Chapter 503: If you don't understand him, who else can?
Thomas could obviously see her nervousness, and his tone softened a bit.
"I just want to talk to you a bit more, I'm not criticizing you. You don't need to be so nervous." Thomas comforted her.
"Yes, Mr. Emberlyn." Stellan tried to appear natural.
"Actually, the only thing I can talk to you about is Alaric. Sit down, and I'll tell you slowly," Thomas began to speak as if telling a story. "Alaric's family was wealthy, but he didn't really enjoy it.
The first time I saw him was when I came here for military recruitment. I didn't know if he was just there for the excitement or if he came specifically, but he stood nearby, staring inside. I noticed him immediately.
So I asked him, 'Do you want to join the army too?' He said yes. I said, 'Okay, let's make a deal. If you still want to join the army in ten years, I'll come and take you.' He said, 'No need to wait ten years, I can go with you now.'
I was really surprised when I heard that. I replied, 'You're too young, not old enough to join the army.' He asked me, 'Do you have the authority to let an eight-year-old join the army? If you do, I'll follow you.'
In all my years in the army, I had never seen a kid like him. I really liked him, so I made an exception and took him in. On the day I was to take him away, his parents were very sad, especially Marigold, who cried her heart out. After all, he was so young, they couldn't bear to part with him.
But he was very determined to go with me. To me, it felt like a responsibility, as if he had chosen me over his biological parents, and I had to take on that responsibility.
So I took him into the army. The conditions were very tough, and he was so young. He went to school during the day and trained at night. The school was far from our base, so he ran to and from school every day as part of his training.
I thought he wouldn't last a few days, but he persisted for years. As he grew up, he became more and more capable. Whether it was drills or various assessments, he was always first. He always excelled in dangerous missions.
Although he was young, he had much experience, and the leaders in the army admired him greatly. When he went on a mission, we even held a meeting after he left.
We unanimously decided that when he completed the mission and returned, we would take the opportunity to promote him to Major General and had even reserved a position for him. But no one expected..."
Thomas's voice wavered with emotion. After a pause, he continued, "When he was brought back, he was covered in blood, unrecognizable, and on the brink of death. Fortunately, he was lucky, and after emergency treatment, his life was saved.
But one day, two days, a week passed, he didn't wake up. The doctors said he might never wake up, and even if he did, he might not be the same. There was no longer any point in him staying in the army.
For the first time in my life, I avoided something. When Marigold came to take him home, I was in my office but didn't dare to see her."
Thomas sighed again, looking at Stellan, continuing, "Now that I'm retired, everything I had planned for my retirement should have been his, but it all became irrelevant to him. He joined the army with me at eight, and I guided him for so many years, but I couldn't give him a good outcome in the army. I feel really guilty.
But fortunately, he persevered. Now he has a successful career and a happy family, which eases my guilt a bit. I was a bit stern with you earlier, don't take it to heart. It's just that I heard he had just recovered, and I was really worried."
"No, you were right. This time it was my fault. If I hadn't been so foolish, I wouldn't have been kidnapped." Stellan quickly replied.
"Everyone makes mistakes. Making mistakes isn't scary; knowing where you went wrong is what matters," Thomas said again. "Now that Alaric's parents are gone, you are the closest person to him. If you can't understand him, who else can?"
"Yes." Stellan responded.
Listening to Thomas's words, Stellan felt particularly distressed. It was heartache for Alaric, and also a lot of understanding.
Like Marigold, she might be seen as a great sinner by everyone, but to Alaric, she wasn't.
During his three years of coma, he was well taken care of, and even woke up later, all thanks to Marigold's persistence.
But Marigold's death was related to Stellan. If Alaric showed sadness in front of Stellan, she might overthink, but not being sad would be fake. So she smoked in the car to relieve her sorrow.
"Mr. Emberlyn, thank you for telling me all this today. Don't worry, I'll take good care of him. I can't say I'll be of much help, but I certainly won't cause him any more trouble."
Hearing this, Thomas smiled with relief, "You saying that means Alaric didn't choose the wrong person. Alright, I've talked enough for tonight. Let's go."
"Okay."
Stellan then left with Thomas. Seeing them come out, Alaric, who was waiting at the door, quickly walked over and said to Thomas, "Gillian is waiting for you in the car."
"Alright," Thomas responded, then spoke, "It's getting late, you two should head back."
He then pointed at Alaric and warned, "No more staying at hotels, move back home immediately!"
"Yes, Mr. Emberlyn," Alaric reflexively responded to Thomas's command.
Alaric and Stellan watched Thomas's car leave, then Alaric quickly took off his coat and draped it over Stellan, complaining, "You said this morning that I don't take care of myself, but do you take care of yourself?"
After complaining, he quickly asked, "What did Mr. Emberlyn say to you? He didn't give you a hard time, did he?"
"Secret."
After hearing Thomas's words and looking at Alaric, Stellan felt an indescribable sadness. Stellan got into the driver's seat, then said to Alaric, "Get in."
Since Alaric had been drinking and couldn't drive, he could only sit in the passenger seat. After getting in, Stellan started the car.
"How was your stay at the hotel these past few days?" Stellan asked.
"Not good," Alaric took the opportunity to say, "Couldn't eat well, couldn't sleep well."
"If you couldn't eat or sleep well, why didn't you come home?"
"No one welcomed me back" Alaric uttered with hurt.
After Alaric finished speaking, Stellan didn't respond immediately. The air was quiet for a few seconds.
"Come back," Stellan spoke after a few seconds. "I really get scared at night when you're not there."
"So you're asking me to come back because you're scared at night, not because you miss me?"
Hearing this, Stellan couldn't help but smile helplessly. Thomas was right; those who didn't matter to Alaric would always see his proud and cold side. Only those close to him would see his childish side.
"That too."
Hearing Stellan admit it, Alaric's lips curled into a slight smile, and he voiced slowly, "Then I can consider it."
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