Illeuid KNEW he should not have trusted Reilard.
The walk had not been all that bad, just awkward as Illeuid could never remember a time when Reilard had picked him up casually. He had hauled out of battle when he had been hurt, his leg crushed from a spell from an enemy. And even then, he never used his own arms to carry Illeuid. He used magic to drag him away from the source of danger, no care in his action. Just getting someone useless out of the way and tossing him to the side with no attempt to ease him impact against the rough terrain. Illeuid would have to stay there as the battle carried on, the sounds sinking and fading with his consciousness. As mad as Illeuid was remembering those harsh moments, he had to admit that it was still more than his parents or other siblings have ever done for him.
Illeuid had settled himself in a more comfortable position, his legs on either side of Reilard with his elder brother's arms providing support under his thighs. Illeuid placed his chin on his left shoulder, studying the portraits and plants on either side of the hall as they passed them. The young boy contemplated if he should try to practice a few more of his skills. Debating the pros and cons of how it may affect his safety if her were to accidentally trip Reilard. But all thoughts of cartoon hijinks left his mind once he recognized where they were heading.
His eldest brother had the audacity to bring him to the worst place right now. No, it was not his father's office, thank the gods. It was to their mother. Who he did not want to be in constant communication with as of late. Yes, he knew that he was reincarnated to his tenth year. Yes, he understood that before the point of his awareness, everyone was under the impression that he preferred his mother's company compared to everyone else's. This was the curse because for everyone else, this was the only life that they knew while it was his 77th repeat of it. Reilard probably assumed he was doing him a favor by bringing him to his "mommy Rei-rei".
His face grew hot as he recalled how he eagerly tried to attach that nickname to her. Lady Reina had made sure to stop that by making him perform her version of memory tests. Which involved remembering which baby beast were posionous and which were not. Though Brakus would bring up the dreaded nickname in mockery whenever he would beat Illeuid within an inch of his life in one of their many training bouts. Illeuid pouted at Reilard once he realized where the older man was taking him. His older brother gave him a measured look, as if to tell him that he was taking time out of his schedule to deliver him to his favorite person and to be grateful. At least that was what Illeuid read in his expression. It was hard to tell as Reilard never showed his emotions easily.
"We greet Lady Veilkerhurst and hope that she would be patient with spending time with her youngest," Reilard addressed their mother.
Illeuid looked at him in shock. What, was he not staying? And his tone felt a bit too sarcastic for his older brother to safely leave Illeuid in the company of their impish mother. Why were they all trying their best to get him killed all of a sudden?
Lady Reina nodded at he son. " Of course," she set down her cup of tea on top of her favorite bone coaster. It had been from a ice beast up north. Lady Reina had its skeletal system carved and glazed by artisans after its defeat, feeling that would be a waste to have it be discarded. "What kind of mother would I be if I did not spend time with my youngest?"
A good one, Illeuid thought to himself.
The woman had recovered faster than the others and had taken to seeking him out under the guise of spending more time with him. Most likely to see what other shenanigans his new skills may get him into. Illeuid did not try anything under her watchful eyes. He felt his skin crawl as he imagined being strapped to a gurney and being disseccted like a lab animal. When he had seen his mother staring at something above his head, her eyes wide with shocked delight, he glance up to only let out a shout of horror. Above him was cloud fortunately not showing anything--he could only think of the inspiration his mother would have been struck by if she were able to see the thoughts being showcased like some kind of snuff film--but the fact that he could now produce thought bubbles were dreadful enough. He pulled at the cloudy dots that chained the cloud to the top of his head, wrapping the disjointed rope around his arm until he was able to pull the thought bubble close enough to press it against his chest. he fled away from his mother, happy that he had the ability to zoom out of uncomfortable situations. At least when the gag was applicable.
And now he was being delivered on a silver platter to the despicable woman on a silver platter. When Reilard tried to put him down, Illeuid wrapped his legs around the older man's waist, pressing as close as possible. Reilard attempted again but the young boy would not let go. Reilard did not even protest, he simply adjusted. He sat down and made Illeuid turn to still face their mother. The woman grinned as she took in her youngest's pouting face and crossed arms.
"Aw," Lady Reina pretended to be hurt, putting on a show of placing her hand where her heart should have been. "I thought that you loved your 'mommy rei-rei'?"
Illeuid felt his face burst into flames. Actual flames appeared for just a moment, rolling from his neck to the crown into his head, dispersing into a cloud of smoke and a hiss. He felt Reilard jerk back in surprise before he pressed closer to study his face. He felt his older brother push him to the side as he took in his glowing red face. The older man marveled at how the red hue seemed to emit a red aura that vibrated in the air around his head like a halo. When the older man made an attempt to touch his face, Illeuid slapped the older man's hand away. Illeuid grabbed the now lukewarm tea, splashing it on his face. Immediately, the effect faded and his face return to it normal peachy tone.
Lady Reina clapped, as if taking in a show. "This is another new modification of his mana." This was the conclusion that they had come to after lengthy discussion concerning the strange mystery surrounding the youngest Veilkerhurst. They still could not explain the strange voice, the ranking, or even the reverse time as of yet. They were not the type to run away from challenges.
"It had been a floating cloud the last time," Lady Reina continued. "He is still being stubborn about telling us about these changes means, but trying to solve it is half of the fun."
Illeuid did not agree. His mother's interest meant that she now wanted his company and he hated it. Illeuid slumped into Reilard's chest. Trying to put as much space between him and their mother as possible. Which Lady Reina noted.
"Aw..." she mocked. "Do you not like me anymore?"
Illeuid pressed closer into Reilard's chest. "You didn't like me first," was his muttered supply.
This caused his mother to raise one brow. "I love all of my children equally."
Illeuid di not voice his thoughts--and was relieved that they had not become evident by any other means. He just pressed his lips tightly together and did not even deign that response with a verbal reply. Lady Reina pushed another cup of tea towards him, having poured from another piece of her beloved set. This made take note of the one that had fallen on the ground. It had shattered into pieces. Illeuid felt dread open up in his stomach like a black hole. He slipped out of Reilard's grip, falling to his knees as he took in the damage.
Dammit. He did not want to give this woman a chance to use ANYTHING against him. He knew how petty she could get.
Fighting down rising panic, he quickly pieced the cup together. Somehow, it held its shape. And somehow, he cut himself in his haste. Illeuid studied the cut, a manic smile spreading across his face. Reilard saw how similar it looked to their mother. He also suspected that if he were to voice that thought, his younger brother would not react positively. Aware of how the youngest's perspective of their mother was no longer favorable. Though he did not attempt to address it as the youngest decided now to put on a display of being mortally wounded.
"Oh!" he cried, placing a hand on his brow as he pretended to wilt. "I have been wounded. I shan't recover unless I am returned to my hovel at the back of the manor."
Lady Reaina watched as the youngest got up to his feet, placed the cup on the table, and brushed imaginary dirt from his clothes. He looked at his cut and once again took on the exhibit of being a dying victim.
"I am dying. DYING! I shall escort myself to the infirmary for aide before I am to return to my bed. I did you adieu." Reilard raised a brow at the parting word, not familiar with its meaning but able to discern it from the context clue. With that, the youngest left the sitting room, his hand still pressed to his brow as he resolutely closed the door behind him. A moment of silence passed before Lady Reina snorted at the performance. Reilard sighed as he took his own cup of tea and took a sip.
So much for facilitating a lunch for the youngest to spend time with their mother. He'll just focus on building a relationship with the youngest instead.