TFA2 1.3 - A Stepson

Count Terrek's Bedroom, Castle Walluo.

20:45, 26 Sept 2025

Count Terrek was in the middle of a war game when he received a message that Lady Yuuri had returned. Without delay, he returned to Castle Walluo, and after cleaning his body and changing his clothes he immediately rushed to his room.

When he saw Lady Yuuri was leaning on the head of the bed while reading a document, a smile instantly bloomed on Count Terrek's lips.

It was no secret that Lady Yuuri was an expert in manipulating someone and she also never trusts anyone. Therefore, when she married a young nobleman from a rural region and even helped him rise from Viscount to a Count, many people concluded that the husband she chose was only a pawn. Moreover, a few months after the marriage, Lady Yuuri gradually moved the liquid assets of Merry Gold Union to Kandez Region. She even turned the region into the biggest food producer in Kingdom of Makai.

But actually, Lady Yuuri was truly in love with Count Terrek and she had never treated him like a puppet. Lady Yuuri asked only one thing. Count Terrek must not have concubines or intimate relationship with other women.

Unfortunately, Count Terrek had violated Lady Yuuri's term once. And even though Lady Yuuri didn't divorce him after his fatal mistake, bitter guilt still plagued his heart to this moment.

As he approached the bed, Count Terrek gently said, "Dear, you had come back."

"Yeah." Lady Yuuri smiled at Count Terrek and then asked him to sit next to her. "Can you give me your assessment on Amethyst Merchant's military capacity?"

Count Terrek calmly replied, "We should not start a conflict with them. Whatever disguise they put in front, an organization that beat Northern Coalition on a matter of days is not a light opponent."

"Then, what if Kandez Region had to choose between Kingdom of Makai and Amethyst Merchant?"

Count Terrek deeply sighed before answering, "It's a difficult choice. I need to know the background of the situation before I can weigh the pro and cons for every possibility."

Lady Yuuri slightly nodded before continuing in a whisper, "King Makai XXII had decided to launch a retaliatory invasion on Kingdom of Buriek, so there is a high probability that an open conflict against Amethyst Merchant will occur."

"Is it the warhawk in Makai Royal Hall who proposed it?"

"Yeah, their main idea is to make the retaliatory invasion as a competition for the three princes who are fighting for the throne."

"I see."

"Well, let's continue this talk tomorrow."

Lady Yuuri then took off her bed robe and exposed her slender body, which had perfect curves and mounds in the most appropriate place. There was no sign that she had given birth to two children in the slightest.

Without delay, Count Terrek also took off his clothes and immediately took a position above Lady Yuuri, who opened both her legs widely. Then, Count Terrek started to move his waist and short long gasps were immediately heard alternately.

---

Pavel Terrek's Study, Castle Walluo.

08:20, 27 Sept 2025

While in a light mood Pavel sat in his desk, studying the intelligence regarding Amethyst Merchant’s latest activities.

Pavel's room was a bit spacious but very minimalist. Apart from a mini-fridge and the stationary that his servant bought from Amethyst Merchant, the other furniture was old, ordinary, and made of wood. Also, there were some kid toys in a very good condition in one of the corners.

However, even if his room was very humble, anyone who knew Pavel Terrek would never underestimate him, the youngest viscount in the history of Kingdom of Makai.

Pavel Terrek was Count Terrek's second son, or more precisely he was the result of his carelessness. When he was heavily affected by alcohol, Count Terrek dragged a young maid onto his bed. However, even though the noble bloodline in his vein was not pure, it did not reduce Pavel’s capability and capacity as an excellent leader.

At the age of sixteen, Pavel graduated from Makai Royal Academy by holding the title of Maester in politics, military, and general trading. It was an achievement that only ever won by the founder of Makai Royal Academy. As a form of admiration, King Makai XXII gave Pavel the title of Viscount along with Horak Region.

The size of Horak Region was indeed only slightly above average. However, it was fiercely contested by many noble families because the second-largest copper mine in Kingdom of Makai was located in this Region.

Not long after that, three princes who were fighting for the throne tried to pull Pavel to their camp. Considering that the fight for the throne did not only require strong military support but also large funds, but Pavel refused the invitation. He firmly stated that he would dedicate his life to help his step-grandfather, Duke Arasmus, in defending the northern border from Kingdom of Horrep's harassment.

The speculation that Duke Arasmus would pass on the title of Northern Guardian to Pavel immediately appeared. And to this day, Arasmus Family never confirmed or denied the speculation.

Also, even though he lost his mother a few days after he was born, who was killed at the command of Terrek Family's Elder, and his relationship with his father was as cold as ice, Pavel never bore any hatred to Walluo City or Kandez Region. Therefore, as soon as he heard about Tuscan Region's victory over Northern Coalition, Pavel immediately returned to Castle Walluo and observing Amethyst Merchant's movement very carefully.

When Amethyst Merchant wanted to buy agricultural commodities from Kandez Region, Pavel sent some of his men to participate in the negotiations. And when some farmer families disturbed the trades because they wanted to be appointed as representatives, he intervened so that the trades with Amethyst Merchants could continue smoothly.

Then, when Osvik disturbed Dourk Tavern, Pavel almost had a heart attack. Considering that Oldman Dourk was quite close to Ser Slane the leader of Amethyst Merchant and based on the info he managed to collect, Amethyst Merchant could easily flatten Walluo City to the ground. Fortunately, Osvik's action did not end with a tragedy somehow.

After making a few small notes, Pavel then got up and cheerfully walked towards a blue 54-liter mini-fridge in the corner of the room. After putting four ice cubes into a large cup, he then poured Amur Beer.

