The air inside Eli and Mara's modest home seemed to thicken as Lord Cedric's piercing gaze locked onto Adrian's.
His heart thudded, a storm of disbelief and recognition crashing through him. 'Adrian… my Adrian?'
The boy standing before him was the same child who he had casted out from his house for being a magic-less failure, left to fade into obscurity.
Yet here he was, the blacksmith's son, the genius behind Tulia's marvels. It made sense in a way, yet it defied all reason. Cedric's mouth opened, but words failed him, his mind reeling as he grappled with the impossible truth.
Adrian, for his part, froze only briefly. He'd long anticipated this moment and was more than prepared for it.
The man before him, his birth father, was no longer the towering figure of his childhood but a noble with an agenda. Adrian's expression smoothed into calm indifference, and he dipped into a polite bow.
"Lord Cedric," he said, his voice steady and formal. "An honor to meet you, Your Grace."
The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the soft clatter of a chess piece hitting the board. Cedric, still clutching a bishop, had let it slip from his fingers.
Eli chuckled, oblivious to the undercurrent. "Aye, that's our Adrian, my lord."
Cedric rose, ensuring his eyes never left Adrian. "May I have a private word with him?" he asked in a gentle but firm.
Eli and Mara exchanged a glance, then nodded. "Of course, my lord," Mara said, her voice warm but curious. Adrian's face remained impassive, but he gave a slight nod of respect and followed Cedric outside with measured steps.
They climbed into Cedric's polished carriage, its velvet interior a stark contrast to Tulia's rustic simplicity.
Cedric raised a hand and murmured a chant:
"Silentium vela."
A faint shimmer rippled through the air, sealing the space from prying ears. Adrian wasn't sure of what he did, but he guessed it must be a spell for privacy.
"Adrian," Cedric began with a low voice low. "Were you responsible for those inventions?"
Adrian nodded once with an unreadable expression. "Yes."
Cedric's breath caught, a surge of pride and pain twisting in his chest. "That's my son," he said, the words spilling out as he leaned forward, arms opening for an embrace.
Adrian stepped back almost immediately.
"Son? I'm sorry, sir. I'm not of your Borin family. I don't know what you're talking about. I'd prefer we keep this official."
Cedric froze in shock. "Don't you remember? I'm your father, Adrian. You're a Borin, my blood. I—"
Adrian's eyes narrowed, and he pressed a hand to his forehead in exasperation. "I said I'm not interested," he cut in, his tone sharp now. "What do you want from me?"
The sudden shift in Adrian's demeanor startled Cedric, but clarity followed. This wasn't a reunion; it was business. He straightened, his noble bearing returning.
"Very well," he said as his voice steadied. "I've seen your inventions. They're all extraordinary. They could transform every town in my domain, improve lives, strengthen our economy. Better water means healthier people. Faster sewing means cheaper goods. Bicycles could connect villages, speed trade and many others. I want to bring these to every corner of my lands."
Adrian listened, his face a mask of neutrality, nodding faintly as Cedric spoke.
The duke, sensing the boy's approval, pressed on.
"So, on behalf of House Borin, I'm making a formal request to purchase your products. We'd need a large quantity — hundreds, perhaps thousands. I'm not sure how you'd manage production, but I'm willing to discuss terms."
Adrian nodded slowly, pretending to consider for a second before responding.
"Nice offer... But I won't be selling at the prices the villagers might've mentioned to you."
Cedric nodded, unsurprised. "Of course. Name your terms, your demands. I'm open to negotiation."
Adrian's lips twitched, almost a smile. "Nice offer," he repeated. "I'll think it over. You'll have my answer in a week."
Cedric's heart sank and frustration almost began to rise within him.
He wanted to press, to demand why so long, but the boy's resolute gaze stopped him. Swallowing his emotions, he forced a wry smile.
"Very well. I'll send a messenger to your home seven days from now."
"Nice," Adrian responded. "So, we're done?"
Cedric hesitated, feeling like he couldn't let it come to an end like this.
"Adrian," he said softly, "I know I've wronged you. I was… mistaken to cast you out. I'm offering you a chance to return to House Borin, to your family. You'd have resources, wealth, the best tutors, anything you need to achieve greatness. You'll meet Serena… she cries for you every day."
Adrian's expression softened at Serena's name, but only for a moment.
"Extend my greetings to her," he said with a flat voice. "As for the rest of your offers, thanks, but I'll pass. Have a great day."
Before Cedric could respond, Adrian opened the carriage door and stepped out.
The duke sat frozen, the weight of his failure settling over him like a shroud. He'd lost his son once to his own pride, and now, it seemed, he'd lost him again to time and resentment.
Adrian strode back toward the house, his mind already shifting to the future. Cedric's offer was tempting, not for the family ties, which he'd long buried, but for the resources.
A deal with House Borin could fund his next wave of inventions, secure rare materials, maybe even open doors to bigger opportunities.
But he'd make them wait, let them sweat. He'd learned long ago that power came from control, not desperation.
'They'll recognize my value even more after waiting for a while.'
Inside, Eli looked up from the chessboard with a grin. "Well, lad? What did the duke want?"
"Business," Adrian said simply, dropping into a chair. Mara set a cup of tea before him, her eyes searching, but he offered only a small smile. "Big things coming, maybe."
***
Outside, Cedric had already began his journey back to his mansion. His mind was on the village that had become Adrian's home.
The boy he'd discarded had built a legacy from nothing, and now he was the one running to him for help.
'I have to bring him back...'