"What is a father’s love? The answer would vary from person to person. For some, it is warm. For others, consistent. For another, reliable." This question weighed heavily on Klode’s mind ever since the day his father was unmasked. “Warm, consistent, reliable… my father was never like that. But could a father truly kill his son for no reason?” Klode thought to himself. It was the day of his marriage. Shock and confusion were consuming him. “Son, are you ready? The guests have arrived and are looking for you,” Kartel’s voice echoed in his ears. “Let them wait. If it were up to me, they would wait an eternity... and I still wouldn’t go! I still don’t understand why I have to go through with this farce,” Klode snapped. “The reason is simple. I am your father and the head of this house, and I command you to. Where do you even find the guts to act like a spoiled brat on such an important day for our family?” “Yes, right. You order me. Just like you once ordered me to be killed! I respected you, Father. I looked up to you. I wished to be an ideal son for you. Of course, that was before I learned an ideal son would be a dead son in your eyes!” “Are you still keeping up this act? From my point of view, I am doing you a favor. How else could you marry your commoner childhood sweetheart if it weren’t for me? You should be thanking me instead of giving me a headache so early in the morning.” “Childhood sweetheart, you say? The same one you conspired with to take my life? It’s strange how quickly she accepted your proposal, when just moments before she was so angry and heartbroken over your failed assassination attempt. And now it’s all butterflies and roses, with preparations for a wedding she so desperately desired… forgetting that she will become the daughter-in-law of the very man who tried to kill me.” Kartel looked at him, expressionless. “You know what I think? I think you both conspired against me. Who knows what you’ll do in the future? I loved you both, and what hurts the most is that everything you are doing today is burning all my feelings to ash. You both betrayed me…” “I’m tired of hearing your feelings all morning, like some sentimental little girl. Listen closely: you will marry this girl and you will get her pregnant as soon as possible, and as often as you can. You are not to speak a single word of these feelings of yours until she has given birth to her first child. You have no choice in this. Either do what I say, or pack up and leave. You know what I am capable of, so do not test me.” Kartel’s eyes were menacing, his voice low. Klode was left speechless, once again stunned by his father’s cruelty. “I will be waiting for you downstairs. Make sure you don’t make a decision you’ll regret.” Kartel left, and Klode was alone with his thoughts again. Ready to make a decision that would ruin many lives...