Work Text:
The first months after his father’s death were all a blur. After the elevator, which he had practically zero memory of, he was to stay in the hospital for an entire week, recovering from oxygen deprivation, then, just as he recovered and was released, he was suddenly told that he was going to be under Manfred von Karma’s care all the way out in Germany. It was all so quick and sudden, it made his head spin, just like the thought of elevators or earthquakes do, every time he thinks about them lately.
Suddenly, he was whisked away from his father’s humble and comfortable home into a large mansion in Berlin that felt like a castle too big for him all alone. Whenever he’d stand in the main hall of the von Karma manor, with stairs large and intimidating, stretching several meters tall, with an overly large fireplace, overly large golden chandelier hanging from the ceiling and overly large sofas and too many tables and chairs, furniture too shiny and grand and expensive looking he felt like he’d desecrate just by touching them…
Miles felt ant sized in this grand imposing mansion. The first time he was led inside with Mr. von Karma, he felt like he was entering a smaller city. Everything else in the mansion was large and imposing and too much, far more than Miles was ever used to in his life. An entire library, with bookshelves stretching up to the ceiling, bedrooms with too much furniture, far more than Miles felt was necessary, several dining halls with large tables and utensils, far too many to count. Why was the dining hall always prepared meticulously, as if hundreds of people came to dine here every day? Miles didn’t see a lot of people around this mansion. It was only ever Mr. von Karma, or his house maid. How can a single maid tend to such a large building that feels like it could be a landmark with how grandiose it is?
Suffice to say, Miles felt very small and alone in Mr. von Karma’s mansion. He was almost always by himself, he never felt like disturbing the maid from her busy work whenever he saw her. He couldn’t even imagine how much effort it must take to always keep this place clean all by herself. Meanwhile, Mr. von Karma was always out busily working in court. He was a great and renowned prosecutor, after all. Miles remembered his father facing him in court. From what he recalled, his father didn’t think much good of Mr. von Karma. Miles didn’t particularly like the man either, with how rudely he’d treat people in court.
Miles sometimes felt like Mr. von Karma didn’t love him very much, the way he would shoot him judgmental looks or displeasedly scowl at him from time to time, but maybe Miles had just imagined it. He couldn’t recall Mr. von Karma ever looking pleased, even after returning from another successful trial. Made sense, Miles thought. Must be difficult and stressful, being the country’s best prosecutor.
It was very strange to suddenly be living with this man whom his father clashed in court with many times. Then again, it was another bitter reminder of the life that was robbed of Miles. Whenever he was alone in the mansion that he couldn’t quite bring himself to call home, he was reminded of his father’s humble abode. The small kitchen with only a small dining table and a few chairs that connected to the living room, with only one sofa and coffee table, not six, with a relatively small TV that did not look like a billboard in size. The small hallway that led to Miles’ small bedroom with only a bed, a bedside table, a small bookshelf that did not reach the ceiling and a small window that Miles could comfortably see out of without having to stand on his tiptoes. Everything in his father’s house was small.
In contrast, everything in Mr. von Karma’s house was too big and imposing. Miles felt dizzy looking at the oversized décor sometimes. He never really found any ways to spend his time, either. He tried reading books in the library, since there seemed to be hundreds if not thousands of books there, but the bookshelves were so tall, Miles could only read the first row and he rather not try climbing those ladders that went up to the ceiling, just to reach the higher shelves. Even the books themselves were beyond Miles’ reading level and he liked to think he was very adept at reading fancy literature for his age.
Leaving the castle was also out of the question, even if the door weren’t locked all the time, Miles could never reach it and that’s still assuming Miles wouldn’t get lost in the big, unfamiliar German city and even then, going out alone in the city didn’t feel much better over sitting alone in the large mansion castle. Whenever he was alone inside, he was reminded of his father and the thought of being alone outside reminded him of Phoenix and Larry. Of the calm and quiet afternoons they would spend together after school, going out for ice cream, walking around the park, playing with Larry’s toys, taking turns in trying out Phoenix’s bike that he got for his birthday… until they’d get tired or see the sun setting and they’d go home. Or sometimes, they’d spend the night with each other. All their parents were always very supportive of them spending so much time together. Whenever Phoenix and Larry were over, his father would make them pancakes. His friends would eat so much that their stomach would start aching and Miles would scold them for it, meanwhile his father would just chuckle amused and offer them some warm milk tea.
Miles wondered how Phoenix and Larry were doing. It’s been months now, since Mr. von Karma had taken him to Germany… he never even got to say goodbye to them, as soon as he was out of the hospital, it was only a few days before he was taken away.
Miles misses his friends every day.
Above all, he misses his father every day.
Every night, he had nightmares. The events transpiring in the elevator would haunt him every night and Miles couldn’t get the vivid images out of his mind. Of the darkness, of the fear, of the bailiff attacking his father, of the heavy object falling before his feet, of…
…
Miles missed Los Angeles. He missed everything there was. His old friends, his old school, his old house, his father…
He feels alone.
The months continue to pass in which time, Mr. von Karma arranges a tutor for Miles to be homeschooled so as to not fall behind on his studies. One day, Miles fleetingly asks him why he won’t be going to a public school, to which the man only answers that there is no teacher in any public school that he would trust in the ways of perfect education.
Miles doesn’t know what that means, but it’s alright. Being homeschooled is just another one of the many new and different things changing in his life since he lost his father. While living in a large mansion still feels imposing, it is not as intimidating anymore as it was in the first few months. Surely, home education will feel the same as well.
