Chapter 47



47 Father And Son

Selma Payne’s POV:

“You’re leaving?” I was a little reluctant. Perhaps due to the rulers of the palace, no one came to hang out with me. Dorothy was the first.

“Perhaps I can send a message to your grandmother. Can you stay here for a night? We can watch a movie and eat some popcorn.”

Dorothy shook her head. “Thank you, but my grandmother is old. I don’t want her to worry. There are some things I have to tell her.”

“Alright,” I said.

I felt sorry for her but did not force her to stay. Instead, I accompanied her to say goodbye to my parents and asked the chauffeur to send her home.

Lying on the bed and looking at the brilliant night sky outside the window, I thought of the ‘death’ prophecy.

“If I’m not fated to meet you in this life, let me feel that I’ve never met you, let me never forget you, and wake up with this sorrowful pain in my dreams…”

I fell into a deep sleep as I recited the poem I had memorized.

Aldrich’s POV:

I never understood my father. He was serious, upright, but gentle, like a typical aristocrat from an ancient painting.

He suddenly called me home and didn’t give me any reason. But, as usual, he would let me think about it.

“Good evening, Father.”

“Good evening. Come and sit down, Son.”

We exchanged pleasantries in the vast hall like a pair of strangers we had just met.

This made me feel awkward as he had always been the type to speak his mind directly. He rarely spoke so politely to me. It was as if he had something to say but could not say it for various reasons.

“Do you have anything to say?” I was the first to break the awkward atmosphere. “You’re my father. You don’t have to beat around the bush with me.”

My father was silent for a few seconds before he smiled helplessly. “You’re all grown up. I don’t remember the last time we sat by the fireplace and chatted.”

I shrugged. “You know, the army is very busy and strict. I can’t always take leave to visit you. It’s against the rules, and the soldiers will be unhappy.”

“I understand, I understand.” My father turned his gaze to the burning fire. “I just realized you’ve grown up, and I’m old. If your mother could see this day, she would be so happy.”

At the mention of my mother, I couldn’t help but fall silent.

I was just a child who didn’t know anything when she passed away. I only knew how to cry. Now that I was all grown up, I still didn’t know how my mother died – it was a taboo. Be it in Duke Frank’s house or the entire pack, nobody spoke about it.

Her death was related to a political event. Since that event was covered up, her death had to be covered up as if she never existed.

“If there’s nothing else, please allow me to return to my room to rest.” I didn’t want to recall those painful memories.

“Of course, Son.” My father nodded.

I walked to the stairs, and he suddenly said, “Perhaps you’d like to have breakfast with this old man tomorrow morning?”

“Of course.” I nodded after a pause. “Good night, Father.”

The vexed mood made me toss and turn, unable to sleep at night.

I sent Selma a few messages, but she didn’t reply. Perhaps she was training. I waited until dawn, and she still ignored me even when I was sleepy.

Recalling her unhappy expression when we parted, I sighed and thought she was really angry.

And I was helpless.

‘Forgive your incompetent boyfriend, Selma. I’m so clumsy in relationships that I keep making mistakes, but I can’t even find a way to correct them.’

Maybe I should give her a call.

I thought.

Then, I brushed off that thought.

It was already very late. I should not disturb her rest and should talk about it tomorrow morning.

Just like that, I entered dreamland with a frown.

Early the following day, the sun was shining brightly outside the window. As my father strolled back to the courtyard, a light mist shrouded the clouds.

What was he doing?

I thought in a daze and then reacted. He had always had the habit of doing morning exercises, but I hadn’t been at home for a long time, so I’d become a stranger to him.

Breakfast was the usual toast, fried eggs, bacon, and vegetable salad. Selma always liked to change the tomatoes into double lettuce when she ate her sandwiches. She did not like the sour taste.

I subconsciously picked the tomato and put it on my plate. Then, just as I was about to hand her the green salad, I remembered that I was at home and had no lover by my side.

So I put down the plate in a daze and started eating breakfast absent-mindedly.

My father didn’t seem to notice my strange behavior. Instead, he drank his coffee and read the newspaper .” Did you sleep well last night?”

“Very good, a dreamless night,” I said. Actually, I lied. I dreamed that Selma wanted to break up with me. I’d never been so flustered. Fortunately, it was just a dream.

“Oh, these days aren’t peaceful.” My father frowned as he read the newspaper.

“What’s wrong?”

“Sivir Academy was attacked last night. Many students who were doing after-class club activities were affected, but fortunately, no one was injured.”

Sivir Academy had been attacked?

I suddenly became nervous, afraid that Selma would be implicated in the slightest.

However, I quickly recalled that I had personally sent her back to the palace, so she should be fine.

“An attack on a school is a terrible and sensational event. Has the King given any instructions?”

My father put down the newspaper. “Of course. Last night, we old bones were called to discuss state affairs. He was outraged.”

“But…” He smiled. “Fortunately, it was just a misunderstanding. The crisis is over.”