Chapter 12: 12. Father and son
Kai was completely taken aback when he woke up and saw Duke right next to him, sleeping beside him!
What’s more, it turned out that Kai’s own little hand had been holding onto Duke’s clothes to keep him from leaving.
He had no idea what had actually happened. Was there something Kai had forgotten from last night? All he could remember was that he’d been dozing off when Keith left to meet Duke. So why was Duke here?
"Oh, you’re awake, Kaileon? Are you okay?" Duke asked after he woke up and saw his son sitting silently, watching him.
"I should be the one asking, why are you here? I don’t remember you coming."
Duke smiled slightly, then reached out to stroke his son’s head. Unlike before, Kaileon didn’t pull away; he sat still as his father stroked his head, then gently patted it.
"I came because Keith is going to find a maid for you at a special place, along with Nathan. They know better, so I sent them both. Since I’m still thinking about yesterday’s monster, I’m here to keep you company. I’m sorry if you mind. I know you don’t like it when I’m here, but please, just give me one chance to make things right," said the Duke.
Kaileon let out a heavy sigh. Come to think of it, the Duke had been wrong to leave Kaileon in the Duchess’s care and never care about him again, because the Duke had underestimated everything. He thought Kaileon would be fine in the hands of a woman—who was most likely the mastermind behind the death of Duke’s beloved concubine, Kaileon’s mother.
But, all this time, Duke had only been fighting at the border. When he came home, it was often just for a day or two, and then he’d leave again. Duke was almost never at his own castle; he was very busy.
Kaileon certainly hated his father for neglecting him and leaving him in the Duchess’s care. But of course, on the other hand, Kaileon wanted his father to pay attention to him just like other children do with their parents.
It seemed Kaileon really should give Duke Arslan a chance.
Or the man named Hendry Leonard Arslan.
"Oh, I see..." was all Kai could say at that moment; he felt incredibly awkward being in the same room as his father.
Considering his previous life on Earth, Kai had no parents. He didn’t know how to act in front of Hendry.
"By the way, do you always have nightmares when you sleep, Kaileon?" Hendry asked with a worried expression.
Kai was naturally very surprised to hear that. He didn’t even remember whether he had dreamed or not that night. Because when he woke up, all memories of his dream had vanished.
"Dream?" Kai asked, confused.
"You were screaming, then crying. I thought you were being attacked by a monster or something, but it turned out to be just a dream," Hendry replied.
Actually, what happened was more than that. Last night, Kai cried loudly, as if he had just been beaten by the Duchess, because in his dream he said:
"Forgive me, Duchess, please don’t hit me... I’m guilty."
Like that.
Hendry had never had a problem with that woman, Nathalia. Besides, he had never fallen in love with anyone. The only woman who made him fall in love, accepted him, and was willing to become his concubine was only to avoid being killed.
Hendry thought that as long as Nathalia was intelligent, came from a respectable family, and carried out her duties as Duchess well, there was nothing for Hendry to complain about.
Until Hendry realized just how cruel and ignorant that woman was. Especially toward Kaileon, his firstborn son.
Hendry didn’t understand why she was so afraid that he would name Kaileon as his heir. Because the royal regulations were clear: a child of a concubine—an ordinary woman, not a noble—could not inherit the title. Unless there were no other children.
Even in that case, a son born to a concubine would still be outranked by a daughter born to a legitimate wife of noble birth.
"Are you hungry, Duke? I’ll cook breakfast for you, if you don’t mind eating my cooking."
"Father."
Kaileon, who had been about to run off to the kitchen, stopped and looked at Hendry in confusion.
"Y-yeah?"
"Can you call me father again like you used to? I know I’m asking too much; you might still need some time—"
"Fa-father," Kaileon said suddenly, with a smile Hendry had never seen on the boy’s face before.
It turned out Kaileon could smile that broadly...
"I’m just not used to it yet, haha. I’m going to cook first—oh, do you want to come, father?" Kai asked.
Hendry nodded like an idiot, then patiently followed the boy.
Kaileon walked quite slowly.
He doesn’t know, maybe Hendry was just walking too fast? After all, Kaileon was only half of Hendry’s size—oh, wait.
Kaileon shouldn’t be that small, since his younger brother, Justine, is a little taller than him.
For some reason, a strange emotion surfaced again in Hendry’s mind.
An emotion called regret and disappointment.
They had arrived at the kitchen.
At that moment, Hendry just stood there silently, watching Kaileon. There were many questions swirling in the man’s mind.
Like how the kitchen in the pavilion had become neater, with furniture that was beautifully designed yet simple.
Hendry also noticed some kitchen appliances that were magical tools Kaileon shouldn’t have been able to possess. At that moment, Hendry realized he had to truly watch over his son. Because Kaileon could get anything as long as it was sold in a store.
The magical items had a large shop in the basement of the magic tower. Anyone could come freely, as long as they had money.
In fact, the magic tower periodically held exhibitions of their magical items, usually inviting nobles. Or anyone who looked like they had money.
Usually, only the Royal family can afford to buy those items. The Duke himself has bought from there before.
The Duke used to go there often with Keith. That’s why Keith could tell that the magical items Kaileon possesses must be from the Magic Tower.
Keith said that while Kaileon can buy anything at a very low price—not for free—it’s still dangerous for Hendry.
If any bad people found out, Kaileon could be exploited.
That meant the Duchess mustn’t find out. Because of that, Hendry planned to forbid Justine from seeing Kaileon again.
But that was just wishful thinking, because in reality, Justine had already arrived at the pavilion early in the morning.
He was even still wearing his pajamas.
The boy just barged right into the pavilion after catching the scent of Kaileon’s delicious cooking.
Hendry and Kaileon only realized Justine was there when he screamed in surprise—turns out Hendry was there too.
"Justine? What are you doing here?" Kaileon asked.
Justine covered his mouth, then ran toward Kaileon.
"I’m going to eat here! With you, please..." Justine pleaded, occasionally glancing at Hendry, who remained silent.
The boy jumped in surprise when Hendry suddenly burst out laughing.
"Justine, you ran away from your room, didn’t you?" asked Hendry, his voice sounding terrifying to Justine.
"Big brother, help me..."
Kaileon was confused at that moment—
why was Justine asking for help?
