Aidan, are you coming or not?" Lord Erwin knocked sharply on the door, his foot tapping an impatient rhythm against the floorboards. "If you're not ready in three breaths, I'm leaving you behind. And don't whine to Brother or to Sophia about how uncle went without you—again."
Aidan opened his room door, dressed nicely. "Damn, uncle. Talk about being loud in the morning," he said as he brushed his hair, which had now grown longer. He should probably get a haircut, he thought.
Aidan, now six years old, stood at three feet nine inches—a height rather tall for his age. He wore a simple yet elegant noble robe crafted from the finest materials; the fabric shimmered like silk, a deep blue robe with a plain design save for subtle embellishments along the sleeves.
His face, once round with childhood softness, had grown more structured, refining his features into striking handsomeness. With his mother's blue eyes and his father's strong jawline framed by his black hair, there was no doubt—Aidan was a beautiful child.
He wore green robes with the Wilson symbol on his chest, making him stand out.
The reason it had taken so long to meet him was that he had been away on a mission, commanding an army near the Dark Forest—just as Lady Charlotte had. Both had departed just four months after Aidan's birth, though Charlotte returned earlier. For Erwin, however, the process took longer due to the intricate formation he needed to establish.
Their first meeting had been in a formal setting. Liam himself introduced both Charlotte, Erwin and aunty violet together after Erwin's return, "Their first meeting had taken place in a formal setting. Liam had introduced Charlotte, Erwin, and Aunt Violet together after Erwin's return. Although he had met Charlotte before, he still considered that formal meeting as his first meeting, afterall he can't really say that it was good.
"Kid, you sure took your time," Erwin said as they moved toward the training field. "I don't think even women take this long preparing."
Servants bowed as the uncle and nephew passed, a gesture both ignored—something Aidan had learned to accept over time. No matter how often he told them not to, they persisted nonetheless. Furthermore, he found himself growing accustomed to it. The world of Maaya was slowly becoming his own.
"Anyway, kid, why are you even so interested in watching combat?" Erwin asked, throwing a sidelong glance at his nephew.
"I just like seeing it, that's all," Aidan shrugged, avoiding a full explanation.
"You know, if you're this eager to learn, why not join the training grounds?" Erwin remarked as he accepted a sword from the servant waiting dutifully at the entrance.
Aidan had observed this ritual many times now—his uncle never used ordinary practice swords, instead having this special blade fetched and returned after each session.
As Erwin strapped the sword to his waist, Aidan sighed. "Uncle, you really think I haven't tried? Mother won't allow it no matter what. She refuses to budge on this—won't even listen to Father or Aunt Lily." Aidan kicked at the ground in frustration. "I've been begging her for months now, but she's as stubborn as a child."
"Father and Aunt Lily seem okay with me learning combat, but—" Aidan stopped, realizing he was letting his emotions get the better of him.
He sighed. "Uncle, do you think you can talk to Mother?" Aidan questioned.
"Hey, don't drag me into this, Aidan," Erwin said hurriedly, as if not saying it would make him regret it, while slicing his hand through the air multiple times.
"Coward."
Erwin clicked his tongue. "You say your mother's stubborn as a child, but what about you? You are a child—a kid," Erwin said.
"I know, Uncle. I know it very well," Aidan replied, his expression a bit downcast as he added, "But without power, I will be weak—pushed and tossed who knows where. I know that something like this won't happen to me as a Wilson, but that power is not mine. Until I have the power myself, how can I be free?"
Erwin couldn't help but stop, his gaze scanning Aidan. "Aren't you free right now?"
Aidan smiled—it was a half-smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Without saying anything more, he walked inside the training ground to just watch.
Erwin looked at his back and muttered, "To think a child would have such thoughts of the world."
Aidan left the training grounds early to attend his class with Henry, not knowing his uncle had left the training ground early too.
Sophia, who was in her office, heard a knock as a servant's voice sounded: "Duchess, Lord Erwin has arrived. Shall I tell him to enter?"
Sophia muttered, "Erwin? In my office? Why?" Slightly confused, she replied, "Let him in."
Erwin strode into the office and took the seat before Sophia as he said, "I need to talk."
Sophia put her pen down. "What is it, Erwin? I have too much paperwork."
"It's about Aidan," he stated.
Sophia leaned forward, her full attention on Erwin. "About him?" Confused, she frowned.
"Sister Sophia," Erwin said, "let him learn combat if that is his-
Hearing this, Sophia made a stopping gesture with her hands, interrupting Erwin. "Did that brat tell you to persuade me?" she asked.
"No, Sophia, he didn't. You know I'm not a man who acts just because someone says so."
"Erwin, listen. Aidan is not at the age to learn combat," she said. "Let him grow up, and I won't refuse. I just want him to have his childhood for as long as he could enjoy it."
Erwin chuckled while pouring himself a glass of water. He took a small sip before saying, "You called him a genius, right? As we all agree, seeing how fast he's absorbed all that knowledge like a sponge. He's taken it all in—so why stop him now, just when it seems he could be even more than that? I talked with Henry about his classes to see how he's doing, and you know what he told me?"
Sophia couldn't help but perk up. "What?"
"Aidan is about to finish his classes—something that takes children his age years to complete. He's done it in two. Not even Liam was this smart. Do you understand now? More than anything else, you know I don't praise people without reason. If I do, it's earned—and Aidan has earned it."
"His mind is that of a warrior, his presence that of a man who wants to conquer, and a man who wants to rule. Since coming home, I've spent much time with Aidan these past two years."
"Don't try to chain Aidan, Sophia, or he may run to find his freedom."
"This world respects strength above all else. Let Aidan earn his."
"You know I take you as my sister, so take this as a brother advising his sister. What you decide is up to you."
Erwin stood up and left, closing the door while Sophia remained deep in thought.
Memories of her life flashed through her mind as she sank into deep thought, her frown deepening as time passed.