Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Norton stood quietly by the window in the second-floor study.

Adelaide had brought a tray, placed the food on the table, and instead of leaving, he quietly approached Norton from behind.

A crisp breeze came in through the window.

Looking past Norton, Adelaide could see the garden outside and the greenhouse within it. The greenhouse door was slightly ajar, and faint figures were visible inside.

Adelaide knew it was Ye Mo and Arnold inside. Arnold had been sullen that morning, but Ye Mo had offered to grow a tree for him in his greenhouse.

The two had been in the greenhouse for quite some time. Adelaide had checked on them once earlier—Arnold was helping Ye Mo, insisting that Ye Mo sit and watch and direct, trying not to let Ye Mo lift a finger. Though it was still a far cry from recent days, Arnold’s mood was noticeably less gloomy than before.

Norton tilted his head slightly. "Adelaide, is there something?"

Adelaide placed his hands behind his back and bowed slightly. "Mrs. Ye contacted me today, asking if they could visit after lunch."

"If that’s what Ye Mo wants, let him."

Adelaide acknowledged but did not leave. "Your Majesty, you did not come downstairs to have a meal with Arnold and the young master today."

Norton was not angry; he replied calmly, "I was handling official duties. If there’s anything, you can come to me anytime."

Adelaide did not press further on the topic. Instead, he shifted the conversation. "Your Majesty, perhaps you know that I am also a father. In terms of how to be a father, I have far more experience than you."

Norton certainly knew. He knew Adelaide had a son and a daughter, both older than Norton and the others. Adelaide spent entire days with his family every week.

Adelaide continued, "But in truth, I should have had three children."

Norton turned to look at Adelaide.

Adelaide showed no particular emotion. As he spoke now, there was nostalgia and regret, but no intense grief. He went on, as if telling a story.

"I had my first child when I was very young. At that time, my wife and I were poor, but we were happy. We loved our child dearly and tried to give him everything we could."

Adelaide smiled. "He was well-behaved and very sensible, just like the young master. We couldn’t afford a nanny robot, but even at an age when he needed care himself, he would fetch our slippers and try to mop the floor like me, though he often dirtied his clothes and made more work for us."

"One day, I just complained once—saying how hard I worked every day, yet my wages were so low, and even a simple toy cost so much money that I was almost unable to provide for him. After that, he stopped asking us for candy or the toys every child wants."

Adelaide paused before continuing, "We were new parents, but that child was the best child. He was very understanding toward us. We were truly fortunate to have met him."

Norton listened quietly, hearing the satisfaction in Adelaide’s voice and the deep affection and care he held for that child.

And just as he always did when telling such stories, Adelaide arrived at the turning point.

"But then came that ‘but.’ I know everyone hates to hear it, but he fell ill and passed away. Everything happened so quickly. The little cookies in his room—the ones we bought for him after he fell ill—were still unfinished. There weren’t many, just enough for a child to finish in one meal, but he ate them very sparingly."

Norton clenched his fist. In the footage left by the nanny robot, Ye Mo had once received a box of chocolates—only twelve small, exquisite pieces. Ye Mo would eat only half a piece at a time but insisted on giving a whole piece to every family member, with an extra piece for his mother.

Adelaide went on, "Even now, I still go over the few memories I have of him in my mind, though they are gradually fading. Yet, they remain the most precious part of my life. My greatest regret is not spending more time with him and not bringing more joy into his life."

"I don’t want you to be burdened with such regret, Your Majesty. I know your concerns, but you shouldn’t immerse yourself only in grief. You are his father. A father should be like this—shouldering everything for the child and giving him all you can."

Adelaide understood clearly that this wasn’t just for the young master. In fact, such giving was largely to comfort the giver.

Norton remained silent for a long time. In the distance, he watched as the greenhouse door opened and Arnold and Ye Mo walked out. Pawpaw had been lying by the door, and Arnold stopped him before he could pounce.

Norton suddenly let out a long sigh. "I will join them for lunch at noon."

Adelaide acknowledged, feeling somewhat relieved. He had been with the Grath household for so long that Norton and Arnold felt like his own children. He couldn’t change anything, let alone Grath itself. He only hoped that in the suffocating pain and torment, they could allow themselves a moment to breathe and find respite.

…

After receiving a confirmed reply, Mrs. Ye happily began packing. Most things were already prepared, but she still instructed Ye Yun, "Bring one of the cups Little Mo likes the most."

Ye Yun went to fetch the box, grumbling, "Why not just bring the whole set for him?"

Mrs. Ye patted his head. "What if Little Mo comes back to stay and has nothing to use?"

Ye Yun fell silent and obediently took a cup from the box, handing it to Mrs. Ye.

After passing through multiple security checks and entering the Grath palace, Adelaide and Ye Mo were already waiting for them at the entrance.

As soon as Mrs. Ye stepped out of the car, Ye Mo rushed over. "Mom!"

Mrs. Ye first cupped his face and examined him. "You’ve lost a little weight, and your complexion isn’t great. Have you not been eating properly?"

"No, Mom. I drank milk this morning. Maybe I was too excited knowing you were coming and didn’t sleep well last night."

Mrs. Ye gently touched Ye Mo’s cheek. "I brought your cup. You can keep it in your room at night. And the things you told Ye Yun you wanted to eat…"

Adelaide stepped forward to take the things from Ye Zhiyuan and invited them inside. "I’ve prepared afternoon tea."

