"Let's hope that this time, he really is going to see me, or I'm leaving!"
Viktor grumbled at the old butler, while they walked out of the VIP rooms. They headed into the huge building next to the house of parliament, which had been converted into the Romanov family's main residence.
As the two walked in, the place was pretty much stuffed to the brim with trusted family bodyguards. They went through several doors, undergoing inspections all the way, before Viktor was finally allowed to enter the last door by himself.
When he opened the door, he expected to see a grandiose place worthy of the kingpin of the powerful Romanov family. However, what he saw was the complete opposite.
The room was white and clean, and a certain medical smell permeated the air. There was nothing but one huge bed, various life support machines, and someone laying on top of the bed. He was being taken care of by three people in white coats.
Rather than a beautiful or grandiose place, the head of the Romanov family was reduced to living in a hospital room like any other. Vassily Romanov lay down helplessly on the bed, with various tubes going in and out of his body.
Noticing his arrival, the Romanov family head looked and gestured at the three people. Without further ado, the doctors in white coats quickly left the premises.
His father acted calm even as he struggled to sit on the side of the bed. Although Vassily tried to maintain a facade of strength, Viktor could clearly see that the powerful father who had always terrified him was no more.
The first question from him however surprised Viktor.
"Why are you here…? What do you want?"
For a second, Viktor was confused, but then he realized that the only explanation was that old butler Angus lied to him. Although it appears that his father's condition was true, he had never looked for him.
Now, everything made sense. He had noticed that his father never came to pick him up in the bunker, not even just drop by to check on him in the last two years. There was no way his father would call him out of the blue like that.
It seems that his father had no intention to even call him at all.
Not wanting to make a fool out of himself, Viktor decided to give the safest answer.
"I heard you are sick, i just came to see your condition"
It was not fully a lie, as he did hear from Angus that his father was sick. Viktor decided against mentioning the old butler's lie, however.
The man was silent for a second, before he let out a weakened laugh.
"Hahaha… Don't give me that bullshit, tell me what you want?!"
His words felt like daggers into his heart. Viktor could easily demand everything. Gold, spirit stones, artifacts, weapons, and power, all crossed his mind. However, he shook his head and replied without hesitation.
"I don't want anything. If you want to, just take all your riches to your grave"
Viktor turned around, walked towards the door, and was about to open it. As he touched the door handle, his father laughed, but it was a less restrained laugh. It sounded more jovial and sincere. "Hahahaha, good, very good!"
He then looked at the bed, and saw his father gesturing for him to get closer. As he walked hesitantly, his father said,
"If you want something, take it while I am still alive, else everything will fall to your brother and sister. So, just say it now, what do you want?"
Of course, the declaration made him speechless, as something impossible had just happened before his eyes. He never thought that he would see the softer side of his father, the side he only saw a few times throughout his life.
As he stared at his father in silence, unsure of what to do, Vassily coughed hard for a few seconds. Viktor quickly ran and grabbed a glass of water for him.
The man, however, refused to take the glass. Instead, he grabbed Viktor's hand and pulled him closer.
"Your… eyes… They remind me of your mother… "
Another awkward silence ensued between them, Then, his father continued speaking.
"I had never harbored any expectations for you, nor do I have any demands. You can do what you want. Help your brother and sister, or ask them for things, it's all up to you. However…"
His father fumbled through his clothes and pulled out a beautiful gold ring with a red, teardrop-shaped ruby on it. He offered the ring to Viktor and said.
"If you desire to take no part in this, you can give this to your uncle, Zhao Wenli. Right now, your mother's siblings in the Zhao family have become the biggest, strongest family in the world. If you show him the ring, I believe that he will take care of you."
Viktor walked closer and took the ring. He took it not to pay for protection, but as a memento that once belonged to his mother.
As he grabbed the ring, his father held his hand and said. "Never forget, you are a Romanov, no matter what anyone else says."
Then, he pushed Viktor away and ordered him to go away as far as possible.
It was such a weird encounter, and Viktor couldn't help but walk out with a sort of mixed feelings.
When he walked out, the old butler was standing by the door, and when Viktor saw him the old butler looked down, clearly waiting for his punishment. However, Viktor decided to not be too harsh on him.
After all, he lied for his sake, and that was a good show of his loyalty.
Viktor looked at the old butler and gave him an order, "Find my sister. Tell her I want to see her."
The old butler bowed and said, "Certainly, young master."
----------------------------------
Written by Avans, Published exclusively by W.e.b.n.o.v.e.l,
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.𝘤ℴ𝑚 for the best novel reading experience