Julian's eyes widened in shock. Then what kind of birthday party was that?
It was a party with invited guests who came to mourn the dead Duchess rather than celebrate the birth of the child, and thus all of that.
It wasn't right.
Julian's chest tightened as he realized the true cruelty of the situation.
By leaving the celebration to the servants and the distant relatives who sent cold, obligatory letters, the Duke was effectively telling the world—and his son—that Lucius was a ghost in his own home. An heir in name, but a tragic mistake in his father's eyes.
It was cruel.
He knew the Duke must have it hard since his wife died, but why must he make the innocent child suffer?
"So he isn't even celebrated, but he's made to stand in the center and endure all the eyes on him," Julian murmured, watching the butler walk away.
Julian looked toward the East Wing, where he knew Lucius was likely sitting in a dark room, being told in his mind that his birth was a tragedy.
His heart burned for him, and even more so, it ached so bad that it felt like he was his own pain. Lucius was such a sweet and intelligent child... He did not deserve to be cast into the dark like this.
But... What could he do?
Julian checked his System, wondering if there was anything to help.
> [Survival Points: 205]
> [Current Objective: Survive the 'Day of Mourning'.]
> [Hidden Objective Detected: 'The Birthday the North Forgot'.]
He stared at the current objective and the hidden objective. An official quest did not pop up and a reward was not attached either, so he guessed all he had to do was sit it out on that day, if he wanted to survive the 'Day of mourning' but if not, he'd have to carry on with 'The birthday the North forgot'. But didn't that mean he would be jumping out of his comfort zone and into danger?
At the thought of that, he recalled his thoughts about how he would have to jump into danger if he wanted to trigger a secret quest and get bigger rewards.
He pursed his lips, the thought of his shivering body and cold sweat soaking his sheets every night made him unable to think of his own safety.
And... He wanted to help the boy.
"I'm going to need more than a quill for this," Julian whispered.
As soon as he whispered this, he triggered a quest.
> [Survival Points: 205]
> [NEW QUEST: The Unrecognized Heir]
> Objective: Provide Lord Lucius with a "Core Memory" of warmth during his birth anniversary.
> Requirement: The Duke must acknowledge the child's existence before the day ends.
> Reward: 150 SP & +15% Affection (Lucius) & +5% Affection (Duke).
> Failure: Lucius's affection resets to 0% (Status: Despair).
> Do you accept this Quest? (Y/N)
Julian felt the weight of the quest. If he failed, all the progress he had made so far would be wiped clean by the crushing weight of the boy's loneliness and despair.
And if he succeeded... He'd have helped the boy.
He closed his eyes.
"A core memory, huh?" Julian tapped his chin. "I can't force the Duke to love him. But I can somehow make it impossible for the Duke to look away."
He opened the System Shop. He needed something that would bridge the gap between the mourning father in the crypts and the lonely boy in the gala hall.
He looked at the Starmap Projector (30 SP). It was beautiful, but it was too quiet. He looked at the Scent of the South Oil (50 SP). It was powerful, but it was for the Duke, not the boy.
Then, he saw a new item that had appeared in the 'Specialized' tab.
> [Item: The Phoenix Hearthstone — 100 SP]
> Description: A stone that, when placed in a fireplace, creates a fire that burns with vibrant, multi-colored flames and emits a nostalgic scent of 'Home'.
> Effect: Irresistibly draws people toward the heat and takes their mind off their current problems.
It looked like a good item, and it would help with a good plan, but it was expensive.
Julian's brows knitted together. His plans to save up points always got delayed because of the urgency of the situation.
Now, he was going to use a hundred points... He hesitated, his hand hovering against the screen and then he tightened his resolve
"If I can't bring the Duke to the party," Julian whispered, "I'll make the center so warm he has no choice but to seek the fire."
And with that, he clicked purchase.
> [PURCHASE COMPLETE: Phoenix Hearthstone acquired.]
> [Remaining Points: 105]
He sighed and then accepted the quest, tapping on (Y). This was all he could do right now.
The day of the birth anniversary arrived in the blink of an eye. The manor was filled with a chilling sort of 'joy.' The great hall was decorated with white lilies, which were clearly flowers of mourning, and the guests were mostly minor Northern nobles who spoke in hushed tones, looking at Lucius with pitying eyes as he sat at the head of a massive, empty table.
Lucius was dressed in stiff, uncomfortable velvet.
He looked like a doll. He didn't eat, he didn't speak, he just stared at the empty chair at the other end of the table—the Duke's chair, ever so cold and empty.
One would think the child had already given up hope, but there were embers in his eyes. There was a little bit of expectation that maybe this year would be different.
But with each passing hour as the young boy sat there, there was no sign of the Duke.
Julian stood in the shadows, watching the boy with a heavy heart, and his affection level began to flicker.
> [Target: Young Lord Lucius — Status: Fragile (Affection dropping...)]
The child was even more lonely than anyone else and wished for someone, even if it was his teacher... He wanted someone to come to him, but no one came.
No one was by his side and he gradually began to despair.