Claude busied himself for more than ten days before he finally managed to deal with all the work he needed to do.
He heaved a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to take a few days off and relax, he unexpectedly found Svenson, the head steward of Ferde Manor and the eldest son of the old butler, Alec, standing beside a carriage, waiting for him to appear.
"Why are you here?" Claude was surprised.
Svenson lowered his head and bowed. "It's like this, Sir. The madam heard that you're back and wants you to come home. She said she has something to discuss with you."
Claude blushed. He had been staying at Sheerah's place ever since he returned to Lanu and hadn't really thought about going home.
After all, Ferde Manor was his home. His legitimate wife, three biological children, and his mother all lived there. In the end, he didn't even think about going home after being away for more than two years. Instead, he stayed with his mistress. No wonder his mother sent a butler to invite him.
"Alright, I'll go home now," Claude said.
He called Mason Hughes over and had him send a guard back to Cowan Belen Manor. He also told Sheerah that he would be staying at Ferde Manor for the time being.
The dining hall was brightly lit with white candles, but the atmosphere wasn't all that great.
Claude liked to talk while eating. He still followed his habits from his previous life and liked to chat at the dining table.
But at home, Claude's mother had to follow the rules of the noble families and forbade her family from talking or making noises during meals.
So, the dining hall was very quiet. Only the sound of knives and forks clashing could be heard.
The food was sumptuous, but Claude found it tasteless. He ate a bit and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I'm done."
He got up to leave, but his mother stopped him. "Claude, wait. I have something to ask you."
Claude sat back down and poured himself half a glass of fruit wine. "What do you want to say?"
His mother put down her silver fork and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "I heard that you've been promoted to a hereditary count after returning to the kingdom. You even received a hereditary land?"
"Yes. Why?" Claude asked.
"It's like this. Since you've become a hereditary earl of the kingdom and received a piece of your family's territory, you'll be busy with military affairs here in the Autonomous Territory. In that case, you won't have time to manage your territory.
That's why I've decided to bring Kefnie and Tesoray back to the kingdom. Tesoray is already of age, so it'll be a good opportunity for him to take over your family fief as practice. That way, it'll be easier to inherit it in the future, "said his mother.
Claude smiled. "Mother, you don't have to worry about it.
Although this territory belongs to my hereditary family, I don't have the authority to manage it. Instead, it's all arranged by the Overseas Autonomous Territory Parliament, and they'll carry out unified planning and development … "
"What did you say?"
His mother was furious. "This land belongs to the Ferde family. Why should it be developed by the autonomous region?
Write a letter tomorrow and tell those Dominion councilors that we will develop and manage this territory ourselves. We don't need their help … "
The smile on Claude's face disappeared. "Mother, please remember that this land is mine, not Ferd's. I hope you understand that.
As for who I hand it over to, that's my business. It has nothing to do with your so-called Ferde family. "
"Claude, I know you hate me for making your brother leave the family, but you're the hope of Ferde now.
Even if you don't care about your family, you should at least think about your son, Tesoray.
He's your biological son and he's already of age. He can't just stay in the region and do nothing.
Since you've gotten your family's territory, let him manage it. He'll be able to make friends with the real nobles of the kingdom. That'll be good for his future.
We're just thinking about his future. "
Claude burst into laughter. Wasn't letting Tesoray make friends with the native nobles the same as sending himself to their doorstep?
He shook his head. "Mother, I don't want to say too much. You don't understand the situation the kingdom is in right now.
Moreover, I don't wish for Tesoray to return to the kingdom and befriend those noble families. Although he's an adult and has undergone your so-called noble training, he's no more than a skinned lamb in front of those noble families that can be easily divided and devoured.
So, be realistic and don't bite off more than you can chew. "
His mother grew angry. "Claude!
How can you say that about Tesoray? He's your biological son.
He's very smart and is already of age. I hope he can find a young lady from a real noble family to marry when he returns to the kingdom. That way, Ferde will be more glorious. "
Claude shook his head. "Mother, put away your wishful thinking. You've already forced Bloweyk away. Do you want to lose your eldest grandson as well?
As for Tesoray's future, I have other plans.
As his biological father, I've naturally considered his future. "
Claude turned to his son. "Tesoray, stand up and tell me what you're thinking. What do you think about your future?"
The chubby Tesoray ate quietly. In truth, he was quite afraid of his father.
Ever since he was young, only Claude would beat him up, and it was a merciless beating at that. The moment Claude found out that he did something bad or bullied someone, his butt would be in for it.
