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Thaddeus was not known to be an affectionate man. And a caring father he was not.
Neither to him nor his sister has he ever uttered the words "I love you," or, "I am proud of you."
If he did care about them like his mother tells him he does, then he had an odd way to show it. Nevertheless, one thing he had let Theo always know, is that he was the heir to the Vandernacht wealth. The legacy to the Vandernacht name. The significance of what it meant to be one to carry the name, and to be the one who was next in line. To be the only one who was next in line in their family.
But, most of all, that he ought to behave like one. The constant reminders of being the heir were simply beyond aggravating, not to include the weight of the pressure that seemed to get heavier each time he grew older. The phrases and tones would always change, but their meanings did not.
It also did not help that newspapers would refer to him as a prince.
"Who is the prince of the Vandernacht family?"
He had chucked that paper out of the window the moment he read the title. Theo did not need to read it to know that the intention of that paper was to throw his name out there for mothers to know that he was available, and for them to tell their unmarried daughters that he was an option.
Don't even get him started on how it was to socialize at a ball, and to hear how everyone, everyone talked about him.
Some were absolute praises of his character, and others were of envy on how their son had not turned out the same as him.
He remembers an occasion when an associate, he thinks, had told his father, "You must be proud of him, are you not, Thaddeus?"
"He is certainly the pride of the Vandernacht family," another adds in.
If he was remembering correctly, Theo had been called upon his father to meet these potential business partners. Although he knew that they were trying to stroke his father's ego, only for him to tell them no later, he didn't know how his father would react at their words. And so, he eyed him curiously.
But, his remarks were anything but in a typical Thaddeus manner, "Theodore is a surprisingly exceptional son, yes. But he still has a long way to go."
It was dismissive, but he should have known that it wasn't going to be anything but that.
His mother, Lucille, was the opposite of anything that his father was.
Although, he will admit that she was stricter on Lenore than she ever was with him when he was her age. When he had brought it up to her as to why, she justified it with it being different, he disagreed.
"You will understand when you have children of your own one day."
He made a face at her, unsettled by the phrase. "That doesn't answer my question."
"Don't talk back to your mother," she said sternly before sighing and touching his face with one hand.
"My darling boy, you and your sister are alike in so many ways, but so different. It's adorable how you are quick to come to her rescue, like you're her protector. But, you can't keep her out of trouble forever."
"She needs guidance. I can guide her."
"There are some things you won't be able to. Not in the way a mother can."
"Could you at least convince father to let her play piano again?"
"That is between your father and her. You know what she did."
All Lenore had done was talk back to an associate, spoke out her opinion against theirs. He had silently agreed with her, but at the time, had said nothing when she was pulled away harshly by their father.
This was him now trying to rectify it. "I've done the same thing, countless of times!"
"I already told you. It is not the same thing."
He would have said more in protest, but then he heard his father's cold tone, "Theodore, stop pestering your mother."
He flinched at realizing he was here with them. He hoped it wasn't noticed by his father.
Looking at him specifically, he declared, "I need you to come with me. Now."
He hesitated and looked to his mother for an answer, but she nodded at him, telling him that he should go.
They ended up in his father's study room.
"Is there something you wanted to show me?"
"Yes. I believe it is time for you to learn a little family lesson."
"Shouldn't Lenore be here too then?"
"No. She does not need to know this, yet. But, you do as the-"
"-heir to the family," he resisted the urge to roll his eyes, sinking deeper into the chair, "I know."
"I was going to say the pride of the Vandernacht family, but that works too." Thaddeus goes to get this old leather journal from his desk.
"What is that?"
"A book of how far back the Vandernacht curse has been rooted in our family."
.
.
.
Out of nowhere, the moment he saw his mother, she went to give him a hug.
"Mom? What's wrong?"
She shook her head, not wanting to talk. Pulling her slightly back, he said the following.
"What is it? Was it father?" In the next breath, he said in a worried tone, "Is it Lenore? Did he do something to her?"
"They had a talk, it didn't end well."
In an instant, he asked, "Where is she?"
"I don't know. She fled the moment she could. Out, towards the storm. I have this pit in my chest, Theo, that something is going to happen to her, but your father doesn't want to listen to me to send his men out to get her-"
"I'll get her back here."
"No! No.. You musn't. Please, Theo, don't go. I can't have you be out there too. My heart couldn't take it. For both of my children to be caught in the middle of the storm. Please, promise me you won't go."
Her voice was desperate, but the weather was the worst he has ever seen. And by the minute he was sure it was going to get worse.
"Okay, um, where is father then?"
"Where he always is. His study room."
"I'll be back."
Unbeknownst to him, his mother's hand reached out to him, almost to grab him back, but she was out of reach.