Vows of Silence

II

"Who are they?" a stern-looking woman welcomed the Count the moment they arrived at the County. The intricate lavish halls were even more luxurious than what Cale remembered before.

Deruth motioned patting their heads one by one, "this is Rok... and this one is Cale." The way Deruth patted their heads reassured them that they'd be safe in this place.

The stern woman had a soft look on his face. She stared at them for good before she said, "I am Violan..."

It was as if she had been welcoming when she was not supposed to be.

Deruth smiled at his wife and looked at the servants, "give them food, clothes and let them a bath. Also give that child proper treatment..." while pointing at the red-faced Beacrox, "How about you, what will you be doing?"

"I'll search for work." Ron replied and smiled, "I want to repay your grace."

"no need... work in the county... the head butler will take care of everything."

Deruth didn't say anything anymore. The head butler guided the father and son. A younger butler came to help the children but it seems the count is hesitant to let go of the twins.

"C, count." The young Butler called. The count still had his hands holding the twins, before smiling pitifully and hesitantly letting them go.

"I may have become foolish." That's what he said before giving them to the servant. He leveled himself to them and looked at them, "you should take care of yourselves... tell anybody in this house what you need."

"mm. thank you," Cale whispered and followed the servant with Rok.

Deruth stood up and looked at his wife. "I have become foolish." Just seeing red hair forces memories from him. "I searched for so long but it was a different person."

"they may be the Thames or anyone with red hair..."

Deruth sighed deeply and replied, "they said she was dead. Said that she disappeared after learning about her pregnancy... that time... I deeply hope that the child or her survived... I just hoped that they were safe and prayed that I hadn't taken the Count position to protect her."

"do you regret it?"

"regret not protecting her or the child... maybe that's why whenever I see red hair... I don't want to let them go." Deruth smiled at his spouse. He had been searching for Jour for three years until all leads directed him to her death. When he received the news of her bearing his child, he was ready at that them to give up everything for her but she disappeared. Like bubbles, she disappeared without a trace.

Devastated.

Mourning.

Everyone told him that she was no longer there. That she died. He was made to believe that Jour Thames met an unfortunate incident.

He was in pain.

In misery.

He searched and searched, in hopes that at least there was a trace of her left.

He hoped that at least, something about her, something important be left to him.

His wife knew that 'that' person will always be his love. Violan was a good woman who accepted the fact that she couldn't entirely take this person's heart. She may be the second one, but she is happy and takes pride that she married this person and the one standing by his side.

She decided that she'd welcome anyone this person will take in. Hoping for him to erase the guilt and regret of not being able to protect someone precious.