"Grandfather..." Levina rushed into the room, while looking at the entire family. From their faces, it seemed that they weren't too late. She could see her brother next to the Wind Emperor.
When he heard her voice and saw Theo together with her, Lyovkin approached the Wind Emperor and whispered, trying to wake him up. "Grandfather... Grandfather..."
The Wind Emperor's consciousness gradually returned. His face was already completely white. It was a wonder how he managed to stay in this world for this long.
His hands were completely cold as if his body was already a corpse.
Theo clenched his fists when he saw that pale white skin.
His breath was weak, but the Wind Emperor still managed to open his mouth.
"Is that you, Lyov..." The Wind Emperor asked. He was already stuttering. If one didn't pay attention to his words, they wouldn't understand him at all.
Lyovkin made a sad smile as he spoke with a trembling voice. "Yes. Levina is already back with Theo."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I see." The Wind Emperor made a small smile. "Where is Layev?"
"Master Yermolayev is with us through the screen, but he can't be here to handle the unstable situation of our businesses." One of them answered while presenting the Skylink with the current acting head of Czar, Yermolayev, in it.
Although he wanted to attend it as well, this was the only timing that could shake their foundation. After all, Theo would be helping them after this, so if he was also there, no one would be able to make a decisive decision in the company.
His heart was heavy, but this was the only thing he could do.
"I see. Yalev, you are the head of our Czar. From this point on, the Czar will be relying on you. There's no need to replicate my achievements. You have your own path, so do what you think is right. I don't care if the Czar is going to decline after my death; all I want is this family to last for a long time."
Yalev, who was watching from the screen, closed his eyes and lowered his head. "Yes, Father."
"Theo..." The Wind Emperor smiled. "I wish that I could talk to you more. I think you are the only person in this world to understand me. However, I don't wish for you to go on the same path as me. This is an atrocious path filled with coldness and loneliness.
"I know that you're creating your own group... your own family. I can say one thing for sure. Treat your family as warm as you can; don't be like me. I know it because I have experienced it and have been regretting it, even now.
"Putting up a strong front and lowering your guard with your family, you'll find yourself in a better position than I am.
"Don't think your family is a burden. It's fine if you think of them as your weakness, but never a burden. After all, even if they're your weakness, that weakness is the one that shows you the path to get stronger."
Theo lowered his head while clenching his fists. "Thank you for your kind words, Sir Wind... Sir Yaslev."
"Is it fine to ask you to take care of my family?"
"I do, Sir. I'll make sure that you can leave without any worry. I'll destroy anyone that dares to ruin the family you've created." Theo nodded. His tone contained his resolve and determination, making the Wind Emperor feel relieved.
"That's good." The Wind Emperor smiled and paused for a moment, catching a breath after talking for so long. After a moment, he opened his mouth again, "Lyov, Levi. You two are the leaders of the younger generations. I know how talented you are, so there's no need to hesitate and keep going forward. Lead the other younger generations to keep the family alive because the future lies on you.
"When everything is hard, you don't have to do it alone. If you keep doing it, before you know it, there won't be anyone with you anymore. You can only stand in your position, staring at your own bloodied hand. So, if you can't do it, ask others for help.
"How do I say this... This is the regret of my life... If only I had asked for help back then, the situation would have been far different.
"Back then, our family was quite big, but not strong. Everyone wanted to swallow our family. And even my sister could only get married away to keep the family stable... I still remember how I found her dead not long after.
"I was filled with grief at that time. In my mind, there was only one solution. I had to get stronger, stronger than anyone else. Back then, I was like a demon, roaming around. In my head, I only thought about killing more and more monsters until I was exhausted.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"When I became strong enough, I managed to avenge my sister and become the leader of this family. I took charge of everything and paid back all the things others had done to us. Even if enemies came, I'd get stronger and overwhelm them.
"At that time, I finally became one of the strongest people in Russia... but also one of the loneliest people. To reach that point, I had to keep a strong front so that no one thought we were weak even though we were facing a crisis at that time.
"I couldn't give Yalev and others the love they needed and wanted because when I did, they became the targets of the people. I chose to sacrifice everything so that everyone focused their eyes on me. I apologize for not being able to be a good parent, uncle, brother, cousin, and grandfather.
"I can finally put down my strong front and be honest with you guys for one last time. I loved, love, and will always love all of you from the bottom of my heart. It won't change.
"This is my last request to all of you, don't sacrifice the family anymore and regret it for the rest of your life. There's no need to be a strong or influential family, I just want you to be a loving family."
The people were already in tears as they were dropping to the floor, realizing how much the Wind Emperor had sacrificed for the family.
He wanted to love, but he couldn't. He wanted to play with them like any ordinary father or grandfather, but his enemies didn't allow him. Just for them, he gave up everything.
How lonely was it? They could imagine the back that had carried the entire family alone.
They wanted to turn back time and just did everything. No, they just wanted to turn back time just to tell him one thing. "Thank you... Thank you for protecting us this whole time. But now, it's enough. Let's go back."
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
Hearing the cry of his family, the Wind Emperor made a small, weak smile as he said, "Still... What a long journey it has been..."
The last message with his last breath echoed, silencing the room. They didn't know why but they could feel it.
The Wind Emperor, Yaslev Alexandrovich Romanov, had passed away.