Chapter Twelve
_A Family Dinner
* * *
Clang!!
"Young Master, your performance is brilliant as usual.."
"Mr. Percion is a wonderful instructor.."
Damian smiled shyly, responding politely to Caral's words. Caral looked at his young master with an evaluative gaze; the boy seemed even more noble than the high-born children raised under strict supervision from birth..
'It seems she worked very hard on the Young Lord's upbringing..'
"Young Master, as we agreed, if you finish the required movements today, we can leave tomorrow for rest.."
"Thank you, Mr. Percion."
Percion instinctively patted the head of the sweet, lively child, then bowed in apology..
"Forgive me, my enthusiasm took hold and I overstepped my bounds.."
Damian straightened his posture and said with his head held high and a steady smile..
"Mr. Percion is my teacher; it is an honor for me that you praise my humble efforts.."
Caral was at a loss for words, looking at Damian with new eyes. He took a deep breath to return to his professional demeanor..
"Let us continue training.."
"Pardon the interruption.."
Damian and Caral, who were holding wooden swords, turned toward the source of the voice. Caral saw a beautiful lady with dark indigo hair and eyes the color of light silver. She wore a long-sleeved white shirt and a voluminous dark blue skirt; her clothing was simple in design yet luxurious. Damian's face lit up, and without hesitation, he ran toward Nyla, his eyes sparkling with excitement:
"Mom! Did you come to watch me train?!"
Nyla smiled and patted the child's cheek affectionately, filled with pride:
"My wonderful child is certainly doing well.."
"..."
"So, I came to reward him.."
"Really?!"
He felt bashful at his mother's praise and hugged her happily. The two maids stepped forward; Martha carried two large baskets of cookies while Celine carried a large jug. Caral and the surrounding knights looked on in confusion, while Damian—to whom this was familiar—said enthusiastically:
"Mom.."
"Yes, I made many, many cookies and prepared fresh orange juice.."
"Wonderful!!"
With sparkling eyes, Damian looked at Caral and said happily:
"Mr. Percion.. may I share the cookies with everyone?"
Caral felt puzzled and hesitant. Knightly tradition dictated not eating anything from anyone's hand except their master's, and Nyla Harvey was a somewhat suspicious figure. However, his master was also asking him to eat what Nyla Harvey had made..
"We shall eat them with pleasure, Your Highness.."
Celine and Martha stepped forward and set the cups beside the basket. Damian approached, encouraging the knights, and said cheerfully:
"My mother makes the most delicious sweets ever.."
Among the knights present were those who had accompanied Damian on his journey, so they recognized the bond between them. Caral stepped forward first, took a piece and a cup of juice, and ate. The hesitant knights then came forward gratefully, showing their admiration for the treats. One of them even spoke spontaneously:
"Thank you, My Lady, the sweets are delicious.."
"They belong to Damian, and he is the one who wanted to share them with you, so I have done nothing.."
Nyla's smile was sweet and gentle, causing the knight to blush, while some found it difficult to look away. Damian was thrilled to see everyone accepting his mother. He had heard much gossip here and there, and their words and ill-regard for her had bothered him. He thought proudly to himself:
'My mother is the best person in the world..'
* * *
"I'll change my clothes and come back so we can have dinner together.."
"Alright.."
Damian smiled as he left Nyla's room, looking at his hand with a sense of bashfulness..
'Will he agree?'
Instead of going to his room, he diverted toward the stairs leading to the first floor, repeating the words in his head over and over. He wiped his hands several times, feeling his heart beating fast..
"Young Master!!"
Hans seemed surprised when he saw Damian in front of the Archduke's office. Before he could say another word, Damian spoke steadily despite his trembling heart:
"Is His Grace the Archduke in?"
'The Archduke?.. When will he call him Father?!'
Hans ignored Damian's formality with his father and smiled warmly at the child:
"His Highness is inside. Do you wish to speak with him?"
"If he permits.."
"I shall ask him.."
Hans spoke in his usual friendly yet practical manner and entered the office. Damian clenched his fists several times to curb the trembling in his limbs..
'Should I apologize for that day? Also, I must thank him..'
"His Highness allows the Young Master to enter.."
Hans interrupted the thoughts of Damian, who was startled and hesitated for moments before entering. He took a deep breath and stepped into the office..
As soon as he entered, he was awestruck by its grandeur. When he first arrived, he hadn't been in a state to see the sheer scale of the place, which was only amplified by the presence of the man before him, whose face bore no expression.
"I greet the Archduke.."
When he rose from his bow, he saw no reaction. He swallowed for the third time, feeling his tongue heavy; the man before him hadn't even questioned him..
"First, I am sorry about that day.."
"I didn't die.. so it doesn't matter.."
Damian looked closely and noticed the faint trace of a scar. He squared his shoulders and gathered his courage, approaching the desk and extending his hand directly toward Elion:
"Thank you.."
Elion looked at the child's hand, which held a handkerchief containing two pieces of cookies. He thought for a moment..
'Is this a game?..'
But when Elion didn't move and Damian seemed more determined than he looked—staying there with his hand extended—Elion decided to take them, saying as he pointed to the still-untouched basket:
"What is the point of giving me what is already mine?"
At this, Damian felt the man before him lacked understanding; what his mother had taught him was different..
"You are wrong.."
"..."
