Seduce the hero's mother (GL)

Chapter 172: Chapter 23. The Young Master

— God, the poor child… Why did he have to go through such an ordeal?

The funeral ceremony for the previous Archduke had just ended. The guests slowly began to disperse — but some remained unable to watch the heartbreaking scene.

William's only son and heir could not say goodbye to him. At the altar, the boy wept on his knees before the coffin, unwilling to leave and let go of his father's hand.

— Daddy!» he sobbed, «Please don't leave me…!

He was truly pitied. At the age of thirteen, Henry Ashford was left a total orphan.

Just two days after the shocking news of the Archduke's death — came other bad news. The archduchess had gone on a journey with her lover — but their carriage had been involved in an accident. No one in that accident survived.

Trouble came to the Ashford family one after another. And despite everyone's contempt for that unfortunate family — people couldn't have been that cruel. It was not the child's fault for the immoral behavior of his parents.

The noble ladies who came to the funeral whispered excitedly.

— To think…! His father was an alcoholic and his mother had run away from home. This child is so unlucky… But he loves them anyway.

— You can't choose your parents,» another man affirmed, «This boy is just a victim of circumstances.

Agreed nods.

— Incredibly, both tragedies happened almost simultaneously. The Archduke was attacked by assassins, and the Archduchess' carriage fell into a ravine… How will the young head survive all this?

— We cannot stand by,» said a nobleman from the crowd, «Since this has happened, we must support the young Archduke!

All those present eagerly agreed.

Whether it was hypocrisy or real sympathy, at any rate the tragedy that had occurred had completely cleared the reputation of the Ashford family. People were ready to support the poor boy in every way they could.

Henry Ashford himself wept unceasingly at his father's body for hours. It was only when the servants persuaded him to return that he finally stood up.

As the boy left the temple on cotton legs, the aristocrats turned to follow him:

— Your Grace, just tell us if you need our help!

— The Blackpool family is ready to support you!

— The Ridley family too! Your Grace, you must not face the trouble alone.

Henry smiled faintly at them all.

— Thank you for your kindness, gentlemen… I will certainly think about it.

As the boy walked out of the temple — a cold wind hit him in the face. The carriage stood waiting for him, but Henry decided to linger. A casual smirk slipped across his face.

The title transfer ceremony wouldn't take place until tomorrow, yet people were already addressing him as the new head… Are they all so eager to get their hands on his power?

Perhaps some of these aristocrats did treat him sincerely. But Henry remained more than certain: most offers of help were just a pretext.

Nothing would be easier than to deceive a thirteen-year-old child. Contrary to the thoughtless spending of the previous Archduke — the Ashford family was still a very tidbit. Who had not only money but also land.

Of course, many would try to take advantage of the situation to get what was theirs. At the moment, every noble aristocrat wanted to take the young head under «his wing».

However…

None of them even guessed that the one who was truly going to take advantage of them was Henry himself. To restore the former glory of the archdukedom the boy was ready not only to go over other people's heads, but also to many other things…

In any case, after leaving the temple — Henry continued to pretend to feel bad. No one should guess the truth before the time. That in reality he had killed his father himself and ordered his mother to a hit man…

The servant from the manor turned to him uncertainly:

— Sir, we should go back… The ceremony is to be held tomorrow. You must have time to prepare.

— It's all right,» the boy sighed, «I need to take a walk.

— But…!

— My father has just died…» Henry insisted, «May I have a little privacy?

The servant stammered and then fell silent.

— I–I mean…

Like he'd said earlier, Henry was going for a stroll in the park near the temple. But not to mourn his father. It was to calm his irritation.

These aristocrats had been coming up to him all morning — and sometimes not even shy about asking about the current state of affairs in the archdukedom. The boy replied with a polite smile that he would take care of everything himself.

However, all this had rather annoyed Henry. Now he needed to blow off some steam.

The boy walked on both sides of the path surrounded by trees. Fallen yellow leaves filled his surroundings. Autumn was in full swing.

Henry was just walking along, thinking about nothing else. Until suddenly he heard leaves crunching under his boots nearby. Someone was approaching.

He looked up and saw a boy his own age in front of him.

Black hair and scarlet eyes. Pale skin like a dead man. He was dressed in a black suit, and generally gave a grim impression. The previously cold expression on the young man's face wavered when he saw Ashford.

— Henry,» Raymond Cassius wondered, «what are you doing here?

The boy looked away.

— And you?

— My parents sent me to attend the Archduke's funeral. Is that why you're here?

— Yes.

In all the time they had known each other, Henry had only told him his name honestly. Whereas he hid his family and his origins. But in spite of that — from the first meeting he knew what family Raymond himself came from.

It so happened — that their chance meeting grew into a communication of six years. Raymond Cassius called Henry his friend. Whereas he himself…

— I have to go.

Henry was about to walk past him, but Raymond held his hand.

— Wait,» he said, «I haven't seen much of you this month. Why don't we go for a walk?

— Not at all,» Ashford interrupted him coldly.

Raymond stared in surprise.

— Why not? Are you busy?

There was a short silence.

— I… I don't want to be friends with you anymore,» Henry admitted.

Raymond's gaze twitched. He couldn't understand what was going on.

— What do you mean? — He immediately asked again.

— From now on everyone must go their own way,» Henry explained impatiently, turning away from him.

Raymond Cassius was dumbfounded. He really could not understand the reason for this sudden decision. After all, in those six years together they had been through a lot.

As children, they had often run away from home and walked everywhere. Raymond had always supported Henry because of the unfavorable situation in his family — while the boy was the only one who didn't look at the Cassius heir with fear and contempt.

Raymond hoped that they would be friends and supportive of each other for many years. And so the sudden cold stare of his best friend made him freeze.

— Why…? — Asked only one question.

«Because you're a monster.» — the words threatened to roll off his tongue. But Henry held himself back for fear of him.

In fact, until recently, he himself had not sought to break off this relationship. Because they were useful. After all: when his father is on another binge, there must be somewhere to spend time, right?

But all this remained relevant only until Henry learned the truth. Now he looked at Raymond Cassius with different eyes, too.

Henry no longer wanted anything to do with him.

— Because we were too different.

The boy snatched his hand away and walked forward. With one last throw: «Don't ever bother me again.»

Raymond remained standing in the middle of the road in the same stupor. Why? Why had this happened?

And only Henry Ashford knew the answer.

The first thing he had to do was to make connections with the Ileas family.