When Kazuya arrived back in Vethela, the first thing he did was go and see the younger girl. Even though she told him she was fine, he had still been worrying about her. He even dumped a ton of gifts on her, apologizing that he wasn't there. Bastien seemed delighted about his father bringing in gift after gift for her, almost excited for her. He also liked watching as she opened the presents, peeking over the bed the man made her stay in. Occasionally, the boy would also try and sneak and "help" her open one of the presents. She didn't really mind.

"Eloise came, too," the man smiled softly, "It was a long ride for her, but she said she was sick of Echal. She didn't want to die there. It...won't be long now."

"You're handling this a lot better than I thought you would. She's your whole world, but - "

"Until she dies, I will smile. Eloise has always liked my smile, but it's more so that I want to see her smile, so I will lead by example."

He may have said that, but his hands were shaking. The man purposefully grabbed at Bastien's hand to stop it from being so recognizable. The boy glanced up, confused, but only gave a pure smile. He thought his father just wanted to hold his hand, of which he was happy to lend him. Nonetheless, once Eloise died, Kazuya was going to be devastated. It didn't really matter how long he had been preparing to live without her. Either way, his heart was going to feel as though it was ripped out of his chest.

"She wants to go to the beach," the man said proudly, Bastien beginning to tap-tap his feet excitedly at the sound of that, "I've convinced everyone to have our meeting there while she plays. I would be grateful if you would come, too."

Of course, she obliged the man. Though she wasn't interested in going swimming, she wouldn't mind just hanging out on the sand. As they arrived at the private beach to the left and below the palace's location on the cliff, it wasn't at all surprising it was already decked out in decor. There were little tents to shade them from the sun along with blankets, towels, and chairs all set out for use. One tent was more regal than the others, probably the one Kazuya would be in, speaking about politics.

There were more decorations around, along with servants and guards for their convenience and safety, but she didn't focus on them. Instead, she glanced over to find Haru, Sona doing the same. As the android noted her interest in speaking with him, he chose to go escort Bastien to give them privacy. Still, for a while, the younger girl continued to stare, noting Haru was far away from everyone else, curled up and staring at the sea. He was not himself. Concerned, she moved towards him, only for her hand to be quickly grabbed, a bright smile directed her way as Orion greeted her.

"Come play in the water with me!" he giggled, tugging her towards the light waves and clear water, "It's not cold at all!"

"Actually, I'd like to talk with Haru - "

"No! He's fine! I mean, he probably wants some alone time, so that's why he's all the way over there!"

"Shouldn't you be in the meeting with your uncle? He's only a regent. You have to be there."

"They're not starting yet," Orion mumbled, getting a little closer, "I just want to have some fun first."

"Then, I'll join you later."

It didn't matter what kind of excuse the male made. She still slipped away from him and kept walking over to the brunette. For a while, he couldn't believe she had made that decision. Or, perhaps, he could; he just didn't want to acknowledge it was a possibility in the first place. After all, when Haru hadn't been around for a while, he was always the one she went to hang out with. Now that the brunette was back, he really hoped it wouldn't go back to the way it was before. Still, he had a bad feeling about it.

As Haru was approached, he glanced over, a bit surprised. He made room for the girl, patting the sand next to him. Though she expected he would merely let her sit but not otherwise acknowledge her, he did anything but. Still silent and withdrawn, the brunette flopped onto her lap and sighed. He then, like always, grabbed her hand and placed it on his head, letting her know he wanted some physical affection. Going at his pace, she did as he instructed but remained silent until he spoke up, just in case she might have scared him off. When he finally murmured something, he was much quieter than he usually was.

"I missed you," he admitted, giving another sigh, "I wanted to call you. But I was mad at you, so I thought you would be mad at me. Are you mad at me?"

"No. Just worried."

"You still love me."

"Yes. That's why I'm worried. Your father and your mother are worried, too."

Haru wrinkled his nose and positioned his head on her lap to stare over at the people in question. Kazuya had started talking with Orion and the others about his issues with Umayena. As such, Haru chose, instead, to glance over at his brother. Bastien was doing what he always did on the beach. He waited for the waves to recede before rushing up and taunting the sea. Then, as the shallow water would rush back, he would give a shriek and bolt off. Every time he did it without the water touching him, he would start praising Sona for keeping up with him. If they failed, the boy would just note that they would try harder next time. He then made the android do a war cry with him before repeating the process. Haru gave a small grin.

His amusement, however, did not reach when he glanced over at his mother. She was lethargic now, finding it difficult to move, wrapping a warm shawl over herself. Still, she looked genuinely happy, building a poorly crafted sandcastle with Enmei. Neither of them were great at it, both never having participated in the activity, but, nonetheless, she would laugh and smile all the while. Haru's expression fluctuated between one of conflict and one of peace. In the end, due to the frustration he had at the wild emotions, he merely turned back around and ignored it.

