Tristan walked into Cain's suite. He was predictably sitting on a couch starring at a table full of various crystal bottles. The flames from the fireplace shone through and caused the clear and amber liquids to create reflections that danced across the walls. Tristan didn't understand why Cain insisted the bottles to remain in his room. No, he understood completely, another way for his brother to viciously torture himself.
"Pour me a drink brother?" Tristan asked.
"If that's what you want." Cain said, a hint of solemnness in his tone. Cain walked over to the bottles.
"On second thought, that was what got us into this mess in the first place, is it not?" Tristan interrupted before Cain could complete the task.
"What are you talking about?" Cain looked drained which made Tristan begin to feel like a bully. He walked over to his big brother and lovingly patted his shoulder twice. Tristan sat in a chair across from the couch where Cain had been sitting. Cain looked warily at his brother as he took his seat again.
"Cain, I do remember our conversation. I hope you don't think me so much of a drunk as to completely loose all control of myself. " Cain looked instantly desolate and Tristan interpreted his words as his brother would have.
"Cain, that isn't what I meant." He instantly apologized. "That was a stupid thing to say, I—"
"No, you're right. You have no reason to feel bad. Just because the truth hurts, makes it no less true." Cain said dejectedly leaning on his knees as his head hung towards the floor.
"You need to stop punishing yourself. What happened is not your fault." Tristan insisted. Cain looked up at him suddenly.
"Tristan we've had this conversation too many times. What happened is completely my fault. Whatever you choose to believe does not change that. I deserve so much more than I could ever do to punish myself. " Tristan hated this guilt that had taken his brother away. Cain sensed Tristan's impending interruption and stopped him with a simple hand raised. "I know you don't agree with that. You are much too good to ever wish any harm on anyone, so we will have to continue to agree to disagree." Tristan felt pain for his brother, but didn't know how to stop the self-inflicted suffering.
"If you wont listen to reason I guess there is nothing I can do." Cain nodded and Tristan continued. "Anyway, back to my point. It seems I was a little loose-lipped during one of our previous encounters. You seemed to take advantage of my inebriation though, did you not?"
"You told me you wanted a wife. You said you want a family Tristan."
"I was drunk Cain."
"I know you. You never say what you don't mean, especially when you're drunk. You're too honest for your own good." Cain laughed sardonically.
"Whatever I want is my own responsibility to acquire for myself." Tristan gently scolded.
"Tristan, you never leave. You never talk to anyone anymore." Tristan stood angrily, and therefore clumsily, but Cain didn't move to help him. He hated the hurt look he'd seen in his brother's eyes in the library when he'd tried to catch him. Tristan inwardly winced at the memory and loss of temper on his part.
"I'm done having this argument," Tristan said with finality. "What's done is done. Your girl is here." Tristan smiled, all anger vanished from his features. "The two of you seem to have hit it off quite well." Tristan teased.
"It doesn't matter if I get along with the girl, as long as she is well behaved and obedient. She is here for you."
"You speak so highly of your chosen sister-in-law." Tristan laughed. Cain glared at his teasing brother.
"Maggie chose her, I simply gave the stipulations."
"You let our old nanny choose my future wife. Ironic, as she told me consistently that my abominable table manners would prevent me from ever marrying." Tristan laughed.
"She meant well at the time, and you eat much better for it." Cain laughed. "Anyway, she didn't actually choose her; she simply picked a name off of a list."
"Well I'm sorry for any trouble you may have gone through to bring her here, but I don't believe we will be hearing wedding bells anytime soon." Tristan looked slightly accusingly towards Cain.
"Tristan please just give her a chance, you said you would talk to her. Clearly one dinner doesn't sway you one way or another?" Cain argued.
"I said I would talk to her, and I will. However, know that I don't believe your plan is going to work." His brother looked borderline desperate, which was so uncharacteristic that it pained Tristan. "Cain, that girl in there is little more than a child. Looking for the safety of her parents. "
"You want someone older?" Cain asked sadly, looking so eager for approval from Tristan.
"No, that isn't what I meant. The circumstances that brought her here are what I wish were different, but I imagine what has been done can't be undone?" Tristan looked into Cain's eyes and saw that he completely understood Tristan's disapproval.
"No. She can not be returned." He said slowly. Tristan nodded, already knowing the answer, knowing that it was completely intentional on his brother's part. However, he was done being angry with Cain.
