Protection

"What you did was inappropriate." Hearing Diss's words, Karen held out his hands. "I believe it's entirely fair to look at this from a family perspective. But there's a problem: Aunt Winnie and Chris don't know how our family differs from any other, aside from perhaps having slightly better living conditions. They don't realize that a phrase like 'go die' isn't just something blurted out in anger—it's something that can actually be carried out. Most importantly, once it's carried out, we can do so without facing any burden or fallout." Diss took a sip of his tea and asked, "Do you know why I had your uncle involve you more in the family business after you recovered from your illness?" "Wasn't it because we were short on hands?" Karen asked. "Corpse haulers aren't hard to hire. After all, the monthly pay is high, and the work isn't exhausting." Karen nodded. Diss set down his teacup. Karen rose and refilled it for him. Sitting back down, Karen answered, "Grandfather, you wanted me to understand the boundaries of life and respect for it through the operation and running of the funeral parlor, so that I wouldn't become reckless after gaining a bit of power." "Heh." Diss chuckled. Chatting with an intelligent grandson was truly delightful. "I understand what you mean, Grandfather, and I've always stayed true to my original intentions. Besides, I've gradually come to understand the moral yardstick in your heart. I won't step out of line; I respect rules very much. But the issue is that while Aunt Winnie and Chris are indeed our family, you and I are their family as well. Family is always a two-way street. We aren't doing this out of pity for a pitiful mother and daughter, nor simply because we're disgusted by a man who abandoned his wife and child without an ounce of gratitude, and certainly not because of the shameless way he came crawling back to play the sympathy card once he went broke. It's simply because Parker's actions and behavior hurt Winnie's father—you—and they also hurt Chris's brother—me. Therefore, I believe I have every right to retaliate for the harm done to me. If a passerby snapped the roses I planted in the garden, I'd still go up and argue with them. If they threw insults on top of that, fists might very well fly. How much more so when it comes to family? That is my reasoning, and that is my explanation." "A magistrate wouldn't accept that argument." "It's enough that Order accepts it." Karen pointed a finger at his chest. "I'm referring to the Order in my own heart." "Still, it is inappropriate," Diss reiterated. Then Diss took a prepared envelope from the desk and placed it in front of Karen. Karen reached out and took it. It was a document akin to an enforcement warrant, issued not by a father, but by an Inquisitor of the Rojia City Inquisitorial Office of the Church of Order. "Yes, Grandfather, I'll reflect on my actions." Mobilizing an aberrant demon against ordinary humans was a grave taboo. But if the aberrant demon held an official post and had an enforcement warrant, it became legitimate—done in the name of upholding the dignity of the Church of Order. Karen picked up the envelope, stood, and turned toward the door. As he opened it, Diss asked, "So, did you come in just to praise the sweater your aunt knitted for me?" Karen turned back, smiling at Diss as he tapped the envelope against his palm. *I only came to take this, because I knew you would have already prepared it.* Both grandfather and grandson smiled. "By the way, tomorrow is your aunt's birthday." "I understand, Grandfather. Aunt Mary truly hasn't had it easy in our family. She's given a great deal." Not only had Aunt Mary stood by Uncle Mason through thick and thin after his fall from Wall Street to Mink Street, but whether in the memories of the previous Karen or through his own observations over the past few months, Karen felt that Aunt Mary was a remarkable wife, mother, and elder. Moreover, Karen knew full well what Diss meant by that. Just as Karen had reminded Diss earlier, *'Not counting today, you only have five days left,'* Diss had decided to lift a hand and send Parker—an eyesore he had long despised—straight up to heaven. "I'll prepare well for it," Karen said. "Will it be too rushed?" Diss asked. "No. After all, Aunt Mary isn't an outsider; she's family." "Good. Thank you for your hard work." "It's what I should do." ... Second floor. Bedroom. Uncle Mason lay in bed with the bedside lamp on, reading a newspaper—a copy of the *Financial Times*. Aunt Mary