Atticus [BL]
Chapter 28 Brother Nathaniel

Chapter 28: 28 Brother Nathaniel

The noise and familiar scent of the capital welcomed Elwin and Nolan.

It had almost been two years since the last they set foot at the capital city of their empire.

Nerys, on the other hand, couldn’t hide his astonishment as he took in the bustling crowd—so different from the village. The elegant dresses of the women, the variety of bonnets they wore, and even the men’s formal coats and half-top hats all caught his attention.

"It’s... it has many humans compared to where we have been...Look, they also have tiny humans here with exactly the same features...!"

As they stepped out of the train, the Chthon felt overwhelmed by the crowded train station.

"Ssshh... They’re called children, and they’re twins. Don’t speak like that, people here are more dangerous compared to the village. A sanction member might be amongst these people." Elwin said to Nerys in a hushed tone.

He went in front of Nerys to adjust his earflap hat and made sure his ears were hidden.

"A-alright, let me hold your hand so I can make sure you are safe."

"There’s no need,"

"Quit it, you two. We need to ride a carriage to reach my brother’s house."

Nolan donned his half-top hat and made his way towards the exit of the train station. The two followed behind.

They immediately saw an open-top carriage with no passengers and quickly approached the coach.

"Go to this address," Nolan said and handed him a piece of paper with an address written on it.

Without any delay, the three were already on their way.

The driver took them to a large estate cottage surrounded by a well-tended garden. After paying 2 gold pounds to which the driver was delighted and pulled the rein of his horses and dashed away.

Nolan was tired. He didn’t know that commuting could be so exhausting. He should have accepted’s Atticus offer, he could not help but regret it.

An elderly butler arrived at the drawing room and saw their unexpected guests. His wrinkled forehead was slightly sweaty from rushing to them upon learning from the porter that his Master’s brother had arrived.

"Young Master Nolan, you could have sent us a message to notify us of your arrival. This is so sudden, Lord Nathaniel is in his office, but he has been notified. He will be here right away."

Nolan handed him his coat and his half-top hat, which the elderly butler calmly received and hung the coat on his arm.

"There’s no need to rush, I need to rest also... I’m tired." Nolan said and collapsed on the sofa.

The butler then turned to Nerys and asked for his Earflap.

"P-please, Young Master Nolan, allow me to walk you to your designated room upstairs so you can rest properly..."

The poor elderly butler was in a state of slight panic and watching Nolan’s behavior of lying on the sofa almost made him gasped in disbelief.

A young man from a wealthy family like Nolan was expected to exhibit a certain level of formality and propriety in their actions.

"Brother, Arnold is going to have a heart attack because of you."

A pale-blonde and handsome man entered the drawing room. He had blue eyes and his face radiated coldness, but his voice was gentle and kind.

"B-Brother Nathaniel...!"

The gentleman gazed at Elwin who quickly ran to him and greeted him with a smile.

Nathaniel Loic, Benson’s second son, smiled to see Elwin. He lifted his hand and ruffled Elwin’s fluffy ginger hair, "Elwin, it’s good to see you again."

Elwin blushed, to which Nerys immediately noticed.

"Arnold, you can leave us."

Arnold, the elderly butler, acknowledged his Master’s command but remained standing in front of Nerys. He was waiting for Nerys to hand him his Earflap hat.

"It’s alright, Nerys. Take off your hat and hand it to him. He will not leave until you do so." Nolan muttered as he sat up straight on the sofa.

Nerys obeyed without worrying further. He pulled his Earflap that Elwin made for him and handed it to Arnold.

Upon seeing his pointed ears, the elderly butler stepped back in shock. Nathaniel on the other hand turned serious before his gaze returned to his younger brother.

Arnold quickly gathered himself. He took the Earflap and quietly left the drawing room.

Nathaniel strode towards the sofa and sat opposite Nolan, "What have you done this time? And where’s Atticus?"

Elwin held Nerys’s hand and went to sit next to Nolan.

"I left him to handle some matters." Nolan muttered, "I’m here because I need your help."

"Father had already warned me about lending you any further assistance. I think it is time for you to stop this, once and for all."

