48 Marriage
Aldrich’s POV:
“A misunderstanding?” I didn’t understand.
My father didn’t answer me. He only said, “It’s a confidentiality agreement. This case has been closed, and I can’t tell you. However, this is indeed a misunderstanding. The reason we kept it a secret is to protect the students.”
“Since you wanted to keep it a secret, why did the newspaper expose this?”
“It’s just a side job.” My father smiled disdainfully.” But, son, you’ve been in the army for so long. You should understand the twists and turns of politics.”
He didn’t say it out loud, but I understood that someone among the elders was probably causing trouble for the King.
Sigh, speaking of this, anyone who supported the Lycan King would be angry at such a kind, brave, and wise King like him just because he had no children. He was always attacked by people who tried to dethrone him with all sorts of trivial matters.
The group of old farts among the elders enjoyed the protection of the King while secretly plotting to destroy the hand that fed them.
After two days of awkward interaction, my father finally revealed his purpose on Monday.
“Time flies. In the blink of an eye, you’ve already grown into a man of indomitable spirit.” My father looked at me with relief and occasionally glanced at my arm.
I felt a little uncomfortable being stared at. “Children will always grow up. I still remember when I was young, you always complained that I was a little monkey and hoped I would grow up quickly and leave the family to bother my wife.”
My father laughed out loud. He rarely revealed his emotions like this.
“Yeah, you’re at the age to get married and have children.” He said, “Just out of concern, have you found your mate?”
“What?” I was stunned by the question and quickly shook my head. “No, I’m too busy with the military. I don’t have any thoughts about getting married for now. Maybe I’ll think about it when I make a name for myself.”
My father shook his head in disagreement. “You can’t say that. If every werewolf waited until they were successful before looking for a mate, the law would have said that werewolves would only get married when they are forty.”
“I don’t have to wait until that age.” I thought of Selma’s brilliant smile, and my tone unconsciously softened. “Perhaps when I’m a few years older? I don’t think I can take care of a family now.”
I couldn’t even comfort my girlfriend, let alone be a husband.
I thought desolately. I could almost taste Selma’s frustration.
My father didn’t force me. Instead, he recalled his love story with my mother. “When I was dating your mother, I was only a young boy! Back then, I couldn’t compare to you. I was idle all day long. Fortunately, Moon Goddess’ kindness allowed me to find the love of my life.
“We fell in love, got married, and had you. She was like a strict headmaster, forcing me to improve, or she’d threaten to take you back to her mother’s house. I had no choice but to give in to her wishes. Finally, I became the King’s friend and right-hand man, bringing our family the honor we have now.
“It’s a pity …” He suddenly became sad again. “Your mother is no longer here. No matter how good I am, who can I share all of this with?”
𝙛𝐫𝑒𝐞𝘄ℯ𝘣𝚗𝘰𝘷𝙚𝘭. c𝘰m
My father’s sorrow was so genuine that I couldn’t help but shed tears. I suddenly realized that the tall and straight figure in my memory had become slightly hunched.
Sitting in front of the window, he didn’t look like a high-spirited Duke. Instead, he looked like an ordinary old man from the common folk. It looked like he was waiting to wrap a ball of yarn around his wife.
“Child,” he said. “Not everyone can resist the fate that the Moon Goddess has given us. Some people miss out on their true love and never have a chance to turn back in their lifetime.
“Be it a fated mate, a sudden love at first sight one day, or a long-term relationship; love is like a slippery goldfish. If you don’t pay attention, it will slip into the pond and disappear without a trace.”
I was a little moved. I never thought a day would come when my serious father would open his heart to me.
He looked at me with his clear eyes as if they could see through my body and soul.
“Marriage is an important matter. You have to take responsibility for it.”
For a moment, I almost wanted to confess my love for Selma.
But I couldn’t. I had to respect Selma’s wishes. So before she agreed, I had to hide this sweet secret deep in my heart.
Like my father had said, “You have to take responsibility for yourself.”
The sadness came and went quickly. Soon, my father returned to the old nobleman, who was calm and collected, elegantly drinking his coffee and reading his official documents.
“What are you still doing here?” After a while, he looked up at me. “Your vacation is coming to an end, Sir Aldrich. You should pack your luggage as soon as possible so that you don’t come back late and cause dissatisfaction among the soldiers, humph!”
I laughed helplessly.
At this moment, I realized that time was changing. From the strict father he was in the past, he had now learned to show his true feelings and become an old urchin who ‘held grudges’.
I turned around and wanted to return to my room, but then I turned back and gave my father a solid hug.
“I love you too, Father,” I said.
“I’ll come back for a visit often.” My father was stunned. After a few seconds, I felt him hug me back.
“Little brat,” he said. I pretended not to hear the slight tremble. “The army is tough. You have to take care of yourself.”
