Chapter 4: The Missing Mother

Zein looking at his father's reaction thought that something must've happened to make his mood like that, so he decided to change the subject, "By the way, we almost forgot about Mother... Where is she? And what happened to her? I was too young to even remember her face, and what does she look like? I've also looked around the manor and there's not even one portrait of her." he asked his father, desperately asking for a straight answer.

After hearing those bombardments of questions Randjolf finally raised his head and his face returned to neutral, "Slowdown child..." he chuckled. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions about your mother, but please take it slow," he added.

Knowing that changing the subject was effective the boy grinned, "Okay, I'll just ask one question at a time," the boy said nodding his head as he agreed.

Randjolf nodded in response to Zein, "But I can't promise that I can answer everything. Now ask right away."

"Where is she? You never said anything about her, or even the servants as if they were not allowed to talk about her, surely she's not dead is she? Because I don't even see her grave anywhere let alone her precious belongings." the boy asked, his eyes seriously gazing into his father's eyes desperate for answers.

"As you would have guessed, she's not dead..." the old man responded but his face became gloomy and his voice lowered as he took a long pause. But this would cause a quick change in the mood between the two. 

"But where is she?" the boy asked as his heart was pumping a mixture of emotions throughout his body, "Father!? Where is she?" he added raising his voice unable to control his emotions.

Randjolf triggered by the boy raised his voice against him, "I do not know boy!" he replied but also raised his voice as he stood up from Zein's bed. "I'm sorry, I don't know..." he added as he tried to calm down realizing the raise from his voice, worried that it could've hurt the boy.

But Zein was only focused on one thing, "So... She's been missing?" he asked as he hoped that was the case for his mother. "If she's missing then I can still find her." he thought to himself trying to find hope.

Randjolf just looked at Zein's eyes as he started to shake, so he clenched his teeth and fists to keep his calm.

"Father!-" The boy yelled once again but was interrupted as he was startled. It was due to a loud bang that was heard as the door was completely busted into pieces and a cloud of thick dust from its debris started to form, fortunately, the debris didn't even reach the father and son.

As the dust was settling, a brutish voice of a woman could be heard behind it. "Your mother's state is what you think it is boy... She is missing. It's been years and we haven't even found a trace of her." It was Loydja, she explained in place of his companion who was afraid of telling the boy the truth.

"What?" the boy asked in confusion as he didn't realize he was standing after being startled. 

"Are you deaf boy? I said your mother was-" Loydja replied but was interrupted by Zein.

"No, not that! MY DOOR!" he yelled as he placed both hands on top of his hair. "You old geezer you're the same as this old man! (He pointed at Randjolf) You even look alike!" He pointed at her and said uncontrollably raising his voice even more, insulting her. 

Loydja's eyes widened as she heard those words, "You foolish child! I look nothing like your father, he is far older than me and look at him! He looks like an ugly bastard covered in his ugly twisted beard! So ugly he couldn't even pick any women back in his days! He doesn't even take a bath." she replied yelling in response, irritated by being compared to his companion.

"Enough!" Randjolf shouted as he finally intervened, stopping the argument, "Did you have to say that?" He said as he turned his gaze at Loydja, a hint of pain could be seen from his face.

"Pfft!" The boy reacted trying to stop his laugh from the hilarious scene, both old people noticed the boy.

"See, even the boy agrees," Loydja said chuckling.

"Hey!" Randjolf grunted in annoyance. 

Finally breaking the constant changing of moods, another old lady spoke behind the broken door, "My Lord and Lady, I apologize for interrupting but breakfast is served." Rayya said as she bowed towards the three.

"Ah finally! This argument had just made me hungry." Loydja said as she quickly stormed down the dining hall. 

"Let's go, Son..." Randjolf said looking at the boy.

"..." Zein ignored his father as he just went on ahead towards the door, leaving Randjolf behind. Thinking about a while ago, his father yet still refused to spill anything about his mother. "Tssk... Old man, you promised me to answer my questions, yet you never even answered the first one... Maybe Loydja can at least answer my questions about mother." he boy thought, glancing at Loydja infront him as he is hoping to get answers from her later.

Randjolf who was left behind Zein's back. He looked at Rayya, "Please replace the door after we eat." he requested, as he proceeded to follow Zein.

"Understood..." Rayya responded as they both went down to the dining hall with her behind the Manor Lord.

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