~ DIVORCE
"Father I'm sure of my decision" Eleanor is talking to her father while he is feeding his son Charles.
Charles became a chubby six-month-old baby. Taking care of a child isn't easy work. Eleanor struggles many times but with the help of his father and brother, she managed to make Charles a healthy baby. Charles currently can already sit.
He looked so cute that Eleanor wondered why he didn't realize this before.
Charles liked to smile and because of this Eleanor also frequently smile as she returned her baby's gift.
"Vivianne, before you begged me to make you and Mikhail marry, now you want to have a divorce? Of course, I'm going to be confused." Duke Edmund said as he holds his forehead.
Eleanor smiled. His father did his best for her.
Even though most of the things he asked for are useless and can hurt their family he still gives it to her.
"Father you should be strict with me sometimes, I know that you loved me because I looked like a mother but in the future please scold me if I'm doing anything bad. I'm a mother now I want to be the best person for my son" Eleanor said these words and the Duke even became even more confused.
"You said that you want to be a good parent but why are you asking for a divorce? I don't understand what you are thinking" Duke Edmund stares at her daughter.
"Father it has been eight months since I and Mikhail fought and I left Mikhail's house. Charles is already six months and Mikhail didn't even come once. He didn't care for us. I'm asking for a divorce because I think it is best for me and my son. I don't want to be delusional anymore. I and Mikhail can't be a happy couple. He already has a son that he loved. I don't think another son can just snatch all those love. Moreover, the son came from my flesh and blood he hates" As the Duke heard her daughter's words he can't help but feel angry and sad.
Mikhail Byron even though there is no love between her daughter and him he neglected his son.
Duke Edmund also feel a bit of sympathy towards her daughter. He knew that here daughter his daughter is being unreasonable asking Mikhail to be her husband but in the Duke's eyes her daughter is someone that only fell in love with a man for more than ten years and longing for his love. They are engaged for almost 3 years.
It is really sad.
The head maid of Charles came as Eleanor finished feeding Charles.
Eleanor likes to take care of his son. If he can handle the work she didn't get help from the servants.
Charles smiles innocently as he looks at his grandfather.
Eleanor stands up and hugs his father.
"Father your answer" Eleanor reminded the Duke.
"I understand. I will talk to Samuel." Duke Edmund said and hugging her daughter.
Even though his daughter will lose her husband he will stay for her.
Claus and he will be Charles's father.
[Byron Duchy]
Duke Samuel Byron is reading documents when his butler came.
"Duke Arundell is waiting for you he said he has something important to talk" The butler informed the Duke
Duke Edmund and Duke Samuel are friends that's why even though Mikhail didn't want to get married to Eleanor he can't refuse in the end.
"Edmund, why are you here?" Duke Samuel greeted his friend.
Duke Edmund took out tobacco and lit it
"Eleanor gave birth to a son" Duke Edmund announces and surely there is a trace of happiness in Duke Samuel's eyes
"When did that happen? Yesterday? Why didn't you ask a servant to call me? I would like to see my grandson!" Duke Samuel's excitement makes Duke Edmund smile but he remains serious.
Duke Samuel realized that this is not what his friend came for.
"Eleanor named him Charles Theodorus," Duke Edmund said proudly.
"Charles Theodorus Byron, what a great name it exclude intelligence and majesty" Duke Samuel commented
Duke Edmund didn't know if he will pity his friend for being ignorant.
"He is already a six months old baby Samuel" After Duke Edmund speak confusion ran into Duke Samuel's face.
What six months? Why he didn't know for that long? Why his son didn't tell him? What is Mikhail is thinking?
"Mikhail didn't show for the past six months making my daughter realize her son and she is not important to his husband"
Duke Samuel knew when is the conversation is going and realized the sadness in his friend.
"Eleanor wants a divorce she said she's sorry for forcing us into the marriage but she knew that it will do no good if she continues clinging to Mikhail."
Duke Samuel slumped into the sofa.
He knew that his son didn't love her that's why he can't refuse.
"Edmund what about the child? Is he going to be an Arundel or Byron" Duke Samuel knew that nothing will change his friend's mind? Resign to his fate he is trying his luck for his grandson
"He will be an Arundell, Claus is still not married. I'm afraid he will live all his life being a soldier. My family line will end so I'm begging you to please allow me to give my name to my grandson" As Duke Edmund said those words he lowered his head.
He is pleading how can Duke Samuel refuse.
He also has another grandson but towards that child, he didn't feel any special affection for him. He thinks that maybe he is still a noble that has the disgusting honor that didn't want to be associated with commoners at first but he tried to love his grandson but he still feels nothing. His only hope is Eleanor's child but he still lucked out.
"You know I can't refuse don't make me feel bad. I'm really sad" Duke Samuel speaks with a hint of crying.
He is lonely and old right now. His son hated him for forcing him to be married.
His first grandson is someone that he can't feel close too and his second grandson can't have his family name.
He wondered if he did something bad to be able to be this lonely.
Edmund already feels the emotion of his friend and can't help to feel a little guilty.
"Samuel Eleanor also asked me to say this. 'Even though he is named Arundell he is still a Byron. Mikhail might not become a good father but I'm sure Father Samuel can be a good Grandfather. I already robbed Charles of his father, I won't let him lose a grandfather' that child asked you to come anytime you want, and if you ever wanted she say they can come and play" Duke Edmund diligently says the message from her daughter
Duke Samuel can't hide his happy emotion
Duke Edmund slightly teased his friend
"When do you want the papers of the divorce?" Duke Samuel getting their conversation back to their main topic
"If possible as soon as possible"
"Alright I will work on it, does Mikhail know that Charles is born"
"I don't know we didn't ask someone to call him. My daughter gave birth the day she is supposed to be. He should have known unlike you." Duke Edmund say these words with a slight contempt
"Now that we realize all these problems the divorce is a necessary"
"I'm thankful" Duke Edmund smiled
As Duke Edmund is preparing to leave he is stopped by Duke Samuel.
