The Ancient Genes

Barnes House, Ishtar.

A few days ago…

Ander sat on his desk going through a bunch of papers. He looked very exhausted for some reason. But, even in that state, he had no other choice but to continue. Being a Lord definitely wasn't an easy task.

At this moment, a knock was heard on the door, and a second later, a person walked in.

"You called for me, father?" Arthur asked as he looked at Ander.

"Did your mother come back to take a rest?" Ander asked as he slowly closed the file in his hand.

Arthur sighed on hearing that, "She isn't listening at all. She insists on staying at the hospital."

There was no helping on that part, even Ander was aware of it. Lesia loved her children. It was honestly a bit too much since she was failing to take care of her own health because of it.

Arthur stood there waiting for his father to speak. It was likely that there was something else that Ander wanted to talk about. After all, if it was just about his mother, then he could have dialled her or asked any servant about it.

But, a silence ensued in the room.

Ander seemingly kept his silence as if he was in a little trouble about something.

"Is something worrying you father?" Arthur asked with a worried look on his face.

"Have you heard about a few things recently? I am sure your Uncles have already told you about it." Ander looked at Arthur.

Recently, there were some weird things going on in the House.

Rumors have emerged that Lear's condition was a result of conspiracy from the faction supporting Arthur, some even said that it was Arthur's idea. After all, Lear's recent rise could be a seen as a threat to his success.

In the midst of all of this, public opinion about Arthur had taken a bit of a change. And, not only him, there was a change in opinion about Arnold as well. The faction which supported him had always been small. It included the people who were once under his late father. But, the number seemed to have seen a surge recently.

The reason for this was not hard to understand. Arnold was always viewed favorably by everyone. His father had achieved great things for the House, and in the end even sacrificed himself for it. Secondly, he had lost his mother soon after and became an orphan. This naturally earned him the sympathy of everyone. On top of that, his talent was no less than his father.

He actually had enough in his arsenal to contest for the seat of successor, but there was one problem. He didn't have the actual blood of the ruling line.

But, this thought process of people surely began to change when they deemed that the current heir was not fit. And, hence they began to support Arnold.

No matter how Ander looked at this situation, it was a coincidence that Arnold's influence was increasing. Obviously, the rumors were one thing which surely irked him a bit. Trying to find a source of a rumor was very hard, and yet he still did that. But, it turned out to be some people who were just making things on their own.

It was nothing but a bunch of people with a lot of free time, trying to construct conspiracy theories. Ander had taken them under custody, but even after trying a lot of different methods, they didn't change their answers.

On the other hand, Arnold appeared out in public and shut down the rumors, and cleared up the misunderstanding. You could say that he was trying to protect his brother, his own outlook in people's eye had increased further after that.

This was bugging Ander. He had an instinctive feeling that things were not so simple. Arnold might…

Whenever he thought up to this point, he would stop himself from going ahead. He would begin to question himself whether he was doubting Arnold because he wasn't his own blood.

The scene from years ago would flash in front of his eyes. He still remembered that day clearly when he promised Anrold's father at his last breath that he would take care of Arnold and treat him like his son.

"Father?"

Arthur's voice woke up Ander from his thoughts, and he looked at him before slowly speaking, "You are now old enough, Arthur. I want you to listen to everything I say very carefully. And, at the end of it, maintain a stance without letting your emotions take over you."

Arthur was a bit taken back by this, but seeing the serious look on his father's face, he nodded.

With that, Ander went ahead, and explained things that were going on. He told Arthur about everything which happened in Trinity involving Max, Lear and Arnold. And, there accusations of each other.

Arthur obviously stood there standing as if he was struck by thunder on a clear day. It was obvious that he couldn't believe it as well.

"Do you believe that Arnold would..?" Arthur asked a bit nervously.

"I told you not to let your emotions take over." Ander spoke, but he felt like laughing at his own words. Wasn't he having the same problem?

"I haven't reached any decision as of yet.." Ander further stated, and then brought out a small chest and kept it on the desk. "Take this with you in the competition.."

Arthur opened the chest, and next instant, a shocked look appeared on his face as he felt a strong elemental and beastly aura from it.

It was actually an Elemental Beast Core.

"You are giving me this to.." Arthur looked at his father with a frown on his face.

"Don't get me wrong. Nothing is clear as of now. Use this if things go wrong, I as the Lord can't allow the House to descend into chaos."

"You are asking me to beat Arnold at any cost?" Arthur asked with a serious look on his face.

"You are not a fool, you understand what I mean.." Ander maintained that blank look on his face.

Arthur went silent for a second before speaking with a serious look on his face, "Should I step back from the seat of succesor?"

Ander's eyes immediately went wide upon hearing that.

"You said it today. But, don't bring this up anymore.." Ander warned him. Somethings were better not spoken.

"But-"

"Leave!" Ander ordered, not willing to listen to anything on it.

…

As soon as Arthur walked out of the Lord's chamber, he could hear a deep exhausted sigh escape his father's mouth.

'Even though he is saying it is for the worse, isn't he already suspecting Arnold by giving this to me for protection?' Arthur thought inwardly as a complicated look appeared on his face.

'Do we really have to fight for something like this?' Arthur slowly clenched his fist. 'What would happen to mom if she finds out about it?'

He could totally imagine her freaking out and going into depression.

'Is it really worth it?' Arthur questioned himself.