The morning light filtered through the grand windows of the mansion, casting soft, golden hues across the marble floors. The sound of gentle footsteps echoed through the halls as maids, dressed in their crisp uniforms, moved swiftly from room to room, preparing for the day. The butler, ever composed, carried out his duties with the quiet grace of someone accustomed to the weight of expectation. It was the kind of place where even the smallest gesture seemed choreographed, where power and wealth lingered in every corner, from the towering chandeliers to the intricate lace curtains that framed the windows.
As the clock struck eight, a pair of maids approached the doors of the three brothers' rooms. They knocked in succession, the sound sharp against the stillness of the house.
"Breakfast is ready to be served, young sirs," one of them called, her voice both polite and soft. "The ma'am and your father are waiting at the breakfast table."
The three brothers stirred, slowly waking from their slumber.
Kaung Min, the eldest, shifted in his bed, blinking as the morning light hit his face. He rubbed his eyes, groggy from sleep, and stretched before pushing the covers off and sitting up. His room felt vast, and yet, as he moved to stand, he couldn't shake the feeling that something within this new life of his was already changing him.
Lin Aung, the middle brother, hadn't made it to his bed the night before. The chair he had chosen for his reading session was now the place where he had spent the entire night. Books lay scattered around him, their spines bent and pages worn. He rubbed his eyes, the exhaustion from last night's reading marathon evident. Still, he felt no regret. He had to understand this world somehow.
The youngest brother, Htet Naing, woke with a start. His body was stiff, and his head ached. Confused, he rubbed his forehead, groaning, "Wait… I remember I was sleeping on the bed last night. How did I end up on the floor?" He grinned sheepishly to himself as he rose, brushing off the dust from his clothes. It was an awkward, clumsy moment, but that was nothing new to him. He had always found comfort in the chaos.
The three brothers washed their faces, brushed their teeth, and took quick showers. Each was lost in their own thoughts, their minds already burdened with questions about the strange world they had entered.
Kaung Min, having finished his morning routine, was the first to leave his room. He moved with a quiet confidence, a quiet understanding of the role he now had to play. He descended the grand staircase, his mind still trying to process the vastness of the mansion, the weight of U Kha's words, and what lay ahead.
Htet Naing followed close behind, his energy matching his youth. His steps were lighter, his eyes darting around, excited by the sight of his new home, still unsure of what his future held but eager to take it on with his usual enthusiasm.
Lin Aung came last, his steps more cautious, the weight of responsibility weighing on his shoulders. He had already started to wonder about the things, about what this life would ask of him. But for now, he kept his thoughts to himself.
The breakfast table was a quiet place, the clink of silverware the only sound filling the room. Nanda, their adopted mother, sat at the head of the table, her presence calm and collected. U Kha, the patriarch of the family, was already seated with his newspaper in hand, his expression unreadable. He lowered it when the brothers entered and gave a small nod.
"Let's eat," U Kha said, his voice smooth and controlled.
The three brothers sat down, and the maidservants moved gracefully around the room, serving the food and refilling the coffee. There was an odd kind of silence around the table, the kind that came from a house that had long since learned the art of power. But for the brothers, the food felt heavy, not from the meal itself but from the weight of what was to come.
When the meal was finished, U Kha placed his fork down with a soft clink. He folded his napkin carefully, his eyes meeting each of the brothers in turn.
"Welcome to the family, sons," he said in a calm, measured tone. "From today forward, you will be learning many things. Your education will begin next week at a private school. But before that, you will be taught at home, by a guide. This is just the beginning."
Kaung Min sat straighter, his brow furrowing slightly. The idea of school was a welcome relief, but there was something more—something that lingered in the air.
Lin Aung, ever the thoughtful one, glanced at his brothers and then back at U Kha. The mention of a guide caught his attention. But what would they really be taught? What exactly was expected of them in this strange world?
U Kha continued, his voice unchanging, as if everything he said were both ordinary and extraordinary. "After your schooling, we will begin martial training. Physical strength is important, but mental strength is just as vital. You will learn to protect yourselves, to handle conflict, to understand what it means to be part of this family."
Htet Naing's eyes lit up at the mention of martial training. He could hardly contain his excitement. His whole body seemed to buzz with energy at the thought of learning to fight. This was something he could understand, something that made sense in a way the other things didn't.
Lin Aung nodded, pleased by the idea of an education that was more than just books. Still, doubt lingered in his mind. He couldn't ignore the dark undertones in U Kha's words, the unspoken weight of what their new life would demand from them.
Kaung Min remained calm, his thoughts quiet. He had been listening closely, analyzing each word his new father had spoken. This was his responsibility now. He was the eldest, the one who would have to take care of everything once U Kha was no longer around. Protecting his brothers would be the most important thing in the world.
Nanda, sitting quietly beside U Kha, spoke up softly, her voice as cool as ever, yet there was a certain tenderness in it when she addressed her sons. "After your lessons with the guide, I will take you'll out to buy new clothes and whatever you may need. You must look the part of your new lives. You will be presented with what you need to succeed in this world."
U Kha nodded once, his expression unreadable. "So today, there will be no martial training. You will prepare yourselves for what lies ahead."
The three brothers exchanged glances. There were more questions, but they didn't dare ask. Not yet.
"I know you have questions," U Kha said, as if reading their minds. "But there are things that will come with time. You will understand as we move forward."
Kaung Min, the eldest, spoke up. "What exactly are these martial training sessions for?" His voice was steady, but his eyes were searching. He needed to understand what lay beneath the surface of his new life.
U Kha took a moment to answer, his voice steady, but his words deliberate. "You will learn the skills necessary to protect not only yourselves but your family as well. There is a code we live by, and loyalty is of utmost importance. These lessons will be crucial in shaping who you are and what you will become."
The weight of his words hung in the air. Kaung Min's mind raced. He was starting to understand the importance of everything. This wasn't just about fighting. It was about survival, about power, and about understanding the unspoken rules of the world they had entered.
Lin Aung felt the tension in the air, his own thoughts swirling. The life they were about to lead was nothing like what they had imagined, nothing like what they had known before. This was a different world altogether.
Htet Naing, on the other hand, was filled with a mixture of excitement and confusion. He was eager for the martial training, for the chance to prove himself, but everything else—the talk of loyalty, of codes—was lost on him for now. He simply wanted to be part of this new world, to learn and grow stronger.
As U Kha finished speaking, his phone rang, the sound breaking the silence of the room. He excused himself, leaving the table to answer it, his movements deliberate and calm.
Lin Aung, still processing everything, turned to Nanda. "When will the guide arrive?"
Nanda's cold exterior softened as she met his gaze. "Soon," she said simply, her voice unusually warm. "You'll be ready."
The brothers nodded, rising from the table. Their new life had begun.
End of Chapter 3
To be continued…