Chapter 56: The Sins of Ancestors, the Eternal Youth

Only deathly silence followed.

Lester was the first to break the silence. "Richard, I believe you're correct, but… that's all in the past now."

When Lester glimpsed those images in their father's mind, he was only five years old. Even then, he knew Richard's deduction was accurate. It was the secret whispered among the leaders of the Morris family—the great Duke William Morris XXI had been slain by his own brother, Antonio. However, both William and Antonio were their ancestors, and as descendants, it was not their place to pass judgment on their ancient feud.

Richard chuckled dismissively. "Lester, if it's all in the past, why should I atone for Antonio's sin of fratricide? Just because I share William's eyes? How laughable."

Hearing this, Lester frowned slightly. "Richard, they are still our ancestors. It feels… improper to address them so casually."

Seeing his older brother's rare discomfort, Richard decided to drop the subject. "Alright, enough of this dreary talk. Lester, did you encounter anything interesting during your trip to England?"

Lester smiled. "Richard, I merely attended the wedding of Earl Douglas. Father was also present."

The Douglas family had long been allies of the Morris family through marriage, their bond spanning generations. At the wedding of Hearst Douglas, their father, Jonathan Morris, the current Duke of Morris, naturally attended.

Jonathan Morris was a born leader and a relentless schemer. He was obsessed with power and status, refusing to settle for mediocrity in this remote corner of the world.

Across the ocean in Scotland, remnants of the Morris bloodline still lingered—scattered descendants of earls and marquises. When the Morris Duke had departed for the East, not all had followed. Some had chosen to remain on the battlefield. Jonathan, driven by his ambition to reclaim his roots and power in Europe, remarried after his first wife's death, taking the daughter of Duke Brayan Douglas as his bride, hoping to reestablish his influence in Europe. Now, most of the vampires left in Roseville were either the outcasts or those who had grown complacent with their tranquil lives.

"Hmph, how's the old man these days?" Richard sneered.

Lester replied calmly, "He seems well enough. But times have changed. Our branch has been in Z Country for too long. It's unlikely he'll regain control over the Scottish vampires anytime soon."

"Hmm, just as I expected," Richard said with a nod. "And what about you? When are you heading to Scotland? Surely the old man has been pressuring you to help expand his influence, hasn't he?"

Lester was a rare dual-ability wielder, and his move to the Scottish headquarters was only a matter of time.

"Father did suggest it, but I declined," Lester said, his voice tinged with concern. "I'd like to wait until your ability awakens before considering such matters."

"Tch, don't waste your time worrying about me! You didn't awaken your second ability until you were eighteen," Richard retorted, his tone indifferent.

Lester, five years older than Richard, had been born with the ability to read minds. His second ability awakened when he turned eighteen, and since then, his appearance had remained that of an eighteen-year-old. Richard, now seventeen, was oblivious to the fact that Lester was actually twenty-two years old.

Lester smiled faintly, and the two brothers gradually disappeared into the deepening shadows of the night.