Although puzzled, Richard respectfully led Jeremiah to the inner hall and had coffee served.


    Jeremiah was smiling brightly, which eased some of Richard''s concerns.


    "May I ask what private matter you''vee to discuss with me?"


    "Congrattions."


    Jeremiah put down his cup, looking at him with a beaming smile. Although this matter needed to be revealed quickly, the joy was so great that he feared Richard might not be able to handle the shock of such news. Thus, he preferred to take it slow. "Congrattions?" Richard was even more puzzled. As the Minister of Protocol, there seemed to be no further promotion in sight. "May I ask what it is for?"


    Jeremiah replied, "What was once lost has now been found."


    Richard''s confusion deepened. "Something lost has now been found? I haven''t lost anything recently."


    "His Majesty has decreed that the Ministry of Protocol should prepare to wee the heroes of the Southern Frontier campaign. Among them are two heroes from your family."


    Richard was struck by this revtion, his face changing dramatically. He took a deep breath, and said, "Has... Has the bones of my two sons been found?"


    Jeremiah looked at him. "Bones? The two young men of the Cooper family are still alive. The Hell Monarch brought them back from Sandoria. After they were captured, they escaped, formed the Septimus Tetra reconnaissance team, and provided intelligence for our army during the Southern Frontier battle."


    Richard clutched his chest, shaking his head in disbelief. Tears brimmed in his eyes as he choked out, "No, Mr. Murray, you can''t joke about this. When they died on the battlefield, it felt like someone had gouged my heart out. It can''t be..."


    Jeremiah stood up, patted his shoulder, and gave him a thumbs-up. "They did well. I am proud of them and the entire Septimus Tetra reconnaissance team."


    Tears streamed down Richard''s face as he trembled. "Is it truly so? Are you speaking the truth?"


    Seeing Richard''s reaction, Jeremiah sighed softly It''s indeed true. His Majesty has issued an edict for the


    ov


    Ministry of Protocol to prepare for their reception. However, they won''t be returning to the capital immediately. The Marquis of Elderglen''s second son is severely injured, and will need to be treated


    before he cane back."


    Richard hid his face behind his arms. His shoulders shook, though he made no sound. As the Minister of Protocol, he knew he must maintainposure in front of the prime minister and within the office. However, he couldn''t control the tears that flowed like a river.


    The pain of losing his sons had beenThis is the property of N?-velDrama.Org.


    buried deep in his heart for years,


    and had never been allowed to surface. He had buried it under mountain of official duties. His sons had sacrificed their lives in the fight to reim the Southern Frontier, and asa father, he was proud of them.


    Yet, for a parent, it was still an overwhelming, bleeding sorrow to lose their children.


    "I will step out for a moment and ensure you''re not disturbed for now," Jeremiah said, his own eyes misty.


    It would be good to let Richard have some time to himself to express his emotions.


    Once Jeremiah left, Richard


    copsed to the floor and wept silently. It had been many years since he allowed himself such an outpouring of grief. Even during his sons'' Sacrifice, he had only dared to shed tears in private. As the head of the family, he was supposed to be proud of their sacrifice and not


    disy his sorrow publicly.


    At the Farrell family residence, Derek personally delivered the news. Thomas'' mother, Alice, was so ovee with emotion that she fainted. After she was revived, she wept in Opal''s embrace.


    "He''s alive! He''s still alive! Oh, he has such a cold heart. He didn''t send any word home..."


    Opal also cried, but with Derek still present, she restrained her emotions and quicklyforted the other woman.


    "He couldn''t send word home. Over there, it was a matter of life and death. It was already very difficult to send news to the military."


    Once Alice had calmed down, she stood and bowed to Derek. "Please forgive my loss ofposure."


    Derek responded kindly, "It''s only natural to feel this way. There''s no need for such formality."


    Derek took his leave. As he exited the Farrell family''s residence, he heard Alice''s choked voice, "What will we do? His wife has remarried."


    Derek sighed softly. The world was full of changes. It was heartening to see fallen soldiers return, yet it was a pity that the seven from the Sinir family would nevere back.