851 Side Story: Viscount Carendia (1/2)
Crack.
The sound of the door lock being opened was particularly loud at the quiet night.
A golden-haired and golden-eyed little boy had been lying on the couch, half asleep, but he sat up the moment he heard the noise and ran to the door in excitement.
After the door was opened, a golden-haired woman, wearing a purple court dress, walked in. She was pretty and tall, with a blush that was not so obvious on her face. There was a certain charm in her formal smile.
”Edward, you haven't slept yet?” The beautiful and mature lady was obviously surprised when the little boy ran to her.
The boy smiled shyly. ”Mom, I wanted to wait for you to come back…”
He suddenly stopped talking because he saw a tall man behind his mother. The man had a sculpted, handsome face that looked like a glacier that would never unfreeze. He also had very special silver short hair.
The man suddenly put on a gentle smile, like spring melting the snow. He picked up the golden-haired lady's hand and kissed it. ”It's an honor to have met you. I wish you a sweet dream tonight.”
”I'm happy to make your acquaintance too, Viscount,” the gold-haired lady responded with a smile and saw the formally-suited man off.
”Mom, who is he?” For reasons he did not know, Edward disliked the man just now.
”Well, it's a foreign viscount that I met at the ball today. His name is Carendia.” The golden-haired lady tried to answer calmly, but her lips were still curling. Then, she suddenly became solemn. ”Edward, it's almost twelve o'clock. You're two hours late for bed. Where is Adelin? I'm going to ask her why she allowed you to wait for me! You are the only descendant of this family, and you should never be self-willed.”
”I… I slipped out of my room. It has nothing to do with Adelin…” Edward pretended to be scared. He knew that his mother would not really punish him.
…
”Young master, it's possible that you will have a new father soon,” a maid said to Edward, who had grown much taller, in a low voice.
Edward, who was still not old enough, was gloomy and agitated. During the past two years, her mother and that Viscount Carendia were closer and closer and were really like a couple now. As a result, he had less time to talk or play with his mother. What an awful man!
”Although it has been difficult for Her Ladyship to support the family after His Lordship was summoned by the Lord, and she should be blessed for pursuing her own happiness, you must remember that you are the only heir to the title and the heritage. You cannot allow Viscount Carendia to transfer the wealth bit by bit.” The maid who was loyal to the family reminded Edward of the potential crisis.
Edward, however, blurted out, ”He approached my mother for money and the title? No, I have to stop him!”
After that, the boy ran to the lobby, leaving the maid stunned. It… It was only a reminder. I certainly did not mean that.
”Wu, wu, Mom, I was wrong. I shouldn't have been so impolite to the viscount!” Soon enough, Edward's cries came from the living room. He had been pressed down on the couch and spanked hard by his mother, and he wept really hard.
The golden-haired lady snorted and said to Viscount Carendia in apologies, ”Forgive me for not teaching the child well.”
”It's nothing. Children of his age are all naughty,” Viscount Carendia said; his eyes gentle.
”Edward, apologize to the viscount,” the golden-haired lady asked him.
Sobbing, Edward apologized. Then, while his mother was not looking at him, he pretended to be tough and said in an extremely low voice, ”I won't let you steal my mother!”
Viscount Carendia looked the same as before, as if he were looking at an angry but not-at-all threatening kitten.
…
”You will call the viscount dad in the future,” the golden-haired lady said to Edward rather shyly.
Edward pursed his lips and tried to make himself look normal. ”Yes, madam.”
Viscount Carendia, who sat on the opposite side of the table, cut the bloodstained steak and said to Edward seriously as if he were his real father, ”Your current knight teacher is not good enough. Starting from tomorrow, I will teach you in person.”
”I will certainly work hard.” Edward clenched his fists, swearing to vent his fury on the goddamn man during the training.
…
Pa.
Edward was thrown to the ground and cried in pain.
”Why do you need a sword if tears help?” Viscount Carendia said without the slightest pitifulness. ”So, you are only a boy, not a man. A real man sheds blood, not tears.”
Edward stood up and glared at him.
Viscount Carendia waved his wooden sword. ”Don't you hate me the most? Don't you want to kick me away? Accomplish it with the sword in your hand! Or maybe you are a coward who loves failure?”
Edward roared brutally and charged at Viscount Carendia with the wooden sword in his hands. He was knocked again and again but stood up every time.
He thought, I will not compromise!
…