Chapter Text
Ce, qu'on appelle une raison de vivre est en même temps une excellente raison de mourir
one: once upon a time
"Once upon a time," Pol whispered, lantern held close to his face to cast shadows, "there were two sons, alike in dignity and power."
"Really, Pol? Like a fairytale?" Arm complained, rolling his eyes. They were sitting under a grand little pillow fort in Lord Tankhun's guest chambers. Surrounded by clouds of silk sheets and soft embroidered pillows, it was easy to ignore the storm raging outside.
Lord Kinn had invited his new paramour to the mansion to officially introduce the man to his family. The man, Porsche, had brought his brother, Porchay, and the two joined the family for an early dinner in the garden. When the storm rolled in, darkening the late summer sky, Lord Kinn decided it was far too dangerous to send Porsche and Chay home, and (much to his and Porsche's delight) insisted they stay at the grand mansion until it passed. The extravagantly dressed Lord Tankhun, who wore a pale green suit with tails and a deep blue cravat, had immediately seized the teenage Chay upon seeing the… enamored …look in their brothers' eyes, proclaiming that if Porsche was going to stay with Kinn, there was no reason to make the servants dust out the guest wing- Chay would stay in his guest room.
Chay was still starstruck by the Theerapanyakul home- it was far removed from the small cottage he and his brother lived in on the outskirts of the village. The walls were all covered with intricate tapestries and wallpaper; everything was upholstered in fabrics so beautiful and decadent that Chay hesitated to even sit at first. He stood awkwardly, tugging self-consciously at the worn hem of his tunic, hoping his boots weren't tracking dirt throughout the halls. He was in awe of his brother, who made himself as comfortable as if he was born here from the moment they entered the mansion. The servants moved silently, tending to the home and the young lords swiftly.
After Lord Tankhun (who insisted he just call him Tankhun, but poor Chay wouldn't dream of it) swept him away to the ostentatiously decorated guest room in his wing of the house, Chay had relaxed enough to start asking questions. Lord Tankhun's chief servants, Pol, Arm, and Pete, were commanded to stay put and make the boy comfortable while Lord Tankhun was busy ordering servants to save his prize koi fish and bring them in from the gardens, despite everyone assuring him the likelihood that lightning would strike them was low. His servants were immediately warm and friendly with the nervous Chay and decided to build a pillow fort (something they knew Lord Tankhun would be delighted to discover upon his return)to make the room feel less cavernous and distract him from worrying if his chickens had taken shelter in their little coop before the deluge. Pol thought it best to answer some of Chay's questions about the family once the fort was complete.
"He wanted to know about the family! Stories are histories ," Pol huffed before continuing. "The sons, as they grew, created a special sort of family- a mafia family, built of money and power. The royals, first opposed to such a competitive power, soon saw it for what it was: the mafia could be a symbiote or a parasite. They choose to see them as a symbiote. The brothers were made nobles with titles and land, and found that they had a new challenge ahead of them: they were now in possession of everything they had ever wanted, except heirs. They each found wives and had sons of their own: the elder brother, Lord Korn, had 3 sons; Tankhun, Kinn, and Kim, in that order. The younger brother, Lord Gun, had two sons, Vegas and Macau. Lord Korn raised his sons with love, kindness, and cunning, while Lord Gun only raised his sons to be tools of his own machinations. See- the younger brother had grown tired of deferring to the elder and had made a misguided plot to move against him. When he stormed the mansion, seeking to kill his brother, Lord Korn was forced to kill him…in front of his eldest son Vegas."
"Oh!" Chay murmured, sad for the young Lord Vegas. He and Porsche had lost their parents to violence at a young age too, but they had been spared witnessing it.
