Chapter 7 – Father and Son
It had been three months since Ignes woke up.
With the help of magic, he recovered in just two months.
If not for that, it would have taken anywhere from six months to even seven years.
Now—
Ignes was on his way to meet the Duke of Heart, Alexander von Heart—his father.
He had been called.
---
Standing in front of the office door, Ignes frowned slightly.
I don't understand…
Why would anyone want an office inside their own home?
This is creepy.
Home is for relaxation… not torture.
---
He knocked.
"Ignes," he said.
"Come in," came the reply from inside.
---
Ignes opened the door.
The moment he stepped in—
He froze.
Papers.
Everywhere.
Stacks and stacks of documents filled the room. The desk, the shelves—everything was covered.
It was like a battlefield.
Ignes felt goosebumps rise on his skin.
This really is a hellhole…
---
At the desk, Alexander was working.
He didn't look up immediately. He finished the paper in his hand, placed it aside neatly, and only then raised his head.
His eyes fell on Ignes.
And then—
He noticed his son's expression.
"Igna," he called out, slightly amused. "What's with that face? You look like you've seen a ghost."
---
Ignes replied calmly,
"Nothing, Dad."
He paused.
"I was just thinking… how can a great being like you stay and work in this kind of hell?"
---
Alexander went silent for a second.
Then he sighed.
He really hates paperwork…
For a brief moment, he even thought—
I shouldn't have punished him with writing… for after he blew up the entire east wing two years ago.
He almost killed himself that time…
---
"Come," Alexander said.
He stood up and walked toward the terrace.
---
The atmosphere changed completely.
Fresh air.
Open space.
Sunlight.
A small table was set there.
And on it—
Sweets.
And a glass of chocolate milk.
(Not tea, like a normal noble.)
---
Ignes's eyes lit up immediately.
He walked over happily, sat down, and started eating without hesitation.
Alexander sat across from him, picking up his tea.
For a moment, there was only quiet.
The soft sound of eating.
The calm breeze.
---
Then—
Alexander placed his teacup down.
"The war in the North against the demons has ended," he said.
"There will be a few years of peace."
He paused.
"But it won't last long."
"The situation can turn at any time. The demons may attack again."
His gaze became more serious.
"That war lasted almost two years."
"You were thirteen back then."
A short silence followed.
"Next time… you will go."
"Next week, you turn fifteen."
"And in a month, the academy will begin."
"Work hard for the next fight."
His voice softened slightly.
"I need to see you in one piece."
---
Ignes smiled.
There was chocolate milk on his upper lip, forming a small mustache.
"Don't worry, Dad. I'll be fine."
He added casually,
"And… I want to start sword training."
"I'll join swordsman classes instead of mage classes."
---
Alexander looked at him.
There was clear fatherly affection in his eyes.
He took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the chocolate milk from Ignes's lips.
"Drink slowly," he said. "There's no rush, your drink is not going anywhere."
He added with a slight warning tone,
"As long as you don't do something crazy like you did two years ago."
Then—
"For sword training, ask your brother."
"He'll love to train you."
"He and Prince Xavier will arrive tomorrow morning."
---
Ignes blinked.
"…Brother… and Xavier?"
Question marks practically appeared over his head.
---
Alexander noticed.
"…Don't tell me you've lost your memory?"
---
Ignes shook his head slightly.
"No… it's just…"
"I've been having strange dreams."
He paused.
"In a single night, it feels like I live years."
"It's confusing sometimes. You know having to many memories"
He thought for a moment.
"If Will is here, then it's easy to remember."
"It only takes me a few more seconds to remember him, then him being here."
He looked at Alexander.
"Will is my brother."
"But Xavier…"
He frowned slightly.
"I don't think… I remember him."
---
Alexander's expression changed slightly.
"Are those dreams the reason you were doing those crazy magic experiments?"
---
Ignes nodded.
"kind of Dad."
"But don't worry."
"I'm not having those dreams anymore since I woke up from the coma."
---
Alexander relaxed a little.
"That's good."
He then said clearly,
"Xavier is your fiancé."
"His name is Xavier von Ace."
"You haven't met him properly."
"He has been fighting in the North against demons for the past ten years."
"This is the first time in ten years… that he is returning to the capital."
---
Silence.
The breeze passed softly.
And for a brief moment—
Everything felt like it was about to change.