In the Arms of Absence

My Beloved Mother: Aeroc Teiwind

Raphael Bendyke

Once again, Raphael found himself gathering his siblings—Jester, Seth, Blaine, and Yohn , Ivide—as they heard their father's haunting cries echo through the halls of their ancestral home. It was a ritual that occurred once a month without fail, sending the servants scurrying to hide any sharp objects or potential hazards that could be used in a moment of distress.

Raphael, the eldest son of Viscount Kloff Bendyke, was a striking figure at 17 years old. As an omega male, he was revered for his beauty among the nobility—a golden boy adored by his father and the nanny who bore a striking resemblance to his late mother, Raphael Westport. Tales of Raphael Westport painted him as a sweet and beautiful omega, but there was always an unsettling air surrounding his memory.

Approaching his father's chamber, Raphael noticed the familiar sight of his father seated in his chair, his gaze fixed upon the cabin outside the window. Sometimes tears streaked down his cheeks, while other times, it seemed as though he was lost in a world of his own.

Unable to muster the words to confront his father, Raphael retreated to his room after ensuring his siblings were tended to. As he passed by a slightly ajar door, he caught the murmur of two aging servants conversing in hushed tones.

"Do you think it's karma for what he did to Count Aeroc?" a female servant whispered, the name Aeroc Teiwind sending a shiver down Raphael's spine, as he had heard it spoken in hushed tones at parties, often accompanied by tales of horror.

"Shh, if Martha overhears us, she'll have our heads," cautioned the male servant.

"But you know what they say about bad deeds coming back to haunt you," the female servant persisted. "I still remember when the Count was alive, we often saw the Viscount heading to the cabin..."

Her voice trailed off, and then she continued, "It was terrifying to witness the Viscount return with blood stains."

"Yes, it was both tragic and chilling. One day, curiosity got the best of me. I peeked inside the cabin when the Viscount left," the male servant confessed. "And there he was, Count Aeroc, battered and bruised in red and blue. It was evident that the Viscount's actions went beyond mere beatings... and not long after, Master Seth was born."

"Can you imagine if any of the kids found out who their real birth parents are and what their father did to them? Would they even want to stay?" The female servant's words sent a jolt through Raphael's heart. "Birth parents?"

"What can we say? The Viscount was a monster. He never let the Count see his children; he took them away right after birth," the male servant explained. Unable to bear the weight of the conversation any longer, Raphael quietly slipped away to his room.

That night weighed heavily on Raphael. His mind swirled with unsettling thoughts and unanswered questions. He knew he couldn't avoid it any longer; he had to confront the truth himself.

At 18 years old, Raphael unraveled the mystery shrouding Count Aeroc, discovering the chilling truths behind his identity and the atrocities his own father had committed. It was merely the tip of the iceberg, igniting a furious blaze within him. The urge to avenge consumed him, yet amidst the flames of rage, a thirst for deeper understanding simmered.

With the aid of a private investigator and well-placed bribes to loyal servants, particularly the seasoned ones, Raphael delved into the shadows of history. Fragmented whispers led him to unearth secrets, including fragments of his mother's obscured past. However, one enigma persisted—a room veiled in obscurity, housing the relics and echoes of the mansion's previous inhabitants.

Navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the vast estate, Raphael's quest culminated in the discovery of this elusive chamber. Veiled in silence and neglect, the room seemed frozen in time, its every crevice laden with the weight of forgotten memories. With the assistance of a trusted servant, the key to unlock this crypt of history was finally secured.