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nAfter a few more heavenly relaxing hours John and Roselyn returned home.

nThe babies were already sleeping and there was a peaceful silence. The house hadn't been that quiet in a very long time.

nThe couple whispered hello to the maids and as quietly as they could they walked into their room.

nAfter almost a year since the baby's birth, It was so weird the house and their privacy sounded like something luxurious and rare.

nAfter changing into sleeping clothes they jumped on the bed and laid down, that day became probably one of Roselyn's favorite days in her entire life.

nBefore John laid down he opened the drawer of his bedside table and slipped out a small golden box.

nIt wasn't hard to deduce it was probably the real ring for their second marriage but Roselyn didn't expect that, she didn't know a second wedding required a second ring as well. It was probably a genuine gesture John did because their marriage was random. The idea of marrying with their family completed and so many successes accomplished since the first time made him even more proud and grateful.

nHe opened the gold box where a beautiful ring was inside, there was a rose gold gem which was way too shiny and beautiful that Roselyn was scared to touch it to break it.

nHer hands slightly shook but she stretched it out for him to take it.

nRoselyn gave him her hand and he caressed her fingers gently before he slipped the ring through her long thin finger.

n* * *

nThe next month everyone in the village knew about their second marriage, everyone knew their bond was true now. Although some of them were curious to see the future heir, William did a good job to shush the rumors claiming they only had a girl.

nSebastian was always closer to William, he also met Roselyn and John and he conquered the heart of everyone for his sweet soul and gentle heart.

nThe more the days passed the more William knew it wasn't a coincidence if God made him meet Sebastian right after Ethan died. Maybe that was a way to give him a second chance and show he learned from his mistakes.

nElijah and Sebastian were playing with some cards sitting on the floor.

n

"I heard some boys make fun of you,

" Elijah said, Sebastian took a long breath of relief, as if he was almost ashamed about that.

n

"William told you so?

" He asked but Elijah shook his head keeping his gaze set on the cards.

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"I heard them talking about you, I didn't like that.

"

nAnother breath Sebastian took, he didn't know they talked behind his back and he felt even more humiliated, what did he do to deserve to be treated like that?

n

"It's fine, I don't mind them,

" Sebastian replied even if both of them knew that wasn't the truth but only the usual thing people say when they want to pretend they are strong enough not to mind what people think or say about them.

n

"The other vampires make fun of me too, because I am slower than them and shorter,

" Elijah said, his forehead creased as he got slightly flustered even remembering all the awful things they used to say.

n

"I am training to become faster than them, I don't want to be sad for what they say anymore.

"

n

"But ...I don't want to change so that they like me more or they shut up when they see me.

"

nSebastian had a point, he didn't want to train or to change what he was so that the boys wouldn't make fun of him anymore.

nBut Elijah shook his head as if he didn't understand what he meant.

n

"I don't mean to change for them. When they tell you something rude and disrespectful you get sad and hurt because you know what they say is true? Am I right?

" Elijah raised his eyebrow as he stated.

nSebastian nodded shyly, confused yet curious to know what he wanted to say.

n

"What I mean is that I want to change my mindset so that when they will judge me or say anything rude to me, because they always will do, I won't believe it. I want to get as confident in my body as possible.

" Elijah explained, his head tilted to the side as he stared at Sebastian with a look of determination that Sebastian immediately nodded.

nHe had a point, he wasn't practicing and getting strong to prove them a point but to prove it to himself, so that he would change his way of thinking and improve his self-confidence so much that no critic would hurt him nor would make him doubt his capabilities.

nExcept for one thing which made Sebastian reconsider his reasoning and wonder if that may work for him as well.

nThe critic submitted by his so-called friends wasn't about his stature but more about something he couldn't change about himself. They called him an orphan, a lost boy who had no one. Or they asked him why he was left as if he was supposed to know.

nSo the things he was accused of weren't some thoughts but more like matters of fact. Because despite William adopting him that didn't change the fact he was still an orphan and his parents left him.

n

"But they call me orphan and indeed I am an orphan. And they say maybe if my parents left me it's because I deserve it. Those aren't things I can change or prove wrong.

"

nWhen Elijah heard him he looked sad and destabilized more as if for a second he had forgotten who Sebastian was and that he was an orphan and could get different critic from others.

nHe remained quiet for some seconds to think about another tip but nothing came to his mind.

nSebastian smiled, understanding he left Elijah speechless,

"it's fine. It's something I have to deal with for the rest of my life.. Maybe one day those things won't be able to penetrate me as much as they do now.

"

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