The Life of Aurelius Valemont: The Heir (Part 2)
Aurelius: Age 6
Mama… Mama… it's already morning, but I didn't sleep at all.
I keep crying and crying… Mama was in pain last night and I just stayed in bed. I should've helped her, but I'm just a little boy… I couldn't do anything…
I wiped my tears and yelled with all my strength, "Yuuuuummmmiiii!!"
She came right away, breathing hard as she rushed to my side, kneeling beside my bed.
"Where is Mama, Yumi? Is Mama okay?" I asked, my voice shaky.
Yumi looked down for a second—just one second—but I saw it. Her hands were trembling.
"She's... resting, young master," Yumi said softly, brushing my hair back gently. "You don't need to worry. I'll bring you to her later, okay?"
I pouted. I knew Yumi was lying. Her eyes always looked sad when she lies.
"But Mama was hurting. Dada hurt her. I saw it." My voice cracked.
Yumi went quiet.
She pulled me into a hug, tighter than ever before. "You're so brave, Master Aurelius… but for now, let Yumi take care of it. Mama needs you to be strong."
I gripped her tightly and buried my face in her apron.
"Can I give Mama a hug when I see her?" I whispered.
Yumi nodded slowly, her voice barely audible. "Yes, sweetheart. A gentle one. Just like how you always do."
I went into Mama's room.
It was really dark. The curtains were all closed, and it smelled like Mama's perfume—but a little bit sadder than usual.
My stomach was being a meanie again, growling like a monster, but I didn't care. I needed Mama.
I tiptoed quietly across the floor, hugging my stuffed bear tightly. "Mama…?" I whispered.
She was lying on the bed, her face turned to the side. Her golden hair was messy, not like before. I climbed up slowly, careful not to hurt her.
"Mama… I'm here now. Don't be sad anymore, okay?" I whispered, crawling close.
She opened her eyes a little. They looked tired… and shiny. But she smiled, just for me.
"My brave little boy," she whispered, her voice soft like a feather.
I laid my head gently on her chest and held her hand. "I'll protect you, Mama. I promise."
She kissed the top of my head. "That's all I need, sweetheart."
Even though she was hurt, Mama was still warm. And safe. I didn't want to leave her side—ever.
Aurelius: Age 7
Ever since that night… Mama never told me bedtime stories again. Now, only Yumi does.
She tries her best, and I love her stories too. But they don't sound like Mama's. Mama's stories had sparkles in the words. Magic. Even when she was tired, her voice made everything warm and safe.
Now, Mama is always lying down. Yumi says she's just resting, but I know. I know Mama is always sick… and Dada… he's always scary. Angry. Loud.
He still comes into Mama's room. He still hurts her. I try not to listen—but I always do.
I tried to be brave. I told myself, I must become Superman. I must protect Mama.
That's why I study every day. I go to the big library in the mansion, even though it smells old and dusty. I read the hardest books. Books with big words. Books about heroes, kings, and geniuses. I even practice writing with no mistakes.
Yumi always watches me. Sometimes she pats my head and smiles—but her eyes are red and shiny. Like she's hiding something behind them. I asked her once, "Yumi, are you crying?" and she just shook her head.
"I'm proud of you, young master," she says. "But… it's okay to be a little boy too."
But I can't. I have to grow up faster. I have to be strong—for Mama.
Every single day and night, I do the same things again and again.
I study.
Then eat.
Then sleep.
Then wake up.
Then study and study… all for Mama.
Yumi says I'm too little to do so much, but I don't listen. I have to! If I don't become smart and strong now, who will protect Mama?
At night, Yumi tells me her bedtime stories. I pretend to sleep, like always.
Then I sneak out.
I tiptoe down the cold hallway. I rush to Mama's room, open the door just a little. I always check if she's okay.
Sometimes she's sleeping, sometimes she's staring at the ceiling… eyes full of clouds.
Sometimes she's crying.
So I stay beside her, even if she doesn't know I'm there. I hold her hand or brush her hair with my tiny fingers.
Then I sneak away to the library before morning comes. I open the big books. I read words that are too hard for a little boy.
But I read them anyway.
Because I don't want to be a little boy anymore.
I want to be her hero.
One night… I stayed longer than I should.
I sat beside Mama on the bed. Her hand was cold, but she smiled when she saw me.
