Father's Study

As I stood outside the doors to my father's study, I contemplated just what would happen to me and my plans if I decided to blow him off completely.

Eventually, I concluded the repercussions weren't worth it.

I nodded to Bain as a signal for him to announce my arrival. After relaying my message to father, he had been waiting outside the study for me to come. I pitied the old man, having to run back and forth as a messenger in his advanced age. I would be sure to give him a comfy retirement upon my ascension to Duke.

"Lord Isani has arrived Duke Hessian!" Bain called through the doors, after giving a thorough knock.

The doors were soon opened by one of my father's servants, and I made my way inside the room.

It was very large for a study, even larger than the one I'd received by request. And it was unbelievably messy. I had expected the Duke to be a very neat and orderly man, someone who couldn't stand the chaos of an unorganized room. But clearly, I had been wrong.

All around his study, books open on a random page, and parchments strewn about haphazardly, lied on every marble square. There were piles upon piles of documents stacked up around his desk where he now sat, looking rather disheveled himself, obviously up to his elbows in important work. The sight of it all reinforced my decision to leave all the dirty work to a trusted retainer when I took his place.

"You wished to speak to me father?"

Duke Hessian looked up at me from over his glasses, which I had never seen him wearing before. They must have been for reading. His gaze was stern, and he let out a long exasperated sigh as he set down the document he had been holding in front of him.

"I'm sure that fact is of no surprise to you after your recent behavior."

I felt like playing coy.

"Whatever do you mean, sir?"

The Duke let out an almost amused laugh, "First you tell us all you intend to fight for your right to be heir, then you spend weeks coped up in that study you requested, as if you'll somehow catch up to your brothers in their studies, and now you're bringing unidentified men into he manor? Are you in your right mind, Isani?"

"I can assure you father, I am sane." I replied, not at all moved by this conversation.

Another sigh, and then, "Who is he?"

"His name is Ymir, occupation: alchemist. I intend on hiring him."

"Hiring him?! Whatever for?"

"I will be starting a business soon which requires the expertise of an alchemist."

My father just stared at me, unbelieving, or perhaps unwilling to accept what he'd just heard. He pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes shut in frustration, removing his reading glasses with the other hand.

"Isani, isn't it about time you gave up on this foolish game?"

"Game?" I looked at him, genuinely confused.

"You don't actually expect me, or any of us, to believe that after all these years you have an interest in my title?"

I was almost dumbfounded. These people really didn't get it, did they? I guess I would have to make myself more clear.

"My entire life, you have viewed me as nothing more than a murderer."

"What?" My father removed his hand from his face and furrowed his brow as he looked at me.

"My mother died giving birth to me, and you have always blamed me for it. This has resulted in the poor behavior of my brothers, who treat me no better than the dirt they walk on, and the continued assault of my stepmother, who has learned I am an object to be experimented on. My entire life had been made of nothing more than misery, and you think I plan to follow the will of the very people who caused it to be so?"

My father tried to speak, but I kept on.

"Originally, I was just going to leave. I would have agreed to sever all ties with the Hessian name, and you would have never seen me again. But then I stopped and thought. Why should I be the one to give up all of this?"

I threw my arms up and gestured around the room in reference to its extravagant decoration.

"I have been given a golden spoon, and I do not plan on throwing it away any time soon. I will prove myself to you father. Not because I care for your opinion of me, but because after I have proved my competence, you will have no choice but to make me the next Duke of Hessian. And if even then, you refuse to give me the title, I will find another way."

I looked him directly in the eye, and saw it register there. He knew then I was not playing some elaborate joke. He understood now that I was serious. And he also understood the implications of my last statement; that I would resort to treason if traditional methods fell through. He could have punished me right there for the mere insolence of what I had said. But I think my father was too deep in shock to think that far ahead. So I took advantage of the moment and asked him one last question.

"So tell me father, will you accept me as a member of this race?"

He remained silent for many moments, but finally answered in a reserved tone.

"It seems… I have no other option."

I nodded my head, and having nothing further to say, I took my leave.

It was official. No one would stand in my way now.

I would keep my word, and become the next Duke of Hessian.