🌻 🌻 🌻
“THANK you all for being here,” Lucas called.
It was the day after we returned home from our trip. As the morning rays of the sun spilled into the conference room, he had every servant of his house and employee of his company gather around. The warm ocean breeze carried in the crashes of the waves and the cries of the gulls. I sat beside Lucas and listened to his words while gazing at the crowd. Everyone looked anxious and eager since the company president had suddenly summoned them. The tension in the conference room had never been higher.
“I’ve gathered you all here today because I’ve got something to tell you. It’s about my birth,” Lucas said. He took deep breaths as he cast a sweeping glance around the room and continued quietly, “My mother came from the house of Marquess Diascia, part of the Traditional Twelve and in the faction of the king’s older brother.”
Everyone gasped and glanced at each other. I also swallowed nervously; those working under Lucas were all commoners. Almost all of them were displeased with the political ideologies of the first prince’s faction—they always benefited the nobles, much to the expense of the commoners. Many had supported Lucas precisely because he was a former commoner, believing he had the best intentions of their needs in mind. As I sat beside him, I could sense how nervous Lucas was. Once everyone calmed down, he continued.
“Despite learning of my mother’s origins, I’m still grateful for her. I’m only here today, supported by each and every one of you, thanks to my mother, who couldn’t even afford medicine as her physical and emotional exhaustion led her to her death. She lived in poverty at the very end.”
Coldola gulped and listened intently. As his childhood friend, she knew a side that even I didn’t; she was keenly aware of his relationship with his mother.
“I know many of you stuck by my side because you believed I was a commoner through and through,” Lucas went on. “I can’t blame you for hating me because I have the faction of the first prince’s blood flowing in my veins. But I don’t want to hide anything from you, and I’m here today, prepared to disappoint each and every one of you.”
His solemn and earnest words had everyone quietly lend an ear. “I wanted power precisely because I couldn’t save my mother. I prayed that I would have enough might to at least save those near and dear to me. It was my mother who provided me with the knowledge I have today. Had she not taught me the bare minimum and introduced me to the count, and had she not told me about the importance of slowly building trust to create long-term relationships, I wouldn’t be here today. There’s a good chance I would’ve just strayed off the right path, became some sort of thug, and died in the streets. I wouldn’t have been able to provide you all with a job and a place to be.”
He paused before he continued. “So, I’m thinking of meeting with the house of Marquess Diascia. I’d like to look into my mother’s and father’s past as much as I can. If there’s a chance that I could learn about why I was born, I’d like to do that.”
Everyone started chattering away; anxiety riddled their faces. No doubt, they feared that Lucas would return a changed man if he met with Marquess Diascia. Perhaps he would no longer be looking out for the common folk.
I’d been told that he received backlash when he married a noblewoman, after all. Lucas waited a good while for everyone to calm down. He wanted everyone to take the time to understand the meaning of his words so that his intentions would be conveyed. After everyone slowly settled down, he opened his mouth again.
“Knowing my past is a means for me to put it behind me,” he said. “To continue standing at the head of the company and manor, I must put an end to my past. I know you won’t doubt me on this, but I swear I won’t join the house of Marquess Diascia. Make no mistake; I am still Lucas Stock, the man you have all approved of and stuck by.”
His firm words had drawn everyone to him, and it was only natural. Everyone here had been by Lucas’s side far longer than I had and had helped him build his wealth and power. My husband was making it clear that the Lucas Stock they all believed in was still present.
“Besides,” he said, glancing at me and shrugging. “I finally managed to host a wedding with my wife. I might become a father in the future, and I can’t let my past plague my mind, can I?”
I turned bright red as everyone quietly chuckled. The tension from earlier had dissipated as he continued to address his servants and employees.
“It really doesn’t matter if I’m seen as a company president or baron. I’m really just some punk that got lucky. And yet, you placed your faith in me and supported me. I will never betray the trust that you’ve given me. No matter my birth and the truth that I discover, I’m a mere nouveau riche who’s trying to make a city that’s easier for you to live in. I’m Lucas Stock. And I don’t want to hide anything from you. Please continue to lend me your aid. That’s all I have to say.”