005

Nathaniel stared at the doors of Lucian’s study and heaved. He knocked then entered.

His father sat at his desk, eyes closed, coloured papers and books strewn around him, and a half-full bottle of whiskey rested by his side. A glass chessboard and books sat on a desk by a window with two chairs facing each other. The shelves contained more fictional literature than the boring textbooks, children’s books, poems, and literature his father enjoyed. Portraits of Nathaniel, Sarang, and Lucian hung on the emerald walls, and newly additions of non-alcoholic drinks.

Every nook and cranny held an essence of Sarang. Nathaniel’s expression turned grim.

“Father.” Nathaniel called from the door.

Lucian opened his eyes.

“Is now a bad time?” Nathan asked, his tone solemn.

“It’s fine.” Lucian replied, readjusting in his chair. “Come, sit down.”

Nathaniel couldn't help but notice the endless paperwork before his father. As the Grand Duke, Lucian’s responsibilities seemed unending, tethering him to his desk whenever he was home. The weight of governing Eldoria more than the royal family often kept him confined to his study.

Lucian wasn’t young anymore. In a few years, his father would retire, and those duties would fall on him. A life spent buried in work, day after day, was not what Nathaniel wanted for himself.

“Care for a drink? It’s whiskey.” Lucian offered, uncorking the glass bottle.

“Thank you, but day drinking is bad for health. You’re not young as you think.” Nathaniel advised, watching his father fill his glass.

“But I’m not old yet.” Lucian retorted, taking a sip.

“You wanted to see me.”

Lucian opened a drawer and pulled out a red envelope, handing it to his son. Nathaniel recognised the emblem on the wax seal. It belonged to the Belford family, the Counts of Bellport in the east of Eldoria. He remembered the second oldest child, an omega, was married to a Aragon prince. He broke the seal and read the letter.

“I want you to handle the negotiations at Bellport. You have concluded your studies, it’s time you carry some of weight as my heir.” Lucian said.

“Negotiations at Bellport? That could take weeks, months! This is a heavy first assignment for someone of my experience!” Nathaniel complained.

“Sooner started, sooner finished. You’re not a child anymore, you’re a man.”

“You are always like this! A few days ago, your son returned home after four years! Your only son!” Nathaniel growled. “Now you’re sending me away again and I can’t but feel this is intentional! Why father? What are your motives? What do you gain from pushing me away from home?”

Lucian glared at Nathaniel calmly, his fingers steepled. Nathaniel breath seized at his father’s intimidating silence.

“Trevor Ashton will accompany and guide you. Listen to him. You leave tomorrow.”

Nathaniel’s felt his chest tighten. “Father–”

“Nathaniel.” Lucian deadpanned, his tone final.

“Yes, sir.” Nathaniel replied in defeat. He stomped to the door and stopped when his finger grazed the handle. Turning back, he met his father’s eyes.

“My birthday is in two months. When I return from Bellport, I won’t be assigned any task to leave home for a year.” Nathaniel demanded.

Lucian snorted in amusement. “I accept.”

Nathaniel stomped out of the study.

Lucian picked up the picture of his late wife and smiled softly. “Our son is more like you than the eyes meet–impatient, tenacious, and confident.”

Morning came, dispelling the cold, dry night. Trevor Ashton and his seventh daughter, Ruby, arrived at the Blackwell estate on time. The father-daughter duo greeted the father and son before Lucian and Trevor stepped aside to discuss, leaving their children behind.

Ruby, an alpha like her father, was a beautiful woman with ginger and green eyes identical to her father. She was also Nathaniel’s oldest friend, long invested in her father’s business. Nathaniel and Ruby exchanged brief pleasantries and hugged before Nathaniel glimpsed at the first-floor window. Behind the curtains, Sarang hid, praying Nathaniel hadn’t noticed him.

A light creak of the door pulled Sarang from his thoughts. Sebastian entered the room, his steps as graceful as always, hands behind his back, with the chain of his pocket watch gleaming from his pocket.

