Chapter 243: Tensions at Knight Manor
The car ride was quiet and tense after Caspian hung up the phone. Elisa, sensing the growing hostility between the brothers, quietly shifted positions and hid behind Caspian, hoping to stay out of the way.
“Punish me?” Harry scoffed, clearly insulted. “Did you just say you’d punish me for Mom and Dad?”
Caspian’s voice was firm. “I’m your older brother. Show some respect.”
Harry dragged Caspian’s name out with a mocking tone, “Caspian…”
Before Harry could go further, Caspian quickly twisted his arm behind his back, pinning him. Elisa, seeing the trouble brewing, edged farther away, retreating to avoid getting involved.
“Got it?” Caspian’s voice was low, dangerous.
“You started this, Caspian. Don’t blame me!” Harry grunted, still resisting.
But it was clear Harry was no match for his older brother. As the pain grew, Harry yelped out in protest, “It hurts! My old injury isn’t healed! It’s not fair!”
Immediately, Caspian let go, his concern evident. “Did I hurt your old injury?”
But before Caspian could finish his sentence, Harry saw an opening and, in a burst of adrenaline, jumped on top of him, pinning Caspian down with his knee on his chest, a look of triumph on his face.
“All’s fair in love and war,” Harry said, grinning, “Admit it—you lost. Call me your older brother.”
Caspian’s temper flared, and he shouted, “Rook Storm!”
He only called Harry by that name when he was really angry—one that Harry had adopted after changing his last name. It was a sharp reminder of their complicated history.
The car pulled up to Knight Manor, and Caspian, fuming, was the first to get out, clearly not in the mood for conversation. Harry, still nursing his pride and his sore arm, followed behind, grumbling in pain.
“Elisa, help me out,” Harry called, his voice strained.
Elisa hesitated, eyeing him with concern. “Harry, what’s your deal with Caspian? Just because he’s older doesn’t mean you can’t get along.”
Harry snapped, “Let go of me, Elisa!”
But she persisted, not quite understanding his frustration. She let go with a sigh, but Harry was fuming inside. No loyalty. Whoever pampers you is your ‘brother,’ huh?
Caspian, still angry, stormed upstairs without acknowledging Marigold, who was standing at the door calling out to him.
“Caspian, aren’t you going to eat? The food’s ready,” she asked, her voice sweet, but there was no response.
Sighing, Marigold tried again, this time addressing Harry, “Harry, aren’t you eating either?”
Still no answer. She adjusted herself, trying to please them both, “Caspian, Elisa, come eat. I’ve made lots of delicious food.”
Harry’s irritation boiled over. “I’m Harry! Do I look as ugly as Caspian?”
Marigold quickly apologized, her voice flustered. “Sorry, I have terrible eyesight. I remember now. You’re Harry, and he’s Caspian. Come on, eat?”
“No,” Harry shot back, storming up the stairs, “I’m too mad at Caspian.”
Marigold sighed in resignation as Elisa walked in, looking between her brother and grandmother. Marigold turned to her, attempting a more conciliatory tone, “Elisa, if they won’t eat, you should. Come on, dear.”
Marigold picked her up, but Elisa tensed, clearly not comfortable. Elisa seemed like she was caught in the middle, trying to avoid the tension between her brothers.
“Are you afraid of me?” Marigold asked, her voice softening.
Elisa nodded honestly. “Yes, because you’re mean and not nice to my mommy.”
Marigold’s smile faltered for a moment. Had Stellan said something to Elisa? She wasn’t sure. But instead of reacting harshly, Marigold forced a gentle smile. “Elisa, don’t misunderstand. I’m not mean. I love you all very much. No matter what you say or do, I won’t get angry.”
From the moment they had met, Elisa had felt that Marigold’s kindness was real, but the stories Caspian and Harry told painted a very different picture. They often said Marigold was harsh and unkind.
“Alright,” Marigold continued, “I won’t say more. You’ll go hungry if I keep talking. Come, Elisa, what do you like to eat? I’ll get it for you.”
“Meat,” Elisa said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Okay, I’ll get it for you.” Marigold smiled warmly, relieved to finally have some progress. She served Elisa a portion of meat, and Elisa politely said, “Thank you, Grandma.”
Marigold’s heart swelled with joy. “What did you just say?”
Elisa repeated, “Thank you, Grandma.”
Marigold, practically glowing, cupped Elisa’s face in her hands and kissed her lightly on the cheek. “I knew you were the best. Only you call me Grandma. Caspian ignores me, and Harry doesn’t like me.”
Tears welled up in her eyes as she fought to hold them back. Elisa, clearly moved, reached up with small hands and wiped away the older woman’s tears.
“Grandma, don’t cry,” Elisa said softly, her voice full of empathy.
Marigold was deeply touched. She pulled Elisa into a hug, her voice breaking a little as she said, “Thank you, Elisa. I really like you. Can you not hate me like Caspian and Harry do?”
Elisa, gazing up at Marigold with a mixture of curiosity and sincerity, nodded. “Okay.”
Marigold’s heart soared. If she could win Elisa’s affection, maybe it would be the first step toward mending the fractured relationships within the family.
“So, Elisa,” Marigold asked carefully, her tone lighter now, “Did your mommy get mad about you three coming here? There were misunderstandings between me and your mommy before, but I want to clear them up.”
Elisa thought for a moment, then answered with a shrug, “No. Mommy and Daddy are flying out of town tomorrow. They have things to do. Even if she was mad, she wouldn’t have time to be. Grandma, don’t worry. My mommy isn’t petty or vengeful.”
Marigold’s eyes widened with surprise. “Where are they going?”
Elisa shrugged again, “I don’t know.” Then, in a matter-of-fact tone, she added, “Grandma, Daddy and Mommy are a couple. Don’t meddle in their affairs. Remember those TV shows? Happy families don’t have meddlesome mothers-in-law. They just stir up trouble and cause divorces!”
Marigold was speechless. “What kind of TV shows have you been watching? You shouldn’t watch such nonsense.”
Elisa raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Then what should I watch? Cartoons? Boring!”
Marigold could only smile wryly, realizing there was no winning an argument with Elisa. “Yes, you’re right,” she said, her voice tinged with humor.
As she watched Elisa eat, her heart softened. But a lingering question remained in her mind—why were Alaric and Stellan suddenly flying out of town? Could Stellan be up to something again?