Then, as time passes, December 28th arrives once more, making Miles realize that he has now spent an entire year of his life without his father and best friends, locked away in the von Karma house with only Mr. von Karma, the house maid and his newly appointed tutor.
The knowledge weighs on Miles so deeply, his recurring nightmares intensify, far worse than they had ever been that year.
He cries himself to sleep that night.
Miles’ life would resume in the same fashion for the coming years, until two years later when Mr. von Karma approaches Miles about furthering his education after he turns eleven, to which Miles tells him he wants to start studying to be a prosecutor.
For as long as Miles remembered, he’d always dreamed of being a defense attorney like his father. But that hasn’t really been the case for a long time now. That dreadful day still weighed on Miles’ mind every day, every night he slept. The fact was, his father’s killer had never been apprehended and properly punished all because a defense attorney let him walk away from his crimes. His father had been murdered, his killer escaped and no one cared because the court ruled the man innocent contrary to the facts. Miles couldn’t stand that thought. The more he pondered on it over the years, the more he realized he doesn’t want to protect the suspects sitting in the defendant’s chair. No, he wants to ensure that the criminals causing these tragedies will never escape again, like his father’s killer had. And to do that, he needs to be a prosecutor. Mr. von Karma told Miles himself, he can personally provide an education that will turn him into a no less than perfect prosecutor who will be able to incarcerate criminals and serve justice. Perfectly.
That is exactly what Miles wanted. To fight crime. To chase down criminals. To make sure nobody would ever have to go through what he has been through. He won’t be a defense attorney who frees criminals. He will be a prosecutor who seals them away, never to see the light of day again.
However, naturally, learning under Mr. von Karma proved to be quite a challenge. The old prosecutor took Miles’ education very seriously and he ceaselessly reminded him that he will accept no less than perfect results. But of course, that is all Miles will strive for and nothing less. He wants to be perfectly capable in the courtroom, when it is time to show the fruits of his labour in the future. He wants to be able to fight criminals and if he has to work his fingers down to the bone to achieve that, then he certainly will.
So Miles works hard. Extremely hard. Every day, he tries to exceed expectations by doing extra work for Mr. von Karma and he even spends his free time reading law books and writing essays, even when it is not needed. Mr. von Karma most certainly sees Miles’ dedication, though his results are still not up to par to what would be expected of him. As a result, Miles only works harder. It’s even enough to sometimes distract him from his nightmares, knowing the next morning he will get right back to reading a particularly sturdy lawbook, or continuing the homework he left off last night. It gets to the point that sometimes Miles doesn’t go to sleep until 10 PM.
But he will do whatever it takes to be perfect.
Anything to earn Mr. von Karma’s approval.
So that he may become the best prosecutor the nation has ever seen.
It is a few months later when Mr. von Karma suddenly gives him some unusual news. Namely that he is going to go out very early in the morning and he will be away all day. So Miles will be alone with the house maid again. He readies Miles several assignments to keep him busy and assures him there is food prepared in the kitchen, otherwise he may ask the maid for anything else he could possibly need. With that, Mr. von Karma leaves as early as five o’clock in the morning. Miles wonders what he is up to, today. It couldn’t possibly be about a trial, because he leaves at seven for that and even then, he makes it back early in the afternoon hours to regale about his perfect victory and share his best strategies with Miles that the boy recently made great efforts of noting down for future use. But the way Mr. von Karma said he will be away all day sounded like he won’t be coming back for a long time.
However, Miles doesn’t ponder on that for too long, because he realizes this is his chance to exceed Mr. von Karma’s expectations of him. He will quickly do his assignments and then get right on to doing extra work he can be proud of. He absorbs himself in his studies so inherently that he almost forgets to eat lunch. Then the time slowly starts crawling up to evening and Mr. von Karma is still not home and Miles - as much as he wouldn’t like to admit it - doesn’t have the energy left to do any more extra work, so he spends the rest of the night reading until eventually he goes to sleep.
Mr. von Karma still hasn’t returned when he does.
The answer to the mysterious question of where Mr. von Karma left yesterday quickly presents itself the next morning. So quickly in fact, that Miles quite literally wakes up to it. ‘It’ meaning the creaking of a door and the mystery shows itself in the form of a little girl who Miles had never seen in the building anymore. He would know, in his two and a half years spent in Mr. von Karma’s mansion, he’s only ever seen three people. Mr. von Karma, the housemaid and his tutor who has only given him German lessons for a year now, since Mr. von Karma started personally giving him law classes when he found the time. Between preparing and attending trials, Miles never quite figured how he found the time. But Mr. von Karma prided himself on being perfect, after all.
Miles blinked away sleep from his eyes but by the time he did that, the girl moved from the door to right next to his bed. Miles felt the heat rise to his cheeks from the embarrassment of having a little girl stare at him early in the morning who must not have been older than four years old. He wasn’t even dressed, his hair was all untidy…
“Um… Hi…” Miles croaked quietly as he dragged himself from his bed. What to say, what to say, Miles only just realized he hasn’t seen another kid in two years. Only adults.
That seemed to be enough for the little girl. The smile plastered on her face and the way her eyes shined was a little overwhelming for Miles.
He was also inadvertently reminded of Phoenix and Larry, but he shooed the thought away.
He hasn’t even spoken a single word to them in two years.
“Hi! You’re Miles, right? Papa told me about you. You’re my little brother!”
