Music Recommendation: Blooming Truth- Byun Sang Hoo

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  When the butler entered the room, he heard a slight sound that came from the closet. On opening the closet, his eyes widened, on noticing the young master in there, who had fainted.

  "Master Simon!" The butler called the young boy's name, and he quickly pulled the boy out of there. "How did you end up here?" he murmured with a deep frown.

  The young boy had fallen unconscious, and he was picked up by the butler and carried to his respective room. Once he was tucked in the bed, one of the maids brought a glass of water and handed it to the butler. The butler poured some water into the boy's mouth, who heckled as he woke up, sputtering some drops of water.

  Young Simon's eyes widened, and a gasp escaped from his lips.

  "You are safe now," assured the butler, and he asked, "You are lucky I was walking past the room, else you would have been locked there for God knows for how long. How did you even end up there?" inquired the old man, whose hair was gray and had wrinkles on his face.

  The little boy had just come out of shock from being in the darkness and was unable to breathe for a long time until he fainted. He opened his mouth, ready to explain what happened, until he remembered what his elder brother, Jamison, had warned him with. He shook his head and said,

  "I don't know."

  Hearing this, the butler frowned. Because he knew this wasn't the first time he had found the boy locked in the rooms or closets, where he kept getting himself in trouble.

  "I am fine, Augustine," Simon offered a smile that didn't reach up to his eyes, but he smiled anyway. If a person took a closer look, one could tell how hollow the boy's eyes were.

  "You know you can always tell me about anything?" asked Augustine, the butler, who had served the Wallace's family for many years now before even Mr. and Mrs. Wallace had been married.

  The young boy gave a nod, "I know, and I always take your help," replied Simon.

  "Maybe I should advise you to avoid going to the unused rooms and open the closet doors. Curiosity is never good, Master Simon," the butler tried to advise Simon, who once again responded with a nod.

  "I will try to keep that in my mind."

  "Here, why don't you drink this glass of water and I will continue my work," said the butler, offering the glass of water.

  Simon took hold of the glass and drank the entire glass of water. But when he handed the empty glass, the boy asked, "Is mother and father in the house?"

  "Mr. Wallace hasn't returned home yet, and Mrs. Wallace went out to attend a lunch gathering with your sister Lady Emmie. Would you want me to inform you when they get back home? Or inform them that you wanted to speak to them?" inquired Augustine, standing straight next to the bed.

  "No," came the quick reply from the boy, his eyes slightly wide, and the butler gave him a nod.

  "Is there anything you would like me to do for you?" the butler asked in a polite tone, as if already knowing why the young boy was inquiring about his parents whereabouts.

  "Do you know when mother will be back?" asked Simon, and the butler answered,

  "It shouldn't be until five."

  "I will be going out for a few minutes," informed young Simon and the butler only stared at him.

  "May I ask where, just so that I can inform the others if they ask about your whereabouts."

  The young boy pursed his lips, thinking about it before he said, "If it is my siblings, tell them you haven't seen me. Also keep the closet and door locked……of that room. I am just going for a walk."

  "I hope you have a safe stroll outside, Master Simon," Augustine wished the boy, who scrambled out of bed and stepped outside the room.

  Simon didn't use the front or the back door of the house to go out, in slight dread that his siblings would catch sight of him. He didn't want to spend his time again in another closet of the house. He climbed out of the window and quickly walked away from his house, making his way towards one of his friend's houses. When he nearly reached the Moltenore's mansion, he caught sight of Roman and his brother Tristan, who were playing on one side of the mansion.

  "What happened to your friends today?" a young Roman questioned his brother, who shared the same age as Simon.

  "I told them I was busy, and that I was going to spend time with my dear brother," smiled Tristan, and Roman stared at him.

  "You don't have to do it. I have books to read and keep me company," replied Roman, and he caught the ball that Tristan threw at him.

  "Those are non-living objects. You need more than just visuals, you need to experience it," laughed Tristan. And he caught back the ball that Roman threw straight at him. "You should throw it to the sides so that it becomes less predictable to the other person, Rome. Also, what good is it going to be if you are only going to spend your time with the books?"

  "It avoids having to interact with people," came the dull and obvious response from the younger brother, and Tristan shook his head.

  "Don't worry, you have your elder brother with you. I will make sure that you get all the right experience and don't lose out on anything. I will never leave your side," stated Tristan, and the younger brother softly sighed as if he had suddenly aged ten plus years.

  Young Roman knew how popular Tristan was and with his elder brother being the legitimate son of the Moltenore's, people loved and accepted him, while he was always pushed to the side as if he didn't exist. He didn't want Tristan missing out on his time with his friends.

  "Whatever you choose," muttered Roman. This time when he caught the ball, he threw it far to the side, where his brother wouldn't be able to catch it. Tristan stared at him with his mouth open. "You said it to be unpredictable."

  "That is not what I meant," said Tristan, raising his hand to emphasise his point.

  The Wallace boy, who hadn't made his presence known, stood there watching the two brothers. His green eyes held the emotions of envy, as he craved to have a similar relationship like that with his siblings or at least his brother. To be loved and treasured, to have his back in the most demanding situations.

  He watched how Tristan Moltenore continued to poke his brother without harming him, and instead laughing and talking to his adopted brother. And though his friend Roman often showed disinterest, he could tell that Tristan's effort had moved Roman. He wondered if, in the future, the condition between him and his brothers would get better. He didn't even know why his siblings treated him the way they did.

  "When did you come here?" questioned Roman on seeing Simon standing not too far from them.

  "A minute ago," replied Simon, and he made his way towards Roman. "I thought I hid myself well," he smiled at Roman, who stared at him with a bored expression on his face.

  "No matter how well you hide, your red hair gives away," pointed Roman, and subconsciously Simon touched his flaming hair. "Do you want to play?"

  "Yes," Simon's eyes brightened, and he looked at Tristan to make sure he wasn't interrupting their time, even though he craved to have some company right now.

  "Of course, you can join us. It will be more interesting to have three people than just two. Also, I must say that I am glad to see that my brother has another friend, who still wants to talk to him. Didn't you both fight last week?"

  "Augustine says fights are common between friends. That it makes the bond stronger," stated Simon, taking his position next to Roman.

  "What a sensible butler you have."

  "Don't come here," came the blunt words from Roman.

  Simon blinked at Roman's words as if he didn't hear anything, while Tristan raised his eyebrows.

  "Isn't that a little rude, Rome? He is your friend along with Maximus and the others," Tristan acted like a parent, giving a look at his younger brother, who didn't respond to his words but only stared at Simon.