finished her bath, put on her nightgown, and climbed into bed. Seeing her husband still reading that kind of paper, her brow furrowed slightly by reflex, but she quickly drew a breath to clear away the negative emotion, not wanting even a trace of it to show on her face. "With print that small, aren't your eyes getting tired?" Aunt Mary gently pulled Uncle Mason's head toward her and began softly massaging his temples. Uncle Mason flicked the newspaper with his fingers, rolled it up, and tossed it aside. "Actually, it's not that I'm unwilling to let go—well, maybe a little. But I never thought about going back. I'm just reading it to take a look." "I know." Aunt Mary pressed her cheek against her husband's head. "I know you've always blamed yourself and felt terrible." Uncle Mason took Aunt Mary's hand and pressed two kisses to it. "I wanted to give you and the children a better life. I'm sorry my abilities fell short." "Our life right now is wonderful. Working as a mortuary makeup artist is very nice too—I don't have to put up with nearly as many dirty looks. Oh, even if some clients lie there with the whites of their eyes showing after they die, that kind of look doesn't make you feel annoyed or uncomfortable. Once you spend enough time around them, you actually start finding them rather endearing. Every time a memorial service begins, seeing a client I prepared lying peacefully and gracefully in the coffin to bid farewell to their loved ones, I always feel that what I do is truly meaningful. Besides, look at Mina and Lunt—living at home suits them very well. We were both so busy before, and it was hard to find time to watch the kids grow up. Now they're right in front of us every day. Father might be a bit stern, but our family values are upright. I'm sure Mina and Lunt will grow up with fine character." Uncle Mason wrapped his arms around his wife's waist, drew a deep breath, and said, "Darling, I know you're comforting me. I'm truly grateful to fate for letting me meet you in this life." "Me too, because you've always been a good husband." The two held each other, feeling the warmth of each other's bodies. After a long while, Uncle Mason suddenly asked, "Right, why have our household restocks dropped so much over the past month?" "The family's public account is running tight on funds." "That shouldn't be. Buying the cremation parlor and the new hearse cost a lot, but we all contributed our own money for those. Business hasn't been booming lately, but we took on several Grade B packages in a row, and the profit margin was substantial. We're in no rush to draw dividends from the public account, so why did things tighten up so suddenly?" "Because Winnie and I discussed withdrawing a sum of money from the public account. I was going over the books with her just last night." "Hmm? For what?" "To prepare for Karen, of course." "Karen? What about him?" "Karen and Miss Eunice." "Isn't that going well? Miss Eunice is a great match for our nephew." Uncle Mason now had tremendous confidence in his nephew. "Miss Eunice is from Wien." "What's wrong with being from Wien?" "She's Wien nobility! When she and her mother came back to visit relatives, they stayed on Rhine Street. Besides, I tried several times to talk to Father about the future arrangements for Karen and Miss Eunice, and Father's answer is always the same: 'Let them develop naturally.'" "Wait, Father really said that?" Uncle Mason finally noticed something amiss. His father had always placed great importance on his eldest grandson, even doting on him somewhat. After all, Karen's parents had long passed away, so it was only natural for the family to give him more attention and support. Now Karen was in a relationship, and the young lady's mother had even visited the house. By custom, things had moved to the next stage. As a grandfather who loved this grandson almost to an extreme, how could he suddenly act completely hands-off? "What's more, when Miss Eunice and her mother visited us last time, Father specifically had us take Mina and the others to the amusement park—and in the rain, no less," Aunt Mary said. "I feel Father just doesn't want us to get too involved in Karen's relationship. That points to one possibility." Uncle Mason's eyes went wide, and he exclaimed, "Father wants Karen to go to Wien?!" "Exactly! That's why Winnie and I were thinking that if Karen really goes back to Wien with Miss Eunice, we need to gather liquid funds right away and exchange them for riels. Housing prices in York City aren't cheap, but