*******
The carriage that should contain the woman arrived. Empty of her. Only with the parent who had planned this outco even before departing the Royal Palace.
"Thomas, take the luggage inside and don’t worry about the carriages–"
"Where is Marianne?"
"... A greeting cos first son. Good afternoon, it is wonderful to see you welcoming ."
"..... Good afternoon."
"Go on, Thomas."
"Yes, my Lord."
"So. Have the matters of the duchy snatched away your rest again, son? I can see that, once more, you haven’t slept properly in my absence."
"... The duchy’s matters are doing fine. May I ask now why I cannot see my sister anywhere?"
"Oh! Yes, that’s right. I had planned of ntioning it during dinner since the family should learn about it together."
"... Can I not hear it now?"
"Fairness is a must, son." — Smiling at his persistent request, Orland wisely told Paul. Resting his hand on his shoulder so they could pace together into their residence. — "Now tell about your days. This deanour you keep showing is starting to cause concern in . Are you sure you are alright, Paulos?"
"... I am fine."
"... No. I can tell sothing is wrong. I believe if this is to continue you ought to see a physician." — Orland inford his son, hiding other intentions behind his concern.
The steps of his oldest halted dry at the Duke’s sayings, and staring directly into his father’s eyes with disbelief, Paul answered trying to control his annoyance.
"Father. I am telling you I am fine."
"And I am telling you I don’t think that is true."
"... Hah."
"You laugh?" — At his son’s response, Orland’s expression demonstrated his displeasure with the elegant raise of a brow. Stepping ahead to stand before the young man so his anings could be told with authoritative prominence. — "I don’t think you are able to see the importance your health entails, Paul. I have left the Duchy in your hands twice and not long enough for you to appear like this. What am I to think now? If leaving this much in your charge when you have yet to win your Title... What will happen once you inherit the Dukedom?"
"Nothing will–"
"All I can see is that you will collapse." — Interrupting Paul’s intention to retort his understandable motives, Orland continued. Solely to receive a wide-eyed stare of void shine from his son.
"..."
"I am not about to let another of my offspring fall ill when I can prevent it."
"... What does that an?" — Watching his father turn his back on him to continue to walk, opening the doors to their ho, Paul inquired with a soulless tone.
"..."
Orland was aware that such a question would be asked. After all, such was his intent when ntioning his concerns to the son he reckoned held an appropriate intelligence although his stability was nacing it.
The Duke turned around once more. Observing how his son followed him inside with a threatening vibe.
’Hah... I must have been truly blind, son... And you helped maintain such a condition while you still could handle your sanity enough...’ — Orland thought, taking a pause to take in the sight he has been ignoring for so long. — ’Yet what is this? Now your body can’t even hide the displeasure from your skin’s shade. ’
"... What I an with this is..." — Severely returning the glare coming from the deepness of Paul’s chaotic hues, Orland comnced. — "That if you cannot take care of yourself properly while having only a part of all the responsibilities the Title I am to inherit you demands... Such Title will not arrive to your hands, child."
"... what."
"What I said is all it is, Paul... I will not grant my Title to you when I can clearly see that it is hindering your health."
"You ought to be jesting."
"Do you think I am?" — Holding his gaze of disbelief, the Duke calmly answered. — "I am not about to lose my child’s well-being because of this."
"Duke. It is unreasonable. Who will inherit if I–"
"I have two other children."
"Ha..... They are won! You cannot–"
"Mind the way you speak, young man." — Orland glared this ti, showing his seriousness on the matter. — "Don’t even dare to finish such a sentence for you are no one to say what I can or cannot do. Rember who it is that you are talking to, Paul Khan Sylfinnier. Don’t anger as soon as I step foot in my manor."
"Father. I believe you are not thinking properly!"
"It is the other way around." — Crossing his arms to convey the resolution in his words, Orland stated. — "You cannot see clearly the importance of these matters. They are won? Yes. I am aware, you fool. Yet that is not an impedint for them to take charge of my Lands and power."
"This... Father, this is nonsense you are spouting." — Paul hissed as he gritted his teeth from rage.
"... Paul." — However, giving a step forward, Orland forbid any boundary he had kept from showing the threat of his wrath. — "Speak one more ti without a hint of respect to ... And you won’t have the nice Father you know teaching you the lesson you’re needing. Do you understand?"
"....."
"Answer, kid."
"..... YES."
"Good. Do not think that because you are a male you are the only option. Marianne and Theressa are perfectly capable to take your place and do as well as you would. It is not common, yes. But thankfully, our Family has already had won as the Household’s Head before. My dear Mother was the last one, if you want a reminder."
"Nonetheless once married, Grandfather took–"
"Incorrect." — Smirking at the ignorance of his son, Orland inford him of the truth. — "Your Grandfather, Paul, he indeed beca the Duke once taking Mother’s hand. Nonetheless... The sole power resided on Mother."
"..."
"Father... As prominent as he is, he simply followed Mother’s orders. Acting as her closest right hand... Father’s power ca solely if granted by your Grandmother."
"..."
"The sa shall happen if either of your sisters inherits my Title." — Aware that this would provoke his son further, Orland spoke with a clear wish to see the reaction his words would cause. — "If, let’s say, Marianne inherits the Duchy... Her husband shall be her right hand as she is to hold the true power of the househo–"
"Who will she marry?"
"That I don’t–"
"Has she already received a proposal? Why haven’t I heard of this–?!?"
Smack!! — The strong sound the hit given to the back of Paul’s head resounded strongly. Making the Young Master’s eyes lose more focus at the strength that shook his brain so unexpectedly hard he could not place more words in his mouth.
"?..??"
"... Because it hasn’t happened." — Glaring at the confused man, Orland inford him. Concealing the disheartening pain laying a hand on his offspring brought as he was showing a gist of the reprimand he would get if disrespected once again. — "Focus. Don’t make do this again because you’re acting unbecoming. It makes my taste bitter."
"....."
"Mind those eyes. Or another much more painful will co." — To the turbulent glare of his son, Orland warned. Looking straight into his golden hues to dismiss him without any hint of warmth in his voice. — "Leave my sight. You’re clearly the one not thinking right, Paul."
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