” Young Master slowly answered, still on edge yet gawky.
Master Shuu waited, he let young one finish, “since Socrates wrote nothing but his pupil Plato wrote his speeches in thought i could learn more about Aristotle since he rejected Plato’s theory, his mentor.” said slowly, he must find odd too that Master Shuu is initiating a conversation that doesn’t involve harsh remarks. Master Shuu slowy, advanced towards the desk and, “Hmm, you’re still on first part, it’s in original language after all… The legal self-defense part is very intriguing since it demonstrates the nature of the trial-…” he stopped mid sentence to look at the young one, “what do you think?” Simple, very clumsy way to communicate and ask for opinion, “huh?” Master Reiji seemed off by awkwardly pointed question, as well as myself.
“What do you think about the first act of the book?” He asked, seemed apathetic but his eyes said otherwise, “Pluto is reveals that Socrates, not the judges who condemned him, is the representative of the truth?” answered Master Reiji, after.. silence.
“What do you think?” asked Young one, equally clumsy but visibly curious. “I think his manuscript was biased since Plato was very fond of Socrates but given to consequences of bias and resentment among the jury it is probably not the best legal and criminal justice case.” said, turned to Master Reiji, “You should read Xenophon too.” he said.
“Another pupil of Socrates? Why should I? He wasn’t even there when the trial happened..”
“It is interesting to see that a military commander gives a manuscript about the ethical opinions on death sentences and moral corruption-..”
Young one cut him, “even thought he was an elected commender of one of the biggest Greek mercenary armies?” he smirked playfully, it made Master Shuu laugh, “Yeah..” he smiled.
It made me realise how unusual scene was I witnessed it. I returned the way i needed to go and couldn’t forget the interaction i just observed. It made me self aware, after that i payed attention more and more when they were together, alone or not. Their relationship was my sole joy, i am a mere servant after all…
I realised their interaction happened in Banquets and social gatherings in later years.. as i said Master Reiji was one of the few people who could have conversations with Master Shuu, it must have got to the point where both of them only enjoyed each other’s conversations more than other vampires. But besides these conversations their harsh remarks with each other developed as well.
Yet they never seem to realise that even they argue they use each other’s vocabulary or mannerisms. It is very strange watching children grow up after all.”
