After our heartfelt reunion (and a little touch-up of make-up from the maids), Wilthelm and I settled on the chairs at the Gazebo. I was about to order the maids to ready the entrees but my son suddenly raised his hand.
“I would like for everyone to leave us alone for a bit. I have something private to discuss with my mother.”
The maids, Zebastian, and Wilthelm’s attendants bowed before they stood in a line at a distance.
“Mom…I know you wanted to enjoy a meal together but I believe you have a lot of questions that need to be answered first….”
He reached into his coat and pulled out his wand. With a wave of it, I felt a shiver in the air and the gazebo was suddenly engulfed in a translucent sphere.
T-This is…an Isolation Sphere?!
The Wyndsyr Family had kept a plethora of books on Magic so I was at least familiar with it. This was a highly advanced barrier spell often used for important conferences to keep the discussion confidential. Also, it would take three advanced Mages to cast this spell.
I could see the translucent form of Zebastian looking alarmed but he was held back by Wilthelm’s attendants.
I looked at my son in disbelief at what he had just done. I have some capabilities in Magic but not on this scale.
Yet, Wilthelm was able to do it with a simple wave of a wand. And by himself no less.
“In here, nobody can hear us. Even if they placed an eavesdropping device it will be disrupted. Ah, but I think I should also hide this place for a bit.”
He waved his wand once more and the translucent sphere became cloudy white. I couldn’t see outside of it. It seems Wilthelm was also well versed in Enchantments.
I still kept minimal correspondence with several Palace servants that were loyal to the Wyndsyr Family. I had often received reports on how Wilthelm struggled with his education. His academics, swordsmanship, and magical abilities were said to be subpar bordering on average. I worried deeply about him whenever I received those reports.
I wanted to personally check up on him but Stahlin would often impede my attempts to reach out to my child with messages saying it would not be good to “spoil” him and that the Main Palace was on lockdown for his protection. Those messages always had thinly veiled warnings not to interfere. I was powerless to do anything and could only worry about how much Wilthelm struggled.
But it seems I was misled as everyone else.
After seeing the skill and power he displayed during that duel with Stahlin and even now as he casually cast advanced spells with no effort. Not to mention his groundbreaking policies for the Empire made it evident that he was not the incompetent the reports say he is.
“Wilthelm…please explain yourself. I am so very confused?”
“Shall I explain everything from the beginning then?. What I am about to reveal to you is confidential. Even to Zebastian and the maids.”
I simply nodded when I saw the look of seriousness in his eyes.
“To start things first. Allow me to introduce you to someone.”
Introduce?
He pointed his wand to a vacant space and a portal-like mirror appeared. Another display of fathomless magic? An outline of a figure appeared from the dark portal and stepped out.
I gasped as I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was…another Wilthelm?!
There’s no mistaking it. It was a young man who looked exactly like Wilthelm. But…his eyes… They were vacant and empty which unnerved me. Who is this person? But I soon realized that these were the same eyes I’ve seen on “Wilthelm” whenever we met during these years.
“Mom, this is Ototo.”
Ototo? What kind of name is that?
“Ototo here is a specialized Golem I created using Lost Forma Arts.”
“L-Lost Forma Arts?!”
Wilthelm huffed, looking quite proud of himself.
“Remember when I suddenly began immersing myself in reading in the month following the Bloody Night Incident and before Stahlin arriving to escort me to the Main Palace? No wait, I was bedridden for a week so it’s more accurate to say three weeks. Well, during that time I was busy creating Ototo. ”
This was…incredible to say the least.
Lost Forma Arts was an ancient art that created life-like automatons. At least, that’s what I studied at the Imperial Academy. I don’t know much further about that branch of study. But I have heard in passing that the Magic Towers were researching on creating artificial soldiers using the Lost Forma Arts with little success. Stahlin had forwarded research into it but the best they could produce was some kind of giant humanoid machine that’s still in the works.
Yet…Wilthelm was able to create an extremely realistic Golem that looked just like him that fooled everyone for the last decade in a matter of three weeks. Doesn’t this make my son a genius?!
“Ototo acted as my body double. The first version was barely passable. I had to keep sneaking into the Palace to update him from time-to-time until the current version that is standing before you now. He’s done well in acting in my place during these past ten years. Ototo, do come to introduce yourself.”
