In Aegon 284, Ser Edmond led his troops back to Three Towers. Although they did not win the war, none of the Three Towers expeditionary force suffered casualties.
In celebration of his heir's safe return, the Earl of Houghton declared a banquet to be held at the castle and generously distributed food to his people. The castle was filled with jubilation, and the people were immersed in this long-awaited joy.
After the banquet at the castle, Sir Edmund was summoned to the study by Earl Houghton.
In the spacious but somewhat gloomy study, Horton paced back and forth with a somber expression, his hands clasped behind his back. Edmund sat in a chair, his face equally grim.
Horton abruptly stopped, turned around, glared at Edmund, and shouted, "You reckless fool! You got into a conflict with the Hightoar family over a woman during the war, and almost had a duel! Do you know that our family bloodline is thinning now, with only the two of us left? If something happens to you while you're causing trouble outside, what will happen to the family? Who will inherit the family?" His voice echoed in the study, and the muscles on his face trembled slightly with anger.
Edmund jumped to his feet, his face flushed, and retorted loudly, "Father, we are now mortal enemies with the Hightoir family! This time, they clearly humiliated the Kotoin family by daring to flirt with my fiancée in front of me."
Then, seeing that Earl Houghton's expression had softened slightly, Edmund probed again: "Moreover, if you really think the family is too small, why not acknowledge your brother's child and incorporate him into the family! At least you can bring him back to the castle to raise him; after all, he is of the Cortoine family bloodline."
Horton snorted coldly, turned his head away, and said coldly, "Absolutely impossible! That's a bastard, a illegitimate child can't possibly tarnish my family's honor!" He then sighed heavily. After a brief pause, he looked at Edmund and said indifferently, "I'm entrusting all the affairs of the castle, big and small, to you now. How you make the decisions is your business. But you have no right to add members to the family, at least not until I'm dead!" With that, he flicked his sleeve and didn't look at Edmund again.
Edmund clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and finally sat down helplessly, letting out a heavy sigh.
As they finished their conversation and left the study, Sir Edmund wore a thoughtful expression. The Cortoine family had suffered no losses in the war, but had also failed to gain the expected benefits.
Edmund had hoped to use his merits in the war to persuade Duke Mace Tyrell to adjudicate the dispute between the Cottoin and Hightoar families over the ownership of two disputed villages on the border, but the war ended abruptly and the matter was left unresolved.
He summoned his personal attendant and asked in a serious tone, "What has happened in the territory while I was away?"
The servant quickly bowed his head and respectfully reported on the recent affairs, both large and small, within the territory. Sir Edmund listened quietly, sometimes nodding slightly, sometimes frowning.
Suddenly, as if remembering something, Edmund asked again, "How are the mother and child outside the castle?"
The attendant hesitated slightly, then said after a moment's thought, "Sir, the mother and child live a relatively peaceful life, but..."
Sir Edmund's gaze sharpened, and he pressed, "Just what? Don't beat around the bush."
"My lord, some high-quality refined salt, which is only available to nobles, has begun circulating in the territory at some point. After investigating, I found that it points to your brother's illegitimate son, Gavin Foghau."
Edmund immediately became interested and asked:
Does my father know?
"I didn't know, sir. You instructed me to take care of that mother and child, but I dared not make a decision on my own. I thought I would wait for your return to make arrangements, since selling salt without permission is against the laws of the territory," the servant replied respectfully.
Edmund was relieved to hear the answer. He was the Earl's second son, and according to Westeros custom, he was not entitled to inherit the family's castle and title. All of this originally belonged to his elder brother, and the Earl had already found a way for him, sending him to the Tyrell family as a squire at a young age. After being knighted, he became a captain in the Duke's guard.
However, a letter from his father six years ago shattered his life's trajectory. His brother died on his way home, and overnight he became the heir to the Three Towers. Even the Tyrell family introduced him to a woman from a collateral branch of the family as his fiancée. A series of sudden news brought both the joy of gaining the right to inherit and the grief of losing his brother.
Feeling somewhat guilty after receiving what rightfully belonged to his brother, he took good care of his brother's illegitimate son and the woman from Valantis.
After a moment's thought, Edmund decided to meet the child and take them back to the castle.
The next day, Alice went to work at the military camp, while Gavin prepared lunch alone at home. The flames roared in the stove, and rising smoke filled the air as he skillfully stirred the food in the pot.
Just then, there was a knock on his slightly dilapidated and worn-out door. Gavin quickly wiped his hands and hurried out the door.
Outside the door, he saw a man dressed as a nobleman and quickly greeted him respectfully and politely: "Good afternoon, sir. May I ask what brings you here?"
Edmund tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharp as he looked at Gavin, and asked, "Do you know who I am?" Before Gavin could answer, he added, "Never mind, you're just a child. Where's your mother?"
"Lord Edmund, my mother should be doing laundry at the barracks. She should be back soon."
"You know me?" Edmund asked in surprise upon hearing Gavin's reply.
"I saw you outside the castle on the day of your triumphant return, my lord," Gavin said respectfully.
"A triumphant return? I can't claim a triumphant return. I just led the troops around for a while. I didn't receive any honors in this war," Edmund said with a slight sigh, looking somewhat helpless.
"My lord, although you did not return victorious from the war, your unwavering loyalty is deeply moving and worthy of our utmost respect," Gavin said, seizing the opportunity to flatter him.
"Haha," Edmund laughed at the answer, clearly pleased with Gavin's compliment. He also noticed that although the child was only six, his answers were clear and logical, demonstrating his intelligence. Furthermore, his eyes lacked the fear other citizens showed when facing nobles; they were simply clear and calm.
This little guy is worth nurturing. Edmund thought for a moment and asked, "Little Gavin, do you know who your father is?"
"I've heard about it, sir. People around us are talking about it, and my mother has told me about it too," Gavin replied calmly.
Edmund's eyes held a hint of curiosity and scrutiny as he asked, "Little one, do you hate the Cortoine family?"