Already a lot of information there that Miles had to work through. He could only conclude by ‘Papa’ she meant Mr. von Karma. So she was his daughter. Somehow, Miles never realized he had children in the time he spent here, but it made sense. He had to live in this large mansion with someone other than his lonesome self. So Mr. von Karma already introduced him by word of mouth. Alright, that also made sense. And she just…
What did she call him? “... Little brother?” Miles’ brows furrowed. She was a four years old girl and Miles was eleven. By all accounts, he is older.
The smile immediately faded from the girl’s lips, instead prompting to twist into a scowl that was almost reminiscent of her father. But way less intimidating and rather cute, in her case. “I was a von Karma first before you, so you are my little brother!”
Right, well… that wasn’t entirely wrong. Miles only moved here two years ago. He found he couldn’t exactly argue with that. “And uh… what’s your name?” Miles managed to ask. The girl proudly crossed her arms and did her best to straighten up. But it did not make her look all that much taller with her small frame. Miles was just sitting on his bed and she still only reached up to his knees. “I am Franziska von Karma and you are my little brother, Miles von Karma!”
Miles couldn’t help but wince. That… felt wrong somehow. It sounded wrong in his mouth in every way. True, he had been living here for two years now and technically he is already more von Karma than he is Edgeworth. Living here, wearing clothes that did not even come close to his usual attire he’d wear back at his old home, studying under Mr. von Karma to be a prosecutor… But… he didn’t want to shed his father’s name just like that. Even if his father is not alive anymore, even if he no longer wishes to be the defense attorney he was, he is still Miles Edgeworth. Besides, Mr. von Karma isn’t really his father. He was more like…
…
Miles cannot attach an appropriate label to the position he fulfilled in his life.
“Just… Miles is okay, Franziska.” He said quietly before managing a small, timid smile. He hasn’t smiled for two years either. There is a lot he hasn’t done for two years. “Nice to meet you.”
Franziska seemed overjoyed to hear that. “I am so glad I finally have a little brother! Now I can be the older sister!” Miles still didn’t exactly understand the principles of how that works, but he wasn’t going to argue when this clearly made her so happy. “Now come on, I smell breakfast ready!” Franziska grabbed his sleeve, dragging him along out of the room. Surprisingly strong for a four year old, especially considering Miles is over half her size.
Little brother…
Miles doesn’t know how to be a brother. All his life, he’s been an only child. But just like moving and being homeschooled and learning to be a prosecutor, this too, can be something he can become accustomed to.
He can become a brother.
He can learn.
Evidently, since Franziska was here to stay with Miles and her Papa, Miles’ life became far less lonely and isolated. He still had to learn what exactly it means to be a brother, but Franziska seemed very fond of him already in a very short time. They also studied together. Franziska proudly boasted to Miles that she will become a prosecutor too, just like her Papa. What’s more, Mr. von Karma seemed to give her the same lessons he gave Miles.
Their studies quickly became a swift competition for Mr. von Karma’s approval. Though Miles couldn’t help but worry about Franziska. She was just four years old after all, and she was going out of her way to do just as good a job as Miles, even trying to outdo him. Miles felt somewhat responsible for her. She seemed very devoted and dedicated to be like her Papa as soon and as perfectly as possible, but… she was still very young.
Though Mr. von Karma didn’t seem to mind and Franziska herself wasn’t bothered by it at all. Miles supposed he may just be overthinking it.
Sometimes he offers Franziska help, when she gets stuck on something.
“I can’t ask for help from you! That would be cheating!” Franziska would tell him.
Miles doesn’t understand that thought. After all, he was never shy to ask his father for help with his studies.
The thought saddens him.
He hasn’t thought about life with his father in years.
It is a very, very quiet and cold Christmas day in the von Karma household. Despite it being his third Christmas spent without his Father now, Miles still did not think much of the holiday.
It was just him and Franziska alone today, Mr. von Karma was busily working away once again. They already hardly saw the man, only in the mornings, briefly in the afternoons before he returned from work and in the evenings. Though, Miles did not particularly mind his absence. It is not as though he was in any mood to have any sort of Christmas celebration. This time of the year only served to remind him of all he’s lost. His father, his friends, his old home…
But it wasn’t too bad. He was getting used to living here and he was very determined to become a prosecutor as soon as possible. Mr. von Karma even told him that he could take the bar exam just next year, if he could study hard enough. So Miles naturally made a vow to himself. He will not fail. If he could pass the bar as young as thirteen years old, that would surely impress Mr. von Karma and it would give Miles great advantage in his future prosecuting career. He could perhaps even help Franziska with her own preparations, if she is willing to accept.
As Miles was deep in thought about his future, Franziska shook him out of his reverie.
“I wanna have cookies…” She whined softly, hugging one of her dolls close to herself while sitting next to Miles on the sofa. Miles lowered his lawbook, looking at her. “Cookies…?” He raised a brow. Did they have cookies?
Franziska nodded, frowning. “Papa said he would bake us cookies today for Christmas…” Right, Miles recalled Franziska asking Mr. von Karma about that yesterday, while he was deeply absorbed in another book. Judging by the fact that the sun was setting and the man still wasn’t home, there most likely won’t be any time left for Franziska’s cookies. Miles’ lips pressed in a thin line as he wondered how he could make his sister feel better. But before he could get a word in, Franziska’s face lit up. “Will you bake cookies for me, Miles?”
Miles blinked. “M-Me?” He stammered, feeling his cheeks heat up. He had no experience in baking whatsoever. He remembered sometimes he helped his father in the kitchen-
Miles shook the memory away. He can’t bake. He never tried baking anything before and he was worried about disappointing Franziska, since he seemed very adamant about this. But she already looked so sad, pleadingly gazing at him. It made it very difficult to say no. “Uh… what…” Miles fidgeted with the collar of his shirt, avoiding her big and innocent eyes. “What kind of cookies?”
