Chapter 220 - The Ark Of Sibling Anger (2/2)

”So tell me, on what basis do you have to call me weak when you have no clue about the pain that I had to go through?!”

”All of us go through pain, it's just so petty to compare your pain to mine!”

”I'm not comparing my pain to yours. And frankly, I don't give a damn about yours either.”

”So what are you trying to say?”

”I'm saying that you had the choice to save me. To be with me. But no, you turned your back towards me and sided with my parents. And I'm angry at that point. Because you think that I'm weak but in truth, you were the one who was supposed to be by my side.”

”Because no matter what...”

Ashley looked at Mavislin as he smoothed out her hair. And smiled sadly. His body shook ever so slightly when Mavislin looked at him with worried eyes. He then slumped down onto the chair.

”I'd hoped one day. Just one day, that you'll eventually know that I was hurting and that you would stand up for me. Or just, be there for me. Like when we were toddlers. I don't even know whether you remembered. Or if it's just some useless memory to you,” said Ashley, sadly.

”Toddlers?” asked Minwoo, softly.

”You were always there to comfort me when I cried. When I couldn't figure out a puzzle or when I was just cranky. You were still by my side. It was the only time that I saw you as my brother and best friend. Until the announcement was made to designate you to be the head of the house.”

”Then am I not your bother anymore after that?”

”I could ask you the same question. You left me behind. When I realized it, I refused to see myself as having a family anymore. Brother is nothing more than a title. It holds no meaning to me. Neither do I see my parents as people. I count them as nothing. And I hate them more than Mages.”

Minwoo looked conflicted as he tried finding the words to counter that. But alas, he couldn't find any. Ashley was right, he couldn't deny that. But it wasn't without reason that he abandoned his little brother.

”I wanted to be by your side too, Ash. I really did. But Mom and Dad didn't allow it. They said only one could be at the top. And I...”

”What a load of bull roar that is,” boomed Ysabeau, shocking everyone in the room.

”What do you mean, M'lady?” asked Minwoo, visibly shaken at Ysabeau's darkened eyes.