"I missed you so much! Little Joe... where are you? ...son!"

  The capital was alive with the usual buzz of activity, its streets filled with energy. A carriage rolled smoothly from the bustling market towards a grand mansion nestled within the noble district.

  Inside the carriage sat a woman in her fifties, her short hair elegantly styled with a touch of silver threading through. Her eyes, a vivid shade of orange, held a quiet contentment. She wore a light coat over a flowing red dress, golden rings on each finger, and shoes that gleamed with refinement. As she gazed out the window at the lively market scene, a gentle smile crossed her face.

  Sitting beside her, her maid—a beautiful woman, perhaps a few years older—smiled. "Today was delightful. I truly enjoyed it."

  The noblewoman returned her smile warmly. "I'm glad to hear that, and we've gathered everything we needed. Your husband will be pleased, Agatha."

  Agatha returned her smile, hugging a box close. "And what did you get for Jeffrey?"

  Evangeline’s expression softened. "A book of tales. I know he’ll love it."

  Suddenly, Agatha’s face shifted as a thought struck her. "Oh! Speaking, where’s Jogo? He disappeared months ago without a word! Where could that young man have gone?"

  Evangeline sighed, raising her hands in resignation. "He wouldn’t tell me anything, and Jeffrey is just as clueless. I only hope he’s safe."

  Agatha waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, don’t worry—he’s probably off chasing after some girl who’s caught his eye."

  The noblewoman laughed softly. "I was starting to worry he might be in trouble, not off on something like that!"

  Agatha chuckled, unwrapping a small candy before offering one to Evangeline. "Nooo, no. Your boy is at the top of his class, skilled in both magic and swordsmanship. He’s even earned the knights’ respect—not easy for a noble youth. He’s got connections with all sorts of wizards. I even saw him chatting with a devil once! There’s no way that kid’s in trouble."

  Evangeline nodded, her expression shifting to a blend of curiosity and concern. "Have you heard anything about Joe?"

  Agatha lowered her head, her tone defeated. "People are saying all sorts of things. Some call him a criminal, others say he fought ghouls, some claim he ran away, and there are even rumours that he’s involved with the thieves' guild."

  Evangeline’s gaze softened, and she murmured, almost to herself, "I promised his mother, Beatrice, that I would look after him, you know? At her grave, I gave her my word. But things haven't gone as planned... I just hope he's safe."

  Agatha looked away, visibly irritated, and muttered, "I hope he’s safe too, but I haven’t forgiven him for what he did."

  Evangeline offered a sad smile, her eyes distant. "I’ve never felt there was anything to forgive. I love him deeply, more than anything."

  Agatha sighed, her tone questioning. "Why? Just because he was an orphan? Because he lost his mother? That doesn’t justify his actions."

  Evangeline’s expression grew firm. "I love him because he was my first child, because he lost a kind mother at such a young age. Before that dark day and everything that followed, he respected me, was kind to me, loved me, and took on responsibilities like the man of the house whenever Jeffrey was away. I make excuses for him like any mother who loves her child would."

  Agatha opened her mouth to respond, but when her eyes met Evangeline's, she saw the unwavering resolve of a mother who would defend her child at any cost.

  She sighed deeply before muttering, "My children are better."

  Evangeline chuckled, easing the tension with a light smile. "You raised men and women, not just kids—I’ve never even seen them argue!"

  "Because I disciplined them," Agatha replied proudly. "They never disobeyed, and they’re following Jogo in the knights' school. My daughter is already on her way to becoming a witch. Give it two more years, and you’ll see her flying across the sky on a broom."

  Evangeline smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling. "Just mentioning your children is enough to keep you talking for days."

  Agatha nodded at Evangeline, her gaze turning thoughtful and emotional. "I was born into a poor family, Evangeline. You know how little we had. When I became your maid, it was to support my family. I know what it feels like to be in need, and I don’t want my children to go through that. That’s why I push them so hard."

  Evangeline nodded with understanding, gently adding, "Just don’t forget to show them your love along the way."

  Lifting the box in her hands, Agatha chuckled, "Then why did we spend the whole day at the market? To show our love for our families."

  Evangeline nodded, and the two continued their conversation, discussing the gifts they’d chosen for their loved ones.

  After Jeffrey and Evangeline's marriage, life took on a new shape. The name Gostave carried weight, certain expectations, and a social image they had to uphold.

  Joe had left his delivery job and enrolled in a prestigious school, drawing attention as the child of a common family elevated into nobility by marriage. He and Jeffrey were quietly marked as outsiders in noble circles—honest, straightforward men in a world where every smile, compliment, and gesture was a crafted performance.

