Not Giving Into Fate

3- Awkward Talks

I sit in my seat, patiently waiting for my brother who is already late. I drink my coffee, tea not liked by either one of us. I read my book, a book that holds information about dreams. I don't know if he will come, but I can always read here until he shows... if  he shows. Anna is on wait a few steps away, waiting for my command.

I hear footsteps on the cobblestone, heavy footsteps that aren't the same of my maids. I pretend not to hear him, pretending as if my book is very interesting. I feel his presence beside me and I close the book.

"Brother, it's nice to see you. Please sit." I gesture to the open seat across from me, still not looking at him. "Anna, please serve us quickly and leave."

I finally make eye contact with Elric as he sits across from me. He stares at me, sword resting on the left side of his chair, ready to be used at a moments notice. I look at him.

It's been a while since we've civilly sat in front of each other. I can see just how much he changed by the time of my death. He didn't have the nasty scar on his face that made him unable to see out of his left eye yet. Instead, I was looking at two green eyes, the same shade of mine. His hair is the same color as mine, a stark white that hangs over his eyes.

I look into his eyes, remembering that he tried to save me. Two siblings only related by blood but not bonded through love. He didn't have to try and stop my death, fighting the guard and running across the coliseum. There was no need, yet there had to have been a familial bond in him. I have to strengthen that bond so that I can live.

"Sister," He says once the food has been laid out and my maid has scurried away. "Why have you called for me?"

"Please eat," I say as I pick up my fork to eat my salad. I don't eat desserts in the morning, the sweetness too much for the early sun.

"Sister." He says. I look up at him. He won't eat the food and he will leave if I don't say why I called him here.

"I promise it isn't poisoned." I take a bite out of my food to show him. "I called you because there's something that I can help you with, but for a price."

"I don't need your help." He spits out. I'm not offended. He really doesn't, but it wouldn't hurt him.

"That may be true in the past, but you need my help in settling the debate with Duke Stiling." I say. "At least drink some coffee, I know you prefer that over tea."

He begrudgingly serves himself coffee, I watch as he disgustingly takes it black. "What do you know of Duke Stiling?"

"Brother, my favorite sibling-"

"I'm your only sibling." He cuts me off and sips his coffee. I force a smile. Yes, for now we only have each other.

"There are three armies. Captain Solon of the Temple Knights, the man who will inherit the great duchy- you-" I say as I mix my sugar in my coffee. "You have the great Temple Knights. Grand Duke Driscol controls the Northern Knights where the great wall lies. Duke Stiling has the Imperial Army."

"Sister, I know how it works, I'm the Captain."

"Right," I clear my throat. "Back to the matter at hand, I know of your recent feud with Duke Stiling and I know that he is involved with dangerous individuals." I say and look at him.

He looks up at me, doubt flashing across his face. I know from the past, he has known that Duke Stiling is involved in shady business, but he never had proof of it until a month before my death. It made him very angry the months leading up to it.

"What do you know?" He asks, leaning forward. I smirk and take a sip of my coffee.

"Do you really think I'll give out sensitive information to just anyone, even to my own brother?" I ask and look at him through my eyelashes.