My Father's Son

Son? Artie twitched. She actually juggled her memories and remembered that Larkin did say something along the lines 'my wife or my son' when he was speaking with Albas earlier. At first, Artie didn't know why his reaction was so big about it, given that it was a truth that all of them had pretty much accepted. It was not a secret to most that the seneschal was the archduke's son with his first wife… right?

Then, she realized that Miel and Larkin didn't have that kind of open relationship where they freely interacted like father and son. Most of the time, they would only look like they did care for each other, but it was too subtle that no one would probably pay attention. It's not that they could be so loud as well.

Moreover, it seemed like everyone else was rather fixated on Miel being a street child than an actual legitimate heir of the archduke. Everyone would keep on insulting Miel about being a street child like they didn't care about the blood in his veins. If they really knew that Miel was a legitimate son of the archduke, would they still dare to lecture him and slap him for being a street child?

She blinked.

Could it be that everyone thought that Miel was adopted instead and that Larkin had never said anything close to him being his blood child? Moreover, based on the interaction between the two, they seemed to be denying their rights to be each other's son and father. However, just earlier, Larkin called Miel his son in front of the emperor and dared to challenge the emperor's claim on the served life.

Artie's eyes widened and sparkled out of control. The excitement and happiness started to sink in as she realized why Miel was almost vibrating in glee. Son! For the first time, Miel heard Larkin connect them together… and even in front of the demon emperor who was supposed to be a threat to all three of them. Larkin stood as a father who wanted no harm to come to his child!

She almost crushed Miel's hands with her grip as she displayed the peak of excitement Miel was probably feeling. Unlike Miel, she was a woman who could be so loud and joyful, eyes glittering like the magic water in their aqueducts. If Miel couldn't show the happiness he felt, she would reflect it for him. A number of squeals came out of her. "Oh, my God! You're right! Oh, my! Oh, my! Stern baby, I'm so happy for you!"

"Stern baby?" Miel only echoed and dropped it as soon as he received it. "I… I didn't know that I would feel such emotion. I have long accepted that he will never see me as—"

"Baby, no!" Artie let go of the hands and squished Miel's cheeks with her palms. "Shhh… Miel, listen to me. You're every inch of a son to Larkin, and he's just a little too dumb not to know how to show that. Then again, it's all understandable." She then recalled her hands and pulled Miel inside her room so they could talk privately. She pushed him to her tea table and sat him down. "Miel, he was terrified last night.

"He was terrified that I received a revelation that your life is in danger. You noticed that we were just wearing our sleepwear, didn't you? That was because we shot out of the bed and left the castle in an instant."

She smiled, reaching out to clear Miel's fringe. "I know that Larkin should be the one saying these to you, but there are things that he cannot say but do without sparing any efforts. I need you to know that he came out there last night not because I dragged him, but because he wanted to save you himself.

"It will hurt him if you say that you 'know' he will never accept you. I am telling you now; if you're looking for a sign, it's here. I'm the sign." Artie flashed a smile at him. "You will always be one of the most important people to Larkin because you are his child, his only son."

"But… but what of you, Lady Shen? You must dream of having children on your own..." Miel was in disbelief, his mind stalling the sinking of the words by thinking of something else. "I am not named 'heir'. Your firstborn son will inherit the archduchy..."

"You know, Miel, look at you. What is your job as the seneschal?" Artie didn't dwell on the child-making topic. "Aren't you aware that being the archduke comes with a lot of trouble and danger? Without the capability of wielding magic, it will be hard to keep the archduchy safe. With all these sacrifices that Larkin had to do for Ellis Plains, do you think he was willing to pass it down to you?

"You are every inch of a great successor he could ever ask for, but he cannot bring himself to hand you the title that attracts too much trouble." Artie's eyes grew sharp along with her tone. "Machiav is still out there, and Larkin will not stop until he's eliminated for good. Naming you 'heir' will make you a target, and Larkin isn't having any of that."

She reached out to caress Miel's head. "Be happy, Miel. You are indeed loved by your father."

His eyes widened before he broke into a helpless smile, lowering his head to hide such raw emotion. He reached to rub his neck before calming down and assuming his proper demeanor as the seneschal. "Thank you for your words, Lady Shen. I will treasure these signs and work harder to make sure Lord Ellis will continue to be happy with me. I might not be able to stand as his legitimate son, but… I will stop denying that he is my father."

He placed a hand on his chest and spoke with a genuine smile on his lips. "I have once dwelled on the fact that my mother was an ingrate that disgraced my father and denied me of my rights to become a son to him. My birth mother might not be recognized as a person anymore, but I will cease to associate the whole of me with her from hereon. I shall forget being my mother's child, but I will always be my father's son."

Miel opened his eyes and smiled widely, even resembling the very same smile that Larkin gave Artie earlier. "Thank you, Lady Shen. You made this possible for me."

[Your actions have caused a soul to be enlightened! Veneration + 20. Total meter points: 301; Veneration 199, Apostasy 102.]