>>5378089Being beaten by the older brother of the kid he deformed the following day, his bones were broken to the point where he couldn't lift himself up the freezing snow, until the cursed daughter of aristocracy had the irony of saving his life.
Hating the burden he was pushed onto, Serpico had no idea who she was, other than a genuine daughter of nobility while he was a mere bastard son of a nobleman.
"Silly rabbit..." He grumbled as he saw the young Farnese clutching to her father's gift, only to receive a stomp to the nape.
"Insolent whelp!"
"Don't waste your time with this filthy, dying child, milady... It's time for the Holy communion." One of Frederico's servants came to interrupt Farnese's beating.
"The communion can wait, put this boy in the carriage!"
"But milady-"
"PUT HIM IN! NOW!" She growled, avoiding her visit to the temple to treat him.
Seeing these memories by Serpico's perspectives gives all the additional context you needed for their weird, dysfunctional relationship.
"I will look after you, but do not forget who you belong to. You owe me your life, so pledge yourself to me!" Farnese rubbed a hot cloth piece onto his freezing body.
Though he could not comprehend what he pledged to, he was finally able to find a decent paying job, liberated from a mother who could not let go of the past as he hired a housekeeper to take care of the woman in his stead.
"And what's the name of this noble?"
"I was so excited, I forgot to ask them... But I will live and work there starting tomorrow."
"Good! Serve them well! This is your chance to reach high society, don't waste it."
Despite being drowned by Farnese, being chased by dogs and falling off horses for entertainment, he didn't mind being her sadistic human toy, as the physical pain was nothing compared to the pain he felt of being dragged by the sins of a past others had lived, so he was happier with submitting.
But his mother's past would chase him even there, as when he met the master of the house when wearing the locket, he was asked to show the painted picture.
An underwhelming meeting with his father, feeling no sense of comradery at the man who abandoned him. Being more concerned at how close he had gotten to Farnese.
Already having 3 sons, Frederico did not want a fourth one competing for his assets, promising Serpico to become a noble when he grew up, if he promised to keep his secret as a loyal servant.
Fulfilling his mother's dream, Serpico had no choice other than to accept, but only after asking:
"Will you meet my mother too? She misses you a lot."
"...In due time. Honestly, I was quite at a loss when it came to Farnese, but ever since you came along, the other servants that their lives were made easier ever since you became her companion. Maybe she will stop feigning innocence to me eventually..."
Frederico dismissed his questions with such ease, Serpico wondered if he even heard him.
