Kitanna
Chapter 263: FATHER AND SON

Chapter 263: FATHER AND SON

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: YOURS ~ RAIDEN & CHANYEOL]

"The women would be crying their eyes out now," Hieron said after they had moved away to a more serene place.

Cortez nodded his head, knowing Axilla and Lady Hash needed some time alone before they could find closure. The two deserved each other more than anything or anyone.

Lady Hash had trained him as her own child, trying to maintain a sense of motherhood, while Axilla grew up without a mother but she tried to keep her little warmth of sunshine and innocence.

"You know, women are so easy in situations like this. They cry, hug, and forgive each other; that’s the end. While men need to pull out their swords, bare their teeth to show who’s the strongest," Lord Hieron said, looking at two birds on a tree struggling with each other for food.

Cortez turned to look at the older man, who stared back at him with a wide grin on his face.

"What are you trying to say?" the young merchant asked.

Hieron tilted his head. "Exactly what you think I’m trying to say. We all know why your father is doing what he is doing. He’s trying to earn your forgiveness, but unlike women, we don’t know how to get on our knees and beg, so we do what we know best: take it by force," the man said, completing his thought.

Cortez scoffed, "Was that why you followed me? To make peace between me and that murderer? Someone like that would never be related to me, so don’t dream the impossible. It’s never going to happen."

Hieron relaxed his shoulders. "Never say never, boy. You have his blood coursing through your veins, and it’s something you can’t deny no matter how far you try to run or hide from it."

Cortez scoffed again. "You’re asking me to accept the man who killed your own son and tried to kill his own children to erase his weaknesses? Lord Hieron, you should know better."

Hieron nodded. "I do know better, that’s why I’m telling you right now that in this world filled with lonely empty souls, family is the only thing that can hold you up. I’m not asking you to forgive him immediately or accept him as your father, but maybe cut him some slack. Try to reason with him, or even fight with him. Let your anger out instead of making him feel non-existent," The man paused, noticing a movement from behind the door.

He continued, "About the killings, I too had his own father killed. If we are to trace everything back to where it started, it would be Deonisia misunderstanding everything and using everyone to fight against themselves. That’s when the enmity began, and your father tried to erase his own weaknesses, thinking it was his children. That was his undoing," Heiron completed.

Cortez looked away. "He killed my mother before my eyes. What will you say about what he did to Axilla? The man is selfish and only thinks of himself," the young man muttered.

Hieron raised his brow. "I believe he would be in a better position to answer the rest of your questions,"

Cortez knitted his forehead. "How do you mean?" He followed the trail of Lord Hieron’s finger.

"You can come out now, Venantius," Heiron pointed at the man he noticed hiding behind one of the doors while listening to their conversation.

The supreme King stepped out, with his chest puffed out and his chin tipped up with pride. "Oh, you both are here? I didn’t know. This is my favorite place to stay in the morning. Wow..." The man stretched his hand, looking at the two men from the corner of his eyes.

Heiron tapped Cortez on the shoulder. "I take my words back. Don’t accept him. He doesn’t just know how to act," the older man sneered.

Venantius cleared his throat, scratching his neck nervously. "I guess I woke up late today. Where is Dominique? Have my guests had their breakfast?" The man turned to speak to nobody in particular.

"Even my aide woke up late," he muttered under his breath.

Hieron couldn’t help but laugh slightly, shaking his head. "I’ll leave you two now while I go fetch Dominique for you," he teased, walking away from the room.

Father and son stayed in silence, neither saying a word to each other. After long minutes of awkward silence, Cortez turned to leave when he heard the man say, "I’m guessing your night was great, hearing how Axilla kept calling your name," Venantius started.

Cortez turned to meet the man’s eyes with his brows slightly raised.

Venantius shook his head. "I mean, I didn’t hear anything. So how would you like your welcome party?" He asked.

Cortez sighed. "I don’t need any party, just act like I don’t exist," he replied, "Like you always wished," he completed.

"I didn’t want to kill your mother, but I got a letter that she was running away to another man. I always had a soft spot for her among other women I spent time with. When I asked her to get rid of the baby, she refused and cursed me. It was later I found out that the child, which is you, survived and your mother was on the run. It was a foolish act from my side. I’m sorry," the man cleared his throat.

Cortez tilted his head. "That’s not an excuse, you owe my mother and every other woman you hurt in the past that apology, not me. And why did you do that to Axilla?"

Venantius nodded, before he replied saying, "What I gave to your woman was harmless. It’s something I can even take."

Cortez twitched his lips. "It might be normal for you to treat the women in your life as you please, but I’m different. Don’t ever make any steps on Axilla just because you want to get to me."

Venantius nodded. "I won’t ever do it again. I just wanted to see your face and have you visit your kingdom. You’ve been away from here all your life," he replied.

Cortez rolled his eyes. "And I’m here, isn’t it?"

Venantius rubbed his palm, remembering something. He needed to gain more pointers and acceptance. "I heard some news. I don’t know how important it would be for Axilla and Hieron," he started.

Cortez narrowed his eyes. "What news?" He asked.

"I heard that the Queen of Morado had given birth," Venantius informed.

Cortez’s eyes sparkled in excitement. "I should let Axilla know so she can visit immediately,"

Venantius sucked his teeth. "You should go too. I mean, it calls for a celebration," he said, with his eyes darting here and there.

Cortez furrowed his brow. "Are you saying I can leave?"

Venantius pressed his lips. "I’m saying you can visit another kingdom. It’ll strengthen our own kingdom if we have an alliance with Morado. It means you should come back, so I don’t go rampant again," he replied.

Cortez nodded. "It’s always what’s in it for you," he shrugged his shoulders.

"Can I come too?" Venantius asked.

Cortez pushed the door open. "Suit yourself," he completed.

Venantius clapped his hands happily. "Where is Dominique? He should get the finest silk and gold. We are going to visit Morado, The King, and his Crown Prince of Badukeh," the man joyfully walked through the passage, searching for his aide.