Nolan pouted and clicked his tongue, crossing his arms and legs, "All father did is worry about everything anyway. Right now, he’s probably worried about you and brother Nikolas for still not being able to find a wife."

"Well, that’s certainly true." Nathaniel sighed in response, his face suddenly bore stress and pensive expression.

Nathaniel Loic, the second son of Benson Loic was in a conundrum.

Their father had started to pressure his sons into marriage, especially Nolan’s two older brothers.

"Are you in a hurry? Brother Nikolas and I will be attending a tea gathering to meet the Viscounts’ two daughters with father." Nathaniel said in a depressed tone.

And obviously, he did not want to get married just yet.

It was one of Benson’s problem also, none of his son yet wanted to get married. Despite being old enough to have a child of their own, none of them showed interest about marriage.

"The Viscount’s daughters?" Nolan asked in disbelief, "How did father even make such an arrangement?"

Despite being one of the wealthiest Tycoon in the empire, it was certainly unconventional to even get the attention of such a high profile noble.

The Viscount could be a subject of criticism if words about it spread out.

Nathaniel couldn’t help but sighed again in a disheartened manner, "It was the Viscount who sent the invitation. Their two daughters wished to see us over a private tea gathering."

Nolan couldn’t help but feel sympathy for his brothers.

Marrying the Viscount’s daughter could be a major step toward bringing their family into noble circles. Although their financial success granted them influence, societal norms dictated that wealth alone was not enough to secure a place among the nobility.

However, their family cared little about becoming part of the noble class. As long as Benson could exert influence on society—whether through funding, sponsorships, or contributing to the empire’s economy—it was enough to earn respect.

Nathaniel snapped from his disheartened disposition and stood up, "We can talk later after I arrive, for now, rest or do whatever you want just don’t stress Arnold." he said to Nolan.

"Brother Nathaniel, are you getting married...?"

Nathaniel glanced at Elwin whose green eyes were searchingly looking at him. He gave him a weak smile before he answered.

"There’s no certainty of a marriage talk later."

Certainly, he and Nikolas were in a sensitive position.

The Viscount had a strong tie to the imperial politics. He held a lavish ball where bachelors and debutantes were also invited for their daughters to mingle. It was rude for them to decline, so after the series of talks pressuring them to attend from their father, they had no choice but to attend.

Although keeping to lie low during the ball, the two brothers weren’t able to escape the Viscount’s two daughter’s attention and interest.

Their family’s reputation was on the line. One wrong decision to upset those young women would cost their family’s public image and be subject to public shame and criticism.

Nathaniel left the drawing room and headed straight to his bedroom.

"Lord Nathaniel, your clothes have been prepared. Your bath is also ready."

He gave a subtle nod to his valet before entering his bedroom. The valet remained standing on guard outside his room.

*

The carriage that was picking up Nathaniel, arrived. Inside were his older brother Nikolas and his Father.

Nikolas Loic was the oldest son of Benson. He had a black hair and a purple eyes, a pale white complexion and bore an air of seriousness and reserved disposition. Nikolas exudes an air of authority, and the most pragmatic amongst Benson’s children.

He and Nolan got their dark hair and purple eyes from their mother, and both resembled their mother’s appearance.

Nathaniel instantly noticed how his father was anxious upon stepping into the carriage and sat next to his brother.

"Father, you seem more anxious and nervous compared to us."

Benson took a deep breath and exhaled loudly to gather himself. The carriage began to move.

The private tea gathering at the Viscount’s estate was something unexpected for Benson. If he wanted to secure a strong influence not only in their country, he could take advantage of the Viscount’s two daughter’s interest in his sons.

"Just a little nervous. This is too sudden and unexpected..." Benson paused and glanced at his two handsome sons sitting opposite him, "Won’t you two consider marriage this time?"

Sadly, he already knew the answer.

"Sigh... How do you think your mother will react when at the age of 29 and 27 you are both still single?"

Nikolas and Nathaniel gazed at their father’s pleading face with a blank expression. Their father had been doing that face, hoping it tugs their conscience and pity, but it was useless.

Benson could only sigh when they both looked away from him and gazed outside the window of their carriage instead.