@vishi
it was a weird relation, because of the neckace, he always saw his little brother as his protector, so he had a attachment for the brother he tought had died.
And frankly, he had blame, but his father had more, he was the one who free the curse, if he had not done that, the village may have resisted, the older brother try to propose making a deal, but the leader was too arrogant thinking they can defeat the empire that way. (thay can only buy time until another army with a powerfull mage arrive)