Pol nodded dramatically. "Yes. Lord Vegas was very young then, too young to have witnessed such a thing. He fled back to his castle, up in the mountains, and locked himself away. Only the scant servants left and his little brother saw him after that- Macau went abroad to study- but Vegas never left the castle. They say…he grew into a monster. Bristles along his back like a porcupine, fangs and claws. They say he rips apart anyone who passes by-"
"Come now, Pol, this is straying into fairytale," Pete admonished.
"That's what they say!" Pol defended.
"Our own Lord Tankhun never leaves the estate and he hasn't turned into a monster," Pete reasoned. Chay nodded vigorously- it was just a story, right?
"It's true," murmured a voice behind Pol. The man let out a scream, Arm catching the lantern before it went flying, as Lord Tankhun stuck his head in the fort. "Oh quiet Pol, make room."
He wiggled in between Pol and Pete, now dressed in an embroidered white nightgown and vibrant violet dressing gown. Once everyone settled into their new positions, Lord Tankhun looked Chay in the eye. "My cousin is a monster. Every year we have to go visit him- he owns most of the land in the family and manages it silently. He hides in shadows. The wounds on the men who leave there, the scars his servants wear, speak to unrestrained cruelty. What he has turned into can only be described as a monstrosity."
Chay swallowed drily, unsure of what to say. Lord Tankhun held his gaze, serious and unwavering for a moment longer before clapping his hands and saying joyfully. "Ok, Pol! You must read us the new mystery novel I sent you to buy!"
two: in a land far far away
How do you pass the time when all you have is time?
Vegas sat by the fire reading Macau's letter. It made him happy to see his younger brother thriving in ways that he couldn't. Wouldn't. Macau detailed all his wonderful adventures at his school abroad and his plans for coming home for the winter. His school was high and deep in the mountains, so they sent the students home before the heaviest frost and admitted them back after the roads were cleared. To say the young Lord Vegas was lonely was to say that water was clear and the sky blue on beautiful days. His loneliness had become a shroud on his shoulders, a comfort rather than a burden. It was all he had after all, besides his brother.
That loneliness would be partially assuaged soon; his cousins were coming to visit. It would be a lie to say that he hated their visits; it felt good to have other voices than his own echoing the halls, to have a reason to cook meals. However, their hate for him and his hate for them was the main emotion infused in their conversations. After all, his father had tried to kill their father and their father had succeeded in killing his. What other feelings could they have but hatred? What connection did they have but a thin trail of blood? Despite this he had his servants air out the guest chambers and prepare their best meal. It was rare for his castle to have visitors.
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"Can't we just send him a letter?" Kim groused as the carriage jostled up the mountain. The storm had finally cleared in the morning, much to the chagrin of the brothers Theerapanyakul. Kinn had given a rather long goodbye to Porsche and Tankhun made promises to bring back gifts for his favorite little trio. Arm asked for a new dagger if they spotted one. Pol asked for a new waistcoat to wear on holidays. Pete had insisted he hadn't needed anything, but after some bullying, he asked that, if Tankhun should come across some lonely animal in need of love and care, he would like a pet. With that, the brothers left late morning to carry out their yearly visit to their worst relative.
If you dug very very deep, there was a part of Kinn that felt sorry for his cousin. If you dug even deeper, there was an acknowledgment that had Vegas's father succeeded in his coup, Kinn would have succumbed to a similar fate. However, burying all of those feelings was the distinct hatred that the cousins held for each other and so these would never be expressed out loud. Even Kim knew that there was no way to get around their one visit to their cousin, Vegas deserved to have their attention for at least a night.
"Do you want to cause another war in this family?" Kinn asked calmly.
"As if he could-"
"No, but if he tried, many innocent people would die again. Is peace not worth playing nice with our cousin for a day and a night?" Tankhun said, his piercing gaze silencing his brothers more than his words.
The carriage continued silently at the mountain with nothing but the clip-clop of the horses' hooves against the rocky soil. When they finally arrived, they saw that nothing about the castle had changed; an overgrowth of vines, roses and other plant life climbed up the stonework at the western side of the castle. The place looked bleak and lifeless save the carefully tended gardens with their tall gates on the west side. Tankhun leaned out the window to gaze at them as the carriage pulled into the northside gates.
