Chapter 45

A man from the country North, working with the government and was Muren's former colleague, came all the way as a spy messenger. As soon as he came, Airen locked all the doors, covered the windows with cloth, and prepared two cups of tea.

The messenger had informed all the necessary details as well as warnings.

As the conflict proceeded between countries, the path to peace had been unsteadily fluctuating in an unpredictable manner.

The colonists are conspiring nation control as the successor is being vetted and chosen. Alliances from opposing countries are eyeing on them, taking precautionary measures.

Since the organization had been recently weakened by their most recent ambush attack, the opportunity might slip for now if they decide to lie low. When the spy messenger had taken his leave, the family had their own meeting.

Muren and Coen decided that they need to postpone their organization activities as the colonist soldiers are still having an active investigation. It will be a massive risk to continue anything related to it.

Airen suggested using the code in the public press to address the members and announce the said postponement.

Furthermore, Muren demanded Toren to stay still with them at the house to avoid any suspicion from the guards when they perform their random inspections that was recently implemented because of their carelessness resulting in the rebellious shootout.

It had been news to everyone that the ruler's safety was secured which disappointed mostly the members as well as the citizens who had held hatred against the colonists. After that day when things had been settled within them, it was quite uncomfortable to see Muren and Toren together at the same time in the household.

Years had passed since Toren started hiding from his father, so it was quite new to see them inside the same space.

Muren had neither softened nor warmed across the time gap towards his second son, which made him resort to mental abuse.

For a week, Muren would force most of the chores to Toren and would sometimes deprive him of extra share in food.

Airen had always been against his method, but she had not been too effective for her own husband either.

In the end, Muren would have his way, while Toren would just silently put up to everything like a good son.

On the other hand, his brother Coen would subtly lighten his ordeal by secretly helping at the chores and adding snacks to his plate and comforting him when they are out of their father's sight.

Coen and Toren had also been subjected to the mandatory labor in a separate division.

While their father had been assigned with headquarters cleaning, the sons were at the carpentry. They have learned different architectural designs and methods together and have been laboring to help create establishments.

Those were the only times that they could freely interact as brothers helping each other for the household had somehow become a suffocating ground for the second son.

They have been used to working with woods and were accustomed to hearing the sawing process, hammering nails, lifting materials, sketching floor plans, and shouting at colleagues.

Mandatory labors had been regarded as one of the most grueling ordeals that the colonists had imposed, but it had been where Toren's most precious moments had been.