Franziska was already dragging him away by the arm towards the kitchen, making Miles drop his lawbook. Entering the kitchen, Miles just stood in the middle of the room while Franziska struggled to get the cookbook from the top shelf, standing on her tiptoes and even trying to jump to reach it. Miles took a moment too late to realize himself, quickly rushing to her side to help. “I’ll get it. You don’t want to hurt yourself.” Franziska stood aside. That shelf was too tall for even Miles, so he looked around for something to stand on.
Oh, Mr. von Karma definitely wouldn’t like Miles standing on a chair just to reach the top shelf… he could get the chair all dirty and he would definitely notice and it would certainly be his job to clean up his own mess, even if the maid came here to clean every night. Miles double checked to make sure his socks were clean. Thankfully, they were. Besides a little dust, there was no danger of smudging the chair with anything filthy. So with that fear now cleared away, Miles dragged a chair over and climbed onto it to snatch the cookbook for Franziska from the top shelf. After that, he dragged the chair back to its original place and placed the book in the middle of the counter, where both of them could see. “So, what kind of cookies did you want?”
Franziska flipped the pages on the book frantically. “This!” She pointed at the recipe she wanted. Miles’ German still wasn’t the best, but he could at least make out these were gingerbread cookies. Simple, classic and traditional Christmas cookies. Every family has them every year at Christmas, evidently regardless of the country, as Miles found just now.
Reminded him of when his father-...
Miles shook his head. Not important right now. He couldn’t read all the German text fluently yet, but he hoped Franziska could help him with that. “Do we have ingredients?” Miles was barely half way through the question when Franziska was already carrying everything over to the kitchen counter in her arms, nearly tripping over herself, so Miles rushed to her aid. It seemed Mr. von Karma at least did the shopping for the cookies. Shame he couldn’t be here personally to bake them himself. But with a combined effort, surely the cookies will come out at least somewhat edible.
So they begin. At first, it is rather easy to just mix the ingredients together. Flour, sugar, eggs, milk, pour them together, mix the dough. Thankfully, Mr. von Karma has a mixer, so they don’t have to do it by hand. Miles handles the mixer and he is as careful as he can be to not spill the dough everywhere and keep it inside the bowl. Then, once the dough is ready, they ready a baking pan and Franziska gets the cookie cutters out. It’s actually really fun to make different shapes out of the dough with the cookie cutters. Snowflakes, stars, gingerbread men, snowmen, pine trees and other such Christmas themed objects. Miles and Franziska are covered in dough by the time they are done and it occurs to Miles that perhaps this is why people wear aprons.
Then, Franziska refers to the cookbook again and she gets stuck on something. “Umm… it says to… pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. What does that mean?”
Miles thinks about it for a second before the mistake occurs to him. “Oh…” He looks back at the pile of cookies on the baking pan, ready to go into the oven. Or in this case, not ready. “I think we should have turned the oven on before. Now the cookies will be cold when we put them in.”
Franziska frowns in thought before making a decision. “Then let’s set the oven to double the heat! That way, the cookies won’t be too cold, right?”
Miles quickly does the math in his head. “But- but that would be 700 degrees! That’s too much!”
Franziska hums in thought. “Then maybe let’s just set it to 500.”
“That… still sounds like too much… shouldn’t we just set it to 350 degrees and leave it at that?”
“But we forgot to pre-heat it, so setting it to 500 will make up for it!” Well, thinking about it like that, Miles supposed it made sense. It wasn’t that much of a difference, surely it would be alright.
So they set the oven to 500 degrees and then they wait.
Barely ten minutes passes before there is a high pitched smoke alarm coming from the kitchen and the sprinklers turn on. Dark smoke is coming out of the oven. Miles scrambles to find the oven mitts and takes the baking pan out, only to find the cookies had burned to pitch black, charred crisps. The smell of the burnt cookies filled the entire kitchen, so Miles opened a window. After the sprinklers turn off and the smoke finally clears, Miles and Franziska stare at their burnt gingerbread cookies in defeat.
“I guess 500 degrees really was too much…” Franziska pouted.
“I’m sorry I messed up your cookies, Franziska.” Miles apologized, still staring at the pile of charred mess that was their handiwork. He really wanted to cheer Franziska up by baking her cookies, but it ended in a complete disaster. Franziska didn’t seem too disappointed though, to his surprise.
“It’s okay… I still had fun making them. Didn’t you?”
Well… yes. Yes, it was fun to just make them together, now that Miles thought about it. A small smile spread on his face. “I… I guess I had fun.” He admits a little timidly. Franziska smiles back.
“Let’s not tell Papa we burned the kitchen down?”
Oh, Miles dreaded to think about Mr. von Karma’s potential wrath if he caught wind of this. “Agreed. Let’s not tell him.” He nodded resolutely.
The next year got much busier for Miles, since Mr. von Karma really meant it, when he told him he will start preparing him for the bar exam. Miles studies harder than he had to in his entire life, to the point that he skips meals and only gets three hours of sleep a night. He has less time to spend with Franziska, less time to do anything that didn’t involve being hunched over a book and writing several pages of essays all about law and evidence and prosecution and Miles finds it inherently overwhelming at first but he realizes Mr. von Karma just wants to make sure he is perfectly prepared.
Miles wants to be perfectly prepared, too.
If he can pass the bar exam this year, he will become a prosecutor.