we should at least prepare a modest apartment for Karen, shouldn't we? Whether Karen stays in the girl's family estate is one thing, but how could he not have a place of his own in York City? If they ever quarrel or have a falling out down the road, Karen might not even have somewhere to go. He's a man, after all." "I'll ask Father tomorrow. No, I'll go ask him right now and find out what he's really thinking—whether he truly wants to send Karen to Wien!" Uncle Mason rolled out of bed and slipped into his slippers. "Wait, what are you doing? Once Father decides something, do you really think you have any say?" "No, I have to go! I just can't stomach this! My brother is gone, so how could we let Karen be sent off to Wien?! Our Inmerlais family hasn't sunk to such a state!" "Then ask Father tomorrow. It's too late now; Father might already be asleep." "No. If he isn't in the study, I'll go to his bedroom. Even if he's asleep, I'll wake him up! I didn't know before, but now that I do, I won't let myself play dumb. Mary, do you have any idea how terrified I am? I'm terrified that Father is planning to send Karen away just because we came back, all so I can inherit the family business!" *Smack!* Mason slapped himself across the face. "How could I ever do such a thing? If that's really what's happening, would I even deserve to have Karen call me Uncle?!" "Father... wouldn't think like that. Father has always been a fair man." "But I won't allow this to happen—absolutely not! This house, this funeral parlor, belongs to Karen! Back then, Father gathered the three of us before him and solemnly asked which of us was willing to inherit the family parlor. Winnie and I both refused. We yearned for the world outside. We grew up in the Inmerlais funeral parlor, and we were sick and tired of it all! We felt that staying in this trade when we grew up would be squandering our youth, wasting our lives, ruining our futures! When my brother saw that Winnie and I had both refused, he chose to take it over. Winnie and I were young and foolish back then. We only thought that since my brother agreed to take over the business, we were free. Otherwise, we were terrified that if Father forced a choice, it would fall on us. But the truth was that my brother gave the choice to Winnie and me. He sacrificed himself for his brother and sister. After I started working, before I met you, the initial capital for my stock trading actually came from my brother—a substantial sum of money. And where did Winnie get enough private savings to help that piece of garbage Parker open a factory? My brother gave that to her, too! So my brother chose to stay behind and guard the family business for our sake, but at the same time, he had already divided the family fortune between Winnie and me. And now, my brother's only son is being sent off to Wien! Mary, I'm sorry, but even if I have to take you and the kids to sleep on the street right now, I won't let this happen! Why should Winnie and I have chosen freedom back then, leaving my brother to guard the home, only for us to come back after breaking our wings outside and steal my brother's son's nest?!" Hearing Mason say this, Aunt Mary let go of her husband's arm. "Back when Father offered us family shares, claiming it would help run the parlor better, I shouldn't have agreed. Winnie and I came back looking for work and shelter. What right did we have to take shares? These shares, this entire family business, belonged to Karen from the very start. I'm going to get a straight answer from Father!" Uncle Mason walked out of the bedroom and went up to the third floor. He knocked on the study door. "Enter." Standing outside the door, Uncle Mason drew a deep breath, turned the knob, and stepped inside. About fifteen minutes later, Uncle Mason emerged from the study. ... *Creak...* The bedroom door opened, revealing Uncle Mason's face. Sitting at the desk reading, Karen looked up. "Uncle?" "Karen, come outside for a moment." "Alright." Karen followed his uncle down the stairs to the first floor. Only a single light on the northwest side of the first floor was on, illuminating the sofa and coffee table. Aunt Winnie was already sitting there, wiping her reddened eyes while pouring coffee. "Aunt, what's wrong?" Karen stepped forward to ask. "It really isn't worth getting upset over that kind of person." Karen assumed his aunt was still grieving over Parker's visit earlier today. But by now, Parker was likely already in heaven repenting before God, and Alfred would probably