Chereads / The Conqueror's Journey / Chapter 15 - The Fate of An Illegimate Child

Chapter 15 - The Fate of An Illegimate Child

Third Person Pov:

Flynn Ernest.

Although he was the Marquee's concubine's son, his life wasn't as easy as it would have seemed.

He was denied the right to succeed his father since he is the son of a concubine. He never experienced parental affection from anyone because of the neglect he had from his dead mother when he was a child and his father's workaholic tendencies.

When he was younger, the servant who looked after him was indifferent to him and did it only out of duty. The only one who gave him warm treatment was Agatha, the sweet and compassionate maid who was in charge of nursing him. Despite her kind treatment of him, she didn't spend much time with him because she needed to be cooking. So, he isn't used to being loved.

Due to this situation, Flynn was able to learn how to take care of himself by the time he was four years old, including bathing, feeding, and other daily tasks. The sole lesson he received from the servants during those four years of existence was to "Respect the Alexanders," which subtly instilled a little bit of dread in him for the Alexanders. He lacked basic knowledge about both the outside world and his own life, including his parents' identities.

Therefore, from his perspective, the Alexanders were superior to him, which caused him to feel uneasy because it is in everyone's nature to appreciate strength and bend before it.

As people generally dread the unknown, he was likewise terrified of the outside world. His world is his room, which has gradually transformed into a prison. However, he was also intrigued about the outside world, which is also typical of people, along with being terrified of it.

Young Flynn eventually mustered the bravery to travel outside of his "world" after much struggle.

Flynn was both nervous and eager about the journey. He was enthralled by the grandeur of the estate as he stepped outdoors. The Alexanders are a Marquee family, the third highest rank in the kingdom, therefore the mansion is adorned with pricey furnishings and opulent décor.

Even so, it only lasted a short while as all of the servers ignored him and walked by while wearing indifferent faces. His entire body was overcome with a sense of worthlessness as a wave of despair struck his heart. He tightly gripped his fist and appeared to be crying as he closed his eyes.

Flynn decided to turn around when something or someone struck him and caused him to tumble.

"Ouch.."

He began to cry even harder because he wasn't used to getting harmed. He couldn't see who he had collided with because his vision was foggy, but it appeared to be someone who was nearly the same height as him. Flynn raised his arms to defend himself as the hazy figure stood up and edged closer to him because he had witnessed several maids injuring other maids in a similar circumstance. But nothing seems to have taken place.

Instead, a hand began soothingly stroking his head and appeared to be consoling him. He became completely absorbed in the sensation because it made him feel tranquil and soothing. He hesitated before opening his eyes, which were filled with fear.

A blonde girl emerged in his vision. Her skeletal structure was ideal. Despite her youth, her blood-red eyes were captivating, yet they were also bright and filled with innocence.

'Beautiful'

The young Flynn reddened as he believed it to be true, but he was correct. Estonia is the girl of the dreams for boys her age. Saying that Flynn had fallen in love, at first sight, wouldn't be exaggerating.

Later, after regaining his composure, Flynn asked a question with flushed cheeks and avoided looking at her, which gave him an appealing appearance because of the similarities between his flaming red hair and his red eyes, which were no longer filled with tears.

"Who exactly are you?"

Because girls adore cute things no matter their age, the little girl's eyes were filled with joy at the little boy's response.

"My name is Estonia von Alexander, and it gives me great pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"..Uhm...My name is F-Flynn Ernest-t."

Hearing the name of the young girl, Estonia, filled the young boy with fear. He became agitated, which caused him to stammer when he introduced himself. He appeared to have caught the girl's attention as she worriedly questioned.

"Why do you appear so worried?"

"I- I was to show respect to the Alexanders."

The young boy spoke honestly and without hesitation, because of the terror, he felt toward the Alexanders. Flynn adopted a submissive attitude toward anyone with the last name of the Alexanders as a result of the stern maids' continuous reminders.

"You are free to speak normally."

Just as Flynn was about to be lost in thought, Estonia made a sympathetic suggestion.

"Is that really acceptable?"

