Butterfly Effect

When Kaizer found his father, they went back to the mansion.

The servants in the palace were already informed that the Grand Duke will leave the estate today and go to the border. Kaizer watches his father mount the horse and order the line of soldiers. Two flags were lifted up, one is the flag with the family crest of the De la Vallier and the other is the flag of the empire.

A loud shout of the soldiers resound in the grand dukedom and all the servants bow their head, wishing for the grand duke's safe return.

"Father..."

Grand Duke Karsten sighed, "You will lead half of the army tomorrow. Dad will see you at the border. For now, you will become the representative of the grand dukedom."

"I understand, please be safe father."

Grand Duke Karsten smile before leading his battalion to leave the grand dukedom.

All the fort open and the armies march out under the encouragement and blessing of the people. Flowers are thrown everywhere and white handkerchiefs are being waved. Everyone prayed for the soldier's safety and the selected people from each family started their journey through the palace to register their identity.

"Aison I won't allow it!"

Marchioness Celisha collapses on the floor while crying.

Marquis Shradinza can't bear to see his wife crying but it's under the law that every household must send one of their family members to join the war. He also didn't want to send away his son and join the war with him, he couldn't bear to see his eldest suffer but what can he do? If he disobeys the order his whole family will be punished.

"You are already joining the war why still send my son?!"

Marquis Shradinza massages his forehead: "Wife, you know that's not how it works."

"Why?! Why?!"

Eugene who stood by the door of his father's office listened to his mother's screams and clenched his fist. He didn't want his brother to join the war and get a lifetime injury. He doesn't know why things become like this and he was caught off guard by the happening. Though he's aware of the butterfly effect of his action just by changing his course that doesn't mean his plan will also fail. Now all he can think about is how he can convince his father to let him join the war instead of his brother who is the heir of the household.

"Aison that is just so cruel to my son!"

Eugene held his chest while listening to her mother's words.

"Euric is your heir, what if something happens to him?! People will look down on my son when he got injured on the battlefield! Do you think I can accept it when my son who is supposed to be the heir was replaced?! Or are you thinking that Eugene can replace Euric and be the Marquis in the future?! Aison are you trying to kill my son?!"

"What are you saying?! Euric is my precious son, do you think I also wanted this?!"

"Then why choose him?!"

"Because that's also to pave the way for him in the future and be a qualified heir! If the empire wins then all war participants will be given a merit! Shradinza is a swordsman family, without merit do you think Euric can sit in the position of heir without the opposition of others?! This is the only way to ensure that Euric will inherit my title in the future!"

"Still, I don't want!"

Marquis Shradinza covers his face in irritation: "Wife, I will protect Euric."

Marchioness Celisha grab her skirt and stood up, shaking her head, "I don't agree! I won't agree! If you take away my son I will kill myself! Let my family blame you for my death!"

Marquis Shradinza watches his wife walk away in tears.

Marchioness Celisha who exit the office of her husband froze when she saw Eugene but thinking about her eldest son who will be sent away, Marchioness Celisha pushed her second son away and walk through the hallways with heavy steps, the sound of her heels resounding her anger.

Seeing his mother's disgusted expression, Eugene purse his lips.

He then knocks on the door of his father's office.

"Come in."

Eugene pushed the door gently and stood in front of his father after saluting: "What to do want? I'm busy right now, if it's not important you can go to Simon and tell him what you need."

"No, father I can only say this to you."

Marquis Shradinza didn't bother to raise his head and just wave his hand.

Eugene breathed and said: "Father, please allow me to replace my brother and go to war in his stead." seeing his father pause and look at him with sharp eyes, Eugene continue, "Don't worry Father I have no intention of fighting for the heir position."

Marquis Shradinza flinches and tightens his grip on his pen.

"Did you hear my conversation with your mother?"

Eugene nodded.

"Father, unlike my precious brother or little brother. Mother would probably have no objection if it was me who are sent to war. Besides I have the ability so no one will come and question you about me being on the list of volunteers."

Marquis Shradinza was dazed.

"Y-You, what are you saying? Are you hating us?"

Eugene lowered his head: "No, I would never hate. I don't dare to blame you or Mother. I just think that as a Shradinza, I should have a purpose in this household."

"A-Are you hearing your words?"

"Father, you love Mother very much, seeing her being mentally unstable again probably hurt you so much. So, Father, let's not make Mother suffer. Let's not deny the fact that I'm the best candidate here."

Marquis Shradinza presses his head and stares at the paperwork on the table.

He couldn't utter a word because what his second son said is true. He really does think of Eugene instead of his eldest son but he is afraid that Eugene will take away his eldest's heir position if ever the empire wins this war. His selfish thought once again resurfaced and he couldn't help but feel ashamed.

But why?

Why does some part of him is clamoring not to send Eugene to war?

Sometimes, he even got hallucinations that the one he's protecting is neither his eldest nor the youngest but this second son whom he always thinks is a good-for-nothing.

Even Arkiton always asked about Eugene and he didn't even find it strange. In exchange, whenever Arkiton mentions his second son, there is this kind of feeling of happiness. But strangely there will always be a tingling feeling that will always be denied after experiencing a headache. He couldn't remember, just why and when did he start disliking Eugene?

"Father..."

"No---Yes." Marquis's Shradinza's pupils dilated and he couldn't help but touch his mouth: "I will order Simon to sign your name."

