Translator: Cinder Translations
...
In the study of the Lord's Manor in Alden Town, Paul sat upright, with Ladia Setia beside him.
He, of course, could not immediately believe the words of that woman.
Besides Ladia, he had taken additional precautions, and a handgun was placed on the table.
Marianna and Nathan were invited in.
Marianna looked around the study, and a nostalgic expression appeared on her face.
"The décor of this castle has changed a lot, but this room remains the same."
Ladia found it strange—had her teacher been here before?
Paul did not respond but instead asked the servant who had led Marianna in, "Where is Steward Philip? I need him here immediately."
The servant replied, "I will find him right away."
Paul added, "And Cecil and Bryce, I want them here as well."
"Understood, sir!"
The servant left.
Marianna smiled at Paul, "What's the matter, you still don't believe me?"
Paul gestured, "Please, sit. Perhaps you can refresh your throat with some water from the tea table. Later... we will have a lot to discuss."
Ladia was growing more confused, asking, "What's going on here?"
Paul shrugged, "This woman—your teacher—says she is my mother."
"Spit!" Nathan, holding a cup of water, spat it out.
Ladia was so shocked she couldn't speak, her eyes wide open.
Nathan set down his cup, his face full of fear, "No, Mom, this isn't true!"
Earlier, Nathan had sensed that his mother might not be lying about Paul and him being brothers, but he couldn't face it.
If it were true, another possibility would follow, which made his mind feel scrambled.
"It is true!" Marianna looked at her second son seriously and said, "Nathan, you have a surname—Grayman. Your full name is Nathan Grayman, and I am Marianna Grayman."
Paul waved his hand in front of Ladia, bringing her back to reality, "This is the situation."
At that moment, a knock echoed through the room.
Paul snapped his fingers, "Steward Philip has arrived, and soon we will know the truth. Lady, I am a reasonable person, if it's false, you still have one last chance."
"You dare question your own mother! I should slap your backside to make you remember," Marianna thought bitterly in her heart.
Guilt, longing, anxiety, sorrow, resentment... the mixture of emotions made her slightly lose her composure.
Seeing that she did not respond, Paul called out, "Come in, Steward Philip."
The old steward opened the door, and Marianna turned to look at the doorway.
The door stopped halfway open as Philip saw her.
"It's been a long time, Philip." Marianna spoke with a hint of excitement upon seeing the old servant.
"Madam..." The old steward's voice was choked, and his cloudy eyes immediately filled with tears.
Well, it was true.
Paul finally confirmed it.
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"...I once wanted to live as an ordinary person in the Northwest Bay, but the inquisitors from the Church kept tracking me, secretly searching for me," Marianna said, sitting on the sofa, recounting events from over a decade ago.
"At that time, I had just given birth to Nathan, and my magic was unstable. If my identity as a witch had been confirmed, I would have had no means to resist."
"Helpless, I had no choice but to part from you and your father, taking Nathan and leaving Northwest Bay. I spread the word that I had died from illness."
...
"I stayed in Horns Bay for a long time, teaching Ladia how to use magic."
"Later, we went inland, where we joined the Arcane Order."
...
It took nearly two hours, but Marianna summarized the years of her life.
Philip pulled out a handkerchief and constantly wiped his eyes.
"Madam, you have suffered greatly all these years."
Marianna gave a bitter smile, "It wasn't too hard. Compared to those unfortunate mages, we were lucky."
"However..."
Her eyes reddened, and tears glistened in them.
"I never got to see Hart again before he passed."
Hart was the name of old Lord Grayman.
TLN: 657 Chapters and Only now we know the name of the Old Earl.
It was only after coming to Alden that she found out her husband had already passed away. She secretly wept for a long time.
She even once considered killing the pirate leader who had accompanied her.
From the intelligence she gathered, it was this pirate leader's departure that caused the pirates in Northwest Bay to lose control, leading to her husband's death. Edward was indirectly responsible.
But she had forced herself to suppress this thought—at least for now.
Now that she had spoken the secret she had kept for years, Marianna couldn't hold back her tears.
Ladia stood up and stepped forward, silently giving her teacher a tight hug.
Philip tried to comfort her, "Please, don't be too sad, Madam. If the old master knew you had returned to this home, he would be very happy."
He then looked at Nathan, who was watching his crying mother, unsure what to do.
Swearing to the heavens, Nathan had never seen his mother cry since he could remember.
His mother had always shown a strong, optimistic, calm, and wise image.
"Young Master Nathan,"
Philip's eyes were red, but his face held a look of contentment.
"You've grown into a healthy young man. I'm sure the old master in heaven is very pleased."
Nathan opened his mouth, not knowing how to respond.
"Why did you bring... my brother along? It must have been quite inconvenient to bring a child."
Paul, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up.
"That's because..."
Marianna felt a sudden fear rise within her—was the eldest son blaming her?
"Your brother inherited my magical talent. He showed an affinity for magic as soon as he was born. If I hadn't taken him, back then, he would have exposed himself before we knew how to hide it."
"I see," Paul nodded, "Alright, let's talk about the Arcane Order now."
"Lord Grayman!" Ladia called him with a hint of reproach.
She walked a few steps toward Paul and whispered in his ear, "I think you should give your mother and brother a hug first."
Paul paused for a moment, then walked over to Marianna and opened his arms.
"Welcome home, my mother."
Before he could finish his sentence, Marianna immediately embraced him.
"My child, do you know how much I've missed you?"
Paul stiffly allowed his mother to hug him and lightly smell his hair.
"Almost every night, you appear in my dreams."
Really?
Paul felt confused, with some resentment mixed in.
Then why did you leave Alden so quickly?
If it weren't for me stopping you, this scene would never have happened.
(End of the Chapter)
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