"She's not betraying you, you know."

There was no response. Haru was as Haru did, and Haru believed in the world being black and white. Though it was possible, she did not attempt to correct that belief because she, herself, also viewed the world similarly. Sadly, she placed her thumb under his right eye, feeling him flinch immediately. She shushed him, moving her thumb non-threateningly. Still, despite the lack of pain he felt, he still began crying a bit. To her surprise, tears only came out of one eye, a mix of blurring blue and a reflection of green flowing down from his left eye.

"I don't like him," he finally acknowledged, clinging onto her tightly, "I don't care what kind of person he is or how many people like him. I don't like him."

"I think we picked up on that the moment you tried slitting his neck. I'm surprised you didn't try to do it again when he didn't die," A pause followed as the brunette's eyes lit up, followed by a swift pinch to his arm by the girl. "Don't try it. Like it or not, he's important to your mother. You wouldn't want to make her sad, would you?"

"No."

"Should we try something?"

Before the male could ask what she meant, she had already gotten up and started taking Eloise over. The woman was hesitant, at first, knowing Haru's discontent with her, but, once the younger girl said something to her, she merely nodded and followed along. She walked slowly, unable to use a lot of energy, but she was supported by the girl. Before long, at long last, she and Haru were sitting face to face, about to clear up whatever idea it was that the brunette had in his stubborn head.

"Enmei," (Y/n) muttered simply, signalling something to Eloise.

"Don't want to talk about him," Haru huffed, only for his mother to speak up, hurriedly, with the utmost concern for her son.

"Then we don't have to. But we do have to talk about you. This is exactly what happened in middle school. What's wrong, Haru?"

He flinched. She was right. He was regressing, he was getting quieter, and he had even stopped associating with the people he loved. Eloise thought it was because of Enmei, and though he was a large part of it, there was more to it. Still, the brunette began to open up a little more, grabbing onto the younger girl's hand and squeezing it. She was only glad he wasn't trying to run away again.

"You're not my mère anymore."

"Why do you keep saying that? I gave birth to you. Of course I'm your mother."

"You chose him. You don't want Bastien or me anymore."

Eloise sighed as the brunette continued. He went on and on about how it was him and Bastien or Enmei. It made some sense, or, perhaps, just the standard amount of sense for Haru. He and Bastien are brothers because they share the same mother and the same father, but Enmei only had the same mother. Sure, he was a half-brother, but he was a brother nonetheless. Still, Haru didn't recognize that word nor the concept. Enmei would only be his brother if his father was Kazuya, too. So, he felt that she was choosing a different family.

"Haru. Bastien doesn't acknowledge I'm his mother. I've been sick since he was only a few weeks old, so I couldn't take care of him like I did with you. Does that mean I'm not his mother?"

"...You betrayed pére."

"I thought you might think that," the woman sighed, clasping her hands together to give her the strength to go on, "But Enmei is older than you are. I wasn't married to Kazuya when I had him."

"But - "

"I will confess. After Bastien was born, I did go back to him - Enmei's father. And I know that disappoints you more than anything, but, please know it wasn't by choice. It was blackmail, and I - "

"He made you?"

Something changed about Haru. Instead of being withdrawn and angry at Eloise for seemingly abandoning him and his brother, he was angry at someone else. He caught on quite quickly about what she really meant, a stark comparison to his usual self. His protective instincts kicked in, the brunette wanting nothing more than to impart karma onto whatever bastard dared touch his mother. Oddly enough, though still conflicted with how he was taking it, Eloise gave a relieved smile, glancing down at the sand.

"Kazuya knows," the younger girl jumped in, trying to calm him down, "She told him immediately."

"And he didn't do anything about it?! Who was it?! Who touched you?! I'll - "

"You can't. Kazuya couldn't either. I killed him," A pause. "After he...Well, I just felt something come over me. I couldn't stop myself. Afterwards, I didn't know what to do. I was scared I would be caught and put in jail and never see you or your brother again, so I called you pére. He came running."

"That's...because he loves you."

"Yes. He has always loved me. I feel so stupid having believed any kind of blackmail that man might have had would have made Kazuya think any differently of me. Unfortunately...it was a mistake that cost me my life."

"Eloise," the younger girl was quick to interrupt, shaking her head negatively, "You can't tell him."

"I don't want to die with this secret. Or, maybe, I will die because of this secret. Actually, Haru, Enmei was not the only thing he gave me. He ended up giving me my terminal illness. I've never told you before, but it hasn't just been one illness. I've caught one after the other, just barely getting by for years, but, in the end, it's because he gave me HIV."

