Norman's story (part one)

After these days of treatment, Mrs. Russell has gradually recovered her health. Her complexion is now very good, and she no longer talks nonsense unconsciously.

Mrs. Russell was resting with her eyes closed, was startled by the sound of Yago opening the door. She opened her eyes, her gray and cloudy eyes turning towards the doorway.

When Yago entered the room, he looked at Mrs. Russell hair was completely white and whose face was full of wrinkles, and for a moment he didn't know what to say. He opened his mouth and then stammered, "Grandma? Are you feeling better?"

Mrs. Russell didn't reply, her unfocused eyes staring at Yago, making Yago feel a little uneasy. However, Yago squeezed the photo in his hand, thinking of his purpose, and still gritted his teeth and pulled over a chair to sit down.

Just as Iago was pondering how to ask about the people in the photograph, Mrs. Russell suddenly spoke up, "Loya Newman's child, your father Newman, was such a worry for me back then, always so quiet and reserved, unlike his older brother who was so cheerful. But I know that his dislike for his brother Norman was just an act; he actually admired his brother very much, he just wouldn't admit it..."

Mrs. Russell rambled on and on, her words sounding like an elder nagging a younger person, but Yago still managed to glean the information he wanted from Mrs. Russell.

Yago, somewhat impatiently, interrupted Mrs. Russell, saying, "Wait, can you tell me about Norman's story? Uh, Grandma?"

Mrs. Russell was stunned for a moment after being interrupted, and upon hearing Yago's words, she showed a hint of surprise. Her unfocused pupils, perhaps by coincidence, were pointed directly at Yago. Suddenly, Yago felt as if he were being watched, but Mrs. Russell was blind. Could it be a gaze from the soul?

Yago's mind was racing, but Mrs. Russell turned her head away, her lifeless eyes fixed on the ceiling, as if she were pondering something.

Finally, under Yago's gaze, she slowly began to speak, telling the story of a Nobility boy's coming of age.

"Thirty-eight years ago, I lost my husband. The Russell Family lost its pillar. Because of my husband's investment mistakes, the family owed a huge debt. Almost all the relatives and friends who used to be in contact with us disappeared overnight. They were all so greedy and snobbish. To pay off the debt, I sold almost all of my properties. Only this manor remained. During that time, I was really exhausted and even wanted to leave this heartbreaking world."

But perhaps God took pity on me. Although I lost my husband, the arrival of two little angels comforted my heart. Norman and Newman, my two children, are almost a gift from God. With them, I have the Courage to continue living.

Norman and Newman are growing up so fast! It seems like just yesterday they were reaching out for a hug, and today they're wearing little suits to school.

Norman is the child who makes me the most proud. He has been very well-behaved since he was little. Who would believe that Norman, at only five years old, would comfort his mother and even learn to bake cakes to make her happy? Even though the cake was dark inside, I still think it was the most delicious cake in the world.

Newman wasn't as smart and sensible as his Older Brother, but he idolized Older Brother and followed Norman around like a shadow until they were ten years old.

I can't believe that ten-year-old Norman would Courage to go and talk business with Earl Louis. You know, even if his father were alive, he wouldn't dare to raise his head in front of Earl Louis. But Norman did it. He surpassed his father. At only ten years old, he was publicly recognized as Earl Louis's godson.

The Russell Family seemed poised for a revival under Norman's leadership. Having gained the favor of Earl Louis, Norman had become friends with the Louis 'Earl son, whom I remember as a shy boy, so timid he could barely speak. Norman had also told me that he had been bullied by other children at school...

Upon hearing this, Yago was startled. The Louis Family? The Ebson? He looked down at the photograph in his hand; the young Ebson was smiling at the camera.

Mrs. Russell continued, "But after becoming friends with Louis, Newman suddenly distanced himself from his Older Brother. The boy didn't know what was wrong with him, but he started criticizing his Older Brother, thinking that his Older Brother was always doing nothing and that as the eldest son of the Russell Family, he didn't know how to shoulder his responsibilities."

Newman said that he should inherit the Russell family title, and that his brother Norman should just be a good scoundrel. Later I realized that this was probably a way for him to vent his dissatisfaction with his brother. Indeed, Norman was becoming more and more outstanding at that time, and gradually he became estranged from Newman. Newman, who was overshadowed by his brother's halo, was naturally dissatisfied.

As Norman grew up, he became a handsome young man. Every day, I would see many girls outside the manor who were interested in Norman. Norman did not disappoint me; his grades were so outstanding that the Principal of various universities in the capital personally came to our house to invite Norman to study at their schools.

I didn't interfere with Norman's choice. I believed he would make his own decision, and as his mother, all I needed to do was support him.

Norman did not choose to inherit the title, attend a Nobility school, or join the army, nor did he choose to follow Earl Louis's advice to study commerce. Instead, he chose to study at the Academy of Sciences with young Louis.

That period became the most difficult time for me. Newman did not accept his Older Brother's kindness and even felt extremely angry, as if the title his Older Brother was giving him was a pitiful act of charity. The relationship between the two brothers was completely broken.

Norman, as if he and Louis had discovered something, spent all their time together. I often heard him excitedly talking about changing the world and humanity in ways I couldn't understand. I don't know how my child is going to change the world; I just want him to be safe and sound.

Newman was equally outstanding. After inheriting the title, he joined the army. Similarly, Newman surpassed his father, distinguishing himself on the battlefield and rising from his father's rank of second lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel.

I thought life would continue like this, and I would see my two children grow up, get married, and start their own families, when devastating news struck.