Chapter 145 - Second Father

"No," both men replied sternly at the same time. 

"Ah, sorry for asking." She ducked her head in shame. Darn, my ugly curious head popped up again. But she did not give up. Xinyi jerked her face, looking straight into Tyriece's blue eyes. "I'm just curious about your closeness. Subordinates never addressed their superiors, most of all a great general in this manner."

Tyriece was taken aback with her probing gaze and looked away. Silence.

"I'm not his biological father, but you're right. We are like father and son in many ways," Lofey softly said.

"Yup, I look up to him as my second father because he was the one who made me who I am now." Tyriece looked up at the ceiling. 

"I am actually born to non-Chiangda parents. My family was one of the poor families in Goding who were hopeful to have a Chiangda child so they could have a chance for a better life. Unless you don't know, my lady. In Goding, families exposing their children as Chiangda received rewards, like free houses and land on their own, monthly food supplies and jobs in lofty ranks. This was every Godingan family dreamed of. 

"Godingan children also desire to become Chiangdas in return for a brighter future compared to a powerless person who had to work hard to earn their keep. But in return for the rewards the family gets, they expected the children to work in the army and go to battles. However, the good thing about the entire exchange is if we win more battles, more rewards are waiting for us too. 

"In my country, General Lethmo is famous and the hero to most aspiring children. And I'm one of those children. When I was little, I deeply desired to follow the general's footsteps."

"My feet are larger compared to you, boy," chimed in Lofey, still facing the white world outside.

"I know." And he squarely faced Xinyi. "Lady Lei, this second father of mine is a man of fame and wealth. He is praised and respected by nobles, blessed with a princess as a wife and with many concubines in his behest."

"Really?" Xinyi gasped and glanced at Lofey's wide back.

"Yup, that's how great he is. And I'm proud of him," Tyriece said with pride, following where Xinyi looked.

"Then how come he is your second father? Anything special happened?" Xinyi's eagerness for stories turned up.

"Well, he was a wet puppy who needed help, so I gave him good training to make him into a fierce hound. But unsure now if I did a good job." The general smirked with his statement.

"Hey, you really did a good job. I'm indeed a fierce hound now, and not just any hound but a champion breed." Tyriece pumped his chest with his gloved fist and laughed out loud.

Xinyi burst into bubbles, hearing them comparing Tyriece to a canine. "Tell me more." Xinyi beamed with delight.

"As you wish, My Lady." Tyriece raised a hand up. "Although I was not a noble by birth and was not commendable in scholarly matters, I made my mark in combat." He spoke with his hands waving around, like he was beating an enemy.

"I became a champion in the youngling's division at the age of seven. You see, this division is composed of children aging seven to ten. But I completely overwhelmed those big boys with my skills. I didn't even use my power."

Lofey intervened. "You would have if I didn't stop you." Sending Xinyi to burst out into laughter.

Tyriece stood up. "Hey, give me a break, will you? I obeyed you so what I said is true." 

"I didn't say you lied. Go on. This old man is just entertaining the lady here," Lofey said, staring at Tyriece. The two had a staring contest but held their bellies after laughing hard. Amused with themselves.

Lofey sat crossed leg on the ground, facing the two. Tyriece went back to hit sit too.

The general continued the tale. "Then in the teens division, he became champion three years in a row, fighting against eleven to sixteen years olds. After that, an enormous pile of marriage proposals came at his doorsteps. And you know what he did? He rejected them all and went into hiding. If it was me, I would have married those wealthy and pretty girls." He said with disdain.

"Come on. I'm not like you and your big ass. I want a love-marriage for one girl."

Lofey gripped Tyriece's front coat's sleeves up. "Who said I don't love my wives?" 

Tyriece yanked the big man's hand off his coat. "Calm down. Of course, you love them. But this is my story. Not yours. Allow me to continue…" He faced Xinyi again. "Okay, where were we? Ah, yes. From there I fought my way to be enlisted in General Lethmo's army at age eighteen. That's something only a handful achieved in my great Goding.

"And at twenty, I was already wearing the armor of a Knight, hailed as one of the youngest Knights in the history books of Goding. And I owe it all to my beloved second father, General Lofey Lethmo." He ended his story by kneeling and touching Lofey's feet.

Confusion filled Xinyi's face with Tyriece's action. Lofey saw this. "Stand up, boy." And explained to Xinyi, "This is the way Godingans honor their parents."

"I see." Xinyi was filled with awe with Tyriece's dedication and respect to the general.

"So how did you two meet?" Xinyi asked to fill her curiosity more.

The two men looked at each other and turned solemn, reminiscing about those days that changed Tyriece's life.

Seeing their expressions, Xinyi thought she touched a sensitive topic. "Please don't mind. I just want to fill our time talking rather than sending ourselves to sleep in this cold. It would be dangerous. We might freeze to death," she said, feeling embarrassed.

"It's fine. Tell her, boy," said Lofey.

Tyriece breathed deep. "Yeah, it's totally fine, My Lady. I was just reminiscing about those days. It was the day my life changed forever and thanks to this old man."