Chapter 18: Talk 2
"I know that you're an oddity."
As Clara's words resounded, Jayce's wandering thoughts all became still as if the world around had paused. His mind still trying to process her words, he felt his heart clench.
He tried to calm his mind and was able to partially succeed.
'Calm down, I should calm down. If she was knowledgeable about my acting, then she should be able to tell atleast this much..'
He then looked at his grandmother, who now had a serious face, and asked,
"What is it about me being an oddity?" (Jayce)
All along she was scrutinizing his reactions.
"Honestly, I am not sure myself about what kind of oddity it is...but I know that you're special." (Clara)
After saying this, as if she suddenly thought of something. She hurriedly added the following.
"Of course. Even if you're not, I don't mind. You will still be my grandson." (Clara)
Jayce couldn't understand for a while why she was contradicting herself.
'What's she saying? She thinks I'm special or not? I think she is giving me a hint. It's not her, but the family head who is cause of all this by making this decision.'
"Jayce, I know it's hard on you. But, there's no other choice. You're still young, you may think there's still a lot of time. That you can be lazy for now and do things later on." (Clara)
"Yes, sure. There is a lot of time. But, you will never know just how fast they go by until one day you look back at the past only to find yourself caught in a cycle that you may never escape from. The cycle of things or situations that this world forces up on everyone.." (Clara)
"This world may appear all pretty in the day, but the reality you'll spend after growing up will be at night, a lonely dark night where the world will show it's true colors." (Clara)
"Maybe it's not the world itself but just us, humans. But, then again be aware of all time that this is the world of such humans who killed hundreds of people their own kind for some animals which did nothing but act cute or known to be sacred." (Clara)
What Clara mention now was a story from a myth or, rather, from the history of this world. It was a side story mentioned in the 'Maaran's Odyssey'.
Maaran was the first emperor that arose from the human race tens of thousands of years ago. His tales are still spoken as myths and legends among people. Commonly known as 'Maaran's Odyssey'.
It's a tale of how he raised up from being a slave in a mine to the highest position of that era, destroying everything that chained him down in his way and paved the path and sowed the seed for the world they live in now.
A tale of ups and downs, sorrow and helplessness, cunning and naiveté, a story filled with hope for the people of common origin.
"Are you aware of that story, Jayce?"
"Yeah, The story of a tyrant feeding hundreds of slaves in his mines to his pet because his pet lion cub seemed to be bored with its regular food and wanted to eat human meat. And how Emperor Maaran saved them" (Jayce)
"Yes, that's how cruel this world was and still is. In fact, there are even tribes or cults that kill even more people than that tyrant in that story at present because of their beliefs and greed or rather extremist ideologies." (Clara)
"So, how do you protect yourself and your other loved ones from such a fate? You may think it won't happen because we are a powerful family. But trust me sweetie, I've seen a family more powerful than us fall and cease to exist, over a single night." (Clara)
"Sure, connections, territories, resources, techniques that you may build throughout your life are helpful, but they are something that will come to one who has strength without having to make a single move or effort." (Clara)
"There is no other choice, Jayce. I'm ashamed as your grandmother that I have to put such a burden on you. But, there is no other choice. Before coming to talk with you, I met all the other high-ranking Roderick family members, including your parents." (Clara)
"During the meeting, when I told them about the details about your candidacy...can you guess what they felt?" (Clara)
Jayce raised his eyebrows and thought for a while before answering,
"Mixed emotions?" (Jayce)
"Yeah sure. But, there is one single emotion we all felt uniformly. Can you guess what's that?" (Clara)
Jayce once again went into deep thought. He was not really thinking hard about an answer. Rather,
'Why is she asking these questions? Where is she trying to lead me with them? What's her thought process?'
Are what was echoing in his mind. Hiding that, he answered,
"Maybe... expectation?" (Jayce)
Clara smiled softly, but there was a hint of melancholy in her demeanor.
"No, it's not expectations. Sure, many of us expect you to achieve greatness. But what we felt was helplessness." (Clara)
"When they heard the details, your parents didn't feel happy for you; your aunt, uncle or other family members didn't feel proud of you. We all felt helpless at the thought of how our lives are dictated by the whims of someone." (Clara)
"Ironically, we are the group that dictates the life of millions of people in the Luna kingdom, but only when feeling it ourselves, do we understand the heaviness of such a matter." (Clara)
Saying that, Clara gave Jayce a deep and meaningful look and asked,
"Tell me, isn't that also what you feel right now?"
At her question, Jayce lowered his head. He wanted to retort that he was not helpless, but he knew that was not true. His rational mind and emotional instincts are in a war.
Silence remained.
Clara stood up, attracting Jayce's attention,
"Then, understand this. The only way to get rid of that is to become stronger yourself. Strength isn't just about physical or magical prowess, you've a gifted mind and strong soul. Something that is unique to you, use that as the base and build your foundation."
"Grow up with a defined purpose and intention of achieving greatness. Become strong enough that not even the heavens will attempt to toy with you."
"But, until then, no matter your emotions and feelings. It can't be halted."
Jayce's eyes quivered at her words.
'Does she think it will motivate me?'
But Clara ignored that and continued,
"As planned, your education on common subjects will begin after 4 days from now, on Monday. As long as you get through it, your instructions and training on awakening will begin shortly."
"But, this time. No holding back, not from you or from the teachers and trainers."
"Have a good night's sleep or just remain awake and come in agreement with your emotions. Only after making your decision, should you come out of this room. I don't care what decision you make, just remember your family will support you regardless. Good luck."
With that, Clara disappeared from the place she was standing. But, Jayce remained in that position for a while before getting up and started pacing around his room.
He was too focused on trying to analyze the recent happenings and coming up with a solution.
Night passed, early morning around 6'o clock. Jayce hadn't slept a wink, neither was he able to come up with a solution. His eyelids felt heavy as he fell on his back to the bed.
When he woke up, it was already around 11'o clock. Looking around, he found a box which had been placed atop some papers.
He didn't even have to open the box, he knew what was inside it. It's a box that uses magic to keep the food warm for a long time.
He opened the papers which were folded. Unsurprisingly, those were letters from his family. Except from his grandmother, everyone has written one, including his grandfather.
He opened and read them one by one. Word by word so that he won't miss anything from overlooking.
Each and every letter was like a comedic masterpiece written by them to cheer him up. As he read those letters, a smile unknowingly formed on his face which turned into hearty laughter at the end.
'Damn, these guys. I really wonder whether ours is a family or a circus.'
----
A..N:
Hello!
By the way, If anyone not aware of it. The sentence with
" symbol are spoken dialogue.
' symbol are monologue.
Sentences covered with square brackets [] are mental conversation between characters.
Brackets () are for author thoughts in between.
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