Arnold was also there, representing Grath to host them. He wasn’t wearing a mask and spoke without the aid of a voice device.

At first, Mrs. Ye was a bit reserved, but Ye Mo, just like when he was little, gently rested his head on her knee and held her hand. Soon, Mrs. Ye relaxed, and they conversed naturally, as if two families were simply visiting.

Adelaide eased the atmosphere. "The young master has been looking forward to your visit for days."

The adults began discussing child-rearing topics.

Ye Mo pulled Ye Yun into the garden to show him his greenhouse. "Look, you asked me before if I had a little garden. Now I do."

Ye Yun listened attentively. He knew Ye Mo wanted him to know that he was doing well and not to worry.

Ye Mo led Ye Yun into the greenhouse. "This greenhouse has a high ceiling. You can even plant trees inside."

In front of them were circular beds, each with a sapling planted in it and a small sign beside it with writing.

Ye Mo guided Ye Yun to one of the trees. "I planted one for you too."

The sign beside the sapling bore Ye Yun’s name.

Ye Mo continued introducing them. "That one over there is for Mom, Dad, and big brother."

Ye Yun glanced around. Other signs bore names like Arnold, Norton, and even Adelaide.

"We all have one. What about yours?"

Ye Mo paused. "I’ll…"

Ye Yun interrupted him. "And I’ve been meaning to ask."

He leaned in close to Ye Mo like a little wolf, wrinkling his nose hard. "Why do you smell like blood?"

Ye Mo tried to step back, but Ye Yun grabbed his shoulder to stop him. Ye Yun sniffed carefully. "And there’s the smell of alcohol and ointment. Are you hurt?"

"Yeah, just a small wound. It was an accident. Brother, don’t tell Mom."

Ye Mo seemed a little on edge.

Ye Yun studied him for a long moment before looking away and frowning slightly. Ye Mo had always been very afraid of pain, but since he could still move normally, it couldn't be too bad.

"Alright, I promise to keep it a secret. Dad might not, though. He must have noticed already. He glanced at you several times just now."

He took hold of Ye Mo's arm. "Let's go back. We can come back and plant the tree another time. If you're injured, you need to take it easy."

As they walked out of the greenhouse, Ye Mo lowered his head and sniffed his sleeve, muttering, "I gave it a good cleaning this morning."

The two slowly made their way to the edge of the garden, about to step out and enter the palace.

Just then, Ye Mo’s psychic energy fluctuated slightly. Ye Yun also turned to look at him. Kids in psychic development go through this now and then, and Ye Yun was already a pro at handling such situations.

Ye Yun didn’t know that Ye Mo couldn't tolerate Psychic Tranquilizers. Ye Zhiyuan never brought it up, and even if Ye He noticed, he wouldn’t inform Ye Yun either.

Ye Yun supported Ye Mo’s arm, guiding him toward the palace. It was just starting for Ye Mo—this situation could be resolved as long as he took a Psychic Tranquilizer or received psychic soothing within half an hour.

Inside the palace, Arnold, having a pleasant chat with Mrs. Ye, suddenly stood up.

Ye Yun tightened his grip on Ye Mo's forearm as they ascended the steps. "Have you been taking your Psychic Tranquilizer like you're supposed to these days?"

"Ye Mo."

Both Ye Mo and Ye Yun looked up.

Norton had arrived at some point and was standing at the top of the steps, his chest rising and falling slightly. He reached out toward Ye Mo. "Come here."

Ye Mo glanced at Ye Yun, broke free from his grip, and walked toward Norton.

As soon as they entered the palace, Norton placed his hand on Ye Mo’s shoulder. The moment he touched him, his psychic energy conducted a scan. He quickly nodded to Ye Yun and, without time to say anything to Arnold who had just arrived, led Ye Mo deeper into the palace, entering the first room they came to.

After multiple checks confirmed that Ye Mo simply needed psychic soothing, Norton still didn't feel completely reassured. He held Ye Mo’s wrist.

"Use your psychic energy."

Ye Mo thought it was a little odd—Norton had always directly provided psychic soothing for him before—but he still did as Norton instructed, attempting to channel his psychic energy.

This made the difference even more apparent to Norton.

Only then did Norton let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. He sat down, cupped the back of Ye Mo’s neck, and guided him to rest on his lap. Habitually, he stroked Ye Mo’s nape, soothing him.

"Don’t worry. You just need psychic soothing, that’s all."

Ye Mo blinked, letting out a somewhat puzzled "Mm." He was already quite accustomed to this—even Ye Yun hadn’t been worried.

He buried his face against Norton’s knee, just as he had leaned against Mrs. Ye earlier. This position kept him from seeing Norton, but he knew Norton was about to provide psychic soothing for him—a process that usually lasted quite a while.

Ye Mo gently freed his hand from Norton’s grip, adjusted to a more comfortable position, and lay prone on Norton’s lap. Beneath him was a soft carpet, making Ye Mo feel a bit drowsy.

When he told Mrs. Ye that he had been too excited last night and hadn’t slept well, it wasn’t entirely untrue.

Norton’s hand paused for a moment, allowing Ye Mo to settle into his new position before resuming the gentle strokes on his nape.

Ye Mo had always been stiff around him before, hardly daring to move—like a little insect Norton had once seen, freezing and playing dead at the slightest rustle of grass.

The room was quiet. Norton’s psychic energy, which could crush everything on the battlefield, was now gently soothing Ye Mo.