No! Why! He obviously didn't agree but why is his mouth moving on its own?!

Eugene's eyes brighten.

He didn't expect his father to agree quickly but he guess that his eldest is really loved by his parents so it's no wonder as long as he don't threaten his brother's position, his father won't have opposition.

"Then father, I'll expect it. I'll take my leave now."

"No---Yes."

Why?! Marquis Shradinza trembles and reaches out his hand while looking at the back of his son but he couldn't utter a word. In the end, his headache struck again and he almost collapse in his office. If it weren't for Simon visiting then no one will found out that he fell unconscious.

Simon who got worried immediately call Duke Viltaria.

The master's illness relapse again. What to do? The war is ongoing, if something happens to the housemaster then who will lead the army?

When Duke Viltaria receive the message, he was getting ready to leave the dukedom.

Hearing that Aison collapse again, he couldn't help but get worried so he postponed the departure time and visited the Marquis household first.

Simon greeted Duke Viltaria.

"Did something happen before Aison collapse?"

Simon shook his head: "I'm not in the office because the Marchioness and his lord wanted to have a private talk. It's when I came back when I was called that I found the Marquess unconscious."

Duke Viltaria checks Aison's vital and mana flow.

"It's normal, he is just stimulated, he will wake up soon."

Simon let out a sigh of relief, "This...Your Excellency, is there no cure for his lord? It will be bad if he joins the war in this condition. I'm afraid he will be in great danger."

Arkiton lowered his gaze: "Don't worry, I will protect him."

Simon frowned, his question wasn't answered. Actually, he's been doubting Duke Viltaria but no matter how much he encourages the Marquis to find another magician to look for his condition, the Marquis would refuse his suggestion, saying that he believes that Duke Del Viltaria can cure him. However, it's been years, why is the Marquis not doubting the Duke at all?

"You leave first, I'l take care of him. Don't allow others to come up without my permission."

This sentence made Simon doubt even more.

Though he's been warned many times, there is really wrong with Duke Del Viltaria that he couldn't point out at all. In the end, he could only swallow his curiousness and leave the room.

——Eugene is inside his room, preparing some things.

He is in a great mood.

Tomorrow is probably the departure of the second order. From what he heard when he was walking around the training ground earlier, the army of the grand duke is already leaving the empire and all the fort is now open. Even some knights from the First Order leave at the same time. Now only the second and third orders remain. He is not sure when will the third order leave but he is certain that the second order, which is their family soldier will depart tomorrow.

Grabbing a pen and paper.

Eugene decided to write a letter for Timber.

War of Nacos will take three or four months. It means Timber will attend school as a Neva Eusto without him. It's sad but he needs to protect the empire he once vows to destroy.

Eugene write a letter with a sad smile and after that, he went out of his room to drop the letter in the post box. When coming back, he suddenly notices the strange silence in the mansion which made him confused. Without knowing, he walks upstairs to the second floor to visit his father's office again to tell him not to let his brother know that he'll be the one to take part in the war.

However, before he could reach the office, he went past his parent's chamber and froze.

Taking a step backward...

Eugene with a trembling body leaned on the door and heard his father's cries.

"Darling, calm down."

Eugene was shocked.

"Arkiton how could you do this to me? You said you already forgive me but why can you just let go and disturb my family? You even say strange things for what?! How can you casually make up such a lie? Of course, Eugene is my son, but saying that I gave birth to him is so outrageous! Why can't you let me go?! You even use my son for your selfish desire."

"I'm telling the truth! Eugene is our son!"

Eugene's knees weaken as he slumps on the floor.

"No! I'm a man, I can't give birth! Stop being delusional! Celisha give birth to Eugene, not me!"

"You don't believe me because your memory keeps resetting!"

Duke Del Viltaria grab his lover's hand and said: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I regret and seeing the side effect of memory manipulation I started to regret. I don't want to see you getting sick, Aison, if you promise to be with me, I will really cure you. So, please..."

Eugene cover his mouth and tears started to flow from his eyes.

"After this war, I will reveal everything. I want you and me, our sons to live together, I don't want to hide anymore. I don't want to see my sons suffer anymore. Aison please..."

"Arkiton how could you destroy my life like this!"

Eugene held his chest.

"We should talk about this after the war. For now, forgive me, darling. Let me seal this memory."

"No! Arkiton don't touch me!"

Eugene stood up and run away, not wanting to hear his father's scream of begging Duke Del Viltaria. His heart hurts. He is just so happy now but then... his happiness disappeared again upon knowing such a truth.

He is not actually his mother's child.

It's his father who gave birth to him.

Duke Viltaria is his father.

Eugene locks himself in his room and cries. For thousands of years, he lives in such a lie for thousands of years not knowing the reason why heaven said his sin is his very own existence. Now he finally understands that his birth is wrong, his birth destroys the life of many people. All because of the selfishness of Duke Viltaria who has been loving his father since then.

It hurts so much.

It hurts but why? Why can't he hate Duke Viltaria?

Why can't he bring himself to hate such a person who in the past died for him?

He was so confused back then that he accused Casimin who woke up beside his dead father's body that he killed his own father while laughing, not knowing that the man who died protecting him is not only Casimin's father but also his.

Why?! Just why he has a life like this?!