return soon to report back. Karen simply didn't want to tell his aunt or Chris about such things; it was better to let that man depart through an unfortunate accident. In truth, Karen had misunderstood. The reason Aunt Winnie was wiping away tears was that she had just been scolded by her second brother, Uncle Mason. Uncle Mason had shouted directly at her: *Mary not telling me is excusable and understandable—she doesn't carry the Inmerlais name, so she naturally thinks more about Mina, Lunt, and her own household. But what about you? Since you noticed, why didn't you come tell me? Have you forgotten that you dropped your married name and changed it back to Inmerlais? After everything, how can we face our deceased brother?!* Under Uncle Mason's barrage of accusations, Aunt Winnie hadn't argued back. She had only wiped her tears. "Sit," Uncle Mason said, pointing to the sofa. Sensing the strange atmosphere, Karen sat down. Uncle Mason sat down as well, looking at Karen, and asked in all seriousness, "Karen, tell me honestly: are you going to Wien with Miss Eunice?" Karen was taken aback for a moment, but nodded. "Most likely, yes." "Is it of your own free will? Your grandfather said it was your own choice." "Grandfather is right; it's my own choice. He asked for my opinion several times, and each time I chose to go to Wien." Uncle Mason grew frantic and blurted out, "What kind of sense does that make?! This is your home, Karen! This is your home! This house, this funeral parlor—it all belongs to you, and only you! Stay here. When you grow a bit older... no, you don't even have to wait, right now!" Uncle Mason looked toward Aunt Winnie, who picked up a freshly written sheet of paper from the table. "Karen, your aunt and I are giving up all of our shares, including Mary's portion. This home, this business, is yours." Karen realized what was going on, and a surge of warmth flowed through his chest. Truly, he had seen far too many relatives tear off all pretense of decency for the sake of money and profit. Relatives who could hold their ground and remain true to their hearts in the face of wealth were rare beyond measure. Karen pushed the paper back toward Uncle Mason and Aunt Winnie, smiling. "Uncle, Aunt, I genuinely want to go to Wien." "Trust me, life as a son-in-law living under someone else's roof is never pleasant. Besides, you're a proud person with strong self-esteem—I can tell." "That's not it," Karen explained. "Uncle, I want to go out and see the world. Truly, I want to experience what's out there. There's no reason you were allowed to wander and explore when you were young, while I should be stripped of the right to even go see it, is there?" "That's completely different!" Uncle Mason argued. "It's the exact same thing." Karen walked around behind Uncle Mason and Aunt Winnie, reached out, and draped his arms over their shoulders. "I heard Grandfather say..." Actually, he had heard it from Purr. "...that you and Aunt Winnie were very close with my father back then." "Your father was a wonderful elder brother," Mason said. "Yes," Aunt Winnie agreed. "Back then, both you and Aunt Winnie ventured out to make your way in the world, saw what was out there, and eventually returned home—because this has always been your home. No matter when you return, the doors here will always be open for you. The same goes for me. If things don't go well for me in Wien, or if Miss Eunice and I don't end up together, I can always come back. Just like you and Aunt did back then, because I know this will always be my home. If I ever return, my uncle, Aunt Winnie, and Aunt Mary will take me in unconditionally, and my cousins will welcome me home. So what meaning is there in signing this? Without shares, would you stop acknowledging me as your nephew? With shares, would I cease to be your nephew? We're family. Things like this could never tear us apart, nor could they ever become a wedge between us." Under Karen's gentle persuasion, Uncle Mason finally stopped insisting on the transfer of shares. Karen urged his uncle and aunt upstairs to the second floor so they could get some rest. When Karen returned to the third floor, he saw Diss standing by the landing. "Mason came to see me. He even wanted to pick a fight with me—something that almost never happened in the past." "Uncle was a bit overly agitated," Karen said. Diss said, "So, from the past to the present, having family like this makes me very proud." Karen nodded. "I'm very proud too. From now on, I can protect a family like this."