Prelude
The Xaviers were a well off house in 16th century France, with an estate just outside of Paris. Charles Xavier was the only son of Brian and Sharon Xavier, the former of whom had died early in his childhood. Countess Xavier had eventually remarried, a Baron named Kurt Marko who had two children of his own, Cain and Raven. Baron Marko was not a particularly affectionate man, but Sharon brought it out in him, particularly with the way she treated his kids as her own.
The Countess was tucking the three of them into bed herself and had shuffled a maid out of the room (“Really Jean, the day has been long. You ought to retire for the night,”) when Charles picked up a book sitting on the table by the hearth.
“Mother, what’s this one?” Charles held out the book to her expectantly.
“Oh, that little thing? It’s called Utopia. One of my favorites when I was younger.”
“Would you read it to me?”
The countess took the book out of her son’s hands and looked at it fondly. “Just the first few pages, or until you fall asleep, darling.”
Charles clapped his hands excitedly and kissed his mother on the cheek. As she sat in the chair next to the hearth Charles climbed into bed and made himself comfortable. Cain was already breathing deeply and Raven perked up in her bed, fighting the sleep in her eyes even though it was clearly a lost battle to be over shortly. The soft, luscious voice of the countess put Raven to sleep within minutes; Charles fought the weight of his eyelids for a good few pages longer than his new sister, eventually succumbing to sleep as well. Sharon looked up while turning a page to see him fallen asleep, and smiled. Rising from her chair, she placed the book atop the fireplace and tiptoed over to Charles’ sleeping form, whereafter she tucked a lock of his deep chestnut hair behind his ear.
“Goodnight, Charles.”
******
Countess Xavier had matters to attend to in Bourges, and the next morning she had prepared a carriage for her departure. She kissed Charles on the forehead and embraced Marko before he assisted her getting into the carriage. Baron Marko made to retreat into the house when a Charles tugged on his sleeve.
“Wait! When she gets to the gate she’ll stop to wave back at us. It’s tradition!” Charles said with excitement in his voice.
Baron Marko, although unamused, complied. Cain snickered at Charles’ childish behavior, and Raven looked intrigued.
As Charles promised, the carriage came to a halt right before passing through the front gate. A moment passed, and Marko furrowed his brow with impatience; Charles frowned in confusion.
The door to the carriage swung open and Countess Xavier poured out of the cabin unceremoniously, a hand clutching her chest as if she couldn’t breathe and her antics twisted in pain.
“Mother!” Charles sprinted across the lawn of the estate, ruining the new slippers of expensive silk (being too young for boots yet). The Baron’s stride made up for his hesitation, and Charles and Kurt fell to their knees nearly in unison in front of her.
“Sharon,” Baron Marko breathed.
“Mother,” Charles sobbed.
“I… love you.” The countess’ breathes were shallow and her hand shook as it slowly made its way to Charles’ face. Tears fell as his mother tried to push a lock of hair behind
Charles’ ear, an affectionate gesture Charles knew to be her sincerest.
Baron Marko clung desperately to her other hand, but all of his wife’s attention was on Charles. Something about his face hardened when he realized Sharon’s last words were not meant for him.
“Mother,” Charles pleaded softly.
Her eyes went dull. Her grip faded in her husband’s hand as her young son clung to her dress.