"Little lion," she whispered weakly, "you're not supposed to be awake…"
I held her hand tighter. "I'm your Superman now, Mama. I must protect you."
Her lips trembled. She looked like she wanted to cry again. "My brave boy… you shouldn't have to see me like this."
"I don't care," I said. "I want to be with you. Forever and ever."
She reached up slowly and stroked my cheek. "Promise me… you'll grow up kind. Not cruel. Not like your father."
I nodded. "I promise."
Mama's tears fell, but her smile stayed. "You're my miracle, Aurelius…"
I hugged her gently. "I love you, Mama."
"I love you more…"
Just then—
BANG!
The door slammed open.
I froze.
There he was. Dada.
His face looked like a monster. Red and angry.
"Aurelius," he growled, "what are you doing in here?"
I couldn't speak. My mouth opened but no sound came out.
Mama tried to sit up. "Victor, stop—he's just a child!"
But Dada grabbed me by the arm, hard.
Mama screamed. "Don't touch him like that!"
"She's poisoned you with softness," Dada hissed. "You sneak into her room like a rat? Is that what you are now, a rat boy?"
"No!" I shouted.
He didn't listen.
He pulled me out of the room. I could hear Mama crying and calling my name.
"Let me go! Mama—!"
That night, I wasn't able to sneak back.
That night, I cried into my pillow and held the scarf Mama made me when I was five.
That night, something inside me began to change.
Not just sadness.
Something colder.
Yumi tried to comfort me every single day.
But I ignored her.
I didn't want hugs. I didn't want bedtime stories. I didn't want to feel warm if Mama was still hurting.
Instead, I went back to the library.
I planned. I studied. I read every book I could reach.
Every strategy book.
Every book about kings, wars, laws, secrets.
The librarian saw me again, sneaking into the dusty old library just like always.
His name is Peter. He's old but kind—kind like Yumi. He never scolded me. He just offered me a chair and placed books I couldn't reach on the table without saying a word.
Peter became my second teacher. Mama was my first. He knew I was homeschooled, and he knew something had changed in me.
One afternoon, when the storm outside thundered loudly, I looked at Peter and whispered the truth.
"Peter… Dada hurts Mama every night."
He froze. His kind eyes turned sad, just like Yumi's always did.
He didn't ask questions.
He didn't say, "Are you sure?"
He just knelt beside me and said, "You're a brave little boy, Aurelius. I'm sorry you have to carry such heavy things."
Just like Yumi, he tried to comfort me.
But no matter how kind they were…
What I hated the most...
Was that nobody could stop Dada.
Nobody could save Mama.
Not even me.
And that made something inside my heart burn quietly—
Not like a child's fear anymore.
Like fire.
I turned to Peter, my fingers still curled around the edge of the thick strategy book.
"Peter…" I whispered, my voice barely audible over the rain tapping the windows. "Is Dada… powerful? That everyone fears him the most?"
Peter paused. His eyes searched mine—not like a grown-up brushing off a child's question. No. Peter always listened.
He let out a long breath and closed the book he had been holding.
"Yes," he said softly. "Your father is powerful, Aurelius. Too powerful for his own good."
"Then why won't anyone stop him?" I asked, my throat tight. "He keeps hurting Mama… and nobody does anything."
Peter sat down beside me, his voice trembling just a little. "Because power, when held by cruel hands, becomes a weapon. And people—good people—become afraid. They don't know what to do. They freeze."
"That's stupid," I muttered. "If people are good, they should do something."
He looked at me, surprised for a moment, then slowly nodded. "You're right. But not everyone is as brave as you."
I clenched my fists.
Then I said the words that had been building in me for days.
"Then I'll stop him."
Peter's eyes widened. "Aurelius—"
"I'll grow up smart and strong. I'll protect Mama. If no one else will do it… I will."
Silence stretched between us. The candle beside us flickered. And then, gently, Peter placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Then start with your heart, Aurelius. Don't let his cruelty turn you cold."
I didn't answer.
Because deep inside me… I already felt it happening.
I must become powerful.
More powerful than Dada.
So powerful that he would never dare lay a finger on Mama again. I clenched my little fists, tiny compared to his—but I wasn't scared.
Not anymore.
Dada is the villain.
And every story Mama read me… the hero always defeats the villain. Always.
I'll be that hero.
I'll be Mama's superhero.
