CH269 Needed Independence

***

"Alex, it is time you left the family," Earl Drake suddenly declared.

"What…?" Alex froze, stunned.

This was not even the last response he had expected. More shocking still, Earl Drake had called him by name.

The number of times his father had ever spoken his name could be counted on one hand. If not for his eidetic memory, even Alex might have doubted it had ever happened at all.

That alone told him Earl Drake wasn't joking. The man was deadly serious.

Earl Drake turned and faced him directly.

"Alex, it is time for you to leave the family and become independent," he said earnestly. "You need a clear canvas to your own ideas to life—for yourself. If you remain, you will only be mired in the family's murky waters. No matter what you achieve, you will always be seen as Earl Drake's son… not Alex Fury."

The memory of the mysterious dark Legend from the Fort battle flashed across Alex's mind. Even after he had unleashed one grand spell after another—granted, through a grand array formation, but still one of his own design—that Legend had dismissed his results and still referred to him only under his father's shadow.

And likely, that man wasn't the only one who would think this way.

Earl Drake walked back to the table, resting a firm hand on Alex's proposal documents. His gaze was solemn.

"These tell me you have the mind to achieve greatness. But if you were to act under my name and umbrella, your accomplishments would never be yours. They would be attributed to me."

His voice grew harder.

"We are Fury. We keep our own achievements. It is your right to keep yours—and likewise, I do not want them. The best path forward is for you to go out and make a name for yourself. A name free of my interference, my protection, and my influence. When you believe you have forged that name, return… and take this seat from me, just as you once promised."

He paused, eyes sharp as steel.

"This is the way many Furies before you have done it. The way your cousin Megan did it, rising to become a Count in her twenties. The way I did it, becoming an Earl before I ever returned to the family. And this is the way you must do it, Alex."

"Do you understand, bo—no… Alex?" Earl Drake asked, carefully watching the boy's reaction.

"I do, Father," Alex replied, his tone just as serious.

"Good."

For the first time in a long while, Earl Drake's lips stretched into an obvious proud smile.

Alex was stunned.

It was perhaps the widest smile he had ever seen on Drake's face. At this point, it might as well have been a grin.

Yet before Alex could properly take in the moment, Drake seemed to realise his "mistake". The smile vanished like an illusion, replaced once more by calm, unshakable stoicism.

He walked to his side of the desk, opened a drawer, and took out a small box, setting it firmly on the table.

"Open it," he instructed.

Alex nodded and obeyed.

His eyes widened at the sight within. "An interplanar coordinate orb?"

"Hmm." Earl Drake gave a short nod. "I received it as ransom… for not killing Jorg Kellerman."

Alex's head snapped up. "You planned to kill Earl Kellerman?"

Drake nodded without hesitation. "He was likely responsible for sending a Legend into my territory to attack my heir. That is an affront to my reputation I cannot allow to stand. I would have killed him—had the Unfettered and a Royal not interfered and pleaded on his behalf."

Alex couldn't help but smile faintly at his father's words.

Drake might have spoken of reputation, but Alex could read between the lines. He knew there was more to it than that.

Still, his expression soon shifted, his brows furrowing.

"Royals… are in bed with the Kellermans?" he asked sharply.

"No," Earl Drake replied with a shake of his head. "Prince Caesar's appearance was purely coincidental."

"Are you sure, Father? Absolutely sure?" Alex pressed, his tone edged with suspicion.

"As sure as I can be," Earl Drake said evenly. He sat at the edge of the table, his eyes steady. "The Unfettered has contacts spread across the continent. It's possible the Kellermans brushed against a Royal through those channels, but it is unlikely. Beyond the Unfettered, they have nothing and no one of worth to draw the interest of the Royal lineage. And now that the Unfettered has abandoned them for the Realm of Anarchy, there is even less reason for any Royal to concern themselves with their affairs."

Drake shook his head once more.

"I understand your caution. But this is no longer your concern—it is mine." His voice softened slightly, a mix of chiding and fondness. "For now, you should focus on what lies directly in front of you."

Alex nodded, turning back to the orb as Drake began to explain.

"According to Prince Caesar, this orb holds unconfirmed and unexplored coordinates, suspected to lead to a Class 3 plane. You are a mage—you should know what those terms entail."

Alex gave another firm nod.

"Good." Drake's tone deepened. "I want you to prepare to leave for this plane as soon as possible. For that to happen, we will need to accelerate certain plans. The most important of which are selecting those who will accompany you as your main party… and your marriages."

"Wait—what? Marriages?" Alex nearly shot to his feet.

"Yes." Drake's reply was calm, almost amused. "I told you before—the family will have a say in your choice of spouses. I don't see why you're still surprised now. I had already warned you to cast aside the fantasy of having only one wife and all your marriages by your choice. With your bloodline, do you think the elders… or I, as Head of the Family, would ever permit that?"

Alex froze, his chest tightening.

Drake's gaze sharpened. "If you're worried about the lass, Zora—don't be. She is more in control of this matter than you are. In fact, she practically ensured it. I had intended to give you two more time to speak, but it seems circumstances are moving faster than expected. Still, I gave her my word she would be the one to explain it to you, so I will leave it at that. Just be prepared. You will be married before you step foot into the myriad planes."

Each word struck Alex like a hammer, weighing heavy on his mind.

Then Drake's lips curved into a teasing smile. "If it's any consolation, the two women were handpicked with your tastes in mind, and then vetted by Zora herself. They are no less than the lass in quality."

Alex let out a slow breath, rubbing between his eyebrows before forcing himself to calm down.

He had always known there would be a price for the "luxuries" he had enjoyed since his reincarnation. Having his marriages influenced by the family… was far from the worst fate he could have faced.

At the very least, one of those marriages would still be his own choice.

***

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