Le Desespoir: The Cursed Paradise

Johann & Julian

"No, we don’t. We're not— " Jessica started to explain that her being Johann's lover or his sister Hannah's being the lover of Johann's brother, Jehan, wasn't planned, but she was silenced by Johann's fingers over her red lips.

"I don't mind being teased," Johann whispered huskily as he inched his face closer for a kiss. "I don't mind at all," he continued as he leaned closer, their lips about to meet but stopped in midair when the door of the bedroom suddenly burst open.

"Jessie, Charles is being a pest!" Julian announced as he walked into the room but stopped mid stride to stare at them. "Oh. Johann, you're here."

Jessica jumped out of her lover's lap while Johann rolled his eyes heavenwards and sighed.

"Just where else would I be every morning?" he countered his younger brother's question irritably as he stood up.

Julian grinned unabashedly not minding his brother's annoyed expression. "But I thought today you and Jehan will go somewhere."

"Really?" Jessica was delighted over this news.

Unlike his relationship with Julian who's a cheerful and carefree young man, Johann's relationship with Jehan, who's a bit distant and serious, was fragile.

Born from different mothers, Johann being the eldest, their father who was their remaining parent doted only on him, ignoring the younger ones.  Jehan, on the other hand, grew up in the hands of nannies and was sent to a boarding school in Paris as soon as he was old enough, only allowed to come home once in a while for short vacations, and only because Johann insisted to the Master to let him come home. If not, he’d be staying at the boarding school all the time.

Things were different for Julian, though, since Johann was old enough to protest to his father about sending his younger brothers to boarding school. The old de Lancret didn't want to bother with his other offspring, but since his favorite child asked for them to stay, he let them. Julian grew up loved by both his older brothers if not his father. Jehan, on the other hand, was only ever gentle to the youngest and remained distant to his older brother.

Johann, knowing the root of his brother's aloofness tried to repair the bond between them which had been a very difficult task, most especially since their father really didn't change his attitude towards his brothers. The oldest brother felt it was his fault that their father neglected his siblings. If he didn't exist then maybe their father would have treated them differently, kindly.

Most times, Jessica would catch her lover staring wistfully at his brothers when he saw them talking and Jehan would smile. He knew that Johann really wanted to talk like that with Jehan, but hesitated to do so because of the wall the second brother had built around him.

Among the brothers, Jessica had met Jehan last. Johann and Julian had only managed to drag him here in their cottage three years ago. The second heir seemed quite shocked to learn that his older brother's lover was a peasant. Afterall, Le Paradis was known for its lavish banquets which had the most beautiful and noble women from all and sundry in attendance. He was surprised that Johann never paid the women any mind, and had Jessica for his beau.

Jessica could still remember Jehan's expression and smiled. The second brother had been surprised, yes, but his gaze on her that day was never that of disgust and she had liked him for that in spite of his quiet nature.

Jehan de Lancret, the silent boy had changed slowly over the years. He became more open and smiled often, most especially when he fell in love with her younger sister, Hannah. He had been more approachable to his older brother too, and Jessica was happy for her lover. Johann loved both of his brothers deeply, and even if he didn't show it, she knew Johann had been hurting over his distant relationship with Jehan. Now she's glad that somehow it's improving.

"Yeah, really, "Julian answered Jessica. The younger boy looked excited over the fact his older brothers would hang out together. "They'll go to the shooting range and Jehan would beat Johann again and then— "

"—and then you're saying too much," Johann cut his brother off, but he wasn't angry.

In fact, he was really amused. It was no secret that among the three of them, Johann was the poorest when it came to guns. Jehan was the best with him being a crack-shot, and Julian followed him since the youngest had been trained by the second brother in the shooting range since very young.

"Why did I ever say yes to this," Johann groaned. "You and Jehan are sharpshooters. It's not fair."

Julian laughed and Jessica couldn't stop herself from smiling, though the latter still hated guns after getting shot twice when she was younger. The damage on her left leg and her injury that made her infertile made sure she wouldn't forget that time.

Johann originally didn't like guns either, but then again, Jehan liked guns and Johann had to tolerate them since that's the only way he knew how to get close to his brother.

"Ha! What do you mean not fair? If he got better in shooting it's your fault. You were the one who gave him twenty-one pearl-handled revolvers for his birthday. I’m so jealous."

Julian remained grinning as he answered his brother who finally chuckled, and whacked him gently on the head and ruffled his hair.

"You talk too much brat," Johann commented as he turned to Jessica and gave her a peck on the lips. "I might not come tonight," he said. "Father wants us to gather at dinner time later."

Jessica nodded and smiled, though deep inside, she felt a little sad. She already got used to having her meals with Johann, and she had already even planned on what to cook for the night. Also…

She didn’t understand why, but she felt uncomfortable upon hearing the Master wanted to dine with his children. He rarely did that, and when he did, there was always something big happening.

Could it be?

Jessica’s heart sank. Johann’s already more than of age for marriage. Perhaps it was time…