Then he will finally do what he had dreamed of doing since the vile injustice against his father was committed.
Tension.
The silence was only ever broken up by the occasional rustling of papers. Miles worked all year for this moment and honestly, he didn’t do so bad on his exam. Sure, it wasn’t a cakewalk like he expected, but he definitely passed.
… At least, he’d like to think he’d passed. He’d like to believe so. After years of hard work, this is the moment his studies have been building up to. To be the perfect prosecutor Mr. von Karma expects him to be. To pursue criminals in the courtroom, criminals like his father’s killer.
Finally, Miles will be able to do what he dedicated the last several years of his life to doing.
But it all hinged on his bar exam results, which Mr. von Karma was now looking over with a perpetual frown etched into his weathered features. Miles stood straight as a rod before the man’s perfectly polished mahogany desk, hands clenched into trembling fists by his sides. He couldn’t deny, he was nervous. He has been training for years and if he failed Mr. von Karma here, failed his teachings…
He wasn’t sure what he would do with his life.
Naturally, Mr. von Karma’s face is a shield. Nothing can be deciphered beneath those furrowed brows, those narrowed eyes, the way an occasional lowly hum would leave him.
What will Miles do when Mr. von Karma inevitably tells him he passed, he wondered. Will he start his career here in Germany? Will Mr. von Karma return him to Los Angeles? Maybe he could tutor Franziska now in place of his mentor? Would Franziska even accept to be taught by Miles over her Papa?
Miles' thoughts were interrupted by a sharp thwap as sheets of paper were tossed on the desk. That sound alone immediately made something settle in his gut. Despite that though, he straightened his head and crossed eyes with his mentor. Not looking into one’s eyes is a very unbecoming behaviour for a von Karma, after all. Mr. von Karma’s gaze remained ever imperceptible, but there was a slight, cold hint of something beneath those icy blue irises.
Danger.
Miles gulped noiselessly as his mentor stood towering over him. He wanted to ask so many questions, but he thought it better not to speak.
“Pitiful.” Mr. von Karma spat, the single word feeling like venom on his lips. “You call these results, boy? Is this how you expect to represent the von Karma name in a courtroom?” Mr. von Karma’s scowl deepened and twisted as if the mere act of standing before Miles disgusted him.
Miles felt the pit in his stomach sink even further. Like a black hole was swallowing him inside and out. Did he fail, then? The mere possibility of failure never even occurred to him. He thought he did everything right, he thought he studied hard enough, he thought he was already perfect enough. What were his exam results? Did he really not pass? Or is Mr. von Karma simply not satisfied enough with his results?
Though, at the end of the day, it hardly mattered.
The only thing that mattered is that he failed his mentor.
He wasn’t a perfect enough disciple for his mentor.
Miles opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. His tongue felt heavy and sluggish in his mouth. He felt as though he may just be sick. “After all the time I slaved away on you, this is how you repay me? With these kinds of shameful results? Is this how you wish to represent the von Karma creed, boy?”
Miles wanted to ask what exactly he did wrong, but the words still did not find him. He thought he was already doing well enough with his homework, he thought Mr. von Karma was already proud of him. But apparently he failed in every aspect of his bar exam, if his mentor’s unbridled fury and disgust was anything to go by.
“S-Sir, I-” Miles tried, but von Karma cut him off with a harsh tsk .
“Save it. A von Karma has no need for excuses. Because a von Karma is perfect in every way.” Mr. von Karma’s eyes narrowed at him and Miles found it very hard to resist the urge of looking away in utter shame. “You, Miles Edgeworth… have failed to maintain the von Karma creed of absolute perfection today. After everything I’ve taught you for these past five years, I would have expected you to show no less than perfect results. But it seems I have overestimated your capabilities. You are not ready to be a prosecutor yet.”
Miles stiffened, his breath unwittingly hitching. Even after everything he’s done… after all the work he put in, studying, training day and night, watching Mr. von Karma’s trials personally…
He wasn’t perfect enough.
Miles had never felt more disgraced in his life. He had no words to explain away his failure, but he had a feeling that Mr. von Karma would not hear his words, even if he had any. It was already too late for that. The mistakes were made and that is simply unacceptable, for a von Karma can never make mistakes. A von Karma is supposed to be perfect and Miles simply wasn’t perfect enough to compare to his mentor’s grace and status. He wasn’t perfect enough to be deserving of the title of Manfred von Karma’s student. After all Mr. von Karma has given him these past several years, he had completely and utterly failed the man in every way he could fail.
Just when he thought his mentor would dismiss him, he let out a sigh, almost a groan, his gaze going from Miles, to absently staring at one of the ornate bookshelves. Seeing his mentor’s piercing gaze slack from him, Miles’ head dropped. “I can’t believe I've been slaving away all this time on you , when I could have given all that attention to Franziska’s training.” Mr. von Karma looked back at him, his eyes impossibly narrower, like thin lines. “You are just like your father. Second rate.” Hearing those words made Miles’ breath all but stop. “If you want me to keep you, you will cease this despicable display and start doing some real work, if you are to make it as a perfect prosecutor. Your mere presence is enough to disgrace my perfect name.”
Miles couldn’t help it, couldn’t stop it, he felt hot tears collecting in his eyes. He tried blinking them away before his mentor could notice, but the man was already scoffing at the sight. “Do not disgrace yourself even further, Miles Edgeworth. You remember what I’ve taught you.”
Miles frustratedly swiped his sleeve across his eyes, struggling to keep his voice straight as he spoke. “... A… A von Karma is not allowed to cry. Because crying is a show of vulnerability, vulnerability is a show of imperfection and a von Karma is perfect in every way.”
