The dinner party arrives as scheduled at the Aditi Estate.
The guests are well-entertained with the soft, melodious music that plays in the small orchestra that the Aditi Household hired for this period. The zither leaks out incredible sounds that lift one’s spirit, and the other instruments complement the tunes in the most perfect way.
These are professionals, so it’s only natural that they are on a completely different level when it comes to music.
Craig can be seen next to them as he observes their technique and appreciates their tune from a close distance. As for Selicia, she is busy talking to all the Knights she can feast her eyes on, her brilliant expression depicting the kind of excitement coursing through her veins.
The Head of the Household, Luther Aditi, is too busy speaking to the most important guests to mind the antics of his children, and his wife also has to attend to the Minor Family members and ensure none of them pass their bounds. Even if these two haven’t resolved their differences, they still have to present a united front when it comes to defending their family from enemies.
Thanks to Janith’s suppression, none of the Minor Family members have a chance to make the connections they seek to create. They are also prevented from speaking to the little ones from the Main Family.
This allows Javier’s true situation to remain hidden.
It is at moments like this that Janith’s political acumen and overall competence can be put on full display. There is no sign of incompetence from this woman, and even Luther—who still manages to keep an eye out for her and the children—can see this clearly.
A tinge of guilt bites through his heart as he remembers how many times he belittled her abilities due to the actions of their children.
However, he can clearly see now that she isn’t the foolish woman he often says she is.
Her charm allures the guests, and her manner of speech enthralls them into her web of manipulation. Her prestigious dress, which shows off her curves, is enough to distract many men, yet she maintains an air of modesty befitting the dainty wife of the Head of the Aditi Household.
How she manages to balance all of these tasks by herself remains a mystery.
As for Luther, the bulk of his assignment merely involves him apologizing to the guests for Javier’s absence. He makes empty promises about Javier hopefully recovering to attend the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, even though he knows the situation of his son.
Even if Javier wasn’t badly injured, Luther still wouldn’t allow him to attend the Ceremony.
’That boy will ruin everything if he does!’ Luther’s thoughts echo resolutely. ’I’ll have to handle everything myself... hmm?’
From the corner of his eyes, he notices his younger brother discussing with a Lesser Noble.
Since this is only a Lesser Noble, and the topic is actually on the issue of Academia, among other issues, Luther sees no problem with the nature of their discourse. As long as Damon isn’t doing anything to jeopardize the Main Family, he doesn’t plan to stop the conversation.
In fact, he figures this is why his wife hasn’t done anything about it either.
Still, he finds it peculiar.
’Damon isn’t the type to seek out conversations like this. In fact, he usually keeps to himself and is too engrossed in his studies most of the time. To think he is actually going out of his way to speak to people...’
Luther knows this Noble isn’t the first person Damon has been talking to.
He has been seeing him around.
Most of the topic of discourse revolves around the recent trends in scholarly circles, as well as the Royal Academy. Since Damon attended, it’s no surprise that he would talk about this. There is also small talk regarding a small business that he is trying to embark on to fund his research, which is also interesting, but nothing noteworthy.
Who in the Aditi Household isn’t aware of Damon’s dire financial straits?
For years now, this man has done everything he can to alleviate the burden, all to no avail. He is still drowning in countless debts, and his research has yet to yield any fruit.
Looking at him now, and seeing his pathetic attempts at networking, Luther can’t help but scoff.
He holds no pity for his brother in the slightest.
’You defied mother’s instructions and nearly ruined the Household. If not for me cleaning up after your mess, where would our Aditi Household be now?’ Luther shakes his head as he shifts his gaze away from his pathetic younger brother.
If only he had simply accepted the path chosen for him and walked on it, he wouldn’t be living such a life filled with ruin and misery.
Just looking at Damon, one can tell that he is impoverished.
He must have put on his best suit for the occasion, but it lacks a prestigious lustre compared to most of the people present. His thin body slowly borders on the edge of emaciation, showing his lack of proper diet. He has dark circles under his eyes, displaying the sleep deprivation that accompanies his obsession with his research.
The dark circles and baggy eyes are well-hidden under his glasses, but they can’t fool Luther.
He knows his brother is going through hard times.
But he refuses to do anything about it.
’You reap what you sow, little brother. Leaving you that cottage at the outskirts of our territory was the last act of kindness I plan on ever showing you. Even if you kneel to me and apologize for all your misdeeds, I could never forgive you. After all, the person you hurt most, our mother... is no longer here to hear your apology.’ He walks away, paying attention to the next guest who catches his eye.
************
After the dinner, the Aditi Main couple sees everyone off to their respective rooms.
Janith continues chattering with the women as they prepare for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony that happens the next day, but Luther Aditi excuses himself.
He walks towards the only place that could attract his attention so late at night.
—Javier’s room!
He makes a slow, almost silent knock before venturing inside.
’He’s asleep?’ It’s the first thought that courses through his mind as he notices his son the moment he walks in.
Javier’s bandaged body remains stiff and unmoving, his eyes tightly shut in sleep. Leon, who now rises to his feet to greet him, was seated right next to him as his duty entails.
