Lucius sat awkwardly on his chair. At times, he would glance at his father, unable to believe that this was really happening.

He’d punch himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming either.

He closed his eyes and recalled the night before. His father wished him a happy birthday, patted his head, and even carried him on his thigh. It was like a dream come true. It was like... He thought back to the wish he made on the little candle on the honey cake... His wish had come true.

He giggled silently, his hand to his mouth as his blue eyes sparkled to life.

And then when he woke up this morning, he found his father sleeping by his side.

It was so unreal. He pinched his cheek but it hurt. He gazed at his father’s face, how peaceful he looked sleeping, and then a giddy feeling overcame him. He threw himself on his father to hug him, startling Duke Alaric awake.

He looked at the little boy on him, the sparkling gaze in his eyes, and his eagerness to hear what he had to say.

He grimaced. What a morning.

He couldn’t remember the last time someone woke him up so roughly. Everyone had been so careful around him for seven years. So this... He looked at the boys eager eyes... Was what it meant to have a kid, he thought.

He reached for Lucius’s head and brushed his hair softly before pinching his nose.

Lucius whined, but he didn’t hate it. This action from his father, he loved it.

Anything was fine as long as he did not glare at him in disdain, as long as he did not look away from him.

There was a time when the little child wished his father would at least scold him, or hit him... At least then he would get his attention but it never happened.

He was ignored from start to finish. So now...

Tears rolled down his cheeks and he cried quietly, startling Duke Alaric.

"Sorry, did I pinch too hard?" He asked, but Lucius shook his head.

He was just so happy that the tears wouldn’t stop falling.

The Duke didn’t know what to do to make the kid stop crying, so he lifted him up, threw him over his shoulder, and got down from the bed.

"Where’s the nanny?" He asked with a loud voice. It was directed to no one in particular but the door burst open as if waiting for his call.

The nanny and Butler rushed in, immediately bowing their heads.

"You called, your grace."

"He won’t stop crying." Duke Alaric said and they finally raised their heads, startled as they saw the young Lord hanging on the Duke’s shoulder.

What was this so early in the morning?

They thought they had seen it all at the ballroom the previous night but this was yet another eye-opener.

The Duke was playing with the young Lord.

"I said he won’t stop crying." The Duke repeated, as he had not gotten a response despite his first words.

"But your grace," The butler spoke. "The Young Lord is not crying."

The Duke frowned and then lifted Lucius in front of him to discover he had indeed stopped crying.

"All of a sudden?" He asked. "Did you like my shoulder?"

Lucius did not answer. It wasn’t that he liked the Duke’s shoulder. It was the shock that came with being flung over his shoulder that caused him to stop crying.

Duke Alaric twisted his lips. He couldn’t figure out this one. Was this how all children were?

"Do you feel better now?" He asked but Lucius still did not respond.

He was so quiet to the point it was a little annoying.

"Your grace, the young Lord cannot speak." The nanny dared to say and the Duke frowned.

They say that but he clearly remembered this young one calling him ’papa’ and holding on to him in his sleep.

He didn’t know why the kid refused to speak, but maybe it would fade, he thought, and then tucked him between his armpit and arm, carrying him like light luggage, startling the nanny and the butler.

"I’ll take a walk with this little one," he said.

"B-but your grace, it’s cold out there and..." The nanny looked at Lucius. She couldn’t understand this development and because she couldn’t understand it, she wanted to get it under control.

"Are you stopping me?" The Duke asked, his tone cold and the nanny immediately realized she had overstepped.

She fell to her knees and bowed her head to the floor, apologizing.

"My apologies, your grace. I have been discourteous." She claimed.

The Butler saw things were going in a rough direction so he decided to intervene.

"Apologies, your grace. But what the nanny meant was that the young Lord was not properly dressed. If he goes out there like that, he will catch a cold and fall sick." He explained and the Duke looked at Lucius.

Was he that fragile? Catching a cold just for going out in what he was dressed?

Well, fine. Bellanora used to be like that too, so he wouldn’t complain.

"And the young Lord has a schedule he has to follow as well." The Butler added. "You see, he needs to have his meal and then get prepared for his morning lessons."

"Morning lessons?" The Duke asked, tilting his head. "Ah, with the tutor?"

The Butler nodded.

"Yes, your grace."

This made the Duke think for a bit. He was getting bored with handling state affairs, and he had been incredibly down the last few days because of his late wife’s death anniversary, so maybe he needed a change in activity.

Strangely, after the previous night, he no longer had an issue remembering his wife. His chest did not feel tight, as if the burden of guilt had been lifted from him.

He felt light.

So, he might as well use this free spirit to do whatever he wanted.

"Very well." He said. "I’ve decided. I shall attend this tutor’s class."

"Pardon?"

And that was how he ended up taking the class with his son.