Chapter 695
Chapter 695
Chapter 695 Eilam Gives up on Entering the Household
It was already late when we returned to Xenos' Villa. I told Ian to find a room to rest on his own, while Shawn was holding the two children who were already fast asleep. It wouldn't be convenient to disturb the nannies who were resting.
Alicia had already gone to bed before we came back.
I asked Shawn, "How about I take care of them tonight?"
Shawn didn't even hesitate when he replied, "The bed is too small. They might fall."
I suddenly started to wonder if this was why he changed the bed to a smaller one.
Just as I had this thought, Shawn suggested, "I'll take the two children to the guest room to rest. You can sleep in the master bedroom."
Feeling a bit upset, I insisted, "I want to be with the three of you."
Shawn fell silent for a moment and then suggested, "Then let's rest in the master bedroom. You can sleep on the bed with the two children, and I'll sleep on the couch."
After saying that, Shawn carried the two children upstairs to the master bedroom. I turned off the lights in the living room and went upstairs. I saw Shawn undressing the two children, his movements familiar and gentle, not waking them up. He then covered them with blankets.
Sitting by the bed, I commented, "It's been about a week since I last saw them. River's face is getting more delicate and adorable, and Skyler looks handsome."
Shawn asked me in return, "Can someone so young be considered handsome?"
"I'm praising my own son, mind you."
I reached out and touched Skyler's cheek, noting how delicate his skin was. After that, I touched River's soft and comfortable little hand. Right when I got addicted to playing with them, Shawn went into the bathroom to take a shower.
Two minutes later, I left the room and knocked on Eilam's door. He opened it and stepped aside. I asked him, "Are you hungry?"
He shook his head. "I had food during the flight."
"Ah. Do you like the decoration here?"
Although the decoration in Eilam's room was simple, it didn't feel empty since the room wasn't too big. Waylen specially arranged this small room for Eilam so that Eilam wouldn't feel lonely. He also added many books and things that boys of Eilam's age would like. The room basically had everything Eilam would need.
Waylen deserved praise for considering every detail and putting effort into doing these things.
I would suggest giving him a raise when I have the chance.
"I like it. There's also a game console. Although I don't really like playing games, it can be good for relaxing when I'm tired. Thank you, Mother."
Eilam was still reserved with me.
However, this formality was necessary.
After all, we didn't have a blood relationship.
I ruffled his hair and praised, "Good boy."
Eilam's eyes were cold and clear, just like Shawn's when I first met him. But he was still young and couldn't be as intimidating as Shawn. He would learn the essence of it when he spent more time with Shawn.
Indeed, Shawn wasn't the best person for raising children.
The reason for that was because the children he raised would become more and more like him.
It wasn't like there was nothing wrong with such children, though!
I asked him again, "Are you keeping up with your studies?"
"Yes. There are things I find difficult, but I can understand them."
He was a smart child.
I told him, "It's summer vacation now. When school starts in September, I'll send you to school. We'll go through the adoption procedures next month."
Eilam hesitated.
It seemed like he wanted to say something.
I dispelled his hesitation and reassured him, "Don't be reserved. You don't have to be shy. Say whatever you want to say."
"Can I not be included in your... household registration, Mother?"
There are too many people in the world who want to be part of the Xenos Family.
That was because the name "Xenos" represented power and influence.
It was the pinnacle of power and influence at that. Belonging to NôvelDrama.Org.
And yet, Eilam didn't want to be included in the Xenos household registration.
I gently asked him, "Is there a reason for that?"
Eilam pursed his lips. "I'm…" His tone was heavy. "I was a wanderer, and even a thief before this. I used to sneak into castles to steal food. I'm someone who... lives at the bottom of society. Someone like me doesn't deserve to become a member of the Xenos Family. Even so, I swear I will be loyal to you and Father."
A self-deprecating child speaking self-deprecating words.
"How can you think like that?"
I lightly patted his shoulder. I was about to explain to him when he spoke before me. "There are too many people like me in the world. I don't deserve such great favor to become a member of the Xenos Family. I want... Mother, I want to be a sharp sword of the Xenos Family. I will step forward when I am needed. But to be the young master of the Xenos Family... I think Skyler alone is enough. I hope you understand how I feel."
"What if I want you to become a member of the Xenos Family?"
Eilam's tone was firm. "I am a member of the Xenos Family. I just don't want to be included in the household registration. I hope you understand my intentions, Mother."
Despite calling me Mother, he didn't want to be included in my household registration.
…
With a heavy heart, I returned to the room. Shawn was still washing up in the bathroom. When he came out and saw my solemn expression, he asked me what happened. I told him everything Eilam had just said in detail. Shawn remained calm and uttered, "He knows when to advance and when to retreat."
"What do you mean?"
"Eilam admits that he is a member of the Xenos Family but doesn't want to be included in the household registration. By not being included, it means he doesn't have the right to inherit the Xenos Family. He doesn't want to have any claims on the Xenos Family, starting from the beginning to avoid any future conflicts with Skyler when they grow up. This is his intention."
I finally understood what Eilam meant after I heard Shawn's explanation.
Suddenly, I realized that Eilam saying Skyler alone as the young master of the Xenos Family was enough was actually his well-thought-out plan for the next few decades.
"But this is unfair to him," I muttered.
Shawn walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and wiped his damp hair with a towel. "This way, he can have peace of mind and face Skyler without stress in the future. I know you are considering his feelings and don't want him to feel wronged. Since he doesn't want to be included in the household registration, let's drop the matter. When there's a chance, I'll talk to him about this trivial matter."
To Shawn, this was a trivial matter.
But he had to do it!
This was a trivial matter he had to take on as a father.
Just like how he went surfing with the two children.
I knew deep down that he wasn't interested in it.
But he knew that his children needed their father's company.
He was fulfilling his responsibilities.
I sighed, "Eilam may be young, but he is as stubborn as you when he makes a decision. Once he decides on something, he sticks to it no matter what others say. And he... Sunny, he is too sensible. The more sensible he is, the more he appears to be wronged. Actually, if you think about it carefully, his concerns are not unfounded. Although Skyler is not interested in power now because he's still young, if he grows up and wants to consolidate power one day... and there's Eilam in his way... "
All three blood brothers of the Xenos Family had passed away.
Furthermore, Eilam and Skyler were not related by blood.
I suddenly came up with a hypothetical situation. "By that time, we would be too old and weak to manage what happens with the younger generation. They might secretly fight each other, and we wouldn't even know about it—"
"Ray, what in the world is going through your head?"