"Yes"

Flynn asked a serious inquiry because he was hesitant to strike up a casual conversation with Estonia, as she was an Alexander, the object of his fear. As a response to his question, Estonia nodded and approved with a bright smile on her face, which made Flynn dazed.

Flynn, Estonia—are you playing together?

But before either of the two small children could reply, a maid stepped forward and scooped Flynn into her arms. She then said with respect and bowed.

"Sorry for any inconvenience caused by the young master, I hope the young lady doesn't mind either."

Flynn was confused when the maid abruptly took hold of him. He had no idea how he got into this scenario. Estonia appeared to be in a similar predicament as she frowned and quickly glanced between her mother and the maid.

"Not at all."

The mature lady, Lilliana, casually responded to the maid.

"We shall then take our leave."

After receiving her response, the maid turned to depart.

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"Mommy, why did the maid lady take Flynn away?"

Still looking confused when the maid went with Flynn, Estonia turned to face her mother and asked her a question

"You're too little to understand, but I'll explain when you're older, alright?"

As Lilliana didn't want to get Estonia involved in the family issues, she didn't answer Estonia's question.

Estonia's cheeks puffed up as she realized that her questions would go unanswered, but she is obedient. So, although disappointed, she gave a nod of agreement.

Seeing this Lilliana smiled, as she asked.

"Do you wanna know who Flynn is?"

"Yes!"

Estonia immediately responded since she was intrigued by the young guy and wanted to know more about him.

When Lilliana saw this, she reacted with a chuckle.

"He is your younger half-brother."

"I have a brother?"

She merely assumed he was her brother because she was too young to comprehend the term "half-brother." Estonia, who had always desired a younger sibling, grinned broadly as she heard this news.

"You can't spend time with him, okay?"

As Lilliana reprimanded Estonia, a hint of grief appeared in her eyes.

"Why not?"

"..Uhm... You will know once you grow older."

Estonia pouted and turned away from her mother, displaying her annoyance as her question was once again dismissed. Lilliana grinned sourly before approaching and trying to comfort her.

Since children of that age are weak against their moms, it didn't take long for Estonia to dive into her mother's embrace since she genuinely loves her.

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Flynn wasn't treated as nicely as Estonia. Despite being a "young master," the maid threw him violently to his chamber.

Flynn was afraid because this was the first time he had ever been roughed up; in addition, he was crying because the impact of being thrown had swollen his knees.

The maid didn't seem to care, as she wore an indifferent expression on her face, as she opened her mouth.

"Young master, you are not to approach Lady Estonia ever again."

Since the atmosphere around the maid was icy and the maid's comments seemed to imply that he had no right to decline, Flynn quickly nodded his head as tears streamed down his cheeks.

Upon viewing this, the maid snorted before turning around and leaving. She seems unconcerned.

Flynn walked to his bed after being left alone in the space before abruptly breaking down in tears. His tears were falling quickly as the well had already been cracked. Not just for this occasion, but also for the suffering caused by being rejected time and time again.

While he was sobbing, he began to feel a growing animosity towards Estonia. It was only a tiny seed, but it would eventually turn into a tree, causing him to hate her to the utmost.

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Mc Pov:

After that day, Flynn and Estonia never talked, as Flynn did his utmost to avoid her. For the next four years, despite her busy schedule, Estonia attempted to find time to see him, but she was always unsuccessful. Despite her love for Flynn waning over those years, Estonia still regarded him as a sibling and cared for him. (Author's note: She wasn't told about the concubine stuff yet)

On the other side, Flynn's dislike for Estonia intensified the more he learnt about his predicament. He disliked her, but he never expressed it. After that day, he never left his room; he read books to develop common sense and learned about his circumstances from the servant.

'Well, except when his body got taken over by me.'

Lilliana created training exercises for me and Estonia as I was thinking back on the memories of the person who had my body.

'It's time to win over my darling Elder sister.'

She constantly wants to spend time with me, so it won't be too difficult. I can spend as much time with her as I want; the only problem is figuring out how to tell her that I was adopted, to make her see me as a man instead of a little brother.

'I suppose there is no need to haste.'

As I made my way to the location where Lilliana got ready for training, I shrugged.

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