"Where do you think are you going? I'm going with you. I want to see my Grandson" Duke Samuel looked at his friend
Duke Edmund can't contain his laugh
...
[Mikhail Byron's House]
Before Duke Edmund leaves with Duke Samuel. Duke Samuel asked a servant to come to Mikhail's house and send a message.
The message is didn't say about his son and the divorce.
"Young Duke Mikhail, the Duke send a message," The soldier said
Mikhail's house is also a military base.
"What is this about?" Mikhail opened the letter. His situation with his father is getting worse. He didn't know what to do to bring their relationship back.
-Mikhail, did you know that your son has been born? I'm on my way to the Arundell Duchy. Edmund said that it is already six months since the child has been born. Why you didn't know of it? Are you this heartless? I know it is my fault that I forced you but the kid is innocent. Don't worry Eleanor is fine. Everything is going to be fine. Go to the Arundell Duchy as soon you receive this letter I will give you what you wanted-
The letter surprises Mikhail. He had forgotten that Eleanor gave birth and his Father's tone in the letter gave off sad emotions.
Mikhail can't believe that Eleanor didn't plan anything to force him back but he still needs to go. His father said he will give something to him.
His father didn't lie to him even once.
...
[Arundel Duchy]
"Eleanor is that my grandson?" Duke Samuel enters the room surprising Eleanor and the maids.
Duke Edmund show an "I can't stop him" expression
Eleanor giggled
Charles is wide awake and is on Eleanor's hand
Duke Samuel want to carry his grandchild so Eleanor gave Charles to him.
Duke Samuel carried Charles and Charles continued to laugh, the Duke is so happy that his grandchild is enjoying his company.
While the two of them are playing Eleanor had a brief talk with her father.
Eleanor sigh in relief knowing that everything that she asked has been approved by Duke Samuel.
Before her rebirth, Duke Samuel is the sole person who takes care of his son after her brother and father died.
After Duke Samuel died of illness his son became alone.
Eleanor can't measure how thankful he is to Duke Samuel so much that he wanted to give his name to his son but she can't.
Mikhail will think that Charles wants to rob his son of his inheritance.
Mikhail will despise Charles like what happened before.
He won't ask for Mikhail to love Charles. He won't stop if he wanted to see Charles but she knew that these words are not possible.
He won't make Mikhail hate Charles after all they are still father and child.
They will be passersby in each other's life.
I will give Charles all the love he needed.
I deprived him of his father.
Duke Edmund realizes that her daughter is deep in thought
He can't explain but after her daughter give birth the changes are pleasant but also bring suspicion.
It is like her daughter matured so fast he didn't know how it happened.
"Hey Edmund look at this face he looks like me, right? It is obvious he very looks much like me" Duke Samuel said with a smug look at his face
Duke Edmund sneered and replied
"Looks like you can't you see my eyes are exactly like him? He looked more like me"
Eleanor smiled at the scene and head towards her son.
Her son is so popular.
Eleanor laugh and gave the two grandpas are a he looked both like you.
Duke Edmund and Duke Samuel is satisfied with Eleanor's response and the atmosphere is so happy until Mikhail entered
Mikhail arrived at the house and as the butler say he head straight to the room where his son is staying.
Mikhail looked dumbfounded as the scene that enters his eyes is the scene of two Dukes fighting over who looks like his son.
For a moment he wanted to smile but when he saw Eleanor he regained his senses.
"Father you said you wanted to talk" Mikhail interrupted the scene and with his hostile aura, Charles started crying.
Eleanor excuse herself as she calms down Charles.
Mikhail and Duke Samuel headed to the Arundell Garden
Duke Edmund knows that he shouldn't interrupt so he waited for his grandson to stop crying and help her daughter calming him.
"Do you see Charles he is so cute he looks like me and Edmund" Duke Samuel started the conversation?
Mikhail didn't know what to say he didn't get the chance to look at his son because he calls out to his father.
Duke Samuel thought his son didn't want to see Charles so he handed the divorce documents.
Charles has been taken back by the document.
"Father, what is this? Is this real?" Mikhail don't know what to feel as he saw the document.
The divorce papers are already signed by Eleanor.
"It is a divorce paper. Eleanor asked her father to prepare that. She wants to have a divorce. She said there is no way you can be a happy couple. She wants to focus on her son nothing more. You also didn't want to have anything to do with her so she thinks that this is the best solution" Duke Samuel explained waiting for any response from his son.
Mikhail didn't know what to feel, should he be happy? He will be freed with Eleanor but somehow his head in confusion. After a few moments, he suddenly remembered his son.
Can it be Eleanor wanted me to bear the sole responsibility of being a parent making me neglect Arthur?
The thought coming from Mikhail disgust him. When did he start thinking like this?
"What about him?" Mikhail asks waiting for a confirmation of his deduction but contrary to his expectation "He will be an Arundell" Duke Samuel said with sadness.
He won't be a Byron? What is Eleanor thinking?
Could it be that she just simply want a divorce?
No that impossible! After all these years of pestering do you think I will believe her?
As Mikhail continue having this thought Eleanor appeared.
~Chapter End