I wanted to hide this side of me as hard as I could (TCF fanfiction)

Chapter 21

"Its ok father, its ok. We still have each other don't we. Mom will get mad at you if you don't stop crying."

***

It's been more than a month since the burial.

The manor has been quiet ever since she left.

Father has been holed up in his office. Sunk himself in work. To the point that the eerie silence between us at the dinner table became normal.

Ron and Beacrox have been sticking to me like glue. Reminding me to eat and telling me that my father isn't ignoring me on purpose and is just busy with his job as a count.

Even though she disappeared, the days still went by. The sun and moon still rose then set. A meal always there on the table. But there was no mom for me to run or talk to.

The time passed slowly yet surely that the day that my classes resumed arrived in a blink of an eye. The tutor taught well but I could feel that she was uncomfortable with my silence. It's a good thing that the past Cale only answered when needed to and didn't do unnecessary actions, or else I might've gone mad.

***

A year has passed since she left. The county functioned normally yet abnormally quiet.

It was a Saturday morning, when I finally got the chance to speak with him again.

"Father... wants to speak with me?"

"Yes, young master. The count said to meet him at his office later at the afternoon."

"TELL HIM ILL COME-"

"ahem"

"I mean, tell my father that I'll come."

"As you wish, young master."

"I see your excited to talk with the count, young master," the old man said while he handed me lemonade.

"It's because we haven't talked in a while."

More like a long time.

"Mm..Ron." I tugged Ron's sleeve as I said those words.

"Come with me later."

"If it is what the young master wants, then shall be it," Ron ended in a benign smile.

I feel my cheeks heating up in embarrassment but knowing Ron will be with me does put my heart at bay.

"Well! I have to eat now and prepare myself for the meeting!"

"Young master, please don't run in the hallways."

***

"Beacrox, this meal is so good! What is this cheese dish?"

"It is Halloumi and Zucchini Frittata, young master."

Hallumi and Zuchinni Fritata. Got it, gotta make Beacrox cook this in the future, this is delicious.

"What a long name, delicious nonetheless," I said before taking another spoonful.

"You seem to be in high spirits, young master."

"Hehe, you think so."

The whole county must know by now by the way I'm talking.

"Me and father are going to talk later."

"I see, it must have a connection with how the count went to the shopping district a while ago."

"shopping district? ............could it be a present..."

***

"Ron, do I look okay?"

"You look great, young master."

"Are you sure? Maybe I should change my top..."

"I believe the count will think you look great whatever you wear, young master."

***

"Young master, the count has called for you."

"Ill be there right away."

"Let's go, Ron."

***

"Good afternoon father, you called for me."

"Yes, come sit."

The leather sofa from here is still the same in the future. Talk about saving money.

"Father, I hope you wont mind me bringing Ron?"

"Of course not, good news is better shared with more people after all."

"Good news?"

Good news. Is there going to be a new festival? Is this about my present? Are we going to go on a vacation? Will father train me as the future count? Will we ride horses together? Are we going to have some bonding time? I don't mind anything as long as were together.......... It's been a long time since we've talked to each other.

"Yes, Cale."

Ah, he's smiling. This smile...is the one he always wore when mom was here.

Will we visit mom?

Ill have to prepare the most beautiful flowers.

"Cale"

Yes.

"Your going to have a new mother," he ended with a smile.

What.

"She's kind, beautiful, wise, smart...

What. A new mom? That cant be. I don't want a new mom. I want my mom to be my only mom.

...and she also has wonderful children"

Children. Siblings? But father couldn't even talk to me, less children.

"Our marriage will be held in a week."

A week. WEEK? How long have you known her?! Its only been a year since mom's death... It couldn't be.

"Cale, what do you think?"

That smile. That smile that you only showed to me and mother.

"Congratulations, Father."

I want to leave.

"Ill leave now since you must be busy preparing for the wedding, father."

Get out Get out Get out Get out Get out Get out.

"Cale"

"Yes, father."

"I'll tell you in advance when you'll meet your siblings and your mother."

"Have a good evening, father."