A more detailed view.

(As I've been developing Christoph's story and personality, I find the previous cheap story between him and Bart to not match anymore now. So, going to make some changes which are listed in this RP, including a different version of how things went with Edward.)

¬What the hell did happen that day? All I know is that Tomiel was brought back and Bart captured.¬ Benjamin is quite thoughtful while asking. He has not spoken much for the whole evening.

Richard sighs deeply. ¬I assisted by mere case. I was walking to tge Academy, when I noticed people gathering in the main square. I approached to check what was going on, I had to fight my way to reach the first line...just to see Bart in the middle, holding Tomiel in his arms. For a second I had hope it was all a misunderstanding...but before I could say anything, Jackil and Christoph arrived, at the same time as Edward. Just, the two ran, while he calmly walked.
To that, Bart placed Tomiel on the ground so that she could reach her father. He was not even daring to look at his father...he glanced at Edward, who started to walk away, and silently followed him.
Understanding where that would lead to, Christoph tried to stop Edward, calling him and telling him not to, with a desperate tone. But of course, Edward ignored and proceeded, to which Christoph went after them.
I tried to stop him, instinctively, but he pushed me away and I realized it was right that he followed them...¬He speaks with a low and somewhat sad tone. That scene definitely saddened him and bringing it back to his memory had the same effect.

¬After all that sick shit caused to him, he had even the will to try to cover him when he screwed up the most.¬ Vik grumbles with an annoyed tone.

¬What has Bart done to his father...exactly?¬ Benjamin asks, as he has not involved himself one bit in the matter at the time, despite Bart is his Godson.

Lydia frowns at Vik's words. ¬To what I know, Christoph has not done much to deserve his son's love. He is renown as the "Worst father in the Realm".¬

Meredith, who remained silence till now, decides to intervene. ¬Rumors are always unfair and false, most of the time.¬

¬Mostly when said rumors are spread by someone who hates you and wants to earn general sympathy. .¬ Richard mutters before answering Benjamin's question. ¬Bart has always been at war with his father. I suppose it was because of the fact Christoph was a bit absent in the first years of his life...¬

¬I say it was because he was a disgustingly spoiled and arrogant kid who thought to be who knows who, convinced that everything was due to him.¬ Mema replies with a disappointed tone. ¬To how I see it, Christoph's real mistake was to give and do too much for him.¬

¬His only mistake was to let his sorrow take over him for too long. For the rest, he did sacrifice over sacrifice to make sure Bart would have everything. The best of everything, despite his son kept spitting in his face in return.
He considers Bart his wife's last gift. He would do anything for him, maybe he did not cuddle him or filled him with cutesy words, but Christoph truly did his best to be a good father, I saw that with my own eyes.
It seemed as if Bart's only goal in life was to shame his father and prove him an awful father. But the worst of worst became when he decided to leave school, at his 8th year. Christoph could not let him do such idiocy that would screw his life for good, but Bart didn't give a damn. He started to spread ridiculous rumors about his father, inventing "terrible secrets" about him. He ended up in jail because of his lies but was of course proved innocent.
You can imagine our father's reaction to it...¬ He glances at Benjamin to those words. ¬Anyhow, Bart was doing his best to convince Christoph to deny him. He even openly asked it to him in MY VERY PRESENCE! But of course it would never happen. He was probably convinced that if he had been denied he could turn it againsthis father and possibly turn the whole family agaist him.
As nothing worked, he pretended to have been denied, lying to everyone he knew. But we knew it was not so, Christoph made no request and no document exists to prove it. Bart left home shortly after, without giving any explanation. Christoph tried to look for him for some time, but given it seemed to be what Bart wanted, he decided to let him be and do whatever he wanted.
A week after, Bart set his father's home on fire. I can't say this for sure, but Christoph should have been at home that night. It was a case he was not, only because I forced him to come with me that evening.¬

Mema's eyes widen at his words, clearly in shock to hear it was Bart to burn the house and possibly tried to kill his father. ¬It was...him...?? I knew it was a laboratory accident!¬

