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It was late in the afternoon, the sun hanging low on the horizon, coloured in hues of red and orange. It almost looked like the heaven was on fire, burning from an unknown force that protected the Great Duchy of Rosaria since ancient times. Azure eyes observed the beautiful display outside, the last rays of light from the day entering the vast room through the large window. Clive sat on his bed, twirling his fingers around each other in an attempt to dispel the growing turmoil clutching his heart. Not even the sight outside of his window managed to distract him. He tried to focus on his breathing instead, trying to keep it as calm as possible just as he has been taught, but he was failing miserably at the task.
Commander Murdoch would be disappointed if he were to witness Clive's ragged breathing, but the tall man that was his mentor was not here, so he couldn't see the poor display of his teachings. And even if he was here, the young boy could care less about his mentor's opinion at the moment. There were far more important things on his mind than the progress in his training to become the next ruler of Rosaria the moment his powers as a Dominant awakened.
Clive tried for a little while longer, but if anything the nervousness only grew stronger with every passing second. Finding that he couldn't sit any longer, Clive jumped to his feet, pacing up and down in front of his bed, gnawing at his last remaining good fingernail. The others had already long fallen victim to his teeth ever since he had started yesterday at noon.
The day before had started so normally with the usual breakfast, offering numerous dishes he could choose from. Afterwards, his lessons about politics and history occupied him for the rest of the morning and the moment they ended, Commander Murdoch would start the usual drill, going through swordsmanship, archery, endurance training and so on.
Yet, yesterday proved to be anything but ordinary. It was right before the end of the lessons when a servant of his mother stormed into the study room, out of breath and looking totally dishevelled.
“My young Lord Rosfield, the labour pains of your mother have started.”
Nothing more was said from her, but to him, it was more than enough. The quill between his fingers slipped from his grasp as he looked utterly shocked at the maid, her words echoing inside his mind over and over again. His jaw came loose at the message, his eyes frantically searching the woman's face to see if what she said was really the truth. Clive found nothing but honesty in her expression.
For nine months he had waited for this moment and now the time finally came. His younger sibling would be born soon.
“I have to be there,” was the only thing he said when he found his speech again. Jumping from the chair to his feet, he marched towards the exit, but before he could take a single step outside a guard entered the room, blocking his path.
“Please step aside,” Clive grumbled after a few failed attempts to pass the man standing in his way, but he wouldn't budge an inch from his position. Instead, the soldier bent down so that he was at the same eye level as Clive.
“I'm sorry my lord, but I can't do that. I was ordered by your mother to bring you back to your room so that you won't disturb the birth.”
“What?!”
“Forgive me. I'm only following orders.”
To say Clive was disappointed by the sudden news was an understatement. He had waited so long for this moment only to be robbed of it at the very last moment. Why would his mother give such an order? Whatever the reason, there was nothing he could do if his mother ordered the guards to keep him away. Clive understood to some extent why she probably did so. Giving birth to a child was exhausting, but he still wished she would have told him beforehand.
“Lead the way then,” Clive said in defeat, his head hanging low. Much to his surprise, the guard patted his head before he stood up, sending a genuine smile at him. It made Clive feel slightly better. After that, it didn't take them long before they arrived at his room.
The soldier opened the large door and motioned with a slight bow for Clive to enter. Hesitating for a moment he stood in front of the entrance, glancing over his shoulder. He knew he wouldn't leave this room anytime soon the moment he stepped inside. With a heavy and defeated sigh, he accepted his fate and walked inside, listening to how the wooden door creaked as it was closed behind him. The metallic click of the lock snapping into place finalised his mother's decision. That was how the boy ended up in his current predicament, caged in his own room while he could do nothing but wait until someone released him.
Since most of the castle was busy with the events surrounding the birth even his meals were served inside his room. Every time the door opened, Clive hoped from the bottom of his heart that he could finally get outside again and meet his siblings he was desperate to see, but so far only servants had come to him to serve him his meals, nobody else.
Clive had barely slept since yesterday, two or three hours at best because his heart beat like crazy throughout the entirety of the night, showing no signs of stopping any time soon. He lacked the words to express the feeling properly, but deep down he knew that his life had changed throughout the night.