I marched back to the library with fire in my chest and tears still drying on my cheeks. I dragged the heaviest book I could find off the shelf and dropped it on the table with a thud. My hands trembled, but not from fear—no. From how badly I wanted to grow. To learn. To fight back.
I started reading.
History. Strategy. Philosophy. Everything Peter gave me, I devoured like it was a weapon I could one day use. I wasn't just studying anymore—I was training.
Day by day, I memorized the names of kings, the rise of empires, the way great men built legacies... and the way monsters were brought down.
If Dada wanted to rule with fear…
Then I would rise with reason, courage, and cunning.
One day, I'll be strong enough.
One day, I'll make him stop.
One day…
Mama won't have to cry anymore.
Aurelius: Age 8
I don't need friends.
Yumi keeps saying I should make some, but what for? Friends won't save Mama. Friends won't stop Dada.
So I study.
I take tests online, hundreds of them, and I pass every single one. Some say I'm gifted. Some say I'm strange. I don't care what they say.
I must be smart.
Smarter.
The smartest.
Because Mama is getting worse. She can't get out of bed sometimes. She smiles at me, but I know it's not real. Her hands tremble when she touches my hair. I hold her hand back tighter, because I'm scared. Scared that if I blink, she might disappear.
And Dada… he's angrier than ever.
He yells. He throws things. He hurts her.
Why?
I asked Yumi once, when I found her crying in the kitchen.
She only hugged me. "I don't know, little one…"
I asked Peter too. "Is Mama bad? Why is Dada always mad at her?"
Peter looked away. "Your mother is the kindest person in this world, Aurelius. Never doubt that."
Then why?
Why is everyone afraid of him?
The other maids won't look at me. The butler avoids my questions. Even the guards pretend they don't hear when the screaming starts.
Why is Dada like that?
Why does no one stop him?
Why am I the only one who wants to?
It's my birthday today.
But I don't feel like celebrating.
What's the point of blowing candles when Mama can't get out of bed? What's the use of cake when the only person I want to eat it with isn't smiling?
Dada didn't even look at me this morning. Just walked past me like I wasn't there. Like I was a shadow.
Yumi tried. She always tries. She gave me a small box wrapped in pale blue paper, her hands trembling with hope.
Inside was a tiny heart-shaped locket. A bit childish… but I love it.
"It reminded me of your heart," she said softly. "Always full of love, even when you hide it."
Peter gave me a book—old and leather-bound, with golden edges and a title I couldn't pronounce.
"It's about a boy who turned pain into power," he said. "Thought it might be fitting."
I held it close.
But the best gift… the only one I truly wanted…
Was when Mama called me to her room. Her voice was barely a whisper, her hand reaching out weakly from the blankets.
I leaned close, and she kissed my forehead with lips cold and soft.
"Happy birthday, my little superhero…" she whispered.
And that was enough.
That one kiss…
Was everything.
End of Chapter 42.
CHARACTER PROFILE:
Name: Peter Langford
MBTI: ISFJ (The Defender)
Height: 5'10
EyeColor: Deep Hazel
HairColor: Ash Brown, graying at the temples
Age: 47
Occupation: Valemont Estate Librarian / Private Tutor
Role: Aurelius's second teacher, secret emotional support, and quiet guardian
Personality: Gentle, humble, reliable. A man of few words but deep wisdom. Always notices what others miss.
Dream: To raise one child—just one—with the courage and freedom to change the world.
Hobbies: Book collecting, repairing old manuscripts, classical music, carving wooden bookmarks
DailyRoutine:
Early morning: Opens and tends the library
Midday: Prepares reading lists, tutors Aurelius when allowed
Evening: Writes letters to his sister, reads in the quiet
Likes:
Silence
Classical literature
Candied ginger
Children with curious minds
The scent of old books
Aurelius's hidden smile
Dislikes:
Loud voices
Abuse of power
Locking knowledge away
Seeing Aurelius suppress his pain
Phrases he hears often:
"Mr. Langford, thank you."
"I didn't know you'd still be here."
"How do you remember all this?"
"Peter, am I doing the right thing?"
Special Notes:
Peter once dreamed of being a historian but chose a quiet life after a personal tragedy. He is fiercely loyal to Aurelius and Anastasia, and he sees the boy's suffering with a depth that few do. He walks softly, speaks softly, and listens harder than anyone else in the mansion.
Signature Quote:
"Even the smallest light, tucked between book pages, can illuminate the darkest corner of a castle."