Elion raised an eyebrow but showed no sign of disapproval, which allowed Damian to speak with confidence:
"What is given to me is mine, and I have the right to do with it as I please.. That is what my mother says.."
"And so?"
"The cookies are mine, and it is my right to give them to whomever I wish. I wanted to give them to the Archduke to thank him for letting me see my mother.."
"..."
With a heart-melting, bright smile, he said:
"I hope you enjoy them.."
Elion nodded, but Damian's gaze did not suggest someone who would simply give and leave; he wanted a result..
'Does he want me to eat it?'
Since he had no desire to argue with a child, he took a large bite of the cookie. It melted smoothly on his tongue, and the flavor of peach and honey spread, refreshing Elion's taste buds. He barely swallowed the bite before Damian asked enthusiastically:
"Is it delicious?!"
"It is good."
Elion, suppressing the tremor in his hand, thought that was the end of the conversation, but he saw Damian shifting his feet in clear hesitation. Elion said:
"Is there something else?"
"May I ask for something?"
"So, the sweets were a bribe?"
"No, no.."
Damian waved his hands and shook his head in denial, biting his lips and looking in several directions hesitantly. Noticing the clock was nearing seven, he looked at Elion and said quickly:
"I will be late for dinner.."
"..?"
"May I discuss the matter with you after dinner?.."
For the first time since Elion became Archduke, someone was deciding for him—demanding it without hesitation. Damian didn't wait for his answer but hurried out of the office. When Hans saw him leaving quickly, he entered the office and saw his master; though he appeared emotionless, the trace of astonishment was clear..
"When does dinner begin?"
Hans barely processed the question. For more than ten years, the man before him had never once asked about the timing of a meal. He quickly regained his composure and said:
"Exactly at seven o'clock.."
"Fifteen minutes left then.."
Hans tilted his head, trying to understand, but resumed his serious expression as if nothing had happened, noticing the partially eaten sweet in front of his master..
'What happened before I entered?!..'
* * *
Nyla moved toward Damian's room so they could go down together, feeling a surge of excitement; she had missed eating with him. Before she reached his door, he was already waiting for her with a happy smile and beautiful clothes. Warmth spread through Nyla's heart, and she approached her little one intending to hug him, but she noticed his hair was damp. She looked at Damian's accompanying maid until the girl's limbs trembled..
"What is your name?"
It was a cold voice despite the apparent gentle smile. The maid could barely utter the words:
"Flora,... my name is Flora, My Lady."
The maid bowed anxiously after introducing herself, but Nyla gestured to Celine, who immediately understood and entered Damian's room. Nyla said calmly:
"Damian's hair is damp; he might catch a cold.."
Damian looked at his mother with innocent eyes, while the maid spoke in a shaky tone:
"The Young Master refuses the help of the servants.."
"But, were you not supposed to ensure your master was fully prepared?"
"I was in a hurry to see my mother.."
Damian sensed the crisis and spoke with a pouty, endearing tone. Nyla sighed, took the towel from Celine's hand, and smoothly dried Damian's hair while the maid stood with her head bowed. She saw the towel before her and heard a firm voice:
"I do not want this to happen again.."
"As you wish, My Lady.."
She watched Nyla's back as she held her young master's hand and breathed a sigh of relief; she had felt like she was standing before the Archduke for a moment..
* * *
The vast dining room was incredibly luxurious. Damian, who never thought he would care to enter it, had insisted today on eating with his mother there..
"Did you tell Lady Amanda you would be eating here today?.."
"Certainly.."
There was a glint in the child's eyes. She pinched his cheek and entered the hall, helping him sit in his chair correctly, saying with admiration:
"Even though Lady Amanda had to leave today for an emergency, she prepared everything."
"Yes.. yes."
Nyla pulled out the chair next to Damian to sit..
"Why are you sitting at the De Walter table?"
It was a female voice with an insolent tone. Nyla recognized the voice and looked at her coldly:
"Miss Franz, what are you implying?"
Lina stood there with the servants responsible for dinner behind her. Two maids stepped forward and placed cutlery in front of Damian, who looked at Lina and said with childish annoyance:
"I am having dinner with my mother.."
Her sharp gaze shifted, and she looked at the child with feigned meekness and a polite smile:
"I beg your pardon, Young Master, but according to the etiquette of the De Walter family, a seat is not prepared at the table except for direct family members or official noble guests."
With a condescending look at Nyla, she said:
"Miss Harvey… is merely a nanny and is not registered among the family members. Therefore, I thought it more appropriate for her to take her meals in her private suite."
"..."
"..."
"I meant no offense, of course; this is the tradition followed for many years in this Duchy."
Damian was about to stand up in anger, but Nyla patted his shoulder. He looked at her with sad eyes; he did not and would never like anyone to humiliate his mother..
"I believe Miss Franz is right.."
Silence suddenly fell. Lina raised her head proudly while Nyla looked at her, then at Damian:
"I am but the Young Master's private nanny, so I shall simply remain standing until I ensure he eats his meal well."
"But I want to share the meal with my mother.."
Damian stood up, his tone of annoyance clear. Nyla smiled, trying not to engage in unnecessary arguments now, but a calm voice shattered the atmosphere even further—indeed, the entire hall froze:
"Why has dinner not yet begun?!"
...... To be continued ......