The “Wilthelm” named Ototo bowed and spoke in that emotionless voice I was familiar with.
“It is an honor to meet you, Mother of Creator. My name is Ototo. I am the one who pretended to be His Majesty during the years of the Regency.”
“P-Pleasure to meet you…”
I’m still unnerved by him.
“Thank you, Ototo. You can head back to your tasks now.”
“Understood.”
Ototo bowed once before he turned on his heel. He walked back through the portal and disappeared into it.
“W-Wait! Wilthelm, I am even more confused.”
With a sigh, Wilthelm began to tell a tale hidden from ten years ago.
Apparently, due to an accidental trial of Teleportation Magic, Wilthelm had transported himself to the Grand Palace which happens to be the same night as the Bloody Night Incident. Hearing he had been dabbling with such advanced magic at a young age was a cause for me to want to berate him. But when I heard he was there at the Grand Palace on that same night and witnessed that horror, my blood turned cold.
It was there he witnessed Francys’ murder and found out about Stahlin’s true nature.
However, unlike most children (especially those horrid half-brothers of his) my son was truly beyond clever.
He knew that as a child his words could not be counted on and that there would be greater suspicion as to why he was there in the first place. After all, we were in the Wyndsyr Territory at that time. It would fall on deaf ears.
And with Francys dead, he had no support.
Wilthelm also calculated his actions thoroughly. He had barely enough Mana left to get him back to the Wyndsyr Territory. After exchanging final words with a dying Francys, Wilthelm then fled into the secret passageways of the Palace. This boy had been venturing into them in secret so he knew where they were and how to enter them.
I wasn’t even aware that those tunnels even existed!
Following his father’s instructions, Wilthelm snuck into the Imperial office and stole several important items, and returned to the Wyndsyr Territory. I remembered him feeling ill as a side effect for a few days around that time. However, I was too distraught ever since the messenger brought me the news of the Bloody Night Incident which took away the lives of Francys and my brother.
When my son recovered, he quickly got to work in secret on creating that Golem that I had been introduced to earlier. Wilthelm’s talents in Magic had already bloomed even at such an early age and I wasn’t even aware of it. Wilthelm had been perusing all the books in our libraries, I thought he was just looking for picture books but it seems he understood the difficult concepts written in them.
As to why Wilthelm wanted to create a Golem that looked like him but at the same time acted as a puppet.
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“Well, Stahlin wanted to turn me into a puppet. So I gave him one instead.”
He had already deduced that Stahlin had nefarious plans for him and the Empire. He had just completed creating that Golem when the Imperial guard led by Stahlin, came and took him away.
It turns out the one they escorted was Wilthelm’s Golem, Ototo.
As he had already expected, Stahlin intended to break my son’s mind and spirit through forbidden potions and the application of terrible dark spells that would turn him into a mindless puppet. The thought of what Stahlin might’ve done to Wilthelm scared me. But as a Golem, Ototo was immune to any of that but was designed by Wilthelm to act that way as though Stahlin’s horrible scheme had succeeded.
The real Wilthelm had also left and proceeded on his journey. A journey that gave him the strength and power to defeat a monster like Stahlin.
“But…why didn’t you tell me any of this?! All this time, I was worried about what would happen to you when Stahlin took you away! And when I met that Golem of yours thinking he was you, I was horrified!”
Wilthelm bowed his head.
“I’m so sorry, Mom. I couldn’t tell you at that time. The fewer people who knew the better.”
“But I could’ve helped you! I could’ve supported you from afar!”
“It was too risky. Stahlin was gaining power and you were soon watched by his henchmen. As much as it would hurt us both but for the Empire and our family’s sake, I had to keep you in the dark. And besides…you had other things to worry about, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“Mom, please. I would know since I left a little something to keep an eye on you as well.”
I blinked in confusion.
“Mom…did you think Ototo was the only Golem I made?”
He had another one?
He lifted a finger. A small yellow ball shot out from one of the bushes that was within tha isolation sphere. It took me a few moments to register that it was a crested canary. It flew around Wilthelm before landing on his finger.
