“So, my grandmother went through the same thing? She was separated from the one she loved?” Aurora found it hard to believe.
“Yes, she was. Every head of the family has faced the same fate without exception.”
“This rule is inhumane! I believe that aside from life and death, nothing in this world should be capable of separating two people in love. That man was just an exception, wasn’t he? Not every person in the world is as greedy as him. How could one man’s actions dictate the happiness of so many others?”
Aurora struggled to understand their reasoning. The pain of separating from Julian due to unforeseen circumstances had already been unbearable for her.
Knowing that each family head chose their path while fully aware they would one day part with the person they loved, she couldn’t fathom their mindset. If love only led to hurt, then wasn’t their love doomed from the very beginning?
“It’s not as tragic as you imagine,” Bramwell Elderstone explained. “Each family head undergoes special training from a young age. To them, the family always comes first. Naturally, they fear the very scenario you just described, so when choosing a partner, most avoid selecting someone they truly love.
“They carefully investigate their chosen candidate’s background, not requiring them to come from a wealthy or prominent family. First, they ensure there are no hereditary diseases in the family. Then they evaluate physical health, intelligence, and appearance-all of which must be exceptional.
“To avoid the pain of separation, the family head refrains from developing genuine feelings. They conceal their true identity, creating a false persona to approach the man. Once they become pregnant, they leave without revealing who they really are. The man never knows their true identity, as all they seek is an intelligent heir.”
Aurora was stunned. Life, she thought, was far scarier than fiction. “Have they ever considered the feelings of these men? What if one of them truly falls in love? After they leave, the man might wait in vain, wasting his entire life. Isn’t that unfair to him?”
Bramwell Elderstone burst into laughter. “Miss Aurora, you’re still too young. Do you really think men are that steadfast? Some may feel sad, but their sadness only lasts a little while, certainly not a lifetime.
“Before long, they’ll move on and invest in a new relationship. Really, what did they lose? The family head, on the other hand, bears the burden of pregnancy and raising the child. If anything, the men benefit. For those from less fortunate backgrounds, the family head often compensates them handsomely.
“Most men are forgetful. It takes only a few months, maybe a year at most, for them to move on. The family head doesn’t have to worry about emotional entanglements. This way, she ensures her child is healthy and intelligent, while remaining free from the constraints of love.
“It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. Why wouldn’t everyone be happy with it? The men still go on to build their own families and have children, never knowing they also have a daughter somewhere out there.”
Aurora couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Even a drama series wouldn’t dare write such a plot.
“You consider this normal, but to me, it’s utterly twisted. As women, they go through life without ever knowing what love truly is.
“Even after having children, it’s incredibly sad-they’ll never be complete as women. As for the men, they’re not as fortunate as you make them out to be. They’re pitiable too. Sure, they might start new families one day. But they’ll always remember the person who appeared in their lives only to vanish mysteriously, never even knowing their own child was born.
“Then there’s the child. On the surface, they’re born into the prestigious R family, but they lose their father’s love from the start and are raised with distorted beliefs.
“This is such a bizarre system. I could understand it in feudal times, but in the 21st century? It’s terrifying. No wonder my mother chose to escape.”
Bramwell Elderstone wasn’t offended by her words. Instead, he chuckled lightly. “You truly are her daughter. Among all the family heads, it’s likely only you two who think this way.
“Your mother was a remarkably intelligent woman. From a young age, she disliked this system but never showed it. She acted just like any other family head, following the rules laid out by the family.
“By the time she had skipped multiple grades and was about to take over as the head of the R family, she’d already graduated from university. She took a brief graduation trip, and no one suspected a thing. That was the opportunity she used to escape.
“She may well have been the first family head in history to run away. Not only that, but she married and had a child outside the family. If not for your grandmother’s deteriorating health, I doubt she would’ve ever returned.”
“I understand my mother’s feelings,” Aurora said. “She must have thought this system was insane and wanted to pursue her own happiness. She kept her identity a secret, pretending to be nothing more than an innocent girl with amnesia.
“I think if my father hadn’t broken her heart, and if my grandmother’s condition hadn’t worsened, she would’ve stayed with the Montgomery family.”
As Aurora reflected, she realized her mother had shown many unusual behaviors during that time. She remembered how her mother had knitted countless sweaters, enough to last five years, though she’d been too young to understand what it all meant back then.
“Yes,” Bramwell Elderstone agreed. “She always had a strong will of her own. None of us ever truly knew what she was thinking.”
“And what about Mio?” Aurora asked, slowly piecing together the story of this family and realizing it wasn’t as mysterious as it first seemed.
“Mio is Tina’s cousin. He was clever and sensible from a young age. However, our family has always prioritized women, so he was never eligible to inherit.
“When your mother ran away, the family was thrown into chaos. While your grandmother was still alive, her health often deteriorated, especially because of that cursed illness.
“People feared your mother might never return, so they needed a backup plan. At first, they chose Mira. But Mira was too young and strongly opposed the idea, even threatening to take her own life if forced to become the family head.
“We had no choice but to turn to her cousin. Mio was of the right age and had both the talent and ambition for the role, so we began grooming him for leadership.
“Over the years, despite the family’s close watch, conflicts inevitably arose…” At this point, his tone shifted.