Mr. von Karma leaned closer to Miles, making the boy feel as though a cold draft just swept through his entire body. “You… do not have the right to carry the von Karma name, until you learn that, boy. ” Still silence stood in the room before Mr. von Karma waved a hand like he was swatting an annoying fly away. “You are dismissed. If you still believe you are capable of becoming a prosecutor, I expect far more work out of you.”
Miles doesn’t speak a single word in response.
He quickly flees his mentor’s study.
Miles doesn’t dare to return to the mansion for the rest of that day. He keeps walking down the Berlin streets until he comes across the Schlossbrücke and sits down at the edge of it, watching the river flowing beneath his feet.
Miles is at a loss for what to do now.
He failed.
He failed.
He failed, he failed, he failed Mr. von Karma, he failed everything he dedicated the past five years of his life to. After losing his father, he thought this could be his new calling, his new life’s purpose, to become a prosecutor, to serve justice in the courtroom, to put criminals away and ensure that none of the likes of his father’s killer could ever walk free, this is how he would honor his father’s memory.
But he failed.
Mr. von Karma is rightfully ashamed to even associate himself with him. Miles has no idea how he could ever recover from such a blow. Where is he supposed to head with his life now? He has nowhere else he could go. He doesn’t have any relatives left, what is he supposed to do with himself if Mr. von Karma disowns him for his failure? Live on the streets? Life a life of aimlessly walking the world with no goal? Live his life as a talentless nobody? Disgrace his father’s and Mr. von Karma’s honor even further?
He could always retake the bar exam, but he cannot even be certain if Mr. von Karma will show him that kind of mercy after his downfall and Miles doesn’t know what else he could possibly dedicate his life to. He cannot be a defense attorney, his chances of being a prosecutor are slimmer than ever before, he has no one left to lean on, none whom he hadn’t already brought far enough down with himself, enough that they would never want to even remotely associate with him…
…
Well… there was always Franziska. Unless his dear sister was also too ashamed to even be sharing oxygen with Miles after he humiliated himself like that. He cannot exactly expect her to still stand by him after today, he has no right to.
He has failed and he needs to live with the consequences of his failure.
He made the worst mistake a von Karma can ever make, but that in itself is a contradiction because a von Karma never makes mistakes so there is no worst mistake, truly, in reality, just making a mistake is already the worst thing a von Karma can do, except that is also a contradiction because a true von Karma does not and can never make mistakes, it is all just a series of contradictions building on each other, Miles’ entire existence and identity is a contradiction. So who is he truly supposed to be, if his mere being is so contradictory? Manfred von Karma’s student? Gregory Edgeworth’s son? Franziska von Karma’s brother?
Miles stares at the flowing river down below from his seating place on the cold ground, as if the river would whisper him the answers.
The answers did not come to him from the river, but in the unexpected presence of Franziska herself. Miles stared at her wide eyed. “Franziska… what are you doing here?” She had in her hands what Miles recognized too late as his own coat.
“I couldn’t find you anywhere, so…” She began. The dots connected in place. “You… followed me…?”
There was silence between them. Miles couldn’t believe Franziska would come all the way out here just for him, he couldn’t believe he made her worry about him so badly, he couldn’t even believe that she-...
…
“... Aren’t you disappointed in me?” Miles tore his gaze from her. “I failed… I failed the von Karma name.”
Franziska huffed, a frown on her face. “Of course I am disappointed! You were supposed to be the model of von Karma perfection and you didn’t uphold it as expected!” Miles couldn’t look at her. Of course, even she would hate her for his failure. Outside of Miles’ range of vision, Franziska’s face softened. “But… that just means I have to be a good big sister and help guide you to true perfection, if you are unable to do it alone.”
Miles blinked slowly, hearing that. Help him? “You mean… you’d actually… give me another chance…?” Even after Miles brought shame upon the family name, Franziska would be willing to look past that? If she could do that, then… maybe… just maybe…
Maybe Mr. von Karma would be willing to reconsider, too.
“Of course. As a big sister, I must look out for my little brother. It would be unbecoming of me as a von Karma to leave you behind. Just as it would be unbecoming of you as a von Karma to give up now.”
Yes, that’s right… Franziska was right. Sure, Miles already failed to uphold the von Karma creed of perfection and he already wasn’t perfect enough for the name, but… that didn’t mean he could never try again. He can still prove to Mr. von Karma that he will uphold perfection, that he is worthy of becoming a prosecutor still.
Miles smiled. “Thank you, Franziska. For still believing in me, even despite my shortcomings. I’m sorry I worried you and made you come out here alone…” Miles gripped his elbow tightly. Franziska only smiled back and handed him his coat before sitting down next to him.
It was only then, as if Miles’ sense came back to him and he realized they were sitting on a bridge, above a rapidly flowing river. He quickly stumbled to his feet and pulled Franziska back from the edge with him. “Don’t sit down there like that! You could fall!”
Franziska pursed her lips in confusion. “Then why were you sitting there?”
Miles didn’t really have an answer to that question. “That… doesn’t matter. Let’s just go home now, okay?” Miles shrugged on his coat and walked with Franziska, hand in hand.
The sun was already setting. As expected, Mr. von Karma gave them both the scolding of a lifetime and they got grounded for wandering around the city at night. But that somehow didn’t seem to bother Miles right now.
In fact, he almost felt… happy right now.
