《4.3》FATHER AND SON
“Mom didn’t see you until she died… until her last breath she was crying. Why!? When the nobles offended you, you forgave them but why were you so cruel when it comes to mom?!"
Xiao Tianjian clenched his fist. Why? Of course he knew why: “You don’t understand, your mother she… She is the woman I love most in my life. She is the only one who made me willing to leave all the splendor and wealth behind and live a peaceful life with her. In my most painful and vulnerable time, she accompanied me and comforted me. At that time, I really felt that as long as I had her, I would not be afraid of any more difficulties."
"But… When I asked her to marry me, she betrayed me. She asked me to work for the Cardo Family and forced me to stay. That rotten family will only use me for their benefit. When I have value, they will rise but once I get into trouble, they will give up on me. Make me abandon my identity, give up everything and become their secret bodyguard. If I really stayed, what’s the difference between slave and me?! Your mother clearly knows about that but she still spoke for the Cardo Family. How can I stand it?"
Aaron scoffed at his words and sneered: “It turns out that persuading you to be loyal to your family is betrayal? Can I take your words as if you intention of being faithful in the first place? That’s why you say things like that?"
"My mother’s family has been servants of the Cardo family for generations. She has served Madam Mirabel since young and she felt guilty for betraying her mistress because she chose to be with you. It’s not a new thing for the nobility to have lovers, but how can my mother accept that you have to leave your wife and children behind and take a lover away?— not to mention her parents and siblings. You only know how to make her listen to you, can’t you think more about her? “
“Of course I do! The Cardo Family are kind to their servants and Mary's family have been serving them for generations. Even if she goes with me, the Cardo won't do anything to them. If they were really driven out, they can still work in my business and my castle. “
“It’s a pity that you also couldn’t protect yourself at that time. Besides, who would give up the their generations of service to family of Marquis and and go to work in the house of a new earl?"
Xiao Tianjian dropped his head and said bitterly, “It’s all in the past. I don’t want to say more. It is clear that your mother's loyalty to Mirabel and the Cardo Family surpasses her feelings towards me or she wouldn’t have rejected me. Otherwise, even if she doesn’t want to go with me, she doesn’t need to speak up for Cardo Family. Knowing that I value freedom above all else, she still wanted me to work for others against my will, that is no different from betrayal. “
Aaron sneered: “You're just trying to justify your irresponsibility. Which nobles would do something without interest? Although the Cardo Family used to rely on you to obtain fortune, they have also helped you to make a lot of achievements in the political and military circles— you are fundamentally mutually beneficial."
"When an ally bring disaster to himself, strong men can only protect their family by cutting their wrist. Their approach are understandable. What’s more, they won’t kill you completely. How can you turned your back on them just because they have not become your anchor without complaint and demand? Not to mention that they have adopted. I’ve been well fed, clothed and educated thanks to their kindness."
Xiao Tianjian has nothing to say about this: “At this point, I am also very grateful to them so I have paid them back in these past years. I helped their caravan drive out bandits, trained their guards and helped them make a few fortunes. With these, I can make up for the losses that I caused to their family. “ But he failed to mention that after the death of the old Marquis, the current head of the Cardo family is his son Elon or also known as Yunlong Xiao.
Aaron looked at him wordlessly and after a while, he whispered “I don’t want to talk about it any more, talking about it will only make me sick. Anyway, mother is already dead. I also have my wife and children. Whatever you want to do, it has nothing to do with me. “
Xiao Tianjian frowned and wanted to say something more but Marshall appeared quietly at the door. Respectfully reported that dinner was ready and asked them to move to the dining room. Aaron quickly turned around and left.
Xiao Tianjian stared at Marshall silently. After a short pause, he followed him to the dining room without expression.
[Part 3 of Chapter 4]