“Well, this Golem was not as complicated as Ototo. But I had this little one act as my eyes and ears around here. I also gave him the ability to chirp a little song to brighten you up. Oh, and this one’s name is Torii.”
Torii? Another weird name? Did Wilthelm name them? I wonder if there’s something wrong with his naming sense.
But there was no denying it was the same bird.
Whenever I felt so alone, the very same bird would flutter towards me from nowhere. It stood out amongst the other canaries because it had a particular feather that tufts out of place on the top of its head like a plumage.
Whenever I sat alone in the garden or sat by the window. It would somehow appear and sing a beautiful melody as though to comfort me.
So all this time. It was Wilthelm’s doing.
“Thanks to this guy, I know…about Arthyr.”
Wilthelm’s words caused me to freeze once more.
Nobody else knew apart from Helena and Zebastian. But if that little canary had been acting as his ears and eyes around me then he had seen me when I was in my last months.
The truth was…I had another child with the late Emperor.
Francys came to the Wyndsyr Territory. A few months prior, I left the Palace in indignation at all the harassment my son and I were experiencing from the concubines and other nobles. When he arrived, it was a bit of a dramatic reunion but eventually we reconciled all our misunderstandings.
One thing led to another and…well…
It resulted in another child.
I began to notice the changes in my body. By then, “Wilthelm” had already been taken by Stahlin. As I was already aware of Stahlin’s true nature, I knew I had to keep my unborn child a secret otherwise Stahlin would either see it as a pawn to use or a threat to be discarded.
Using my grief as a cover, I temporarily laid off all the servants apart from my handmaid, Helena, and our loyal butler, Zebastian. The Wyndsyr Knights weren’t even allowed to enter the grounds of the Estate but were only to keep guard outside the gates. My excuse was I wanted to grieve in silence and solitude. Although that part was also true it was also so I could carry my pregnancy in secret. As a precaution, Helena pretended to be the one who was pregnant. She frequented the local village and showed her “pregnancy” to them. This was integral for what was to come.
Eventually, I gave birth to another son whom I named Arthyr.
He too had white hair and gold eyes. In order to hide the traits of the Imperial Family, I Enchanted a pendant to disguise them.
Using Helena’s fake pregnancy, we had her act as the one who gave birth. I then “dismissed” her so she could return to her parent’s house at the Spencer Barony. I’ve written a letter to the Baron to explain the situation which was to be burned as instructed.
The day I saw them off I felt my heart breaking into pieces once more. I saw my closest friend and my dear child leave. It was for Arthyr’s protection but still…a mother has to do what she needs to do.
“Thanks to Torii, I know about Arthyr. You’ve chosen a great name for him.”
“O-Oh, is that so?”
I’ve chosen that name in honor of a famous ancestor of ours, Arthyr.
“But if it were me, I would’ve given him the name Yuusha or Taiyoh but Arthyr certainly fits.”
I’ve confirmed it. My son has a terrible naming sense.
“Although he is known as Arte by most of his friends. Baron Spencers’s grandson, Ewan, calls him Arty. So does their Guard Leader’s kid, Robin.”
“Is that so? Wait, how do you know that?”
Wilthelm smiled as he stroked Torii. Ah, it was definitely through that? How many Golems were you making?
“He’s grown up to be such a wonderful kid…although things were initially rough when that first wife of Hilbert von Spencer and her kid harassing him since he was friends with the second wife’s son.”
“H-Harassed? By Lady Vanessa?”
“Yeah, that Viscount Bridgerton’s daughter who “slept” with him. Load of bull, everyone knew she had him drunk so she can do a fait accompli. But I know for a fact that she’s been with other men for pleasure. It’s highly doubtful the kid was Lord Hilbert’s.“
It seems Wilthelm was very well informed. Also…he seemed to have picked up a rather uncouth language!
I had heard from Helena about how her brother was forced to marry the daughter of a viscount from another territory after they were found sleeping together. It was a small scandal since Hilbert was about to marry Lady Anise from another Barony. Lord Hilbert deeply loved and cherished Lady Anise. So imagine my surprise that he was forced to marry the viscount’s daughter due to having gotten into bed with her.