Luther nods satisfactorily and curtly tells Leon to excuse them.
Without wasting any time, the young aide nods, bows his head, and scurries out of the room. This leaves the father and son inside as the only inhabitants of the space. This is the first time Luther has seen Javier since the incident, and a complicated expression graces his face.
Silence consumes the expanse, creating a tense yet awkward atmosphere that threatens to stretch on forever if no intervention is made.
Fortunately, Javier opens his eyes at this moment and locks eyes with his father.
"You finally come..."
Luther stiffens as soon as he hears the voice of his son, but quickly recovers and lets out a small sigh. "You were expecting me?"
"Of course," Javier’s smile grows wider, his gray eyes sparkling with confidence. "After all, you must be dying of curiosity at this point. About my arrangements with Uncle Damon, and about everything else."
Luther nods and sighs once again.
The honest truth is that he normally wouldn’t have paid any attention to Damon during the dinner. In fact, he had made it a normal thing to ignore his younger brother at all times, to the point where many wouldn’t know they were related if not for their distinct resemblance.
Even Damon had gotten used to it. In the past, he would try to strike up conversations with his older brother in an attempt to mend their strained relationship... all to no end.
As a result of Luther’s obstinate attitude and his complete detachment from his brother, Damon finally understood his place and took on the estranged brother role without any further complaints.
The two of them maintained this behavior for many years, not speaking a word to each other.
However, tonight was different.
Luther kept glancing at Damon and observing his every movement. He paid attention to what his brother was saying, and he continued to think about what the man could be up to. He hadn’t done this in years.
That worry, that concern he displayed in the dinner party... it still irks him to this moment.
But it is all for two simple reasons: curiosity and suspicion.
"This confirms it. You already know about my arrangement with Leon, don’t you?" Luther’s deep voice is calm in the room, echoing with a mature solemness that sharply contrasts with the fiery rage he displayed before.
Javier smiles and nods gently. "It was easy to see."
"Easy, huh?" Luther silently chuckles and clicks his tongue. "So why don’t you tell me what is really going on? What exactly do you want from my younger brother? What did that letter of yours contain? What did the two of you discuss in this room earlier today?"
Javier’s eyes are calm, unmoved.
There is no hint of fear in his eyes; even a tiny flicker is absent.
After all, his father has already done his worst by putting him in this condition. Resorting to further threats is useless in such a situation.
Luther knows this as well, which is why his tone is calm and somber.
He now realizes that he has to deal with Javier diplomatically, not forcefully. If he tries to use his authority, this will only cause further resistance from his son. At the same time, he can’t act like his wife and try to use emotions to move Javier.
If Janith failed in this, how exactly does he hope to fare any better?
Knowing all this, Luther recognizes that his only option is to approach Javier and humbly request this information.
After all, he can do nothing to him if he decides to be silent about it.
"I wanted to know about his time in the Royal Academy. He’s the only Aditi who has ever attended, so I wanted to gain his insights."
"What? That’s all? Hold on... why would you be interested in that?" Luther’s eyes slowly widen as his mind pieces everything together.
"Don’t tell me, you too—"
"Indeed..." Javier smiles and nods slowly. "I want to be a Scholar."
"No! I forbid it!" Luther slams his fist on Javier’s bedside table, causing it to break upon impact. Such is the strength that this man holds in his fist.
Despite noticing this, Javier isn’t startled at all.
In fact, his face is calm.
Too calm.
It’s almost like he feels no emotions and is completely unmoved by the affairs of the world.
Seeing this frightens Luther, though he hates to admit it.
He would have preferred some kind of reaction from his son—whether it be fear, or anger, or even pride. Something, at the very least!
But Javier shows him nothing.
All that is present is a lifeless, emotionless mask that is devoid of all forms of identity.
It is almost like looking into a mirror.
’How can... such a child cultivate such an expression?’ Damon is shaken inside, but he does his best to hide this from the boy before him.
He is stunned beyond words.
"Father... can I tell you something?" Javier speaks, his voice interrupting the heavy breathing of the agitated man.
"... What is it?"
"I apologize for calling you pathetic, insignificant, and small. I’m also sorry for belittling the Aditi Household. I know how much you cherish it, and I know you’ve worked very hard to elevate it to this position and maintain its prestige. We constantly have enemies, but you have no siblings to rely on. All your family members constantly scheme against you. It’s a tiring, lonely road, but you maintain your position and keep marching ahead, hoping that this burden will eventually be relieved of you once one of your children takes on the load, thus completing your arduous journey."
"... Javier?" Luther’s eyes widen in surprise.
The last thing he had expected was for his son to apologize to him. This causes certain emotions to swirl within him, but he quickly suppresses them.
"You have done a respectable job in protecting this Main Family and maintaining the Aditi Household. For that, and that alone, I will commend you..." Javier’s tone grows several times more solemn as his voice turns grave.
"But you’ve been a horrible father to me and your other children. I told myself that I didn’t despise you two as my parents, and perhaps that rings true for Mother, but I think I will have to change my assessment of you."
With a fearless gaze that possesses unknown depths, Javier tells it to his father straight.
"I resent you, father. I really do."