Richard snorts and shakes his head. ¬We were together in front of the burning mansion. Me and Christoph. He knew it was Bart and I knew it too. He fell on his knees and said "I should have been in there..".
But when our father called him to explain the happening, Christoph lied, inventing he was working on an experiment, the substance was unstable and it led to the explosion which caused a fire.
That way, he witnessed our father's rage for the nth time and spared Bart from the consequences of his act. Because, I have high doubts he would have the chance to live long, had our father known the truth...¬

¬...If he was my son I would have used his head as a wall decoration and the rest to fertilize my crops.¬ Vik
Emoticon heart
. His words break some moments of silence which followed Richard's tale.

¬...That why he ran away like a coward and did not have the guts to come back to Nortrig for that long...he knew Edward would get him once and for all.¬ Meredith adds.

Benjamin remains silent and even more thoughtful.

¬...and what exactly happened after Christoph followed Edward and Bart that day..?¬ Even though Meredith had already an idea, just not the right one.

¬I don't know...I did not follow them...and Christoph refused to have any mention of it. For a couple of weeks they refused seeing anyone and receive visits.¬

Though, their conversation was being overheard all the time by someone. He could not really help it, he was sitting close and his hearing is extremely fine.
Sao turns around and looks at the people sat at the table nearby. ¬I witnessed what happened, if you feel the need to know the details. It might upset the weak-hearted.¬ Glancing at the women.

¬I can tear off your heart and cook it, if it will help you feel less upset, darling.¬ Lydia replies to Sao's words, which sounded a little offending for a woman as strong as she.

Sao just smirks at her words and sits among them, as they indeed want to know what he has to say.

¬I don't like how this sounds already...¬ Richard mutters, having a feelings that things did not go as they all logically expect.

Sao gives them all a quick glance. ¬As some of you know already, I am Sao Yung, Xiu's uncle. And I live with them, which is why I was there and could witness what happened.
As they arrived to Lord Edward's mansion, he led the pirate straight to the basement, where he chained him to prepare him for his well-deserved punishment. But his father was being a true pain in the side, not wanting to let him do what was right. Edward tried to ignore him, but eventually granted him a word in private.
They went back upstairs where Christoph attempted another pointless plea to spare his son from that. There I showed up, to see if Edward needed me to free him from the crying brother, but my services weren't needed. Edward was already heading back down, suggesting his brother to not witness and to come back the next day. It would have been wise if he had listened.
Anyhow, Lord Christoph was not listening, instead, he asked to replace his son, to take his punishment himself- ¬

¬What?! Has Christoph truly lost his brain?! Edward denied of course!¬ That was Mema's reaction, she is definitely pissed off by what she heard so far.

Benjamin has already guessed and shut his eyes.

¬...If it can comfort you, it was clear that Edward did not want it. He tried to discourage him, but he was stubborn. Given the situation, there was nothing else Edward could do other than accepting.¬ Sao says, clearly being on Edward's side and perfectly understanding why it was the only possible solution.

¬What? Really, now, really? Christoph had to be punished in the place of that sick shit and that other idiot even accepted?¬ Lydia seems pretty disgusted as well.

Sao rolls his eyes, annoyed for being interrupted by the women so often.

¬So, it happened? Christoph got himself tortured and Edward did it...?¬ Finally Benjamin decides to speak again.

Sao nods slowly and seriously at his question. ¬If these...fiery ladies grant me, I can try to make you all understand why it was the only thing Edward could do. Or you can pity, scream at the "monster" and continue happily living as if in life, things were either black or white, only.
The minimum I can say, is that Lord Christoph managed to preserve pride, dignity and honor.¬

Benjamin stands up. ¬Show me...¬

Sao raises an eyebrow. ¬Fine.¬ He shows the scene in Benjamin's mind and as soon as it ends, he just leaves them without a word, looking rather upset.
He watches Benjamin leave, remaining silent, then after some moments he looks at Dorian. «What was I saying before the nth interruption?» He tilts his head.

(Gonna continue the conversation from here, any character could be already at the table with them or nearby, overhearing.)
{They are at the Club.}