In a room further than the others, piano notes drifted the still air. They came like the gentle trickling of river water, tumbling softly over rocks. Cas’ fingers did not hesitate as they met white and black and white again, beauty and tragedy and grace forming with just a single touch. There was only him and the flow of music as his sole companion in the brightly lit room.
Sunlight naturally passed through the well placed windows that stretched from floor to ceiling, and it was the moment that he looked forward to the most. The hours between four and six were a dream, the room holding its breath before the first notes eased the tension.
Just then, there was a muffled but unmistakable sound of the front door slamming shut. Familiar voices filled the hall below. As if burnt by fire, Cas’ hands immediately withdrew from the piano, and he carefully replaced the cover. The sudden, abrupt silence from the unfinished piece pressed against his chest, heavy as the dread that came along with it.
Cas was already in the kitchen when they approached. The first who entered was tall, his wavy hair dark as midnight. His expression was never without a scorn, paired with cold, green eyes that made him seem disagreeable even to a stranger. Already, it looked as if the words he was about to speak were not going to be pleasant. Alexander was never one to smile unless there was something to gain.
‘Have you finished with our rooms?’ The other brother had spoken first, placing his school blazer and bag on the countertop. He raked a hand through golden hair, mild exhaustion on his features. Unlike Alexander, Johan’s demeanour was more bored than carefree, as if nothing in the world could offend him in the slightest.
‘Yes,’ Cas said, taking up the items. As he did so, Alexander tossed his own bag, which Cas hastily caught.
‘Father will be back for dinner. So no takeaway.’
Cas gave a nod. He began to leave to put their belongings away.
‘I have assignments due next week,’ Alexander said without looking up. He reached for the snack bowl that was prepared. ‘They’re in the bag.’
Cas hesitated. Friar Academy prided itself on extensive reading lists, extracurriculars and taught material that extended well beyond their curriculum. And since entering their final year, assignments have become harder to complete. Gone were the days where he was only made to fill in worksheets and solve simple maths problems that didn’t take more than a few hours. The frequent late nights have begun to affect him, and the chores he’d never thought much of slowly became tougher when they hadn’t before.
‘It’s the essays, isn’t it?’ Cas spoke, not daring to look at him. ‘So—’
‘So I’m sure you can write them just as well this time. As you can see, I’m tired from extracurriculars.’
After a brief silence, Alexander spoke again, ‘What? You don’t want to?’
‘No—it’s just—midterms are coming soon, and I don’t think I can do it this time.’
Alexander came face to face with Cas, who hadn’t moved.
‘Do you want to die?’ His voice was dangerously low.
Johan was helping himself to the snacks, one hand propped on the counter as he continued to read. Cas glanced at him, then back at Alexander.
‘I’ll do them again once midterms are over. I promise.’
Alexander stepped closer. He gripped the youth's arm, twisting his flesh. Pain seized Cas, and it was all he could do not to drop their things.
‘Need I remind you of what you are?’ Alexander did not break his gaze. ‘This may have been your home once. But if it weren’t for Father, you would’ve been sent away a long time ago. Is this how you show gratitude to those who decided to keep you?’
Cas trembled. There was nothing he could say.
‘One word from me, and you’ll leave here for good. See how you like it then.’
The pain did not subside, but it was nothing compared to the threat of being sent to a home, or worse, where he would have to survive in the streets. Cas looked down.
‘…Alright,’ he said. ‘Alright.’
Alexander let go.
‘That wasn’t so hard. Know your place, Casimir, or there are far worse things for you.’
After fixing dinner of roast and potatoes, Cas returned to his room on the third floor. Though it’s spacious, a draft always seemed to linger despite everything he did to stop it. The flight of stairs was always the hardest after a long day, and there was nothing he wanted more than to let his weight drop onto the mattress.
Settling down at his desk, he took out Alexander’s assignment. At Friar Academy, all three of them took music, the twins especially talented in this subject. Aside from the hefty school fees, their father did not spare any expense when it came to hiring the best piano tutors, ensuring their chances of acceptance into an esteemed institute.
Cas’ thoughts immediately wandered to the piano room, the precious notes from Debussy calming his mind. The longing to return was more bittersweet than painful, and he tried to think that the busy hours would pass soon enough before his next visit.
He was halfway through the first draft when the final occupant entered the manor. Silas’ presence was known through firm, efficient footsteps travelling through the hallways. He was gracious when he wanted to be, and liked to keep his cruelty private. To Cas, Alexander and Johan were a reflection of his personality, even if they didn’t know it themselves.
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