  Despite Jeffrey’s renown as a “War Hero,” it held little value to the nobles. Whether out of jealousy, pride, or pure stubbornness, they refused to embrace him as one of their own, viewing his untrained son as an unwanted outsider—a stray dog in their refined world, sparking contempt without a word spoken.

  Three years later, Jeffrey waited in Eldoria City for Evangeline, who was planning to join him so they could finally start their life together as husband and wife. But she was late.

  A knight approached on horseback, halting in front of Jeffrey and bowing respectfully. "Sir, she’ll arrive in about half a day. I apologize if this timing is inconvenient."

  Jeffrey shook his head with a reassuring smile. "Not at all. Go and let her know she can come whenever she wishes. I’ll be here at the mansion as always."

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  The knight nodded and was about to turn away when Jeffrey called him back. "By the way, where is she? I forgot to ask."

  With a nod, the knight replied, "She’s in Goven Village, sir!"

  Jeffrey looked at the knight with a hint of confusion. "Why there?" he asked.

  In Goven Village, new merchants were opening shops, and walls were being expanded to accommodate the town’s growth, transforming it into a lively hub. Under Jeffrey’s guidance, using his influence and authority, the entire region flourished. Goven Village, along with several other villages and five cities, experienced rapid economic expansion and prosperity, all thanks to Jeffrey’s tireless efforts. His leadership was widely respected, and the people were grateful for the positive changes he had brought.

  At the village graveyard, now enclosed by new walls, Evangeline placed a bouquet of red flowers on Beatrice's grave. With a gentle smile, she murmured softly, "I will soon be Jeffrey’s wife, and I promise to take care of him. Rest peacefully, Beatrice and Basil. I will be a supportive and caring wife and mother."

  Evangeline rose, with her maid standing quietly behind her. Both bowed respectfully to the two graves. Evangeline’s voice softened as she added, "I will not replace you, my dear. Instead, I’ll find my own place in their hearts and hope it becomes as cherished as yours. Requiescat in pace, sister Beatrice, father Basil."

  Meanwhile, in Eldoria City, Urien strode into Jeffrey’s office, gripping Joe firmly by the arm.

  Jeffrey paused his work, his gaze heavy with disappointment. "Joe, what have you done, son?"

  Joe turned his head away, a fresh bruise darkening his eye from Urien’s earlier blow. Urien shoved him forward, his voice sharp. "Answer him!"

  Seething, Joe finally spoke. "They... they disrespected us. They burned my magic scroll and treated me like dirt. So I punched one of them."

  Jeffrey’s gaze grew sterner, but before he could speak, Joe glared at Urien and added bitterly, "And this ‘hero’ here punched me! Are you blind!?"

  Urien’s eye flashed with anger as he snapped, "Joe! You struck a foreign noble! An elf noble, no less, and punched him in the face!"

  Joe shot back defiantly, "He destroyed my expensive scrolls! My father paid for them! And you didn’t even stand by my side! Damn you, Urien!"

  Urien’s patience broke. He shoved Joe hard, sending him stumbling to the ground, his voice a furious growl. "An average kid like you would be beheaded for this! I saved your damn life! And you dare talk back to me?"

  Joe rose to his feet, glaring at Urien, while Jeffrey intervened, his voice commanding, "Urien! Leave!"

  With a scornful glance in Jeffrey's direction, Urien stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Jeffrey then sat down beside Joe on the floor, motioning gently. "Come, sit down, son."

  Joe hesitated before sitting, and Jeffrey began, his tone calm. "You know, just yesterday, a nobleman from Greg disrespected me during a meeting with the king. I was proposing a tax reduction to encourage more businesses, and the king seemed interested. But then this nobleman cut in, jokingly asking, 'Jeffrey, what are you talking about?' He got everyone laughing and completely derailed my point."

  Joe looked up at his father, intrigued. "And what did you do?"

  Jeffrey chuckled slightly. "I laughed along with them and then finished my explanation. But in the end, King Rolando dismissed it, saying the kingdom needs money more than anything else right now."

  Joe shook his head, frustration flashing across his face. "But it’s different for me, Father. They never left me alone. Those three years at the school were hell. Even the teachers disrespected me—they didn’t care about grading my exams. My bad grades aren’t a reflection of my effort; they just didn’t bother."

  Jeffrey nodded solemnly, saying, "I understand. As a newly noble family, our influence is limited, especially since the teachers outrank me in status. But, with luck, Urien’s intervention might have actually helped ease the situation. Let’s hope this doesn’t escalate into something bigger."

  Joe looked away, sighing. "There’s no point in staying at that school. I can’t endure this treatment any longer. Even if I stay patient, they can still fail me just by refusing to grade my exams."

  Jeffrey gave a thoughtful smile. "I was thinking along the same lines. Would you like to start helping me instead?"