At some point, something had suddenly appeared inside his heart, something that wasn't there before and it had ripped him from his restless sleep. It felt like a flickering flame, small and weak but at the same time so bright and intense that it was overwhelming. It resonated with Clive's entire being and he felt drawn to it. He found himself lost in the sensation more often the more time passed by. Of course, he had no way of knowing, but his soul told him that his sibling was already born, wishing to meet him as much as he wanted to.
The sun outside shone for a little while longer before it vanished below the horizon, giving way for another night to rise. Clive repeated the cycle of sitting on his bed and pacing back and forth countless times as he waited for hours with no signs that someone would open the door for him until everything came to an abrupt end.
The door to his chamber creaked open and unlike the other times, no servant or maid stood in the wooden frame. Instead, it was his father, Elwin, looking a little worse from when he has last seen the man. Dark circles surrounded his eyes, indicating that he was probably running on just as much sleep as Clive did. Yet, his father looked happy and content.
“Father...?” Clive asked carefully, unsure what he should make out of his father's appearance. In return. Elwin only smiled gently, stepping to the side while he motioned for Clive to leave the room with him.
“Your mother is asleep, so you are safe to meet your brother now, Clive.” The man simply said. Clive's already rapid heartbeat spiked at the words his father directed at him, He felt every pound against the inside of his chest and could hear the blood rushing through his veins. Curiosity, happiness, nervousness. Clive was flooded with every possible human emotion at the same time, his expression constantly shifting from looking worried to brimming with excitement to uncertain about everything only to repeat the circle right after.
Elwin watched his son for a short while, amused by the boy's reaction. He could relate how Clive felt though because he has been there as well. Eventually, he had mercy on his son and threw him a little aid.
“Unless of course, you don't want to see-”
“I want to!” Clive exclaimed before Elwin had the chance to finish his sentence. It made the man smile from ear to ear to see how eager his firstborn was.
“What are you waiting for then?” He motioned again for Clive to leave his room and this time it worked. It was obvious that Clive was nervous, but it was hardly a surprise. After all, it was not an everyday event to get a sibling. So when the boy grabbed his father's hand, clutching it tightly, Elwin responded by tightening his grab on the small hand, leading Clive towards the chamber where the boy's younger sibling was waiting for them.
The walk was quiet but Clive didn't mind that. He doubted he would manage a proper sentence anyway, so the calm surrounding his father and him was very much welcomed and appreciated. It gave him the chance to get his raging emotions back under control, not that it worked very well.
The closer they got to the room, the stronger the newfound sensation within Clive's soul and heart grew. What was first a small and meek flame resembling a fragile candlelight was now a blazing wildfire that devoured everything of Clive's being. However, it was not a frightening sensation. On the contrary, the young Rosfield felt safe and secure the deeper he went into the fire, the burning essence embracing his body and wrapping him in a tranquillity he had never experienced before.
When they stopped in front of the room his father had led them, Elwin let go of his hand so that the man could push open the door. Clive felt like he was going to faint from the heat that sparked inside him the moment the door creaked open by nothing more than a mere slit.
The flames he felt roared stronger than ever and he felt like they drew him in. Therefore, when Elwin ushered him inside he didn't hesitate for even a second. Yet, the courage was gone as fast as it appeared. Once inside, Clive was overwhelmed by anxiety that prevented him from taking a single step forward.
He saw the crib where his sibling lay only a few metres away from him, felt the coaxing of the fire burning inside him and yet it felt so distant like there was an ocean separating them. A sudden pat on his shoulder followed by a soft push forward pulled Clive out of his thoughts. Startled, he looked behind him and saw how his father was smiling at him.
“It's okay to be nervous, but there's seriously no need to. Just follow what your heart desires, Clive.”
“Okay,” he whispered in return, turning his attention back to the crib that suddenly seemed a lot closer than before.
With timid steps, he crossed the distance between himself and the crib, mindful of every noise he could hear from inside. He picked up soft squeaks and giggling and they made something blossom within his heart, a strong desire to protect and to keep safe.
