'Confront your father about your inhumane living conditions,' this was the quest by the mysterious system.
The message didn't specify a reward, but, confronting his father was a highly difficult task.
His father's coldness was a constant, a chilling presence that permeated the palace. The sprawling estate, a testament to the Duke's power, was, for Victor, a cage of dull bars.
The Duke, Vipon Luxenberg, was a man of immense ambition, his days filled with political manoeuvring and the weighty affairs of the state. He occupied his days with the business of ruling, leaving his son largely to the care of distant servants. There was no warmth, no genuine affection in his dealings with Victor. Any attempts at connection from the young man were met with curt dismissals or outright indifference whilst his siblings were shown compassion and love.
Knowing all this Victor was determined to complete this quest. He didn't know why his father disliked him or why he was treated in such an inhumane manner but completing this quest could be a step closer as to why Victor was treated like this.
With conviction in every step, he calmly marched towards the Duke's study. Each step increases Victor's racing heart. A few minutes later Victor stood face to face with the cold dark wood door.
It was hard to fathom that behind this door was the source of all of Victor's neglect and misery. The man who gave full authority to Victor's teachers to beat and discipline him as they saw fit. The man who never showed an ounce of love to Victor or Veronica.
Hesitant, Victor held out his arm and weakly knocked on the door. Awaiting a response Victor nervously waited in silence wondering if he had hit the door hard enough. After a minute of silence, Victor went to knock again when a deep and cool voice called out.
"Come in," Vipon called out.
With a deep breath, Victor pushed the door open to see his father's icy eyes focused on his work not even paying any attention to Victor. Before Victor had the chance to speak Vipon ordered. "Leave the documents there I will deal with them soon enough."
Confused Victor looked around thinking that someone else had entered with him. Recognising that he was talking to him Victor approached the document-cluttered desk and gently said.
"Father it's me, Victor."
Unimpressed Vipon gently put down his quill and looked up at Victor. His face was hard as stone and his eyes cold and devoid of light. His short black hair with strands of grey was neatly maintained and his well-built body filled out the wooden chair he was sitting on.
"What do you want, if it is nothing important piss off, as you can see I am busy and do not have time to put up with your pathetic cries," Vipon said coldly.
Irritated at that remark it was easier for Victor to muster the courage to broach the subject of Victor's treatment.
"Why do you treat me like I do not exist Father? Why am I forced to endure harsh lessons which leave me bloody and bruised? Why am I always confined to my room and fed scraps? You wonder why I'm weak look at me, I barely get anything to eat." Victor accussed.
Vipon's expression did not change he looked at Victor up and down. The boy who resembled his mother was clearly malnourished. His clothes were a bit loose and baggy and his pale skin made him seem almost wraith-like.
"What utter nonsense. To think you'd bring yourself to this point for my attention. Why can't you be like your younger siblings, they are dutiful and hard-working and take their studies seriously."
Fiery emotions began to rise inside of Victor. His father denied any fault, blaming him for shutting himself in, starving himself and coming up with outlandish excuses to miss his lessons. Victor had to show restraint since he was not only talking to his father but a Duke. Yet, with his father dismissing his pleas for answers he could not hold back the anger he felt. The reason Conrad ended up possessing Victor was most likely him ignoring Victor until he couldn't take it.
'I will not suffer as this body has previously,' Victor reinforced in his mind. Thus firming his resolve Victor spoke out against his father in a louder and angry tone.
"Your attention? Don't flatter yourself, I am not asking for you to acknowledge or notice me. All I am asking for is the most basic needs like proper meals. I know we aren't that bad financially to the point where I am fed scraps."
"You already let Veronica leave and you didn't care. Is this your attempt to drive me away so you can have your perfect family? Just say you want me gone. I'd leave with a day if you asked. It is clear you do not want me," Victor continued.
While going on his tangent Vipon could only stare. The weak boy who he thought was useless and afraid of him is now vehemently pleading his case for better conditions. Vipon was aware of the favouritism he showed to the twins but he was not aware of how poorly he was treated.
All Vipon could do was sigh. He didn't hate his son but just thought he was useless. He did feel some sympathy for Victor, but he still clearly favoured his new wife and his precious twins.
When Victor finally calmed down and awaited an answer, Vipon had one hand massaging his temple and said, "I will see that you are fed properly and you will not have to attend such harsh lessons again. Do what you want, I don't really care just don't do anything to cause trouble.
Victor couldn't believe that his father, the strict and harsh Duke of Luxenberg would show any kind of consideration to him. Feeling a sense of relief Victor could only smile. To think that his frustrations were finally heard.
'Could the old Victor pull that off?' Victor wondered.
"Thank you, father, I will not waste your time any further," Victor replied courteously before giving a small bow and leaving the study.
Once he exited the study a blue screen flashed in front of him with a pinging sound.
'Congratulations on completing this quest, tap to collect your rewards.'