Chapter 11 – A Short Temper
Ignes had sharp ears.
So he heard it.
The quiet laughter.
---
He turned his head and looked at the Dukes who were laughing.
Then—
He looked at Alexander.
His father was smiling.
---
Ignes got angry.
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Seeing that, Alexander raised his hand slightly.
"Alright, alright," he said. "Sorry."
"We're done with all of this now."
He glanced around.
"But it will take some time before we return to the mansion."
"So it's better to rest for now."
---
Ignes stared at him.
Annoyed.
Very annoyed.
"…Then go sleep by yourself."
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He turned and walked away.
Straight toward the temple garden.
---
Back at the resting area reserved for the four Dukes—
Only the four of them remained.
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Alistair, Duke of Diamond, spoke first.
"Why are you teasing him like that, Alex?" he said.
"At this age, kids have a short fuse."
---
Laurence, Duke of Spade, nodded.
"Just like Ali said."
"Kids are sensitive at this age."
"You might hurt his ego."
---
Alexander sighed lightly.
"Law, Ali… you're thinking too much."
He smiled slightly.
"This is the first time I've even seen him get angry."
"It was fun."
He added,
"I was starting to doubt whether he could even feel anger."
"And when he does…"
A small chuckle escaped him.
"He's cute."
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Leopold, Duke of Club, crossed his arms.
"Are you sure about that, Alex?"
He raised a brow.
"Last time, Igna blew up the east wing."
"Next time, he might blow up the whole mansion."
"He definitely has the talent for blowing things up."
---
Alexander didn't deny it.
---
Leopold continued, laughing,
"And the last time I teased him about that—"
"I told him he must really love blowing up mansions."
He shook his head, amused.
"Do you know what he said?"
---
The other two Dukes looked at him.
---
Leopold imitated Ignes's tone,
"With a completely annoyed face, he said—"
"'Explosion is an art.'"
"And then he added…"
Leopold couldn't stop laughing now.
"'Next time, I'll turn your mansion into a special art piece, Uncle Leo.'"
---
The Dukes laughed.
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Leopold wiped the corner of his eye.
"Even my son wouldn't dare talk back to me like that…"
"But he did."
"And he even warned me."
---
Alexander smiled faintly.
Not angry.
Not surprised.
---
Just… amused.