  Joe's face brightened as he looked back at his father. "Yes, I would love to."

  Jeffrey stood, his smile encouraging. "Then go take care of that eye and apologize to Urien. He cares about you, son, so don’t hold any grudge toward him."

  Joe still felt resentment toward Urien, but he gave a brief nod in acknowledgement. As he turned to leave, Jeffrey called out, “Son?”

  Joe paused, turning back. “Yes?”

  “I heard you’ve been spending time at the adventurers' guild. Has something caught your interest?” Jeffrey asked.

  Joe shook his head. “No, it’s just research. I prefer to handle it alone.”

  Jeffrey offered a warm smile. “Of course. If you need anything, I’m here for you.”

  *What hurt me that day… I never apologized to Urien. I hated him, yet he truly loved me as a son. That was the beginning… the start of my worst years as Joe, son of Jeffrey Gostave—a true asshole of nobility.*

  Afterwards, Joe became a merchant at a young age, mastering essential skills and beginning to travel with a guard throughout the Gostave region. With Bot and Jeffrey’s support, he built a reputation, gaining knowledge, wealth, and influential allies along the way.

  A year later, as usual, Joe visited the adventurers' guild, his face showing the weariness of someone well-acquainted with rejection. He made his way to the guild master’s office and knocked.

  Once inside, he proposed a partnership with the guild. After a lengthy discussion, Mo smiled. “For someone your age, you’ve got a sharp tongue. I accept. Though, I can’t convince you to expand the terms, can I?”

  Joe responded with a polished smile. “The terms are carefully crafted to benefit both my house and your guild equally. Any adjustments might risk that balance, and I trust you see the importance, Sir Mo.”

  Mo returned the smile and requested, “Then, please bring the contract for signing, Joe Gostave.”

  From that moment, Joe began establishing his reputation. Some continued to doubt him, but his progress was slow and steady, and gradually, people started to recognize his name.

  After signing the deal, Joe continued, “I’m also here about another matter, as mentioned in my letter.”

  Mo nodded knowingly. “The bandit leader, Dan—that’s the hard part, son. We’ve lost all trace of him since the attack on your village.”

  Joe kept his expression composed. Mo wasn’t the only guild master who’d come up empty on information about Dan. Joe had visited countless guilds, sent letters, and even hired adventurers to search for any trace—but nothing had come of it.

  Mo observed him carefully and remarked, “Perhaps it’s time to consider letting go?”

  Joe met his gaze, a distant look in his eyes. “No… no, I can’t. I need to find him to find closure. He killed my mother, a good friend… and so many others. I have to find him.”

  Mo nodded, understanding the weight behind Joe’s words. “I’ll extend my search efforts, but I’m afraid he might never be found. He vanished without a trace. I suspect he has powerful allies helping him, especially since members of the noble families Zafa and Zok were involved in the attack.”

  Joe nodded thoughtfully, then said firmly, “I’ll take my leave now. If there’s any news, send it directly to me—not to the Gostave house. This is my burden to carry.”

  As Joe turned to leave, Mo asked, “Why not involve your father? Doesn’t he want revenge too?”

  Joe paused, then shook his head slightly. “No. My father just wants people to be happy, to feed the hungry and give shelter to the homeless. I don’t think revenge is something he carries with him anymore.”

  Mo nodded as Joe left the office and headed toward his waiting carriage, where his guard awaited him.

  During the journey, Joe found himself reflecting on Mo’s words, and memories of his father, Jeffrey, surfaced. Whenever Joe’s work brought him near Eldoria city, he would visit his father late at night.

  During these visits, he often found Jeffrey asleep at his desk, wrapped in a coat. Evangeline would be there, gently stroking Jeffrey’s hair as she kept watch over him.

  Evangeline always allowed Jeffrey to sleep a bit before softly waking him and guiding him to bed, knowing that sleeping at his desk would leave him with a sore neck.

  She would then look at Joe with a warm smile and say, “Joe, you’re back. Jeffrey’s asleep, so wait for me. Everyone else is resting, and it wouldn’t be polite to wake them. I’ll make you a light dinner, son.”

  After settling Jeffrey in bed, Evangeline would cook for Joe, who sat at the table with a tired, pensive expression.

  Evangeline served him a hearty meal and smiled. “I hope it’s to your taste.”

  Joe chuckled lightly, saying, “You said it’d be a light dinner.”

  Sitting down beside him, Evangeline smiled and said, “Then I’ll join you.”

  As he started eating, Evangeline sighed softly. “Joe?”

  He looked up, waiting. She gently rubbed his head and smiled warmly, whispering, “I missed you so much, little Joe… Where did you go… son?”