Virno was alone in his room, lying down on his bed face-down. His eyes were puffy and red. After a while, he hears a knock on his door. He does his best to regain some composure before answering.
He does his best to regain some composure before answering [https://img.wattpad.com/5679a98b9233cbdcac9a77120a994c0ca1067008/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f584b764f4e62486a58644d6957673d3d2d313330323234343137312e313733393437303665386235633636633535343236303034373135302e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
Virno: Come in...
The door opens, and his father Charles comes through. He closes the door behind him, and walks over to his son's bed. He takes one quick glance at his face, then sits in one of the corners of the bed.
Charles von Virtus: Come sit beside me, Virno...
The boy crawls over to his father, sitting next to him. Charles takes a deep breath, but before he could do anything else, Virno speaks.
Virno: I didn't ask for any of this, father...
Charles didn't reply, he only listened.
Virno: Your expectations, my studies, my future wife... I don't want any of that. How is it fair, then, that I am expected to be the perfect son and perform such duties...?
Still, he said nothing.
Virno: I know what you're thinking... "Life isn't fair". Right? You're thinking that I need to "man up" and just deal with it... I think that's such bullshit, dad... Seriously. Is that really what life is about? Dealing with and worrying about things that are meaningless to you...? Isn't that so... Pointless?
Charles von Virtus: What would you rather life be about, Virno?
He thinks for a while.
Virno: I don't really know. I mean, obviously I think it should be about the things that give it meaning... For me, I guess that would be becoming the best swordfighter in the country. But it seems like that's not a goal you can get behind, so I'm sure you won't agree with it...
Charles shakes his head.
Charles von Virtus: Son, if you are truly serious about that goal neither of us will stop you. But having a goal in life does not release you of other responsibilities...
Virno: But why not?! Why should I have to spend time doing pointless, uninteresting things...?
Charles von Virtus: Because in those pointless, uninteresting things there is always some meaningful, engrossing experience. There is always an opportunity to grow. You just need to change your perspective.
Virno: Father...!
Said Virno desperately, as if he had already heard a similar discourse time and time again before.
Charles von Virtus: And no... That is not bullshit, Virno. It truly is all about perspective.
Virno: Alright... So what "meaningful, engrossing experience" is there to be found in spending time with my future wife that I don't even want to marry, for example?
Charles von Virtus: I see. I know you do not wish to marry her, and you may not have any interest in the girl, either. But you must understand that your marriage is simply a means of strengthening the bonds between our families, nothing more. If you each so desire, you may have your own lovers outside of wedlock. All we ask is that you put a ring on each other's finger and produce offspring. It is not so complicated, Virno.
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Virno: Not so complicated, of course...
He said sarcastically.
Virno: ... Yet, you did not answer my question properly.
Charles sighs.
Charles von Virtus: You can look at it as an opportunity to learn how to cooperate and bargain with a party that you are not particularly fond of. That is an essential skill to have in society...
Virno: If I'm to be a swordfighter, how is that going to be of any help...?
Charles von Virtus: Even swordfighters need to cooperate with others, son. If you want to spend your precious time fighting with the sword, do you want to be the one to scout which tournaments are taking place and where? Do you want to be the one ensuring your swords are in top condition? Are you to be the one who will haul all your equipment and other goods around as you travel from tournament to tournament? Whether you like it or not, Virno, you will need to depend on other people. Some will like you, they may even be your friend... But others will only care for your money and will stab you in the back as soon as they get the chance. It is a necessity, as a swordsman, to know how to deal with these two sorts of people, and everything in between. Of course you can be a lone wolf and try to do everything by yourself... But you'll soon find that the menial tasks you so wanted to avoid will come back to haunt you, since there will be no one else to take care of them.
Virno sighs.
Charles von Virtus: Life isn't pretty, it's true. And I'm not saying that things are just fine the way they are and that you're the problem, either. But there are some things that will be outside of your control, things that, as far as you're concerned, should either be handled differently, or not at all. Yet, you cannot change them. So at that point, you have two options: you can do as you have been, neglect to do the undesirable tasks that come your way, and in the process hurt the people around you and even yourself... Or you can try to see them as opportunities to grow, learn and better yourself. One of these will lead you to a path of shame, suffering and, eventually, loneliness. The other... Well, I'm not sure where it'll take you specifically. But wouldn't you rather find out than pick the first option...?
Virno doesn't answer. He was looking down at the ground, pensively.
Charles von Virtus: Do you remember that story I used to tell you every Sunday when you were little?
Virno: "The Warrior and the Cursed Sword". How could I forget, you practically hammered it into me...
Charles smiles.
Charles von Virtus: Have you come to understand it better?
Virno: Let me guess... I'm just like the Warrior, right?
Charles von Virtus: Yes. But in truth, we are all the Warrior. The Warrior is greed, it is the part of you that wants to have the cake and eat it, too. It's okay to be greedy. After all, you need to look after yourself and choose the paths in life that will take you to where you want to go. But if you become too greedy...
Virno: You'll lose it all in the end.
Charles von Virtus: ... Yes. Keeping our greed in check is also an essential part of our lives... And not just in society, either. If you were to find yourself alone in the woods, desperate for food, for example... Greed might lead you to hunt something larger than you can slay. It may put you in dangerous situations, far riskier than you realize. It may kill you.
Virno nods in understanding.
Virno: Yeah... I get it. I'll keep my greed in check... I just...
He pauses.
Virno: I don't know...
Charles' intuition compels him to speak, as he believes he is about to nail the hammer in the head.
Charles von Virtus: You're not the only one who will. I, too, have been far too greedy, and in more ways than you can realize...
Virno looks at his father, in anticipation.
Charles von Virtus: But not anymore. I know I haven't been the father you need, Virno. I know it's easy for me to sit here and tell you how you should act and look at things, but in reality why should you listen to me, right? After all, I fail at one of the most important things of all: being a good father.
Virno's eyes lit up. Words failed him, but his father seemed to know exactly what was on his mind.
Charles von Virtus: I know words alone aren't worth much. But things will be different, soon. I will be home far more often, and you can count on me to help you learn and grow. Everything else can wait. Raising you will be my priority, and I'll prove it to you.
He wraps his arm around Virno, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Charles von Virtus: I'll help you grow and find meaning in your life... Even if it's the last thing I do. You'll see.
Virno's face betrayed a slight smile. He did his best to hold back the tears.
Virno: Well... I guess we'll see about that, then.
Charles laughs. Virno smiles.
Charles von Virtus: You bet you will! Now, give your father a hug.
Virno hugs his father tightly. A tear streams down the boys face. The man's expression, however, showed a mix of fear and concern...