Chapter 1192
As Randall walked from the hall, his head high, gaze unwavering, and step purposeful, he was no longer the slumped, defeated figure he had been earlier. This transformation stemmed from Rafael's final words: "Matthew mentioned you've handled your warden duties well. After a year, I'll consider promoting you." At those words, unshed tears burned in Randall's eyes. Aside from Avis, no one had ever acknowledged his abilities, truly praised him. Avis's praise, while heartfelt, always felt laced with consolation. He'd never excelled in studies or martial arts, and her assurances that he'd eventually amount to something were comforting, not genuine recognition.
This, however, was different. He didn't even question its sincerity; the feeling was too overwhelming, too wonderful. He would give everything to continue on this path. From a young age, he'd never been Yuvan's favorite son, born to a concubine and raised by Avis. His father despised his illegitimate bloodline. Randall had overheard servants gossiping about his mother being ordered to drink medicine to prevent pregnancy, and how, despite that, she'd conceived. A physician was to induce a miscarriage, but Avis fought fiercely, hiding his mother on a remote estate until after his birth, then publicly returning him to the estate. She knew Yuvan valued appearances; this spectacle forced his acknowledgment, his pride preventing him from letting Randall die. This act, however, caused Avis to fall from favor. The servants called her foolish, perhaps rightly so, for fighting so hard for a "worthless..."
As Randall reflected, his steps grew lighter. He shouldn't feel burdened by betraying such a father, nor guilty; his guilt should be for neglecting his mother when she was sent to Verdant Monastery. He should hate the man he called father, not only for his treatment but also for sending Avis a divorce edict just before her death, complaining she hadn't died quickly enough. Randall's heart remained heavy, but lighter than before.
The lamps in the Hell Monarch Estate's meeting hall burned until dawn. They learned more than just the Lunvale situation from Randall, though his information was limited. Besides Grantham, Larkspur, and Fenrose Counties, other areas remained unknown. The lingering confusion mirrored Rafael's earlier uncertainty: Yuvan lacked the capacity for such widespread expansion. Now, to Rafael, Yuvan seemed less a mastermind and more reliant on Wayne. But was Wayne truly an ally, or was Yuvan merely a hunter caught off guard?
Jacob traced the locations Randall mentioned, linking them—mostly impoverished regions struggling with unpaid taxes and needing regular government relief. An idea sparked in Rafael's mind; puzzle pieces shifted, though the picture remained incomplete. Lunvale needed further investigation; understanding it might clarify the other issues.
After attending to estate matters, Rafael prepared to leave, unable to spend New Year's Eve with Carissa for the first time since their marriage. He hated the thought. They spoke at length in their room, then in the main hall, and he still couldn't release her hand at the door. He repeated his parting words—to eat on time, dress warmly—so often that Helen, who had come to see him off, rolled her eyes, chiding him for his repetition. Faced with his mother's sharp temper, Rafael wondered if this stemmed from his past neglect.