“Mr. Sebastian.” Sarang said, quickly straightening his posture.

“What are you doing there, boy?” Sebastian questioned.

“Nothing.” Sarang replied with a smile. His seemingly innocent smile couldn’t fool Sebastian; he could read him like the back of his hand.

Outside, horses neighed, exposing Sarang’s intentions. He blushed in embarrassment and bowed at Sebastian before darting past the old man.

“Will you not say goodbye?” Sebastian asked and Sarang paused. “You won’t see him for a few months.”

“It’s fine.” Sarang whispered then scrambled to his room.

Ruby searched around then smirked at Nathaniel. “Where is that your little friend? I don’t see him.”

Nathaniel snorted and saddled his horse. She didn’t question further which he was thankful for. Lucian and Trevor returned to their children.

“Eat breakfast before you leave.” Lucian suggested.

“I have.” Nathaniel replied. “Bellport is far; it’s best to leave early.”

Nathaniel casted a glance towards the villa. Was Sarang not going to come down to see him off? He would be gone for a few months. Maybe distance was needed so he could focus on Bellport.

“Father.” Nathaniel nodded at Lucian before whipping the reins.

“Until we meet again, Lucian.” Trevor said. He and his daughter raced after Nathaniel.

Lucian watched them disappear on the front porch.

Lucian finished his breakfast and glanced at the empty chair on his right. The food was cold, but Sarang hadn’t come for breakfast. He never skipped meals unless he was sick.

“Where is Sarang?” Lucian asked, folding the napkin on his thigh.

“He is in his room, sir. Should I call him?” A maid asked, her voice mellow and clear.

“No need.”

Lucian stood. Sarang hadn’t come downstairs to bid his Nathaniel farewell, had missed breakfast, and was now burrowed in his room. Lucian hated being at the receiving end.

He walked to Sarang’s room and knocked. No response. He knocked again and waited before unlocking the door. Sarang sat on the bed, clutching a pillow, his jaw tight, staring resolutely at the window.

Lucian rubbed his forehead, pondering his past actions but couldn’t link any recent matter that had upset Sarang. He sat behind Sarang on the twin-sized bed, leaning towards the small omega.

“Are you mad at me?” Lucian asked, but Sarang gave him cold shoulders.

Lucian wasn’t good with the silent treatment–it irked him. Yet, when Sarang did it, he looked adorable, like a petulant hamster rejecting handfed peanuts.

Patience… It was only a matter of–

“I’m mad at you.” Sarang said and faced him. “He came home a few days ago, and then you sent him away with a mundane task. You know how much I wanted him to come home. You missed too, I know, but do you not want him here?”

Sarang’s eyes watered as his grip on the pillow loosened. Lucian ruffled Sarang’s hair.

“Sarang, twenty-five years isn’t fifteen.” Lucian began. “Nathaniel is my heir. One day he’ll inherit the title of grand duke and the world is full of the…”

“Good, bad, and the ugly. It’s a literature.”

Lucian smiled faintly. “A soft hand isn’t what he needs now. He is strong, intelligent, and ambitious; his college education was only the beginning. Society will pardon me if I failed him as a father, but Nathaniel will resent me for mine. We will shoulder him when he goes through difficulty. This trip is an awakening for him; so forgive us for making you upset. Don’t cry.”

Lucian swabbed the tears from Sarang’s pale cheeks then squished them together and chortled at his duckling face.

“Why ish mah-tar wafing?” Sarang mumbled and Lucian dropped his hands. “Why is master laughing?”

“You always amuse me.”

“I’m glad.” His stomach rumbled. “And hungry. My lessons start in an hour so I must make haste.”

Sarang hopped off the bed, skipping to the door. He reached for the handle, pausing when Lucian called his name.

“Sarang.”

“Yes, Master?” Sarang twirled, his mood elated.

“My schedule is light this month. Would you like to go somewhere with me? New Borough is a lovely village, only seven hours away.”

“You don’t need to ask, Master... I go where you go.”