The results of the limited meeting discussing about Axelle Rexton and Rheannon Whitley have legally been released and announced to the general public. All the confusion that circulated in the society and the tension felt by the nobles who were afraid and worried slowly began to subside. All the people of the Rexton Kingdom because they only need to sacrifice one person to solve this royal problem:
Marquess Hadrian Melchoir.
"People are talking nonsense about Your Grace. We also just got a letter of condemnation from another member of the Melchoir family," said Ichabod. "Why would Your Grace want to do this?"
"Because it's for the good of the Rexton Kingdom, Sir Ichabod," Hadrian replied calmly.
"But if this continues, people's trust in our region will decline. It is possible that in the future there will be a coup from Melchoir's."
"Desmond is legally my son now." Hadrian looked at Desmond's adoption papers which he had re-studied. "When I'm old enough, he will take the title of Marquess in my stead, and everyone has no right to protest. I will personally check it out at the Palace directly. Besides, I believe Desmond will be able to carry out his duties as a marquess well."
"Then after Young Master Desmond became a marquess, how about you yourself?" Ichabod looks very eager to win this debate. "Only a member of a noble family without a title, it will definitely be difficult in the future if you become the husband of a demon controller."
"I'll be fine without a title. Then my descendants will be the demon controllers and the new Marquess Melchoir will watch over my descendants. That way, Melchoir and Whitley's blood will still be there."
"That's really..." Ichabod shook his head slowly. "That's a big sacrifice. Are you saying you're willing to be watched over by your own child?"
"Think of it as penance." Hadrian smiled weakly at Ichabod. "From now on I would like Sir Ichabod to assist Desmond in preparing him as a young marquess. Promise me to continue to be by his side."
"This is too sudden, Your Grace…"
"Later I will apologize to Desmond for all this. I didn't even think… in the end it turned out like this."
But Desmond had heard it by accident.
He treaded his little feet carefully so as not to be caught. Hearing the conversation just now made him sad instead of angry. The sadness was not for himself, but for his uncle, Hadrian.
Since living in the residence of Marquess Melchoir after his parents died, Desmond knew there was a secret nickname that people gave to Hadrian. "The miserable noble," they said. Hadrian never once smiled. If there was no work, Hadrian would shut himself up and daydream. Some say that Hadrian continues to be alone without family or a lover. Some say that Hadrian is like that because of his excessive longing for Princess Luciell.
However, according to Desmond, Hadrian was like that because… he was lonely.
"Young Master Desmond! Are you all right?"
A maid rushed to Desmond who suddenly sat on one of the stairs crying. The maid tried so hard to calm him down, she called for another maid. They ask why Desmond is crying, but Desmond doesn't seem to be able to hold back his own tears.
Desmond is sad and wants to cry. As simple as that.
"What's all the fuss about?"
Hadrian's deep, firm voice made Desmond hold back his tears. Failed, of course.
"Your Grace, I don't know why either. Young Master Desmond just started crying," explained the maid who first found Desmond.
"All of you leave. Please bring a warm drink to my room," Hadrian ordered. He then carried Desmond, not caring if the child was too big to carry. "Let's go to my room, okay?"
Desmond immediately hugged his uncle tightly and cried in his arms.
"What's the matter with you, hmm?" asked Hadrian, patting Desmond on the back.
"It hurts," Desmond sobbed.
"Are you sick?" Hadrian sounded immediately alert. "Where do you feel the pain?"
Desmond let go of his arms and looked at his uncle. He said there was a commotion out there and Hadrian's job was to calm the commotion. His uncle had been working hard lately. His face was worn-out, it was obvious that he was tired and lacked sleep.
"Desmond?"
Desmond looked down. His trembling hand patted his own chest.
Hadrian immediately hugged Desmond, as if he didn't hug him quickly, Desmond would disappear.
"I'm sorry," Hadrian whispered earnestly, making Desmond's tears flow again. "Even though I took you to make you happy, instead you became sick like this. Really, I'm sorry."
In the silence of Hadrian's room, they both then wept silently together.
***
From the first time he took him, Hadrian knew that Desmond was a child who was too sensitive to other people's feelings. Desmond seemed to know and could feel what the people around him were feeling and thinking. So sensitive, these feelings affect little Desmond who is still fragile.
At first, Hadrian thought the demon had possessed Desmond. But after taking him to the temple, the Priest says there is nothing wrong with Desmond. In fact, the Priest said that his nephew had great holy power.
So Hadrian decided not to worry about it.
But over time, Desmond shows signs of being able to see things that others can't see. One time he would look frightened, another time he would be calm, the next he would be happy. Most recently, Desmond confessed that he could see the blessing of Axelle's blessed object.
Maybe I should take him to the Beulah Sacred Temple and ask the High Priest, Hadrian thought.
"No," Hadrian muttered. His hand stroked Desmond in his arms. The child fell asleep after crying for a long time.
Axelle doesn't believe in Beulah Temple and Rheannon looks down on the temple. It didn't seem like a good thing to bring Desmond there.
Somehow Hadrian believed in the kingdom's criminal opinion.