He was happy to have Franziska by his side. Happy to know that she will always lend him her support. Happy to know that she was willing to give him a second chance. Surely the two of them can convince Mr. von Karma together, to let Miles have another go at the bar exam.
In this moment…
Miles Edgeworth was happy to be a brother.
Miles returned tired from his very first trial in court. A rather disastrous trial it was, ending with the defendant’s suicide. Certainly not the court debut he pictured for himself, a verdict wasn’t even declared. He didn’t know if Mr. von Karma was watching his performance, he didn’t have time to spare glances at the gallery. But for his own sake, he hoped he wasn’t. He already had a hunch his mentor won’t think very highly of his outing when he gets wind of it regardless.
As Miles takes off his blazer and cravat, heading for the kitchen to make tea, he wonders in passing if Mr. von Karma attended Franziska’s debut. Miles didn’t have time to, already too busy in the prosecutors office.
It has been two whole years now since he passed the bar exam with no less than perfect results this time, after which he moved back to Los Angeles. Mr. von Karma was kind enough to fund an entire apartment for him and Miles has been living here alone since. It was very strange at first, to be living in Los Angeles again. Of course, Miles was never planning on living his entire life in Germany, but being here… it brought back memories to the surface, memories he thought he’d long since left discarded in the past. It has been eleven years now since his life changed drastically, eleven years since he has cut contact with his old childhood friends. He wondered if they ever thought of him these days.
He also hasn’t been in close contact with Franziska for a while now. Ever since Miles started taking his studies for the bar exam more seriously, Franziska soon opting to do the same after him, their relationship has grown somewhat distant and strained. It had been a few months since Franziska visited America and Miles hasn’t talked to her since.
He got in even less words with his mentor as of late, though Mr. von Karma always kept a good eye on his early progress. So Miles was, in a way, left alone once again. Not that he needed to rely on anyone but himself anymore, he was a twenty years old grown man and a licensed prosecutor now. But… still, sometimes he couldn’t help but miss it.
Even if Mr. von Karma had been very strict and demanding, even if Miles sometimes felt like the man didn’t love him in the early days, Miles had grown accustomed to his presence in his life. He’d almost go as far as to say, reliant on it…
Then again he missed Franziska too, sometimes, but their lives have taken different turns as they both got more absorbed into their studies in their respective careers. He was certain that Franziska was in the process of passing the bar herself currently, if she hasn’t already. Miles really should have asked her about it, but it completely slipped his mind with how hectic work had been on him these past months.
The kettle whistles. The tea finished brewing. Miles ought to get back to work now, there was still a lot to go over in the aftermath of today’s trial and he will eventually need to report to Mr. von Karma, even if he secretly dreads his mentor’s wrath at his less than subpar performance on his debut.
The prosecution never truly rests.
Franziska was used to people abandoning her in her life. It did get somewhat harder after Papa was arrested on a murder charge, but eventually that pain numbed away after a few weeks.
She still had no idea what to feel.
Hurt? Pain? Betrayal?
The von Karma name of perfection has truly been tarnished beyond repair, first by Miles Edgeworth’s foolish defeat against that foolish Phoenix Wright, then that same foolish fool of a fraudulent attorney proceeded to throw unjust accusations at her Papa.
Only the accusations weren’t as unjust as she’d come to expect. She was informed a few weeks ago that Manfred von Karma was found dead in his cell. She couldn’t help but wonder if Miles Edgeworth had gotten the news as well.
She wondered if her mother or one of her sisters would hold a funeral.
She wondered if she should attend.
She hated to think about this. About what had happened to the honored von Karma legacy. How her family’s name had been dragged through the mud and distorted beyond repair.
It was all Miles Edgeworth’s fault. If he hadn’t lost to that foolish fool of a foolish attorney and hadn’t gotten himself foolishly arrested like the imperfect fool he was, none of this would be happening. Miles Edgeworth had become a stain on the von Karma name. Franziska couldn’t believe she used to admire that man in a lifetime. Now thinking about Miles Edgeworth made her ashamed to have ever considered him a member of her noble family at all.
Just as she is thinking this, she goes over that morning’s newspaper absently. She liked to read about trials here that her Papa or Miles Edgeworth had won. Now she couldn’t expect any more victories from either of them, but she continued reading them out of habit that she didn’t care enough to break.
However, today's article makes her so furious, she nearly rips the paper in two. Miles Edgeworth’s name is in here again, because of course it would be, that foolish buffoon’s name was everywhere these days. But to think he would disgrace his own honor and the von Karma honor at the same time with such a shameful act. Disappearing from the prosecutor’s office with that pitiful note that just reeked of a desperate attempt at attention seeking.
Franziska’s fists shake as she grips the newspaper, hard enough that her nails tear small holes in the edges. How dare Miles Edgeworth do this!? Not only did he destroy the von Karma creed, now he has the gall to make official papers believe he passed away, that he had taken his own life foolishly like the foolish imperfect foolish fool he is! Franziska slams the newspaper down on the table and takes a long, frustrated sip out of her cup of tea. First she has to be faced with the impossibility, that being her own Papa’s imperfection and now Miles Edgeworth is out there in America making a complete utter foolish fool of himself.
But Franziska naturally knew better. Miles Edgeworth is not dead. Miles Edgeworth cannot be dead. Miles Edgeworth couldn’t possibly be cowardish, foolish, weak enough to just take his own life like that with no explanation. Franziska remembered exactly what she had told him all those years ago. It is unbecoming of a von Karma to give up. So Miles Edgeworth should know better than to try to give up like this, like a cowardly foolish foolhardy fool of a foolish fool!
