The next day…
Marcus headed over to the countryside, outside of the capital city and its surrounding neighborhoods as well.
Driving an SUV, he glanced towards the mountain range in the far distance. The imposing rock giants that covered the western edge of Novopangea watched him with a non-existent gaze. Passing by farmland filled with seasonal crops, he could only admire such a sight. He saw robots ploughing the fields, collecting the crops and farmers checking they were doing their job.
Manual labor had indeed become a thing of the distant past.
Driving on the pavement that stretched for miles, he passed very few houses which were situated along the road. Houses of the farmers and their families who had chosen to live such a simple life which of course, included the former patriarch as well.
Minutes later, he parked near a certain house. Stepping out of the car, he slammed the door shut behind him and locked the vehicle with the key in his hand. He passed the house with slow strides and approached the farmland. There, he saw a tall man with aging hair standing in front of the fields. He stood leisurely, wearing a grey t-shirt and green cargo pants and sandals.
Marcus halted near the fellow, opened his mouth.
"Greetings, Sir Alaric."
The man flinched and quickly looked back to see Marcus standing idly.
"Oh! Marcus, what are you doing here? Come on, let's go inside. Let me treat you to some tea."
Alaric spoke in an excited voice.
"No need. I've come to inform you of an important matter." Marcus relented.
"Come on." Alaric rolled his eyes, heading into his home.
The Head servant entered the house alongside Missio's father. He sat down in the living room, which felt modest compared to the Augustus manor. He waited patiently for Alaric who was preparing something in the kitchen.
After a few minutes, Alaric brought over two cups of tea alongside an opened packet of biscuits.
"So...You said you need to tell me something?"
He placed them on the table and sat down across Marcus, the sofa creaking under his weight.
"Didn't I tell you not to bring tea?"
"Just take it, will you? You're a guest in my home. I have to treat you!"
"...Fine." Marcus chuckled and gripped the cup's handle.
Alaric also picked up his tea and drank it alongside Marcus. The two exhaled in unison. Marcus set his cup down and drew a deep breath, locking eyes with Missio's father.
"About the important matter..."
"Yeah? What about it? I see no matter involving me other than my children."
"Exactly, it's about your son."
Alaric sipped his tea once more and asked in puzzlement.
"Dante? What about him? I thought he was doing quite good? Though, I heard the REOC and AEOC are having a little quarrel."
Marcus shook his head, correcting him.
"It's Missio."
Suddenly, Alaric stopped and so did the room.
Putting his cup down, he looked at Marcus with a serious face, the Head servant's face reflecting in his dark eyes.
"What about him? I suppose it's something good... I supposed…"
Marcus didn't speak immediately, the tip of his tongue holding the devastating news of Missio.
After contemplating for several seconds, he gazed into the former patriarch's eyes once more before making his decision.
"Please do forgive me for being direct, Mr. Alaric. I know you can handle this well enough now that time has passed but…"
Alaric did not interrupt Marcus, staring at him with his dark eyes.
A chill ran down the butler's spine, feeling the immense pressure of his gaze. After a few moments, Marcus locked eyes with Alaric and said in an even tone.
"He was given orders by the prime minister to capture a drug lord who was in coalition with the recently arrested politician – Dick Quartel and during their fight..."
He took a sharp breath and then, said in a restricted voice.
"He relived his trauma."
As those words fell, the room froze – the air began to vibrate – the clock ticked louder than ever. The cup cracked in Alaric's grip and shards fell as an aura blasted outward, rattling the windows.
After a few moments, everything returned to normal. Marcus lifted his head in a daze. Blood dripped from Alaric's palm and as he opened it, the shards of the destroyed tea cup fell onto the wooden table.
He stood up and walked over to the kitchen. Unlocking the first aid kit on the counter, he wrapped his hand with gauze. He spun around and returned to the living room. Halting before Marcus, he met his gaze and said in a solemn tone.
"Let's go."
***
After an hour, Marcus parked the car in the Augustus manor's front yard.
He and Alaric exited the SUV at the same time, shutting the door behind them.
Alaric strode to the entrance as Marcus locked the vehicle. Pushing the door open, the former patriarch stepped inside with Marcus trailing right behind him.
In his vision, he saw Victor and Lilla conversing.
Alaric's hard expression softened as he saw them.
"Lilla, Victor." He called out.
Both froze in place as their names were called out, turning their heads towards Alaric. The former patriarch walked over and greeted the two with a somber smile.
"Have you been well?"
Lilla smiled softly and replied.
"Yes, we've been well. Have you been too?"
"Yes…well, until today."
She remained silent, quietly nodding as Alaric spoke, his voice a mix of worry and fury.
"I heard what happened to my son and I... I'm truly distraught. I must thank you all for taking care of him."
Lilla shook her head.
"It is our duty to serve the Royal family. It's nothing to thank us for."
"Please." Alaric scoffed.
Sighing, he turned his attention towards Victor. A soft smile appearing on his face as he called out to his son's therapist.
"Victor, have you checked on Missio?"
Victor adjusted his glasses.
"Yes… yes, I have."
"Then? How is he?"
Victor sighed, shaking his head. He raised his hand, locking eyes with Missio's father.
"His mental state has regressed a lot, maybe back to the beginning…" Victor stated. "The good news is though, he can recover faster than before."
"… Is that a guess?"
Victor nodded and answered Alaric.
"Only a guess."