Again, Haru became still. He already couldn't handle the fact that his mother had been forced into a relationship she didn't want. But hearing that, because of such a horrible thing, she had been given an equally horrible disease, he found himself at a loss. He'd always thought her body was just naturally frail. Tears came to his eyes, pouring down his cheeks as though he was finally accepting she was dying and there was nothing he can do.

"I'm allergic to the treatment," the woman shrugged, averting her eyes so as not to cry, "So, like I told you, it'll be around a few weeks now, maybe more, maybe less. I have never stopped loving your pére. And I have never stopped loving you or your brothers. I will not abandon any of you."

"If that man did that to you, how could you love his son?!"

"Because he will always be my son before he is that man's. Enmei is mine and mine alone. Even so, I know I've failed him. I gave him away when he was very, very little, and he never got to grow up with me like you did. He's had a hard life because I was scared. And now, when he's finally gotten to meet me, I will die. How would you feel in his shoes, Haru?"

Truth be told, if Eloise was not dying, he would not have cared. He wouldn't have even tried to think of how painful life would have been without his mother or a brother. But, she was dying, and that made him weak. The brunette would do anything just to make her last moments on earth happy. So, he thought. And, as he thought, tears came rushing down, both (Y/n) and Eloise quick to hug him tightly. He grabbed them both, bawling and bawling, and, in return, they just leaned into him.

"You still love me?" Haru questioned in between his ugly sobs.

"Yes."

"Then, you're still my mére?"

"Of course."

The brunette mumbled something in his native language, one that the younger girl could roughly translate to mean he was grateful. He was probably immensely relieved that it wasn't one or the other - either him and Bastien or Enmei. And while he was still undeniably jealous that he had to share affection with the grey-haired male, at the very least, he wasn't robbed of it entirely. It took a while to calm him down, at which point, bags appeared under his eyes. He then placed himself back on the (h/c) haired girl's lap, trying to keep his eyes open.

"I'm so glad you have someone," the woman smiled, brushing his hair out of his face, "to keep you safe and sound while I'm gone. You will, won't you, (Y/n)?"

"...I love him more than I even know how to express."

"Then, I'll leave him in your hands. For now, I would like to go back and play with Enmei some more."

Possessive as always, the brunette reached out to grab his mother before she left, but the younger girl just took the opportunity to grab his hand. She then locked their fingers together and kissed the back of his hand, the male complying to leave it be. Rolling his head over to see the orange-haired woman start kicking sand around with the grey-haired male, he felt less conflicted than before. It didn't at all bring him happiness to see them together, but, at the very least, he knew now that it wouldn't take away any happiness either.

"I want...," A pause as the male sat back up, pushing his forehead against (Y/n)'s. "I want a baby."

"We've been over this. Your mother doesn't want you to have a baby. She wants you to spend time with her."

"Then...I want a kiss."

"That, I can do."

Haru leaned in to place his lips against hers, not particularly aggressive but not particularly shy either. He gave small huffs, pouting when she refused to let him slip his tongue in, but found it more satisfying anyway to just fight with her over who was in charge of the kiss. When the brunette would grab onto her hair, pulling her back to give him more access, she would tilt his chin up to get the upper-hand. He pulled away, eyes sparkling at the girl in front of him. He really did love her.

Orion watched from afar in shock. He had long since stopped listening to the political debate happening in front of him in favor of gawking at (Y/n). She was being squeezed by the brunette, and, in return, the girl was coddling him at any given opportunity. The prince bit on his thumb with a concerned expression, wondering if he was just a substitute in Haru's absence. She looked like she really, really, really liked Haru. And when they started kissing, giggling with one another, and relaxing in the other's embrace, he began to tense up. That wasn't fair.

She had kissed him, too. He still fantasized about the (h/c) haired girl licking the inside of his mouth and making him weak in the knees when she groped all over. It couldn't have been unfounded. She said he was cute and nice and a whole bunch of other things, too. Plus, she was always staring at him with such seductive eyes. Obviously, she had feelings for him, but why did she look like she only needed Haru? Orion clenched his fists, tearing up at the thought.

Angrily, he directed a glance to the boy's younger brother. The toddler was running up and down the beach, squealing with joy, and while, normally, the look would have been cute, Orion couldn't see it as anything but. He found himself scowling, wishing very much for the toddler to trip and start drowning. Frightened at how dark his thoughts had become, the orange-haired male pinched himself, breathing heavily as he recovered, and yet, the desires still lingered. He wanted Haru to feel as anxious as he was.

That was when he realized. There was another option.