He wouldn’t do that.
He wouldn’t give up.
He wouldn’t dare to abandon Franziska like that.
Not after everything they’ve been through…
…
But… if Miles Edgeworth is no longer a von Karma… then… doesn’t that mean-
Franziska swallows the thought as she frustratedly swipes at her tears.
A von Karma is not allowed to cry.
Miles never ran faster to the hospital in his entire life. He always secretly hoped he’d never have to, ever since that dreadful day. But of course, as luck would have it, fate just had to be cruel with him once again, on today of all days. He quickly jabbers who he is looking for at reception and then he takes off barely before the room number is even uttered. He slams the door open with explosive impact, panting and face swimming in sweat not just produced by exhaustion alone as his eyes fall on Franziska’s form, lying on a hospital bed with her right arm in a sling.
All things considered, she looks… remarkably well. Miles breathes an inaudible sigh of relief as he enters the room. “Franziska…”
His sister - the word feels foreign on his tongue, are they really even siblings anymore? - glowers at his approach. “Miles Edgeworth! Just what do you think you are doing, trying to steal my case from me!”
Miles has half a mind to yell at her in his utterly stressed state that this is the first and only thing she thinks about when she had just been shot by an assassin of all bloody people…!
But he takes a deep breath and proceeds calmly. “That was not my intention. I merely came to see how you were doing.”
Franziska scoffs and turns her eyes away from him. She’d probably turn her whole body away if it wasn’t for the sling. “As if you even cared. You had no second thoughts about leaving the von Karma name behind time and time again. About leaving me behind time and time again!”
Miles unwittingly flinches at her words, clutching his elbow tightly. She wasn’t entirely wrong, yes, but… “Franziska, that’s not what matters right now.” He quickly realizes he chose his words very poorly when he sees Franziska’s face flush with anger.
“Don’t you dare say that!” She spat at him, her eyes burning with fury and barely concealed pain that Miles did not miss in her gaze. “You do not get to say that now, Miles Edgeworth! Just who do you think you are, trying to barge back into my life again after you have abandoned me! Trying to interfere with the most crucial moment of my life! I am trying to restore the perfect honor of the von Karma name, the honor that you have shamelessly destroyed with no remorse!”
“... Franziska…” Miles’ voice comes out as a weak whisper.
“You are no longer worthy of being a von Karma, Miles Edgeworth! I regret ever associating myself with the foolishly foolish weak cowardice foolish foolhardy likes of you! You are no better than that Phoenix Wright! If you have any sort of dignity left in your pathetically foolish self, you will leave me be after this case and never interfere with my life again! I have grown stronger and better without needing to rely on you and I will not let you take that away from me!” Franziska’s face was growing beet red with anger. Miles couldn’t find his words for a few moments. It’s true, their relationship has been rather strained in the past few years, ever since both of them started taking their studies for a bar exam seriously. Miles hasn’t seen his sister in five years now. Then, the first thing she heard about him after five years was that he… It occurred to him that perhaps, his sudden appearance in the precinct yesterday did not make the greatest of impressions on Franziska after their years of separation. He took a deep breath, his hands slightly shaking as he took a step closer to Franziska’s bed.
“... You are right. I have failed at many things in my life. I regret to admit that failing you was one of my many shortcomings… I have not been a good brother to you, Franziska. I could never reciprocate those gestures you’ve given me throughout our childhood. You would always stand by me and support me, even when I was ready to give up on myself. In return, all I ever did was repeatedly walk out of your life. I never even tried to be there for you once you lost your father. I was selfish… too busy with my own life to ever think about you in more than just passing. Then, after I left my note, I was too caught up in my own suffocating black void to ever consider reaching out to you. I… I will not try to ask for your forgiveness. I do not believe I am worthy of it. I can only hope that someday, you will give me another chance… so that I may become your brother, once again.”
The silence in the room was only disturbed by the soft beeping of the heart monitor. Franziska was visibly unprepared for Miles’ words. There was something in her expression that he couldn’t exactly decipher, for once. The anger and hurt were still there, but those thick layers of emotions concealed something deep within her that Miles couldn’t figure out what it was.
He supposed Franziska would have no more words for him, so he gave her a quick bow. “I wish you a speedy recovery. I am… grateful that you are alright, Franziska.”
Franziska frowned, avoiding his gaze. “Hmph… but of course. A von Karma couldn’t possibly be taken out so easily by a foolish assassin.” She gripped the bedsheets tightly with her free hand.
It was good to know she still had the same fight in her despite being shot. Miles smiled for a brief flash, before turning to leave “One more thing, Miles Edgeworth.” only to stop in the doorway, looking back at Franziska over his shoulder. “Since you seem intent on stealing my case, I should at least hope you will not do a foolishly disgraceful job at it.”
“Hm… but of course.” Miles nodded, then left the hospital room.
He has failed at many things in his life. He failed to be a worthy son of Gregory Edgeworth. He failed to be a worthy student of Manfred von Karma. He failed to be a worthy friend to Phoenix Wright… and he also failed to be a worthy brother to Franziska von Karma. The rift between them stretched deep, like an ocean trench. But… If Miles could go on to find the true meaning behind being a prosecutor, then perhaps, there is hope for him to become a worthy brother, too, once again. One whom his sister can rely on just as he relied on her in their childhood…
Perhaps it is not too late for them yet. There are many years of distance and strain that they have yet to iron out, but if Franziska is willing to give him a second chance, then Miles will be more than happy to take it.
And this time… he makes a vow to not fail his sister again.