I was glad that Mother opened up to me, but a question still tugged at my heart. Why did she adopt me? I'm not as worried as before, but I still want to know, and I don't want to know either.
"As for why I adopted you…" she said, like she was reading my mind. She let go and relaxed on the couch, touching her forehead with her index finger as she thought for a while before speaking again.
"As you now know, I am involved in the power struggle, so I involve myself in a lot of dangerous things," she started. "I needed to secure Alden with everything possible, so I looked for someone with… unknown origins. You might be a Dixon, but as far as that family is concerned, you don't exist. I wrote in my will that everything that belongs to Alden will go to you, so that my children won't be able to exercise their power as heirs," she explained, and I was stunned.
"You were meant to be a bank. I was supposed to make you sign a document that states that in my absence, once…" she paused again with a look of uncertainty. "I have a nephew from a branch family. He's been trained to take over in my absence, but no one knows about this except my younger cousin. Even the boy's parents have no idea." So I was to transfer everything to him at a given time.
"Oh," I exclaimed. The boy is still a direct descendant, so it's allowed.
"The plan was to transfer everything to him in my absence, but seeing how things are, I thought of making you the next heir and…" she stopped again and looked away. What? "And have you two marry," she finished. Huh? "But I changed my mind again. I don't want to force you to do anything," she said, and I sighed in relief.
Marriage is the least of my concerns, and I do not want to get married to Mother's family. It just doesn't feel right.
"For now, I want you to focus on your research. I didn't want anyone to know that I was going to make him the next head because that might put him in danger. But as things are, that doesn't matter, so just focus on you for now," she instructed, and I nodded. It wasn't so bad after all.
She relaxed again and stared at me without saying a word, but she looked like she wanted to say something.
"The power struggle is really brutal. A few people were killed because they weren't on any side. The Rosens want to use the opportunity to control Vernin like they did to Tyrile. Their current head is very…" Vicious, scary, wicked, evil? There are many words to describe him, and they are all negative. "I was told they kept approaching you," she said, and I inhaled.
"A few times in school and during the reunion," I confessed.
"There are two possibilities. They either want to annoy me to put me off—Rosen hasn't openly declared a side, but everyone knows that they won't support Teon because Alden is their sworn enemy. If they can get you to become a member of their family through marriage, it would look bad for the family. That is the second possibility." Walsh did mention something about intentions, but I was too scared to pay attention to what he was saying. Knowing them, their 'intentions' can never be good.
"They might come with a false alliance, but I can already see through them. They must be after you because… well, you've made quite the impression outside your magic status. And knowing Rosen, they always do everything to get what they want, it doesn't matter the means they use." I know that well. I watched a few people experience terrible fates just because they didn't do what 'they' wanted.
"It will be best if we avoid them for now," she continued. I don't need to be told. As someone who has experienced the ruthlessness of that family firsthand, I know that I should avoid them at all costs.
"I know," I breathed.
"Livi," she called, and I looked up. "Never mind," she said, standing up. "Remember, your main focus should be on your research. Being a professor isn't just about writing a life-changing thesis; you have to show results."
"I'll do my best," I promised, and I intended to keep my word. Mother has been my main sponsor, and she's been very supportive. It's only right by her that I show results.
"We should get some rest," she said, and I nodded.
I walked to my room and walked in. I stood at the door staring at Tyler. I let out a sigh and walked to the bed. I lay down and closed my eyes, but I couldn't sleep. Thoughts clouded my mind, and I was restless.
Everything was just too overwhelming. Lady Myra has been through a lot in the past. I just wish I could help her or comfort her, but it was pointless. I just couldn't.
What could her ex-husband have said to make them leave? And why did they bother coming back if they'd still not be on her side? I don't know their side of the story, but I honestly don't care. I'll always be on Lady Myra's… no, Mother's side.
Alden must be a large family, but it's sad that the head is in crisis. Why won't they just see reason and see how much she's hurting? If Mother's children had stayed, I'm sure she'd be fine.
Hearing all this just made me feel like laughing. To everyone else, climbing the social ladder takes priority, while others like me are fighting for their lives.
I wonder what Teon is doing. Is it scary being in a place like that alone? It must be hard living every day with the thought that a lot of people want you dead. It must be different from what I experienced. The Rosens didn't want me dead; they just wanted to see me in pain. I want to tell him it will get better with time, but will it? I hope it does…