Alfred (2)

When Alfred turned nine, he was assigned as Winford's official heir. Ironically, the appointment event was pushed by Winford's other branches and lineages, as well as his maternal side. While other family's parents protect their child's rightful position at all costs, his only parent delayed and hesitated.

'Hah, did he want to keep being the Head for thousands of years to come?'

His father, unable to deny it any longer, had to accept.

Alfred thought he could know why.

Despite his remarks at his mother's funeral that he was nothing but a bookworm, the duke knew deep inside that his son was a genius and someone much more competent than him. Once Alfred was appointed the official heir, it was written in the Empire's law that he would have the right to slowly establish his own force and participate in some territorial matters.

Obviously, Duke Charles, a contradictory person, did not like that idea. The siblings' eyes had a blue shade that was even clearer than him. Every time he looked into their eyes, jealously rose in him like tidal waves.

Alfred, on the other hand, chased after knowledge and experience like a moth drawn to the flames. The time he took to take care of his sister became less and less. The presence of the new duchess created a small sense of threat in him, but he got rid of it. Or rather, he ignored it.

The siblings' new stepmother did not bother him explicitly. Her origin was that of a commoner, so he thought she would at least keep her hands to herself to some extent.

'Adelaide is growing up fine too. Yes, she argued and acted rebelliously, but that's how kids are, right?'

Even when his father sent him to the academy, Alfred was not all that worried. He kept making excuses for himself.

'The sooner, the better. I would be able to protect Adelaide sooner too. She looks healthy and fine.'

Even when Adelaide stopped sending letters, he got rid of his suspicions almost immediately.

'No matter how ridiculous father is, he won't overdo it', or so he thought.

It was not until after three months since Adelaide was kidnapped that Alfred received the news. His own loyalists were not key personnel yet, so getting top-secret news was not an easy task for them.

Alfred thought he went crazy that day. How could his sister, someone who never set a foot outside of the castle since birth, got lost and kidnapped? It sounded like a joke.

He rushed home, but the duke filled him with useless information. His way of talking around and about could have fooled most people, but not Alfred.

'He's lying. He knows something.'

The thirteen-year-old then conducted his own investigation. However, his people's ability was still limited, and it was hard to avoid the duke's eyes.

Although Charles IX was incompetent compared to his predecessors, the force inherited down through nine generations was still incredible and could not be ignored.

Alfred hated himself for keep making excuses, but deep down inside, he knew going to the academy was also the right choice. That fact alone made him despise himself even more.

Discouraged, Alfred decided to do something without prior planning. He snuck in the duke's personal room one night. Not his main, big office where he did his paperwork, but the entry restricted room. The room contained all of Winford's secrets and history. Apparently, only the current Head held the absolute authority to enter the room.

That was when he stumbled on an unexpected secret.

'A curse?'

Alfred's eyes widen in surprise after reading the contents of one of the documents. He had always wondered why the James, a family as old as the duchy and the ruler of one of the Empire's most prosperous city, had never advanced their nobility ranks for hundreds of years.

Turned out, once a new Baron was appointed, he became a werewolf.

He gained all the benefits – super-regenerative ability, a developed body, and immense physical strength. However, the Baron would turn into an insane creature once a full moon.

The only way to retain sanity? Blood of a member of Winford's main lineage.

Scenarios and various possibilities started to run wild in Alfred's head. He investigated carefully yet steadily towards variable directions.

As expected, the results came.

Alfred felt like his blood ran cold once he knew there was a high chance that his own father colluded with Baron James and brought his sister away. He could not fathom how exactly were they able to accomplish it, but he thought he knew why.

'A body ideal for mild experiments. Unlike mine, Adelaide has a body without threats.'

His father was drunk on the idea of him being someone who sacrificed for the greater good again.

Alfred thought he would be devastated upon knowing the horrible truth. He thought he would flip everything upside down like a madman.

But he didn't.

He was calm. There were no uncontrollable emotions trying to burst out. He was dead worried and his heart felt like it fell down a cliff, but he was calm.

He went to school like usual, and his results were not affected. The only difference was that he kept on planning and preparing. He knew it was properly too late – his sister was kidnapped for a total of six months already.

Nevertheless, Alfred could not give up. He felt as if his father was determined to snatch away everything that he ever cared for: his mother, and now his sister. Maybe he was cold-blooded, but the man who contributed to his existence meant nothing to him now. Ever since the late duchess' funeral, Alfred had stopped thinking of duke Charles as a father.

'We're only strangers who happen to share the same blood.'

'It's nothing out of the ordinary for strangers to kidnap your family, right?'

'It's also nothing strange for you to get rid of the danger that may harm your family, right?'

Alfred thought he would need years to sort everything out. Even though he was now the official heir, the information he could get was still limited. His utmost priority was to find his sister at all costs.

Adelaide was innocent. She grew up under his wings. Alfred would never allow those filthy pieces of trash to taint his duchy's only princess.

He was confident he could save her, but he needed time. Every day was like sitting on a burning stove, but Alfred did not mind. In fact, he found himself so composed to the point of frustration.

That was only until he received unexpected news.

Everything was a blur to him. Questions after questions popped up in his head like bubbles.

'How did she get here? Where was she? How did she escape? Is that even my sister? If so, who's holding my sister's inherited family heirloom?'

His mind ran like windmills on a windy day, and for the first time, he could not focus on whatever the professor was saying.

He knew he must stay patient, but it was hard. When Alfred heard Anthony's energetic voice and a child's small whispers, his body reacted before his brain could.

"A…Adelaide?"

His sister was really there. Tears were pouring out of her eyes like waterfalls. Her lips quivered hard, and her usual blue irises were shining with a hint of golden hue.

'Did she know?'

"B…brother, the…they said I'm a disgusting half-blood."

'What?'

"I m-miss you. But they k-kept calling me a useless kid that will only get in your way."

'The audacity...'

"B-but I c-can't help it. Even mother said I-I'm such a burden, but I can't help it. I m-miss you, brother. I only have you."

Alfred's face darkened upon hearing those remarks. Even Anthony, someone who was always shining like the sun, looked angry.

"I-is it possible for me to r-return home?"

Her tears were still running down continuously. Alfred's eyes scanned over the white unfamiliar dress, then stopped at Adelaide's feet. Red scratches stood out on her white porcelain skin.

He was both furious and frightened.

When Alfred came back to his senses, his six-year-old sister was already in his arms with her small hands gripping his sleeve.