When he arrived, Clive took a deep breath before he rose on his tiptoes. Since the crib was taller than he, it was the only way to peek inside and what he saw stole his breath away from him.
Wrapped in a comfy blanket Clive came face to face with the squeaking and happily giggling mess that was his baby brother. He didn't ask beforehand whether he got a little sister or brother, but now that he saw his sibling with his own eyes his instinct told him it was the latter.
Azure eyes so full of life, the same colour as his own visual orbs, looked at him with brimming curiosity. Upon the sight, Clive wanted to cry from happiness while he also wanted to laugh as loud as possible from pure excitement.
The end result was a mix of both sensations. Tears rolled down his cheeks while he also smiled brighter than ever, choking on his own shallow breaths. Carefully, he reached for his baby brother, extending his pinky in greeting, wishing to welcome his sibling into this world.
His sibling giggled a burst of toothless laughter, tiny hands grabbing the offered pinky with delight and clutching it tightly. The hold was firm but gentle and so warm at the same time. Clive lacked the proper words to express the happiness that was burning inside him at this very moment.
“What is his name, father?” the boy asked without daring to avert his gaze from his baby brother. A few beats of silence passed after the question left his lips before he heard a sigh from behind him.
“That's still open for debate, I'm afraid,” Elwin said, his voice sounding dissatisfied. Clive heard how the man's firm steps bounced from the floor as he moved closer, coming to a stop behind him.
“Your mother wishes to name your brother Olivier, but the name doesn't sit well with me because it sounds like a name that would be given to a Pince of Sanbreque. But your brother is a Rosarian through and through. You can imagine what happened when I voiced my objection.”
Clive could indeed imagine how this went. The mere thought of fighting back against his mother sent shivers down his spine. He admired his father for standing up to her.
“Be that as it may be, your brother will get his name eventually, so don't worry Clive,” Elwin continued, leaning forward and looking at his newly born son with affection.
“Do you want to hold him?” He asked out of the blue a moment later, surprising Clive.
“What?” The boy exclaimed at the sudden suggestion, not knowing how to respond.
Before he had the chance to answer though, Elwin had already decided for him and lifted his sibling from the crib and bend down, offering the youngest member of the Rosfield family to Clive.
Acting on pure instinct, Clive secured his baby brother against his chest when his father pushed the soft bundle towards him, making sure his hold was firm but gentle as well. From this close, the boy felt the heat that radiated from his brother, the bottomless trust his sibling already had for him.
Despite the movements he was involved in, the freshly born boy only giggled, seemingly liking when people lifted him. His tiny hands made grubby motions, azure eyes focused on his older brother's face. Clive got the hint and elevated him higher, enabling his baby brother to explore his face.
“Joshua...” he muttered suddenly as his sibling played with his nose and black locks, surprising himself with the word. He had no idea from where it came, but it just appeared out of nowhere in his mind and slipped out of his mouth a moment later.
The name echoed throughout the entire room, soon followed by soft giggling from the baby in his arms, apparently more than content with the suggestion.
“Joshua... you say?” Elwin, who had heard the name as well, mumbled more to himself than anything else.
“Ah, I'm sorry father! I didn't mean to-” Clive apologized immediately, afraid that he overstepped his boundaries, but Elwin rose one of his hands, signalling him to stop, a silent command Clive didn't dare to disobey.
“Joshua Rosfield,” his father said next, testing out the name with the addition of their family's last name. The boy in Clive's arms squeaked happily and giggled stronger than before, casting a smile on Elwin's lips.
“Looks like it's decided then.”
“But father! You couldn't possibly... What would mother say when she learned about this?” Clive protested, already afraid of her reaction the moment she heard it was him who suggested a name for his brother.
A pat on his head dissolved all of his worries while his father looked proudly at him.
“Don't fret, Clive. It's alright. It's more important what Joshua thinks about his name and how I see things, he likes it a lot.”
Turning his gaze back to his baby brother, Clive saw a bright, toothless smile directed at him, azure eyes overflowing with happiness. All of his worries vanished at the sight and the only thing he could do was to smile.
“Joshua,” he whispered his brother's name as he pressed a soft kiss on his cheek, earning him another round of delighted giggling.