"Big Brother, you were becoming more and more like Father. I believe that under your leadership, the family will rise to even greater heights." Velin raised his cup again and offered Isis his blessings.
Isis smiled as he picked up his wine cup. "Do you want Father to step down that badly?"
"If you weren't taking part in the trial, Father would have followed Grandfather's example long ago—handed the title to you and taken Mother traveling."
"Hahaha, aren't you afraid I'll tell Father when I go back next time?" Isis smiled teasingly, wanting to see a frightened expression on his younger brother's face.
Remembering the beatings he had received in the past, Velin suddenly realized things were going badly. Still, he put on a tough front. "What's there to fear? I just won't go back when the time comes. It's not like he can come all the way to Cadro Province to beat me up."
"You asked for this, so don't blame me." Isis finished his wine, set the cup on the low table, and quietly watched Velin.
"Alright, Big Brother, I'm scared. Is that enough? I'm scared." Velin flopped onto the low table without a shred of dignity, complaining weakly.
Isis placed a hand on Velin's head and said gently, "You're still the same. Everything else has changed, but this hasn't changed much."
"Maybe it will change someday. Who could possibly know what the future holds?" Velin enjoyed this moment, but people changed. He had no idea which direction his future would take.
"Who knows about the future? But you haven't changed yet, have you?"
Isis understood very clearly that perhaps in a few years, after he married and inherited the title of Earl Eagle, some changes would come.
His Fourth Brother had spent ten years developing new lands.