"Don't tell me you're heading out to gamble again," Stella said with a small frown on her face, a sad frown.
Seeing her face, it was as though he was just seeing her for the first time.
The woman before him was Dorian's mother, no doubt about it.
For years, she had been the pillar of the family, taking care of most of the tasks, since the servants they had were very few.
Despite the debt that had accumulated, mainly because of her foolish son, she never once stepped back or showed any sign of weakness.
All she asked from Dorian, her irresponsible son, was simple:
"Please, Dorian, for once listen to me; your father and I are going through so much already; please stop this," she uttered, her voice cracking.
Dorian could only stand there, stunned and speechless.
He remembered everything: how many times he had disrespected his mother, how many times she would drag his drunk self from the pub while villagers looked down at her because of it.
The sharp pain in his chest only grew, watching his mother desperately try to hold back her tears.
Like she always does.
'Dorian, you never liked what you were, did you? Good, I'll do the one thing you were never able to do.'
Placing both arms in front of him, Dorian bowed his head.
This action caught Stella off guard.
"W-what?" she leaned back a bit. "Are you still drunk? Why are you suddenly bowing your head?"
"Because this is the best way I can think of to apologise."
"..."
"As my mother, I took advantage of your love and patience too many times. Honestly, it's a shock you haven't sold me to another family."
Each word he said prompted a thought in his mind.
'Dorian, is this not what you wanted?'
His mother, Stella, shocked at the sudden turn in events, could only stand there, listening.
Her son's words continued to echo in her ears.
"I am truly sorry; I know I am a horrible son. If I could, I would change the past and give you a son you are worthy of. Unfortunately, that is impossible. As such, I will use this present time and truly give you what you deserve; I will quit gambling, drinking, and asking for loans. All I ask, Mother, is your forgiveness and blessing; I ask nothing more."
Reaching his final words, he whispered to himself,
'Was that too much? Was I able to convey my feelings well? Yoshi—'
Upon raising his head, he could see his mother bawling her eyes out.
Though, she still maintained a calm expression, trying to mask her sadness as well as she could.
"I—I never thought I'd hear those words from you. My own son, apologising—heck, I don't even know what to say."
Dorian stood upright; the scene before him was unbearable for some reason.
Even if it was just for a bit, he understood why the original Dorian killed himself.
Not only was he a disappointment, but he would have to wake up every morning, getting the very same sad look from his mother.
Isn't that every man's weakness?
He sighed.
"You don't have to say anything, Mother. I can understand your confusion right now. Still, as I said, all I want is your forgiveness and blessing. I, Dorian Aurelian, intend to bring this family to its former glory. Do I…have your blessing, Mother?"
Stella calmly used the back of her hand to wipe her tears.
"Y-yes, how could I stay angry at my own son? You have my blessing, all my blessings. However, what exactly are you planning on doing?"
Dorian smiled.
"First, set things straight; second, clear this debt we have under our name. Please excuse me; I may be late for dinner."
Saying those words, he walked away.
After walking for a while, ready to head towards the next corner of the mansion, he ran into his 13-year-old sister, squashed against the wall.
'Yelena? Was she listening all this time?'
Unlike Dorian's new silver hair, she had black hair, though longer. Her eyes were a vibrant red, and she wore a red top and jean shorts.
"Yelena, what are you doing hiding here?"
"Eavesdropping."
'Gah! She's not even going to deny it. Sigh, not that I should be surprised anyway; if memory serves me right, she is quite the blunt person. She can be painfully honest.'
Before Dorian could speak.
"Is it true?" she asked, gaze fixed on the ground. "Have you really quit gambling and drinking?"
Dorian stared at her for a while.
His actions and behaviours have affected those around him, and his sister was one of them.
She had been bullied by her friends, both nobles and commoners, all because there were times her brother would pass out drunk on the streets.
Because of this, she never tried to leave the castle and often was cooped up in her room.
This was the effect of Dorian Aurelian.
"Yes, I have," Dorian replied, "and I am sorry you had to go through that. Sorry."
Yelena's eyes widened slightly.
"Hm, uhm, whatever happened to me is not something I regret. I will always defend my big brother. But if you say you'll quit going to the pub and drinking, then that makes me happy."
Staring at Yelena for a while, Dorian couldn't help but think to himself.
'This guy has such a loving family, so what on earth could have made him turn out the way he did?'
Pat!
He placed his hand on Yelena's head, ruffling her hair.
"It's alright; I am keeping my word, so you don't need to worry."
Yelena, seemingly calmed by his words, let out a weak smile.
Then, with a single motion, Dorian lifted his hand from her hair and walked away.
As he distanced himself, Yelena placed one hand on her head, her face red at the thought.
….
Finally reaching the outside of the mansion, he quickly spotted the gardener at the side.
From where Dorian stood, it looked like the blond-haired man was trying to cut down a huge tree growing close to the house using a saw.
"Sabastine, please come here."
The man paused, turning his attention towards Dorian.
"My lord?"