Though he learned to hide at his grandmother's place whenever he did something bad, his father couldn't do anything about it.
Claude's gaze on him became more and more distant. He no longer looked at him as if he expected better from him.
When Claude returned to have a meal with everyone, Tesoray tried his best to make himself non-existent so that his father wouldn't notice him.
Unfortunately, things didn't work out as he wished. His hopes and reality clashed. His beloved grandmother had a huge disagreement with Claude over his future development and dragged him into the family's turmoil.
Even though he was extremely reluctant, he still stood up under Claude's gaze. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Father, I don't have any plans. But if you want me to do it, I'll definitely do my best. Grandmother and Mother have been using noble education to train me. I think I can try to manage the next fief."
A victorious smile appeared on his mother's face. "Look, Claude. Tesoray already said that he'll do his best.
You should trust your son and let him try. He'll make House Ferd a noble house in Aueras! "
Claude ignored his mother and stared at his eldest son. "Tesoray, do you know how your father got his position as the kingdom's marshal, noble title, and fief?"
Tesoray shook his head without saying a word. He really didn't know.
Ever since he was young, Claude was already in a high position. He hadn't experienced the family's most difficult times.
Ever since they moved from Whitestag to the autonomous region, Claude's family had always been treated well due to his contributions and influence. There were many people who came to fawn over them.
Even when he went to Lanu Primary and bullied his classmates, he wasn't punished because of Claude. In the end, he dropped out of school to receive noble training.
"The ancestor of House Ferd was just a farmer. He was lucky enough to join Stellin IX's army during the war for the revival of the kingdom and earned a small fortune. Later on, he drowned in a ditch because he was drunk."
Claude slowly savored the fruit wine in his cup and told his son about the family's past. "Your grandfather was a commoner. He became a civil official in Whitestag. He spent 18 years to become a citizen and the town's chief executive, laying the foundation for our family.
But your grandfather dreamed of making himself a member of the nobility of the kingdom.
"That's why he was a little too hasty. He and his friends were planning to open up a new sea route from Whitestag to the autonomous region. It's now the route from Port Cobicus to Whitestag.
Yes, this route was opened up by your grandfather and his friends, but they didn't enjoy the benefits of this new route. Instead, they were ruined because of this new route.
"The reason is simple. Your grandfather and his friends coveted the profits of the new route and wanted to earn some extra income for their family before reporting it to the kingdom.
"However, their fleet attracted the attention of the rampant pirates on Nubissia. Not only were their fleets plundered, many pirate ships also followed the new route to Freia and wreaked havoc along the kingdom's coast.
"The kingdom sent its navy to chase the pirates from Nubissia and found out the truth. Your grandfather and his friends were arrested after that.
Even though they were spared the death penalty for opening up the new route, he lost his position as a civil servant and incurred a huge debt from the pirates. In the end, your grandfather had no choice but to commit suicide. "
"That's enough, Claude!"
His mother wasn't willing to listen to Claude talk about his family's past. Talking about Morssen's suicide made her feel uncomfortable.
"Why not?
We should let our children know about our family's history so that they don't forget their roots and don't think they're better than others.
Do you understand, Tesoray? You're not a noble. You're just the son of a farmer.
Your grandmother, your mother, me and your father are all commoners, not nobles. "Claude ignored his mother and continued educating his son.
"Do you know why you're able to live such a luxurious life?
It's because I, your father, left home to join the army when I was even younger than you. I joined the army at the age of eighteen, "Claude said as he reminisced," Less than half a year after I joined the army, the first great eastern war broke out and I struggled on the battlefield for five years. I was lucky enough to survive the war that killed millions and even made some contributions to the kingdom and became a captain.
"When your mother and I got married, I was on leave after returning from the battlefield. Thanks to my contributions, I caught the eye of the kingdom's later marshal, General Michelc. I went to the military academy for a year's training before joining the kingdom's newly formed folk, Ranger.
I remember receiving news of your birth in camp. I was so excited that I got drunk with my comrades because I was already a father and had a child of my own.
But as a soldier, I didn't spend much time with you. Soon, I was sent to Nubissia because of the colonial war Shiks started.
After fighting on the battlefield for three years, I became a regiment commander due to my meritorious service and gained a firm foothold.
"It was then that your mother brought you, your grandmother, your aunt and your uncle to the colonies. That was when we were truly reunited. Your uncle even joined my unit and became a soldier.
I'm not reminiscing about the past. I just want you to understand where the true foundation of the Ferde family lies.