As the Three Brothers exited their carriage, the doors of the castle opened with a meek and tired-looking servant stepping out to greet them. The old woman apologized that Vegas is not available to greet them himself and led them to their own rooms so that they could rest for their journey before dinner. The corridors were dark with few windows. While free of dust and cobwebs, it gave the feeling of being forgotten to time.
Tankhun, who was used to having his servants about him like ducklings following a mother goose, was always unnerved by the silent works and visible actions of Vegas's handful of servants. As soon as he entered his room, the little old woman was gone. He went to wash his face in the basin and when he was done, a fresh towel was placed at his side. Almost as if by magic things happened here and despite the novels he had Pol and Arm read to him, Tankhun did not like magic. He did not enjoy anything unpredictable.
As the clock struck the hour, the brothers made their way to the dining room as they always have year after year. Waiting there was a lit hearth in the dark room. The darkly painted panels of the walls glowed faintly in the flickering firelight- the high chandelier barely aiding the fire in illumination. The long dining table was covered in beautifully prepared food, sitting enticingly under the dim chandelier. As each took his seat, they noticed that Vegas' seat was deeply placed within the shadows of the room at the far end of the table. His hands rested on the table, visible in the light, as the rest of him was barely a silhouette in the large, ornate chair, giving the illusion of an enormous man. It had been a long time since they had seen their cousin, really seen him. Kim felt a tiny prick of sympathy; he isolated himself from his brothers in his tower, sure, but he was still connected to the bustling, living home and could join it whenever he pleased. When he was lonely, he could wander into the study with his father, sit by the pool with Tankhun, criticize Kinn's aim in the shooting range, making his arrows fly a little off center. They were even known to invade his tower when he was lonely but unwilling to show it.
Who joined Vegas when he was lonely?
"My dear cousins, I thank you for coming. As usual, I believe we should handle our affairs now over our meal so that you may return to your own home as soon as you please in the morning," Vegas said smoothly and ominously from his seat. Kim did not eat his food, as was his custom. Instead, he stared into the dark spot at the end of the table where his cousin sat hoping that he was locking eyes with the man. Kinn, for his part, tested his fool food for poison with a silver needle. Tankhun thought they were all being ridiculous (as usual) and filled his plate with more side dishes. From somewhere in the dark beside him, a hand filled his wine glass and he tried not to be unnerved.
"Vegas, thank you for your hospitality," Kinn said just as smoothly. "We noted in your letters that you have acquired more land?"
"Farmland, yes. Farmers are more consistent tenets than townsfolk- they pay on time." Their cousin's hand reached out and took his wine glass.
"Yes, we were wondering why that did not increase our yearly income," Kinn said as he finally took a sip of his soup. "It has remained the same."
"Because it is my land, not family land. My farmers, my money, cousin."
Kinn put down his spoon and frowned at the shadows. "You are charged with maintaining our family lands-"
"And I do so. But that does not mean that all that is mine is yours."
Kim chimed in. "Why do you need more income? Is what you receive not enough-"
"The family gives me 55% of yearly income from our lands and yet does nothing to aid me. I receive no income from any of your personal ventures, and I expect to be given the same courtesy."
"The people will start to say we are taking all the land for ourselves. The nobles will start talking~" Tankhun warned in a sing-song voice, sipping his wine.
"Then remove their tongues. Silence them- isn't that what you all do best?"
Silence fell on the table before Kinn said, in a low and too-even tone. "No, it's not."
"Really? That's not what I heard. I heard our jewelers had to hire new apprentices after you came to talk with them about the extra fees they were charging. And the tanners have to replace their doors after you visited them for threatening to go to the authorities about prices of protection."
"Silencing people who didn't do what he wanted was always your father's favorite pastime," Kinn said coldly. "Too bad he overestimated his skill in that."
