MCAV Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Leon spoke urgently.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll bring a doctor.”

“That’s not necessary. He won’t die from something like that.”

“What do you mean by that!”

How could someone injure another person and remain so calm?

Leon felt bile rise in his throat at Heirn’s cold attitude but swallowed it down. He knew who Heirn was—the head of House Weatherfield.

Leon’s master, Lucas, had taught him to uphold justice, but experience had also taught Leon that sometimes, staying silent was the wiser choice.

“Even if he won’t die, he still needs a doctor,” Leon managed to say.

“That’s enough. Albert, treat him roughly for now.”
“Yes, my lord.”

“Now then, Ronshka,” Heirn said, his tone turning strangely soft, “what’s the most important thing to you?”

“My mom.”

Ronshka answered without hesitation.

“Why?”

The boy tilted his head.

His mother loved him, and he loved her. Why would anyone even need to ask something so obvious?

Perhaps interpreting the boy’s confusion differently, Heirn continued,

“Because she’s your mother?”

“Maybe,” Ronshka said quietly.

“What about your father?”

“Father?” Ronshka tilted his head again, as if he’d just heard something strange.

“Yeah, your father. If you have a mother, then surely there’s a father somewhere too.”

When he was very young, he’d thought so as well. But as he grew, he’d come to understand—his father had abandoned his mother and him.

Other children’s fathers protected their homes. But Ronshka never had someone like that. The only one who had always been there for him was his mother.

“I don’t have one.”

“That can’t be. Every child has a father.”

“Even so, I don’t.”

He was someone who had never shown his face, never existed in his world. So he didn’t need him. Ronshka was happy with just his mother.

“But what if your father is alive?”

“That’s impossible.” Ronshka’s voice was firm.

“What if… he left you for a reason?”

He didn’t care about those reasons. Two people were enough. Especially with Master Lucas and his friend Leon around, he had everything he needed.

“Ronshka.”

Heirn leaned closer, speaking in a low, almost conspiratorial whisper.

“You’re old enough now to learn the truth.”

“What truth?”

“Your red hair—doesn’t it remind you of someone?”

His mother, Adele, had green eyes and plain brown hair. Nothing like him.

“And your eyes, too.”

Heirn’s eyes curved as he smiled. Sunlight from the window caught in his deep red hair, glinting like fire.

“You look just like me.”

At that, Rosalyn, trembling in the corner, widened her eyes.

The father who had always spoken coldly to her was now talking to Ronshka in a gentle tone.

“You are my son.”

He said Ronshka was his child.

‘Lies!’

Rosalyn stumbled backward, gasping for breath—but the wall stopped her from retreating further.

“You’re the precious child born from me and Adele. That means I’m your father.”

‘Lies!’

Even if she wasn’t a gifted spirit mage, she had always tried her best. She was the sole heir to House Weatherfield, after all.

But now, her father was claiming Ronshka—the boy with exceptional fire spirit power, the one her father had always shown interest in—as his son.

Rosalyn’s face turned pale.

“F-Father…” she stammered, her voice trembling.

“That’s not true, is it?”

Ronshka—her friend—was her brother? Impossible.

“It’s the truth.”

The floor beneath her seemed to crumble.

“Ronshka!” she cried.

What do you think?

Do you believe this?

There were so many things she wanted to ask, but that was all she could say. After a painfully long silence, Ronshka finally spoke.

“I don’t need one.”

For the first time, Heirn’s calm expression cracked.

“Ronshka, perhaps you don’t understand yet—I’m the head of House Weatherfield.”

“I know. But I still don’t need a father.”

“I know you must resent me. But that’s something we can mend, in time.”

“There’s nothing to mend.”

Rosalyn could see the truth in Ronshka’s eyes.

The father she cherished so deeply was someone Ronshka truly didn’t need. He had no expectations, no longing for a father at all.

“Hah.”

Heirn let out a short, incredulous laugh.

“You really don’t understand, do you? House Weatherfield is no ordinary family. If you come with me, you’ll grow immensely as a spirit mage. And that’s not all—your mother will be happier, too.”

That last sentence made Ronshka’s expression change for the first time.

“She’ll… be happier?”

“Of course. She’d be entering House Weatherfield. Why wouldn’t she be happy?”

“No! Don’t listen to him, Ronshka!”

Leon finally couldn’t stay silent any longer.

A man who treated people like tools and life like nothing—how could he possibly make Adele happy?

He couldn’t allow such a kind and gentle person to be dragged into that.

“Think about Lady Adele!”

“My mom…?”

Ronshka looked between Heirn and Leon, confusion clouding his eyes.

“At least talk to her first,” Leon urged.

Leon’s steady persuasion worked. Ronshka finally nodded.

“Okay.”

“I’m going now.”

Heirn looked displeased that Leon had interfered, but he didn’t stop them from leaving.

He had already planted the seed. All that was left was to let it bloom—and he was confident it would.

Leon held Ronshka’s hand tightly as they ran outside. They didn’t stop until they’d exited the annex and reached the gates.

Catching his breath, Leon turned back toward the building, shaking his head.

“Ronshka, are you all right?”

“Yeah.” Ronshka nodded.

“Then let’s go see Master Lucas first.”

“No, I’m going to Mom.”

“Maybe that’s better. I’ll go to Master Lucas and tell him about the Marquis of Weatherfield.”

“Okay. But don’t tell him that.”

Leon realized immediately what that meant—Heirn claiming to be Ronshka’s father.

“Do you think it’s true?” Leon asked hesitantly.

“I don’t know.”

Ronshka planned to ask his mother himself.

“Then I’ll see you later.”

Leon headed off to find Lucas, while Ronshka ran straight to Adele.

“Mom.”

“Ronshka.”

Adele greeted him with her usual gentle expression.

“Did you study hard today?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t sneak out in the middle of class, did you?”

“I had permission.”

“Good boy.”

Adele smiled softly as she stroked his hair. Ronshka leaned into her embrace.

Her arms were warm and kind.

“Mom.”

“Mm?”

“I have something to ask you.”

“What is it?”

Ronshka hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

“It’s about Dad.”

“Dad?”

Her hand froze mid-stroke and began to tremble slightly.

Maybe I shouldn’t say it.

But he had to. Heirn wasn’t the kind of man who would back off quietly.

“Do I… have a dad too?”

It was the first time Ronshka had ever asked about his father. He had never shown interest before—but as he grew, so did his curiosity.

Adele closed her eyes tightly, then opened them again.

What should I tell him?

Should she say his father was dead, that he no longer existed?
Or should she tell him the truth?

Her heart wavered. She wanted to lie. But was that really the right thing to do?

“Mom, it’s okay.”

“Hm?”

“Even if I don’t have a dad, I’m happy.”

In Ronshka’s small world, the only person at the center was his mother, Adele. That was why he could say he was happy.

A pang of guilt pierced her heart. If only she had remembered her past life sooner—if only she had left that village earlier for the city—maybe Ronshka could’ve grown up straighter, stronger.

“Ronshka.”

“Yes, Mom?”

“You have a father too.”

Ronshka blinked slowly, his wide eyes filled with confusion.