We're not nobles, but commoners.
Even if you've gone through noble training and act like a true noble, you're still a nouveau riche in the eyes of the native nobles. Nobody will look up to a commoner who sneaks into their ranks.
So, you should give up on being a noble for the rest of your life. Without three generations of inheritance, you won't become a true noble. "
"Claude, what do you mean by that?
Why can't Tesoray become a noble?
You're a hereditary count now. When you return to Wargod's kingdom in your old age, he'll be your rightful heir. Won't he be the one to inherit your title? "
His mother was truly enraged. She even said that Tesoray would inherit everything after Claude's death.
"Inherit?
Heh heh … "Claude laughed mockingly." Mother, where did you get the confidence to think that Tesoray would inherit everything I left him after I die and would be able to keep the family business?
Just because of the aristocratic education he received?
Tesoray, I told you so much just now. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?
Can you tell me what our family really relies on? "
"Oh … yes … yes …" Tesoray shuddered a little, but he didn't dare to ignore Claude's stare. After a long while, he finally said, "Yes, it's your title as a count and our family's properties in the colonies, right?"
Claude shook his head disappointedly. "My son, the answers you gave me are the impressions left behind by your grandmother or mother, right?
Wrong answer.
I can guarantee that if anything happens to me in the next few years, just like what your grandmother said, if I return to the God of War's kingdom, you will inherit my title and assets. Not only will you not be able to protect them, but you will also bring disaster to our family.
This is not me being an alarmist, my son. This is a reality that is very likely to happen.
I'm sorry that your grandmother and mother's doting on you has led you astray. Fortunately, there's still a way to turn things around.
Let me tell you now, what is the foundation of our family? It's very simple, it's the military.
We're a military family, not a noble family. I hope you understand this. If I didn't join the military, our family wouldn't have the status and identity it has today.
I've planned for your future, but I've been busy with military affairs for the past two years and forgot about your future.
But it's not too late. You're only twenty, not even twenty-one.
From tomorrow onwards, you will become a volunteer soldier of the overseas autonomous region. You will enter the army to receive training, just like me when I was eighteen years old. Make yourself a qualified and outstanding soldier as soon as possible. This is my hope for you, my eldest son, as a father … "
"No!
You can't let Tesoray join the army! "
Kefnie, who had been silent all this while, suddenly stood up and yelled, "Claude, do you want to send your son to the battlefield as cannon fodder?
I won't let you do that! "
"That's right, Claude! You can't let Tesoray join the army! He's your eldest son, your heir! You can't send him to join the army! I won't let you send him to his death on the battlefield!" His mother said angrily as she glared at Claude.
"My heir?" Claude smiled nonchalantly, "As a father, I have the right to decide his future.
As the person in charge of the region and the marshal of the kingdom, I have the right to conscript Tesoray.
He'll be like other people's children, going through tough training and changing his bad habits and so-called noble habits. He'll become a qualified soldier, just like his uncle, Bloweyk, a legend among the leaders of the region.
Of course, I do not expect my son to reach the level of myself or his uncle, but to become a qualified soldier, the elite of the army can meet my standards.
Only then will I acknowledge him as my true heir.
Otherwise, I won't leave everything I have to a coward, not even my own son. If he doesn't join the army, he won't have the right to inherit.
Tesoray, tell me. What's your choice? "
"Don't even think about sending him to join the army!" Kefnie suddenly burst into tears.
Claude impatiently finished the wine in his cup and stood up. "It's decided. Tesoray, I'll send someone to bring you to camp tomorrow.
If you don't go, I won't have a son like you anymore.
You'll lose all the rights to inherit from me. You won't be able to bear the surname Ferd. You'll become a man without a surname. You'll also be sentenced to ten years of labor for evading military service.
You have one more night to comfort your mother and grandmother and bid them farewell.
I hope that your life in the army will make you a real man, and not a weak pretty boy who only knows how to hide under your mother and grandmother's skirts.
As a man, your fate will be in your own hands. Women shouldn't be in charge of it, even if they're your mother and grandmother.
Sometimes, their excessive spoiling of you is the real reason you don't grow up!
Oh, there's something else I want to tell you. When you enter camp, I'll give you another name.
You'll be the son of a commoner and have nothing to do with me.
You need to struggle alone in the barracks and make friends with your life and death comrades. You will be no different from the others. You will have to rely on your own hard work until you become a captain. Only then will I restore your identity and relationship with me. I will recognize you as my son, my successor. Do you understand? "