Chapter 13

"Are you planning to purchase the product?"

Purchase what product? King could not believe his ears to hear such nonsense during his working hour when he was supposed to handle a few kingdom's conflicts. First of all, though, when will the duke and his son get out of this very room? He is busy, hello.

Unaware of the king's conflict, Demien looked up to his father and nodded.

"Then order for everyone in the house except for the duchess. The duchess favors the lavender smell." Dictated the duke without delay.

"I will add to the order soon enough." Demien obeyed like a good boy. "Even the butlers?"

"Everyone."

"Very well, father."

"Good." He praised his son with his dry voice.

Callisto saw the duke look like he was insincere in giving a compliment if he wasn't aware of the duke's nature. He sighed tiredly. Watching the father-son duo interaction, he knew they needed his power to cure the youngest child of their household.

If the duke was this affectionate towards his firstborn, he couldn't imagine how the duke was caring for the rest of it. They didn't lie when the servants that he sent to the ducal house told him the piece of information. He thought the duke threatened them to only say good things to him.

"It's your true nature, Brice?" Questioned him in full of curiosity. How could Duke commit to them with the stoic face?

Duke looked at him as if he was crazy as he didn't understand the question or pretending not to understand the question.

"I will help you." Callisto later shook his head before pushing back his gold hair color at the back in a bitter taste inside his mouth. He decided to let the matter go for now.

"Really?" Demien's eyes sparkled as he got the approval.

"Yes." He turned towards the quiet Duke next to his son.

Duke looked around except for Callisto, evidently he didn't part take in any decision making of the case. Giving the order sure, to execute the order was all Demien's job now, it seems. All the decisions Demien made now without interfering with the duke. It was good teaching that he always took as an example to educate his son as well. As a result, his son became mature as well.

Looking at the achievement of the duke's children, it pricked his ego as the true ruler of the kingdom. Why can't he have the same thing? What's his prince lacking? He has a good gene; name it. The face, the hair, the eyes, the skin, everything about his son radiantly perfect. He's not lacking at all aside from being second in his grade and literally below the duke's child in any sport ranking. He sighed.

However, Demien in front of him screamed flawless and absolute. He didn't lack in any department. In fact, he was a bit superior to the crown prince. The magnificent grade, the poise manner, the cool aura that he exuded, and calm expression rather than the stoic expression. He was the role model everywhere he went.

To fuel his anger, all of Duke's children were faultless. Even if they did wrong, the Duke and Duchess knew how to handle the public image, maybe that's why the image of the children kept on improving. Maybe that's the secret.

"May I know when the recommendation letter is available for me to take action?" He quickly moved forward without giving the king breath even for a second.

Callisto nodded slowly, as he pondered. It was a hassle but he had to do it as soon as possible. Duke wouldn't obediently sit tight and do nothing. Even if it means by knocking at his bedroom door at midnight, the duke would do it.

Anything is possible for the duke which coincidentally is his right hand and also his best friend.

"I will try to finish it by tonight. The letter will be available tomorrow morning. I promise you." He sprinkled the promise with his mischievous smile while looking deeply at Duke. "Doesn't mean it's for free."

Duke twitched. He knew it. He knew this sly king had something up his sleeve. He wanted to draw a sword, but the pleading face from Demien held back his action. "We will talk tomorrow after the letter." He stood with a disdain stare.

"Sure." Callisto smiled happily. Let them go without a second thought.

Duke stared at him. The stare almost drilled a hole inside his brain only he didn't evade because he had an upper hand. Duke wasn't stupid enough to provoke him. He knew as much. He has the advantage of growing up together with Duke.

"Let's go Demien. I like to see her hair product pamphlet." He stared naughtily at Callisto while speaking loudly. Knowing too well Callisto was envious of his loving family. His stoic face looking at Callisto extra-long haughtily as he strode together with his son side by side.

"Brice...." Callisto trembled, calling the duke's name in resentful.

Duke scowled with a puffing chest. The pride of being a good husband and a good father of his children flashing in front of Callisto before he walked away from the room.

That night, Callisto begged his wife to have a second child, precisely a daughter. He was so jealous of the duke's affection. Flexing in front of the king's face, to wear women shampoo because of his daughter. Sharing the common product because of love. He wanted the same thing as well.

"Father, should I acquire the letter myself or should I ask the servant?" He asked his father for reference.

Duke looked at Demien immediately. "You can ask the servant to retrieve it. You need to go to the academy tomorrow. No more cutting class."

Demien shrank and his walk wasn't as powerful as before anymore. He wanted to take part in the process but the academy was as important as this. He could not smartly retort his father too. After all, his father was correct.

As the duke was aware of his inner conflict, Duke couldn't hide his pride as the father of his clever son. He raised his hand and put his palm on top of his son's head. He then rubbed it very gently after Demien accomplished his goal of meeting the king bravely.

"You are doing good." Praised Duke sincerely. The hint of stretch lips evidently on his face. It was meant for his family only.

The blushes planted on his face. Contrary to the blush receiving the unexpected kiss from his dear sister, this time the blush lasted a little longer. His father wasn't the man with words, most of the time they communicated in short sentences. Receiving the praise was rare, patting heads were even rarest.

"Okay, father." The 14 years-old Demien could not help but feel a sense of accomplishment. He clenched his fist tightly to mask the hard pounding of his heart due to his excitement. "No more cutting class." He said, whispering to himself.

Duke hummed hearing him repeated the same words as his reminder. The obedient nature of Demien made it easier for him to bring them up. He'd learned and mastered society at such a young age, he was a good brother to all of his brothers and sister, and he was a good son to his wife. He was a good child that deserved a compliment sometimes.

"How is Elizebeth doing?" Duke quickly changed the topic as his palm still patting the soft hair, sometimes ruffled it for his amusement.

Demien brightened up, his eyes shone like a star. "She was doing better the last time I saw her, father."

"Good." Duke, at last, put down his hand after rearranged the hair once again.

"Oh yes." Demien seemed to remember something. "I called the bookkeeper for her before I came here." Reported him as soon as it clicked inside his brain.

"Bookkeeper?"

"Yes."

"For what?"

"I'm afraid that's the limit of my knowledge, father." He said gloomily.

Duke didn't dwell much on the lack of information, however. "Very well. You did great. Do you want to stop at the fountain pen shop along the way?"

Demien took a steadying breath while remembering something. Oh yes, his father promised to reward him before. "Sure." He nodded.

"Okay, then." Both of them ambled towards the same carriage without a sound after that.

"How about Kyle and Indulf, father?" Asked him curiously as soon as he entered and sat inside the carriage.

"I can pick a few things for them along the way." Duke agreed to spend on all of his children equally. "What possibly Elizebeth wants today?" Contemplated Duke to his son.

"For today, we should treat her with sweets, father." He gave his input.

Duke rubbed his clean chin with his rough thumb for a while before nodding. "Alright. We will stop at her favorite tea house after we buy everything."

"Yes, father." Demien agreed with the plan as well. "We can order mother's favorite waffle as well."

Duke found himself relaxed and leaned back at the soft seat. "For your mother too."