Forbidden Flower of Moriarty || Moriarty the Patriot Fanfiction ||

Chapter 41: Forgiveness

A/N: I absolutely did not scream the first time I read this part of the manga.

I don't own the image used. Credits to the mangaka.

Trigger warnings for you know what. (If you read the manga, then you know.) Proceed with caution.

Happy Reading!!

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Somewhere in an old prison tower, the dim light from the small lamp shone on the marked walls as another line was carved by the brunet.

Albert let out a sigh as he set the knife back to the table after marking another line. The lines represents the days that passed while he's inside. Well, it's not as if he's counting the days he spent inside the room he confined his self. But rather, it is out of habit he had been doing for the past three years.

Or maybe... A form of nightly repentance.

And in those three years, he had read all of Elise's letter that was sent to him via Mycroft's messenger bird, Charles Dickens.

Yet, Albert hasn't responded to her letters. Not even once.

He just... Couldn't bring his self to.

Though he never gets tired of rereading them since doing so make him feel like he is witnessing his family's growth, and especially his sister's. He already knew that MI6 is under the leadership of both Elise and Louis, and it seems to be progressing smoothly.

Probably even better that it was under him.

"I wonder... How Elise is doing... Louis and Elise... They're probably doing a better job than we do..."

Since William's death, Albert had been living aimlessly inside the dark prison tower, the guilt he felt is slowly eating him on the inside.

And Elise's letter had given him the comfort and warmth to ease his pain in those three years of isolation. Despite his own internal conflict, he made a promise not to take his life, for her sake.

He picked up the most recent he received and read it again. And as always, her letters always contained the progress of their organization and their everyday life.

Elise didn't mention, not even once, that she's telling him to come back soon or something like that. Even in her letter never gives off the implication of expecting a reply from him.

She would sometimes tell him to eat well and to take good care of his self. Despite his current status, Albert was treated fairly and was given regular amount of food so there's nothing to be worried about being starved.

Albert knew that Elise does that because she doesn't want to pressure him if he's not ready. That's just the way his sister is. Considerate and understanding.

That's what makes it harder for him to reply back. He couldn't bring himself to after what he had done and he didn't want to abuse her kindness anymore.

Though most of the time, he would look at the paper and pen on his desk, as if contemplating on a reply he couldn't write.

He leaned back on his chair and closed his eyes.

He reminisced the days when they were still younger, before he met the blond genius. During those difficult times, he has his innocent but sickly sister by his side, someone who shares the same sentiment with him.

Albert realized for a long time since back then that his family only planned to use their youngest daughter for the benefit of themselves and the family. Since Elise had been quite a beauty since she was young, it had attracted many young nobles, even those who are higher in status. Her beauty was valued more than her health and wishes to learn, and it disgusts him greatly to see his sister exploited like that.