Virno lay face-down on his bed, the mattress muffling his uneven breaths. His eyes were puffy and red, his cheeks streaked with tears he refused to shed fully. The room was silent save for the faint rustle of the wind outside.

  A knock at the door shattered the stillness. Virno froze for a moment, wiping his face hurriedly before answering.

  

  

  Virno: "Come in."

  The door creaked open, and Charles von Virtus stepped inside. He shut the door behind him, his presence as commanding as ever. Without a word, he walked to the bed and sat on its edge. For a moment, he studied his son, his expression unreadable.

  Charles: "Come sit beside me, Virno."

  Virno hesitated but eventually crawled over, sitting next to his father. Charles let out a heavy sigh, as if the weight of a thousand words pressed on his chest. But before he could speak, Virno broke the silence.

  Virno: "I didn't ask for any of this, father..."

  Charles said nothing, only tilting his head slightly to listen.

  Virno: "Your expectations, my studies, my future wife... I don't want any of it. How is it fair that I'm expected to be the perfect son and take on all these responsibilities? How is that my life?"

  Still, Charles remained quiet.

  Virno: "I know what you're thinking. 'Life isn't fair,' right? That I should just man up and deal with it. But I think that's bullshit, dad. Seriously. Is that what life is about? Dealing with things you hate? Worrying about things that mean nothing to you? Isn't that just... pointless?"

  Charles finally spoke, his voice calm and steady.

  Charles: "What would you rather life be about, Virno?"

  Virno stared down at his hands, thinking.

  Virno: "I don't know. I guess... I think life should be about the things that give it meaning. For me, that's swordfighting. Becoming the best there is. But I know you don't approve, so what's the point of even saying it?"

  Charles shook his head, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

  Charles: "Son, if that's truly your goal, neither I nor your mother will stand in your way. But having a goal in life doesn't absolve you of your other obligations."

  Virno: "Why not? Why should I waste time on pointless things I don't care about?"

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  Charles: "Because even in the most mundane, uninteresting tasks, there's something to learn. Something to gain. You just have to change your perspective."

  Virno: "Father..."

  Virno's tone was exasperated, as if he'd heard this line a hundred times before.

  Charles: "And no, Virno, it's not bullshit. It's the truth. Perspective changes everything."

  Virno crossed his arms, leaning back slightly.

  Virno: "Alright, then. What 'meaningful experience' am I supposed to find in spending time with a future wife I don't even want to marry?"

  Charles sighed deeply, folding his hands together.

  Charles: "I know you don't want to marry her. And I understand you may not have any affection for her now. But you need to see it for what it is -- a means to strengthen the bond between our families. That's all. Beyond that, you're free to live your life as you wish. You may have lovers, pursue your passions. All we ask is that you put a ring on her finger and produce an heir. It's not so complicated."

  Virno (sarcastic): "Not so complicated... Of course. How silly of me."

  He looked his father in the eyes, adopting a more serious tone.

  Virno: "But you didn't really answer my question."

  Charles leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.

  Charles: "Look at it as an opportunity to learn, Virno. To bargain. To work with someone you may not like. That's a skill you'll need, whether you become a swordfighter or something else."

  Virno: "How would that even help me as a swordfighter?"

  Charles: "Even swordfighters rely on others, son. Do you want to spend your time scouting tournaments, repairing your blades, or hauling your gear from town to town? No, you'll need allies. Some will care for you; others will only care for your money. Knowing how to navigate those relationships is as important as knowing how to hold a blade. You can try to be a lone wolf, but you'll find those 'pointless tasks' will come back to haunt you when there's no one left to help you."

  Virno sighed, his anger deflating slightly.

  Charles: "Life isn't pretty, Virno. I'm not saying it's fine the way it is, and I'm not saying you're wrong to feel the way you do. But some things will always be outside your control. You have two choices: you can reject them, hurt yourself and those around you... or you can face them and grow. One path leads to shame and loneliness. The other... well, who knows where it leads? But isn't it worth finding out?"

  Virno stared at the floor, his mind churning with unspoken thoughts.

  Charles: "Do you remember the story I used to tell you every Sunday?"

  Virno: "'The Warrior and the Cursed Sword' How could I forget? You hammered it into my head."

  Charles chuckled softly.

  Charles: "Have you come to understand it better?"

  Virno: "Let me guess -- I'm just like the Warrior, right?"

  Charles: "We all are, son. The Warrior is greed. The part of us that wants to have the cake and eat it too. It's natural to be greedy. But unchecked greed... it destroys everything."

  Virno nodded slowly.

  Virno: "Yeah... I get it. I'll keep my greed in check."

  Charles's voice softened.

  Charles: "I've been greedy too, Virno. Far greedier than you can imagine. And it's cost me. It's cost us."

  Virno turned to look at his father, his eyes wide with curiosity.

  Charles: "I know I haven't been the father you need. It's easy for me to sit here and lecture you, but why should you listen to a father who's failed at the most important job of all?"

  Virno's expression softened, his anger giving way to something more vulnerable.

  Charles: "Words alone aren't enough. But I promise you this: things will change. I'll be home more. I'll help you grow. Everything else can wait. You're my priority now, Virno. I swear it."

  Charles wrapped an arm around his son, his hand firm on his shoulder.

  Charles: "Together, we'll figure out what life means for you. I'll help you find your path, even if it's the last thing I do."

  Virno's lips curved into a small smile as he fought back tears.

  Virno: "I guess... we'll see."

  Charles laughed, pulling him into a tight hug.

  Charles: "You bet you will! Now, give your father a hug."

  Virno buried his face in his father's chest, a tear slipping down his cheek. But as Charles held him, his own expression was unreadable -- his eyes dark with a mix of fear and resolve...