LIGHTNOVELONLINE III. What Lurks Beneath
Charles and Anya take a seat in one of the mansion's gardens.
A beautiful, vibrant view surrounded them, with a clear blue sky and many colorful strains of flowers. Charles lights up a cigar.
Anya von Virtus: He's at that age, Charles... You know how it is...
Charles puffs on his cigar. He breathes out a cloud of smoke.
Charles von Virtus: He's been at that age every year since he was 13, Anya... How much longer are you going to use the same old excuse?
She doesn't answer.
Charles von Virtus: What that boy needs is discipline. Discipline which, apparently, you were unable to instil into him.
Anya von Virtus: Me...? Charles, how can you say that! You are barely home at all... Raising a child all by myself is an impossible task.
He laughs.
Charles von Virtus: By yourself...? You jest, surely. What about all the maids and butlers, Anya? What about his teachers and instructors? Are they of no help in raising him?
Anya von Virtus: It is not the same... He needs his father. You know this, Charles. No amount of money or helpers will fill in the hole that you left.
Charles von Virtus: Don't be so dramatic, Anya.
Anya von Virtus: It is the truth!
Charles von Virtus: The truth is that you're too soft. How can the boy have responsibilities when all he ever sees his mom doing is reading and painting? And yet you blame him for only caring about swordfighting... Please, Anya.
He puffs on his cigar some more.
Anya von Virtus: That is not fair...
Charles von Virtus: The unfairness lies in raising a child based on your delusional principles, my dear... There's more to life than simply indulging in one's hobbies.
Anya was losing her temper.
Anya von Virtus: Stop talking as if you know everything! Don't you think I'm aware of that?! I'm still the one running this house!
Charles von Virtus: If you know that, how come you keep allowing the boy to practice?
Anya von Virtus: Because I would never rob him of his passion, Charles! Never... I know what that does to a person. My own husband does nothing but work...! No time for his family, no time for his friends, no time for what he used to enjoy doing... You have amassed a fortune yes, but at what cost?
Charles was getting irritated.
Charles von Virtus: Watch your mouth, Anya. If it weren't for me this family would not live in luxury. Do you think the sacrifices I make are easy for me? They are not. But I could never forgive myself if the family fell into ruin...
Anya puts her hand on his shoulder.
Anya von Virtus: But why...? Why would you even think that? We won't collapse just because you work a little less... So what if we can't afford 50 maids and butlers? Half of that will do just fine... Just please, Charles... You need to be home more. Your son needs you... I need you...
Charles von Virtus: Don't speak of what you don't know, woman.
He shakes her hand off.
Charles von Virtus: Duty reigns above all else. Without it, everything you build crumbles into nothingness. This is the principle the boy needs to follow if he is to live a good life. Do you understand?
Anya gets up from her chair.
Anya von Virtus: Then tell him that yourself!
She begins walking away.
Charles von Virtus: Anya! Before you go...
She stops.
Charles von Virtus: ... Are you happy?
Anya turns around, furious.
Anya von Virtus: ... How can you ask that?!
Charles von Virtus: Your morals sit entirely on the pursuit of happiness, do they not? Is that not the purpose of devoting so much time to your "passions", to the things you love? Well... The life I allow you to have gives you plenty of time for such things. So, tell me... Are you happy?
She turns around.
Anya von Virtus: You know damn well I'm not happy! And you know that it has nothing to do with the things I do around here...
Charles von Virtus: Quite the contrary, dear. You claim that you still have duties, and that is true. You tend to the house, you keep the maids and the butlers in check... But it is not real duty. Your duties are an afterthought. Real duty is overpowering. Real duty is not a jumble of side activities one does simply because they must... It is what drives everything else in life. It is what gives meaning to everything else, and without it, there is no hope of having a healthy mind, let alone a mind capable of experiencing happiness.
He stands up.
Charles von Virtus: Because our son grew up with your values, he now lives a carefree, hollow life. He toys with girls' hearts, he does not care for his studies or the family's future... All he cares about is fulfilling his base desires. And that, my dear, is a direct consequence of your teachings. Am I to blame for this, too? Of course, undeniably... Had I been more present, then I would ensure he would not be led astray by you. But if you were a good enough parent, you would have been able to single-handedly avoid turning our son into the mess he's become...
Anya von Virtus: SHUT UP!
She made no effort to hold back anymore.
Anya von Virtus: I'M TIRED OF THIS! This isn't how our life was supposed to be, Charles! Look at what we've become! I never even wanted a child... I did it because of you. We were supposed to do this together... You promised me we would! But then you abandoned me, you abandoned your son, and for what? To chase this "duty" you speak of?! What greater duty could there be than raising your own son, Charles?! Is the pursuit of riches more important than your own flesh and blood...? I would sell this mansion and half our maids and butlers if that meant that you could be more present...
He clenched his hands into fists.
Charles von Virtus: You don't understand, Anya...
Her eyes started tearing up slightly.
Anya von Virtus: You're right. Completely. I don't understand, it is true. I can't possibly. But I'll tell you this, Charles: I'm done. I'm done trying. I'm done being the one who does all the work in raising our boy, I'm done being the one who keeps everyone in check around here. If you get to do as you please, then so do I. The boy can fuck all the maids in the world and set fire to the damn house for all I care.
Charles von Virtus: Anya, surely you don't mean that...!
She wipes her eyes before tears start streaming down.
Anya von Virtus: Do you doubt me...? Then sit back and watch. If you think I've been doing a bad job, you haven't seen anything yet...
She turns around and prepares to leave...
Charles von Virtus: Wait! I'll... I'll do it. I'll be more present... I promise you. Just give me some time, please. There are some matters I must take care of.
Anya von Virtus: You have a single week. If after that, you don't start spending more time with your son... You can sit and watch as your mansion becomes an absolute jungle.
Charles von Virtus: I will only need a couple of days. You have my word.
Anya von Virtus: Your word is not worth as much as it once was, Charles...
She leaves him. Charles sits back down, and finishes smoking his cigar.
Charles von Virtus: ... You fucked up, Charles. There's no running away anymore now...