Maskli (Legacy Of Bluebloods 1#)

4

(Matt)

Father waited for us at the jetty. With his followers. I have never seen this many civilians in the jetty, just to welcome us. I always thought people might forget about us as our absence in our hometown dragged. To my surprise, John knitted his eyebrows in disapproval. Normally, he enjoyed being in the center of attention. "Somebody is not well nourished." John detected our father's condition.

Surely enough, my father did look old for his age. He was more like a man in his forties than his thirties. My heart ached at his blond ashen hair. His grim face sort of reminded me of - me. Still, I could see a woman his age peeked at my father.

I wonder if he has a lover of his own. Or if he was seeing someone.

That thought enough had my stomach lurched. Sort of reminded me of my brother, who has different mistresses every day.

Don't get me wrong, John is the best brother in the world, but he has a tendency for woman, what girl will resist him when he is as charming as my father? I wished I could say I was like him in all ways, but no. There are some things I find it repulsing rather than entertaining.

Cheers drummed the jetty when we laid our first step on Sembon. I widen my eyes at such a big crowd of familiar faces.

Oh no. This cannot be happening.

I was about to back away before John's hand snatched my own, flashing his perfect line of white teeth towards the crowds, then glanced at me with a challenging look. I focused my attention on the crowds, mirroring my brother's actions. At least there aren't camera lights flashing at us like in Catsimite.

Smile Matt. Wave at them.

"Is this necessary?" Ignoring my warm face, I zinged loudly, trying to release from his grip, I don't think John heard me in this clamor. Whatever. My father broke into what-it-looked-like a loving grin as soon as he saw us walking towards him, I didn't trust myself to wave back when I was fighting from the nausea building inside. His grim face had gone. John waved his hand, who my father replied with a wave, but he was inspecting me tentatively.

I lowered my head foolishly. Calm your salt, Matt. You have done this for years. Why ruin it now?

Simple. He was my father. He knew about me more than people in Catsimite. There was something in his stare that made me uneasy. Like he was digging out my falsehood. I must be overthinking, he just missed us. After all, I am the reason we left home.

After all these years, the guilt didn't dwindle. It only strengthened as time ages.

"Father." We said, and he gave each of us a fond pat on heads "Welcome home, sons." His greet was sincere, he turned to John "How do you do? John, have you taken good care of your brother?"

Keep it light, Matt.

My mouth twisted into a slight smirk "He monitored me for two thousand nine hundred and twenty hours in those one thousand eight hundred and twenty-six days." Aye, I did count. "In conclusion, he is an adaptable brother, lord father." Father smiled impressively as John rolled his eyes "God's nose." He muttered with a nudge on my arm.

"Matt, have you noticed yourself in the mirror, little one?" My father mimicked my smirk. Or rather, I was the one who mocked it.

Little one? I lift an eyebrow. Fine, the conversation was not light as I planned. I was determined John will interfere this time.

John teased, "He doesn't even have time for books, why should he bother a mirror?" I scowled at him, half irritated and embarrassed. I know he will get back at me. Time to change the subject.