Chapter 493 - Family Troubles

Claude recalled the veteran who had sacrificed himself to save Bloweyk had two children, a son and a daughter. Now that Adele was gone, Krimis was the last one left. It seemed he blamed the entire house for his sister’s death.

Claude’s head hurt from his mother’s antics. She was making enemies for the whole family. He couldn’t do anything against the kid. Other things aside, Zoft had died to save Bloweyk. Now, Adele had given birth to twins and died because of his mother. If he killed Krimis, he would be repaying favour with offence. However, in Krimis’ eyes he could see a hatred that burned for everyone with the surname Ferd, even Claude.

He could only hope the child’s hatred would wash away with time. Perhaps it was pointless, but he could at least let it drag on. He went to Krimis and knelt down to eye level with the boy.

“I’m really sorry, Krimis. None of us saw this coming. I wouldn’t have had any problem with your sister marrying into the family had I known of this at all. If only I’d known what was going on before things went this far… But I didn’t, and now your sister is gone. I wanted none of this.

“I can’t bring your sister back, no matter how much I want to. I can only say I’m sorry for your loss. I know you hate us. I don’t blame you. If I were you, I’d want revenge as well. I doubt you will want to stay on the farm. Your father left you a farmstead in Cromwell. If you like, I can prepare your sister’s body and you can take her there to be buried in your family’s land.”

Krimis’ hate didn’t give. He stared at Claude silently for at least a full minute before he spoke.

“I want to leave with my sister…”

Claude stood up and patted his shoulder.

“Alright. I’ll have her cremated and give you her ashes. I will also make all the arrangements so you can take ownership of the farmstead in Cromwell. It’s under some of my servant’s care for the time being. I also leave all the funds the place has accrued in the last two years to you.

“As for your sister’s two children, I will adopt them. You’re still young and can’t provide a nurturing home to them yet. You’re welcome to visit whenever you want, of course. I’ll also let them visit you once they’re older.”

He hoped it would drain some of the bile that poisoned the boy’s heart. Krimis nodded solemnly, probably because he was promised he could visit the two anytime and turned to leave.

“You can’t adopt them…” Angelina said.

“Why?” Claude asked grimly, turning to her.

“I asked Kefnie about it already and she won’t have it. She says she already had enough on her plate.”

Claude nearly exploded.

“What do you mean she has too much on her plate? She doesn’t have to do anything! The servants do everything for her! All she does all day long is bark orders!”

His sister shook her head.

“Don’t forget Bloweyk just renounced the family name. It’s not just about having to take care of them. The family is headless and Tesoray is next in line after you. If those two are adopted, however, they’re a threat to his succession.”

One bloody problem after another! Claude had sidestepped it before, but there was no one to hand it off to this time. The family had owned just a mansion when he’d last passed on the position, but now the family owned more than a million square metres of land, and then there were still the manor and the factories. Even after that there were still the various shares Claude, and via him the family, owned in the Blackstone Arms Factory, the wild-bull company, and at least a dozen other smaller ventures.

Claude would be patriarch, and that made Tesoray the next in line, followed by Beuergarcy. If the twins were adopted without explicit written limitations, the male of the two would butt in in front of Beuergarcy, and even if they wrote up the limitations, the boy would still have a valid argument to voice in the courts to challenge the succession if it ever became an issue. Then there was also the issue of Claude’s own sense of justice and fairness. Kefnie no doubt feared he would see the true legitimate heir as his brother’s son and would raise him up as the heir apparent instead of his own children.

His face blackened. His mother was not the only one in the family who’d changed. The pure girl he’d grown to love all those years ago on Freia had become a scheming woman, playing the games of family politics. He hated it, but he could do nothing about it. She was his wife and the mother of his children.

“Don’t worry about the children. I’ve already promised Bloweyk I’ll adopt them,” Angelina slowly revealed.

“I will have a good talk with Mother and Kefnie–” Claude made up his mind. “–I’ll go see Bloweyk first though.”

He almost couldn’t recognise his brother when he finally saw him; his beard was out of control and his clothes were unkempt, in tatters would be more accurate. His bloodshot eyes were fixed to the ceiling. Empty bottles lay strewn all over the floor. He didn’t respond to Claude’s entry, as if he couldn’t see or hear him.

“Drag him out and toss him into the water!” Claude ordered.

Splash!

Bloweyk was tossed into the pond by a few guards. He struggled and choked before he rose back up and coughed out several mouthfuls of water.

Claude tugged on his wet collar and spat.

“Snapped out of it yet? I’ll give you another dunk if not. Don’t forget you’re still a major in the autonomous region! You must always keep yourself in order! You have ten minutes to shake yourself right! Come to me once you’re done!”

Bloweyk was beyond communication. He could barely speak. Claude could only place his hopes on the discipline the army had drilled into him over the years.

The man’s eyes cleared and his mind settled back into his body. Looking at Claude, he suddenly slumped down and hugged his leg, wailing uncontrollably.

Claude stroked his hair quietly, letting him vent his soul. After some ten minutes Bloweyk’s voice started to break and he struggled to catch his breath. Claude dragged him to his feet.

“Have you cried enough?! Shut your trap, then! Go take a bath and get some sleep. We’re cremating Adele tomorrow. Her brother will take her ashes to Zoft’s farmstead in Cromwell. You will go with them! I’ll give you three days after her burial to report back at Wolfang Clan!

“Gum, I want you to keep an eye on him. Make sure he bathes, eats, and sleeps. Only come back after he reports to Wolfang. I don’t want him touching a single drop of alcohol, understood?!”

“Yes, General!”