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 same decision 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 I the same clueless kid once upon a time?”

defend Dracon. He was

be he already

Impossible!

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

start. Even if Arthur wanted

be

look, signaling him to keep his

elaborate, Arthur spoke again, “Dracon, don’t take Dad’s words

disbelief. Was this really his big brother speaking?

his silence, Arthur’s gaze briefly skimmed over him.

you got it all wrong. I’m just not used to you being so… nice.

hardened me.

staying for

not leaving? What would become

and Hector

choice or

knew Arthur well—war was his home. Unless it was a direct order, Arthur would never leave

home is good news. I’ve been thinking of settling down, too. It’s about time we brothers spent

Yorick, “It’s my decision,

return

Arthur’s return would stir trouble in the Linklater family—a prospect

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

Arthur of Yorick’s poisoning, so he played the part

out, “It’s all because of Percival

settled