But in the end, he chose to remain silent and didn't correct Dalton.
Karl's silence secretly brought a sense of relief to Dalton.
Karl's gaze was fixed on the busy street outside the window, his eyes a bit complex.
His absence from returning to Baron's Meadow didn't mean he didn't care about the land or the man.
On the contrary, it was precisely because he didn't know how to handle it that he chose to temporarily avoid it.
How was he supposed to get along with a father who had been almost completely absent during his upbringing?
The hardships of childhood, his mother's tears, and Jack's unspoken taboos—
all of them had fostered resentment in him towards the man named Raymond El, believing he had abandoned his mother and him.
Recently, Raymond had come to the door and learned the harsh truth from his mother's tombstone and Jack.
It was his mother, Alyssa, who, not wanting to disrupt Raymond's happiness, had deliberately hidden his existence and fabricated the lie that she had found new love.
This had led to Raymond's misunderstanding and estrangement for many years.
With the whole truth revealed, the resentment lost its foundation.
However, the estrangement and unfamiliarity that had lasted for over a decade couldn't disappear overnight.
Having found him, Raymond laid everything out, trying to make amends.
This clumsy yet sincere paternal love wasn't lost on Karl.
Yet the heavy title of "father" still felt like an invisible barrier to him, making it difficult to express naturally.
"Perhaps it will take more time." Karl sighed inwardly.
Maybe one day, when the accumulated moments of connection grew thick enough, the bonds of blood and family affection would naturally break through the estrangement and awkwardness.
To be able to calmly call out to the man who had given him almost everything—that belated father.
For now, he needed some space and unfinished business in Vizima.
That included enrolling at Ban Ard Academy and officially beginning his studies in magic.
Therefore, having Dalton and Phillip return with glory and wealth could also serve as a buffer.
Having the legitimization document could also give Raymond peace of mind, allowing him to calmly announce his identity to everyone and vindicate Alyssa's name.
"I still have some matters to attend to in Vizima, and... I've become the student of a senior professor and am about to start my studies."
"You go back first and tell... tell Raymond that everything is fine, and that I will return when I have made progress in my studies."
Karl looked away and said to Dalton, his tone returning to its usual calm.
Karl deliberately omitted the name of the so-called professor and the academy throughout.
To prevent Raymond from learning that he was studying at Ban Ard Academy, which would probably make his anger flare up again.
Dalton respectfully inclined his head: "Yes, Lord Karl. Rest assured, we will deliver the goods and the message safely."
He knew in his heart that some knots needed to be slowly untied by the parties involved themselves; no one else could persuade them.
......
After Geralt accepted the commission from the Night Queen, his actions were surprisingly efficient.
Early the next morning, he found his target at the White Rose Knights' station—Patrick—in his own way.
A high-ranking officer with deep nasolabial folds and arrogant eyes, and also the brother of Blue Eyes.
Geralt directly stated his intention, hoping he would stop harassing Blue Eyes and the House of the Night.
At first, Patrick's behavior was extremely poor. He looked Geralt up and down, his eyes full of contempt and disdain for a non-human race.
He replied in a tense tone: "A mutant?"
"Hmph! The matter between me and my sister is a family affair. It's not your place, a freak like you, to interfere!"
"If you know what's good for you, get out of here, or don't blame me for being rude!" He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, the threat undeniable.
Just as the atmosphere became tense, several knights, also in White Rose heraldic plate armor, passed by.
They noticed Patrick's altercation with a strange white-haired man.
One of them looked closely at Geralt and quickly stepped forward with a surprised expression.
He whispered to Patrick: "Captain Patrick, this... if I'm not mistaken, is the Witcher who was personally rewarded by His Majesty at court yesterday."
"Together with Lord Karl El, he lifted the curse of Princess Adda."
These words exploded like thunder in Patrick's ears.
The arrogance and anger on his face instantly froze, then melted away like ice and snow, replaced by a hint of doubt and fear.
He looked at Geralt again, his heart pounding: "This half-breed freak... actually fought side-by-side with Karl?"
"The relationship between them... is it close?"
Thinking of Karl, Patrick felt a slight pain in his ribs.
In the previous martial arts tournament, he had been swatted away like a fly by Karl. The shame and the intense pain of hitting the ground were still fresh in his memory.
He absolutely, absolutely did not want to experience the feeling of being beaten by that monstrous man again.
In an instant, Patrick's attitude made a 180-degree turn.
He cleared his throat and forced a slightly strained but amiable smile.
He said to Geralt: "Uh... so it turns out you are Master Lambert. I'm sorry, I was just rude..."
"About my sister, perhaps... perhaps... we can talk about it." He let go of his hand on the sword hilt.
"Well, I can talk to the Night Queen personally, but on one condition... I need to see my sister, Shakona, there."
Geralt witnessed Patrick's dramatic change and couldn't help but feel a bit stunned.
He had initially thought the other party was being tough, believing the commission would most likely fail, maybe even cause a conflict.
But he never expected that just because others mentioned his connection with Karl,
the arrogant aristocratic officer would immediately change his face, even with a slight hint of... fear?
Geralt intuitively felt once more that Karl was now famous and influential in Vizima.
This reputation was far more useful than his Witcher medallion and silver sword.
......
Shortly after, in the candlelit drawing-room on the second floor of the House of the Night, a meeting of the four parties began.
The Night Queen still lounged lazily in the main seat, while Geralt stood to the side with a calm expression.
Blue Eyes was invited in, and as soon as she saw Patrick, her beautiful face immediately turned frosty.
Her eyes were sharp as knives, holding no warmth of a sibling reunion.
"What are you doing here? Are you still trying to drag me back and marry me off to that old man with one foot in the grave?" Shakona's voice was cold, her words merciless.
Patrick saw his sister's attitude, and the anger he had just suppressed rose again.