Helena and I knew that Lady Vanessa had been pining for Hilbert and it’s not above her to use such tricks. But because of higher rank, the Viscount Bridgerton forced his daughter’s wish on marrying him. It also gave him the advantage of having semi-authority over the Spencer Barony. They were married with Lady Anise become the second wife due to the status of their houses.
I wanted to intervene but my standing in court was weak. Also, the Bridgerton’s had support from the Archducal House of Havsbergs who were prominent at that time.
Nevertheless, though she “bore” him a son Lady Vanessa was in a loveless marriage. Hilbert paid attention to his real love rather than a woman who shoved her way into his relationship with Lady Anise. Honestly, I believed she deserved it. Nonetheless, her controlling nature made it quite difficult in the Spencer Barony. Her son also inherited her and father’s pompous and rather nasty nature.
Truth be told, I was a little hesitant to send Arthyr there but at that time, it was the safest place I can send him. I did worry so I secretly sent letters to Helena from time to time.
“Well, the Bridgerton’s weren’t much a problem later on since that little incident on the mountain pass.”
True.
The problem with Lady Vanessa didn’t last though as I heard from Helena that five years later, she and her son were killed in a landslide while they were off visiting her father in the Bridgerton Visounty. The Spencer Barony.was finally rid of the Bridgerton’s influence although relations soured.
Form then on, I keep receiving better letters of Arthyr’s childhood.
“He’s quite the sprightly kid. Often pull pranks and roping Young Lord Ewan and Robin along for the ride. This often results in him getting spanked by their caretakers.” Wilthelm chuckles.
“Is that so?”
It seems mischievousness runs in the family. My brother was a big rascal in our youth. Wait, Wilthelm here has inherited that trait. But if he knew all that…
“So you’ve met him then?”
“No, although I wanted to meet him myself I had to also keep my distance. I at least wanted him to have a happy childhood, safe and away from all of this. He might ask questions that I have yet to answer. Kids around that age tend to be more inquisitive if they are refused answers or given vague ones.”
That was true. It touched my heart. It seems Wilthelm genuinely showed concern and love for his brother.
“That’s why. For his safety, I had to keep my distance and do what’s necessary. And to sweep the dirt away.”
Necessary?
I felt a sudden chill. I thought I saw a dangerous glint in his eye. Why do I feel like there was some implication to his words? Like he had done something “more” than necessary.
“Well then, I got the main point so I think we can reserve the rest for later. For now, let us begin the meal. I think we’ve kept Mr. Zebastian and the maids waiting too long.”
He waved his wand once more and the Isolation Sphere dissipated.
***Will’s POV***
As I motioned for the Nils, Nera, and the others to start serving our meals I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt.
I haven’t told Mom everything.
There were other factors. Real-life was more complicated than what you’d know from the lore of the game. Arte may have a wonderful childhood right now. But that’s only because I removed those factors. What I am talking about is the people who were directly involved in the attack of the Spencer Barony.
The Viscount, his homewrecker of a daughter, that spoiled brat, and some disloyal servants.
I had to make sure they were out of the picture. Naturally, with the way things were, I had to play a dirty hand.
Literally.
I did away with the servants and traitors by sending offers of employment from other higher-ranked lords. Which were faked. They were turned from the gate and essentially lost their income, becoming beggars in the streets.
There was a particular guy who played a central role in the fall of the Spencer Barony. I did away with him personally.
Then there’s the first wife Lady Vanessa and her brat Edmund.
They were too dangerous. Lady Vanessa had poisoned Ewan when he was seven in jealous spite over a necklace given to Ewan’s mother and this left the boy with ill health for the rest of his life. And that brat Edmond eventually killed another friend of Arte’s by pushing him off a cliff! And he was just ten years at that time!
I had to snip it at the bud.
I would’ve spared them had circumstances changed and that’s why I waited until five years after and made sure to time it before they did anything major before enacting my decision. But from my undercover work, it was clear to me that they were nasty people through and through even though I presented many opportunities for them to change.
So I caused that landslide that crushed them. A simple Earth Magic was enough.
As for the Viscount, he’s still seething for revenge but right now he can’t do much. I made sure of it.
From my perspective, I’ve done my background research and simply did away with criminals in the making.
I guess this is how politicians play their hand.
This is why I hate it even though it was necessary.