Several months had passed since the summer camp. Life at the Rose Estate had returned to its usual rhythm, though a storm brewed quietly within its halls. James—Julius's older brother—was now engaged to Jessibelle, a woman of rare beauty but with a temperament that chilled even the warmest of hearts. She was elegant, poised, and refined… but beneath that porcelain exterior lay a possessive soul with a need for absolute control.
She always appeared perfectly dressed, her violet eyes sharp with scrutiny, her smile never reaching her eyes. Wherever James went, Jessibelle was sure to follow—an ever-present shadow clinging to his side.
One crisp morning in the garden, James was seated with a book when Jessibelle appeared, her steps silent, deliberate.
"James, dearest," she said, sitting far too close. "You haven't returned my letters from yesterday. Were you too busy for me again?"
James shifted uncomfortably, lowering his book. "I was training with Growlie. You know that."
Her lips curled into a forced smile. "That silly little dog again. Honestly, James, you spend more time with it than with your fiancée."
James looked away, clearly uneasy. "Growlie's important to me."
"So am I," she replied sharply, her hand tightening around his arm. "And I expect my future husband to act accordingly. I won't be ignored."
Julius, who was observing from the second-floor balcony, clenched the wooden rail softly. He could see it—the way James's shoulders tensed, the way his eyes dulled in her presence. The carefree, slightly cowardly, but kind-hearted brother he knew was shrinking under her grip.
And Julius knew… this engagement was not built on love.
It was a cage.
And Jessibelle had the key.
The grand hallway of the Rose Estate was quiet, save for the rhythmic ticking of an antique clock. Julius sat alone, flipping through a book, when Jessibelle's sharp heels broke the silence. She strode toward him with a theatrical flair, her parasol spinning in one hand and an unnerving smile on her lips.
"There you are, little brat," she said sweetly, though her words dripped venom. "Still playing scholar, are we? Honestly, James spoils you far too much. No proper child would be allowed to prance around like a noble heir just because he can read a few books."
Julius raised an eyebrow, calm and silent, but not out of fear. Mentally, he was composed—an adult in a child's body. Still, her condescending tone sparked a flicker of annoyance.
Jessibelle stepped closer, leaned down, and whispered cruelly, "Maybe it's time someone teaches you your place. You're just the shadow trailing behind James. And when I marry him, I decide what place you'll have. Probably outside."
That was the final straw.
From the other side of the corridor, James's voice boomed like thunder, "Enough!"
Both Jessibelle and Julius turned. James stormed toward them, fury etched deep into his features. His eyes burned with rage as he planted himself between them.
"You don't speak to him like that," James growled. "I don't care who you think you are—fiancée or not—you don't ever talk down to my brother."
Jessibelle flinched but tried to regain her composure. "James, darling, I was just—"
"No, you weren't!" he shouted. "You were bullying him. He's a child! My brother. Not your toy. Not your servant. Not yours to control."
His voice echoed through the halls, startling the servants nearby. Julius sat still, watching with quiet awe. His thoughts stirred.
This kid..... James. He's something else.
There was no fear in Julius's eyes, only a tight clench in his chest—an emotion he hadn't felt in years. Pride. Respect. Gratitude.
Jessibelle's face twisted in shock. "You're choosing him over me?"
"I'm choosing what's right," James snapped. "If you can't accept that, then maybe we're not as compatible as everyone says."
Jessibelle, clearly shaken, spun on her heels and stormed out of the room, her parasol forgotten on the marble floor.
Silence returned to the hall.
James turned to Julius and knelt beside him. "You alright?"
Julius gave a small nod, his voice cool. "More than alright."
And in his mind, a small thought lingered. He really meant it. He stood up for me. Not because I'm weak... but because I matter.
The morning sun barely filtered through the heavy curtains of Lord Rose's private quarters. The room, lined with deep mahogany furniture and hunting trophies, was more intimidating than ever. James stood at attention in the center, fists clenched at his side, eyes cold but unwavering.
Lord Rose, a towering figure with a voice like thunder, paced the room with slow, deliberate steps, a cane in hand—used not for walking, but as a symbol of power and punishment.