"It's still delicious, no matter how many times I enjoy it.”

After sipping his favorite beer foam with pleasure, Pavel then returned to his desk.

And he was about to sit when Yuuna entered the room and approached him.

"Big bro Pavel, Mommy is coming here. You should hide."

"Huh?"

Pavel's relationship with his father was indeed as cold as eternal ice, but the person he wanted to avoid the most was Lady Yuuri Arasmus. Fortunately, Yuuna always helped him, so he never doubted her.

As panic filled his face, Pavel said, "Thank you Yuuna, and when Lady Yuuri arrives, please tell her I'm not here."

"Okay."

Yuuna cheerfully raised her thumb, and wasting no time Pavel ran towards the window. It was quite wide, while the height was slightly lower than his waist, so jumping over it was a trivial thing for Pavel.

In a flash, Pavel arrived in front of the window. However, he immediately stopped his steps as not far in front of him, right across the window, Lady Yuuri stood with both hands at her waist.

A sense of victory filled her face as Lady Yuuri said, "I got you."

"Ugh..."

Seeing Pavel was standing awkwardly in front of her, Lady Yuuri smiled smugly. She then approached the window and with the help of Pavel, she jumped over it.

Before long, Lady Yuuri and Pavel had sat on the sofa facing each other. Meanwhile, Yuuna who sat next to Lady Yuuri put on an expression as if to say, 'I'm sorry Big Bro, Yuuna had no choice'.

After smiling slightly at Yuuna, Pavel turned to Lady Yuuri, and then he said as gently as possible. "Umm… Lady Yuu---"

However, Pavel immediately stopped his words because Lady Yuuri's gaze suddenly became as sharp as a sword.

---

Lady Yuuri married Count Terrek at the age of seventeen. Shortly after the honeymoon, she then returned to Makai Royal City to take care a few things. Then, when she came back to Castle Walluo she found out that a few days before, Count Terrek had banged a young maid when he was drunk.

Lady Yuuri said nothing, but from her gaze Count Terrek could feel deep sadness, anger, and disappointment. He then asked the young maid to drink medication to prevent pregnancy, and then gave her a large sum of gold coins, and sent her home to her village.

But who would have thought that the young maid never drank the medication to prevent pregnancy. She said that she didn't care about money and status, all she wanted was a child who was handsome or beautiful, and intelligent like the children of nobles. It was a simple and naive wish that in later days would cost her life.

In the end, Terrek Family's Elder knew that the young maid did not abort her pregnancy. She was then taken to Castle Walluo to get as much attention as possible. According to Terrek Family's tradition, even if it was not pure noble blood, it shouldn't be abandoned.

At the same time, Lady Yuuri was also pregnant with her first child, and although her heart was still bitter, Lady Yuuri didn't disturb the young maid at all. Of course, she refused to interact with her. To please Lady Yuuri, Count Terrek also never visited or accompanied the young maid.

When she finally gave birth to Osvik, for the first time in her life Lady Yuuri understood the joy of being a mother. She was so happy that when she heard that the young maid who had hurt her heart gave birth to Pavel, she immediately sent a congratulatory gift. She was also angry when she heard that Count Terrek had not accompanied the young maid when she gave birth.

Unfortunately, the young maid died four days after she gave birth. The healer at Castle Walluo said the young maid failed to recover from the exhaustion after giving the birth. Moreover, she lost too much blood in the delivery process.

But Lady Yuuri knew the truth, Terrek Family's Elder decided to kill the young maid so that he could fully raise Pavel without the influence of his mother who was a commoner.

And somehow, Lady Yuuri couldn't stop thinking about how sad the young maid would be to be separated from her child for eternity. Moreover, her heart became restless whenever she thought of Pavel who had to lose his mother when he was only a few days old. Without delay, right after the young maid's funeral, Lady Yuuri visited her living quarters.

The young maid living quarters were located in one of the best locations in Castle Walluo. The furniture in the room was also quite luxurious, although there was some simple wooden furniture in some corners. One of the simple wooden furniture was Pavel's bed cage.

Lady Yuuri had heard that Pavel's grandfather, who lived in a farmer's settlement in the mountain ranges west of Walluo City, had come to visit to deliver some homemade furniture. So Lady Yuuri was not surprised when she saw them, which didn't match with other luxurious furniture at all.

One thing that absorbed Lady Yuuri's entire attention was the pile of socks, hand gloves, baby clothes, and toys neatly arranged beside the bed cage, and all of them were handmade. When she checked one of the half-finished baby clothes, Lady Yuuri found behind the collar there was a small stitch that read 'My precious Pavel'.

In an instant, tears rolled down on Lady Yuuri's cheeks. She clearly remembered that the young maid had blatantly said she didn't care about money and status, but no one believed her because she diligently studied how to write and read like an ambitious woman.

Then, wasting no time Lady Yuuri rushed to Terrek Elder's living quarters. Over there, she found two maids are trying to breastfeed Pavel. But Pavel refused to drink the milk and kept crying, as if he knew that his mother who loved him so much had left him for eternity.

After hearing from the two maids that Pavel hadn't drunk milk at all since his mother died last night, Lady Yuuri immediately took Pavel and rocked him gently. Miraculously, Pavel immediately stopped crying. He even drank heartily when Lady Yuuri nursed him.

Lady Yuuri then took Pavel back to her mother's living quarters. There, while she cradled Pavel gently, she made an oath.

"Please don't worry, I will raise Pavel like my own child, and this place will become his study room, so he will always remember the mother who gave birth to him."

And somehow, from the corner of the room Lady Yuuri heard a soft sigh filled with relief and deep gratitude.

*****