The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Arthur glanced at Dracon, breaking the silence, “How have you been holding up these past few years?” Yorick scoffed dismissively. “How do you think? The guy’s been loafing around, never lifting a finger to do anything worthwhile.” Yorick couldn’t help but compare him to his other sons, each carving out their own unique achievements in their chosen fields.

Dracon, meanwhile, remained at home, not even managing to take proper care of the family estate, the Linklater Mansion. His schemes were as transparent as they were numerous.

Just the other week, when Yorick had been poisoned, the investigation had been halted midway. The lack of inquiry didn’t mean Dracon was innocent.

But Yorick had stopped digging to protect Dracon. He knew that if the truth of the poisoning reached Arthur, with his fiery temper, Dracon’s days would be numbered.

Yorick, a man of integrity, would have made the sdecision as Arthur in the past. But years had passed, Arthur and Hector had been away, and only Dracon had stayed by his side. Despite Dracon’s failings, he had taken decent care of him.

As he grew old, Yorick longed for family harmony over the anguish of a father burying his son. And so, he had covered for Dracon.

But...

Yorick’s eyes involuntarily drifted to Arthur.

Arthur's return could only mean he was here for this very reason. If he decided to investigate, no cover-up would suffice.

The thought alone gave Yorick a headache.

Dracon had wanted to speak up, but hearing such a harsh critique from his father, he sulked into silence.

Arthur's eagle-eyed gaze settled on Dracon for a few seconds before he spoke, “Dad, we all have our paths to maturity. Wasn't | the sclueless kid once upon a time?” Yorick was taken aback. Arthur had never been one to defend Dracon. He was doing good if he didn’t scold him— yet today, he was actually speaking for Dracon? Could it be he already knew? Impossible! Arthur was a soldier, far away on the battlefields where news traveled slowly. Even if Arthur had wanted to investigate something, it would take days, and there was no guarantee he would find anything.

Yorick had kept it under wraps from the start. Even if Arthur wanted to pry, it would take time.

Arthur must be fishing for information! Realizing this, Yorick shot Dracon a look, signaling him to keep his mouth shut.

But before Yorick could elaborate, Arthur spoke again, “Dracon, don’t take Dad’s words to heart.” Dracon’s eyes widened in disbelief. Was this really his big brother speaking? Was he possessed or something? In the midst of his silence, Arthur's gaze briefly skimmed over him. “What’s wrong? You think I’m not worthy of speaking to you?” Startled, Dracon quickly retorted, “No, no, Arthur, you got it all wrong. I'm just not used to you being so... nice.

And | didn’t take Dad’s words to heart, | promise.” Arthur's lips curled into a rare smile. “Back in the day, the battlefield hardened me. Now that I'm hfor good, I'll shed sof that roughness.” Dracon gasped. “You're staying for good? You're leaving the battlefield?” Arthur not leaving? What would becof his own chances to shine? Both Yorick and Hector were equally stunned.

Yorick spoke first. “Is this your choice or an order from the top?” He knew Arthur well—war was his home. Unless it was a direct order, Arthur would never leave the battlefield.

Hector, still reeling from shock, managed a smile. “Arthur coming his good news. I've been thinking of settling down, too. It’s about twe brothers spent squality ttogether here in Rivenwood.” “Indeed,” Arthur affirmed, then addressed Yorick, “It’s my decision, and it's been approved.” The joy Yorick had felt at Arthur’s return was now tinged with an inexplicable panic.

It felt like Arthur's return would stir trouble in the Linklater family—a prospect far from Yorick’s wishes.

Suddenly, Yorick erupted in a coughing fit. Arthur patted his back, asking casually as if unaware of anything.

“Dad, what’s wrong?” No one had informed Arthur of Yorick’s poisoning, so he played the part of the uninformed.

Yorick was about to dismiss it when Dracon burst out, “It’s all because of Percival and that Vivienne. They nearly killed Dad.” Hector’s expression darkened. “Dracon, haven't we already settled this? Why are you stirring things up again?” Vivienne had indeed infuriated him before, but after the facts had cout, it was clear they had been mistaken —Yorick himself had confirmed it.

Yorick was livid. “What nonsense are you spewing in front of your brothers? | know damn well who poisoned me.” Damn it! Did Dracon think Arthur was as dumb as a brick? “Dad, please, calm down,” Hector intervened.

Yorick turned to Arthur. “Don’t listen to this idiot. Percival and Vivienne are good people.” “What's going on?” Arthur's eyes narrowed, feigning nonchalance.

“Percival had sent a gift of supplements to Dad and after taking them Dad fell ill.But thank goodness, it wasn't serious,” Hector explained.

“Arthur, it couldn’t have been Percival. | know what kind of man he is. | wouldn't have taken his gift lightly otherwise,” Yorick asserted.

“How can you be sure it wasn’t him? Then who else could it be?” Dracon couldn't help but interject.

Yorick felt as though he was on the verge of spitting blood in frustration.

Did Dracon not understand the gravity of speaking out of turn? Why could he not keep his mouth shut? Arthur's deep gaze swept over them, but he remained silent, letting the tension linger.

Hector stepped in to defuse the situation, his voice a soothing balm .

"Alright Arthur it's not every day we get to be together like this. Let's focus on the good times, shall we?”

Hearing this, Yorick's mood visibly lifted, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth .Yeah Arthur's back after so long . Let's talk about the happy stuff. No need to dredge up all that trivial household nonsense.” Arthur simply nodded, uttering a brief “Yeah” before falling silent again.