"You insolent child!" he thundered, slamming the cane to the floor. "You raised your voice to a guest in this house. Your fiancée, no less!"
James didn't flinch.
"She was trying to assert dominance over my brother," James said sharply. "And that's where I draw the line."
"She is to be your wife!" his father snapped. "If you can't control your emotions now, how will you lead this house?"
"I won't marry someone who disrespects my family," James replied coldly.
A crack echoed through the room. The cane lashed across James's back. He gritted his teeth, barely moving, the sting sharp but nothing compared to the injustice raging in his chest.
"Jessibelle is part of this household now," Lord Rose growled. "And so is her word. Julius is a child. He should listen, not backtalk his betters."
Another blow. Then another.
But James stood his ground.
"He's my brother. He doesn't answer to her. I won't allow it."
"You fool!" Lord Rose spat. "You're risking everything! Your place, your inheritance—"
"I don't care," James barked. "If protecting Julius costs me all of that, then so be it."
A deadly silence fell.
Lord Rose trembled with rage, cane shaking in his grip. "You disgrace your name."
James wiped the blood from his lip. "Maybe it's time someone did."
"Get out of my sight," Lord Rose hissed.
Without a word, James turned and walked toward the door, head high despite the bruises forming beneath his clothes.
Outside, Caesar stood quietly in the corridor. As James passed, Caesar gave a nod—small, but filled with understanding.
Inside, Lord Rose sat in silence, knuckles white as he clenched the cane.
And James? He walked away with pain in his body but pride in his heart.
The corridors of the Rose Estate were bathed in amber light from the evening sun, long shadows trailing along the floor like old memories. Julius walked with a calm, determined pace, his small hands clenched slightly at his sides. He knew where James would be—sitting on the balcony that overlooked the garden, the place he always went when he needed to think.
James sat slouched against the railing, elbows on his knees, his usually perfect attire slightly disheveled. A bruise bloomed just above his collarbone, the mark of his father's fury from earlier that day. Julius approached silently and sat beside him. The air between them was heavy, but not with awkwardness—with unspoken understanding.
Julius kept his gaze on the horizon. In the original timeline, he should've left by now… he thought. By now, James would've run away from all of this—the expectations, the cold walls, the suffocating grip of the Rose name. But he didn't. And I think I know why.
He turned slightly toward his older brother, voice soft. "You know... if you're staying because of me, you don't have to."
James blinked, slowly turning his head. "What?"
"You were never meant to be trapped here," Julius continued, eyes still forward. "Not by Jessibelle, not by Father, and definitely not by me."
James stared at his little brother, his violet eyes clouded with confusion and emotion. "You think I stayed... for you?"
Julius gave a small smile, a sad one. "You knew this house was poison. But you didn't leave because you didn't want to leave me behind with them. You took it all. Father's beatings. Jessibelle's obsession. All of it... just so I wouldn't be alone."
A long silence followed. Then, James looked away, his voice thick with suppressed emotion. "I'm your big brother. It's my job to protect you."
"But that doesn't mean you have to destroy yourself to do it," Julius replied firmly. "James... you deserve to be free."
James clenched his jaw. "If I leave, they'll come after me. After you."
"I can handle them," Julius said, his tone unwavering. "I'm stronger than I look. And I'll be okay if I know you're out there... living for yourself."
James let out a dry laugh, the kind that came from the edge of despair. "You speak like someone much older, you know that?"
Julius shrugged. "Maybe I've just seen enough to know when it's time to stop sacrificing and start living."
The older boy leaned back, staring at the sky. Then, with a deep breath, James whispered, "So… I should go?"
"You should," Julius nodded. "Not tomorrow. Tonight."
James was quiet for a long moment. Then he turned to Julius, expression unreadable. "Then come with me."
Julius's eyes widened slightly.
James continued, voice more sure now. "I can't leave you here. Not after everything. If I go... I want you with me."
The evening wind blew gently through the balcony, rustling the vines climbing the stone. Julius looked into his brother's eyes and saw not just defiance or anger—but love.
And the moment stretched, as the stars slowly blinked into the darkening sky.
Author: I am leaving up to the readers to choose what root he will choose stay or leave. comment in this paragraph.