Leopold remained silent for what felt like an eternity, the air around him seemingly frozen solid.
Aurelia said, "I know you're furious, and you must be blaming me. I wanted to tell you the truth, but William wouldn't have it, and I couldn't force him. After all, we're the ones who caused all this mess. I didn't want to hurt him all over again."
"He's alive. That's good enough," Leopold muttered, heading to the kitchen to boil some stew, ending the conversation there and then.
Aurelia followed him, wrapping her arms around him from behind, "I've been faithful, true as steel, for you and only you. Shouldn't you be happy about that?"
He couldn't help but give a wry smile. "Isn't this what they say, 'a blessing in disguise', or 'every cloud has a silver lining'?"
"Let me handle the stew," Aurelia offered, "Go check on William. I bet he's upstairs crying his eyes out. Spend some quality time with him."
Leopold ascended the stairs.
William was once again packing his little suitcase, ready to make a dash for Arnold's place.
Leopold scooped him up in his arms and plopped him down on the couch.
"No matter where you run off to, you're my son."
"I've got my own daddy," William hiccuped through tears.
"Arnold will have his own kids one day," Leopold pointed out.
William's head sank. Maybe Arnold wouldn't love him as much if he had his own child.
"But I love my daddy the most. I wanna be with him."
Leopold stroked his hair, "Don't worry, and your life won't change. I'm not some unreasonable tyrant."
William blinked in surprise. When had Leopold become so understanding?
"You better not be lying to a kid." William pouted.
"I never lie to children."
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