Vegas' wine glass flew from the shadows, narrowly missing Kinn's head and crashing with a spectacular burst of flame in the hearth. Tankhun rose with a shriek. "NO FIGHTING AT THE DINNER TABLE!"
From the shadows, Vegas leaned forward. His face, partially illuminated by the weak light in the room, was sharp and angular. He snarled. "Do not speak of my father again."
"Of course, Kinn knows better. Calm down Vegas," Tankhun said, handling the situation with a wave of his hand before sitting down himself. "Tankhun had known Vegas best, had considered himself his older brother too before Everything Changed. It was Tankhun that had been tasked by his father to watch over his little brothers and cousins, it was him who broke up every fight between Vegas and Kinn ever since their fights consisted of stealing toys from each other. Now, Kinn had stepped out of line to draw Vegas out- Tankhun knew how to settle him back into his self-made cage.
Vegas sat back into the shadows. "All other business is the same. I've had the paperwork left in your room to review, Kinn. Is there anything else you would like to discuss?"
"Pa once again invites you to join us for new year's celebrations," Tankhun said, maintaining eye contact with the shadows.
"I once again decline," was the answer, followed by the scraping of a chair across the floor. "Enjoy the rest of your evening cousins."
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They rose early the next morning to return home. Tankhun wandered about the gardens, curious to see how the grounds were maintained. They were a bit wild, but lovely in their own way with wild roses allowed to tangle up among other plants. As he stopped by one hedge to look at the cluster of blossoms, he noticed a little nose peeking out from the bramble, sniffing about. Kneeling down, he gave a delighted little gasp. "A hedgehog!"
Up in these mountains, where the weather was more likely to be cooler and damper, was not the best environment for such a creature. Tankhun put out his hand, and the tiny hedgehog waddled its way over to his warm palm, sniffing and snuggling in. He brought the little thing to his face. "Ooh, I know someone who is going to love you!" he squealed.
"Tankhun!! We need to go if you want to get those gifts!" he heard Kinn call from the carriage yard.
"Coming!" He shouted, tucking the creature into the inner pocket of his jacket. He quickly made his way to the carriage yard and slipped into his seat. "Quickly, let's go," he whispered conspiratory to his brothers. They gave him the look they always gave him when they thought his crazy was beginning to show. Tankhun took the little creature from his pocket and showed it to them as the coachman drove the horses. Kim wrinkled his nose at it. "Why did you take that?"
The hedgehog curled into a ball.
"Pete wanted a pet, and I'd rather not have any dogs in the house," Tankhun said stiffly.
"TANKHUN YOU THIEVING WHORE!"
The voice roaring the insult was from the carriage house. Looking back out the window, Tankhun saw a ghastly sight. Dressed in a simple white shirt and black trousers, their cousin came riding a pale horse at full speed. His thin, gaunt frame and sharp face were the picture of fury as he screamed for the coachman to stop the carriage. Vegas was truly more frightening than they remembered- he looked like a specter of death, a man sent from hell to drag them down: what could have infuriated him so?
"You would steal from me?!" Vegas shouted as he dismounted his horse and Tankhun exited the carriage. He grabbed his older cousin by the collar, intimidating despite being a head shorter than Takhun. Tankhun didn't fight back, only grabbed his cousin's thin wrists to keep the shorter man from shaking him.
"Vegas, I didn't mean-"
"I saw you!"
"It's just a hedgehog?" Kinn said, leaving the carriage to defend Tankhun. The elder brother waved him off, trying to keep the situation relatively calm.
"Just?" Vegas spat at him. "First you insult my father, then you steal one of the last gifts he gave me?!"
Oh. Oh, surely not, Tankhun thought with growing horror.
"Here, have him back," he tried to offer, reaching into his pocket to retrieve the little creature, but Vegas just let go of his collar and looked at him with ill-concealed contempt.
"You've tainted him," he said. "He's going to be sick now because of you."
"Oh, come now Vegas I'm sure he will be fine, I only held him for a short while," Tankhun tried to placate. "I only took it as a present for one of my favorites- he so wanted a pet. I'm sure he will take wonderful care of it."
Vegas seemed to contemplate for a moment. "And so he shall. You'll send him to me."
"What?" Tankhun said incredulously.
"Take the hedgehog to your servant, and inform him that he will return here, to care for the creature under my supervision for a year. If he fails, your debt will be paid with his life."
"This is absolutely ridiculous!" Kinn exclaimed. Vegas mounted his horse.
"3 days. If I do not see your servant in 3 days, I will bring vengeance for all the wrongs you have done to me to your door." And with that, he rode his horse back up to his castle.
three: there was a man
"I'm not sending him there!" Tankhun shrieked.
Lord Korn sighed, unhappily. Gathered in his study were his three distraught sons, Chan (his head of staff), and Tankhun's three servants. He suspected that their current house guests stood with their ears pressed to the door, given how many hushed whispers he heard.
Kim, the calmest of the three, had casually mentioned that sending Pete was a death sentence, so Tankhun had better say his goodbyes. Kinn, his anger simmering, insisted that giving in on this trivial matter would snowball into Vegas taking more and more liberties. Tankhun was nearly in hysterics, crying and screaming. Pol and Arm had settled him into a chair and were doing everything they could to calm him.
Pete stood at the far wall, looking down at the sleeping hedgehog in his hands.
"I do not want to start conflict with my nephew," Lord Korn started, only to stop again with a wail from Tankhun. "Tankhun please!" he admonished, and Tankhun reduced to sniffles.
"Pa, sending Pete to that place because Tankhun picked up a rodent is hardly an equal reaction," Kinn continued. "Vegas is greatly overstepping his authority here."
"Gun bought those hedgehogs specifically for Vegas to raise. To teach him responsibility." Korn stood. "I cannot begin to imagine how much they mean to him now that he's alone in that place."
"That doesn't mean we should sacrific-"
"I'll go," Pete said quietly. He did not look up from his new pet. The room went deathly quiet. Chan walked over to Pete and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. An understanding look passed between them.
"Pete, no," Tankhun whispered. He was clutching Arm's hand like it was a security blanket. Pete gave his signature bright smile and said, "This is all my fault anyway. I'm just a servant, I'm not worth all this fuss."
"Pete, no," Tankhun repeated, weaker this time. Pete came over to Tankhun and knelt in front of him like he was comforting a small child. "I'll be just fine, Lord Tankhun. I've taken good care of you all these years, right? A hedgehog should be easy. I'm not worth a war with your cousin."
Tankhun reached out and hugged Pete close. "But you are. You are."
"Chan, please help Pete pack his things, and provide him with whatever he would like for his travels, no matter the cost," Korn said, and Pol helped gently free his friend from Tankhun's grip. Pete began to follow Chan out the door (Porsche and Chay almost tumbled through the door when he opened it), and then paused in the doorway. He turned to Korn. "Lord Korn, could I ask a favor?"
"Anything," he answered without hesitation. Pete looked back down at the hedgehog and then looked his employer in the eyes. "Could you take care of my grandmother while I'm gone? I know she's just a cook here, but she's the only family I have and she's getting old-"
"Like family," Lord Korn said, crossing the floor. He clapped a hand on Pete's shoulder. "I swear it."
Pete heaved a sigh, a weight off his shoulders. "Thank you."
"No, Pete. Thank you."
As Pete followed Chan down the corridors to pack his things, he was reminded of a fairytale his grandmother used to tell him. Once upon a time, in a land far away, there was a man who left his life for a long journey. As he packed his things and sold his property, his neighbors inquired after him where he was headed. "I do not know, " said the man, "but wherever it is, it will either be wonderful or become wonderful to me. "