The little goldfish fumbled as he tried to figure out what to do after that failure.
"I... I thought it would make you happy so that your heart wouldn’t hurt anymore." He remembered D-29’s advice and wondered if they misinterpreted it.
Duke Leander’s face exhibited different expressions so fast that he’s likely gone through a whole spectrum.
His imagination was working overtime, and finally settled on an explanation that his heart could handle.
The precious son was concerned about his welfare and wanted to make his father happy. To this end, he gave away all of his wealth and promised to earn more for the ailing father!
Wasn’t his son just the best?
And it seemed like money made his precious boy happy.
To think he’d give all of it?!
"My son, I am very touched! I didn’t think you loved your Papa enough to give me all your money!"
To say that the Duke was just ’touched’ was actually an understatement. If anything, he had already thought of the wealthiest planets he could give to this thoughtful heir.
The calculative son actually wanted to point out that there were still a few on his account, but he was smooshed against the Duke’s chest in a giant bear hug.
It was Luca’s first time being hugged by his father, and he was undeniably surprised. His face was squeezed, and it was a bit difficult to breathe, but he felt a sense of warmth and security from a mere hug.
Only, he was more surprised to sense corruption from the Duke.
He couldn’t believe he almost forgot!
"!!!"
That meant, oh so glorious, CP!
And the little money-grubber’s heart raced as he figured out how to remove it!
"Your Grace, is it okay to ask you for a favor?" The goldfish’s eyes may be swollen, but one cannot hide their glint.
How could the Duke say no to his son, who never asked for anything until now? But the Duke also wanted to take this opportunity to realize his dream!
"Of course, son, but in exchange for whatever it is, can you also do me a favor?"
"For anything?" Clarified the little money-grubber.
"For anything." And the Duke wasn’t kidding. Right now, he was willing to do anything if it meant hearing his son call out to him.
The little chipmunk waited, wondering what kind of favor it was, and mentally counted if he had enough money just in case. And then remembered that Xavier had said to spend the money when he wanted to.
Only for the Duke to say in his most hopeful voice, "Then son, please call me Papa. Since you are my son, Luca, right?"
"!!!"
The hoarder was surprised, as if he almost forgot.
Oh.
Yeah.
He was really Luca.
Luca was initially shy but remembered his father’s condition (plus the CP) and eventually asked, "Uhmm... Papa, would it be okay if I did something to you?"
For the Duke, who was just called Papa, nothing couldn’t be done in the name of his son’s wishes!
And so he agreed.
With a smile on his face.
He just didn’t think he’d pass out from it.
In fact, the entire time, Luca felt like he was being watched as he worked through the contamination wrapping around the Duke’s core.
And it was a literal chiseling—something that was more difficult than just pouring in energy.
He had to actively control his guiding while ensuring a stable and consistent output. freēwēbnovel.com
What made it worse was whenever he paused, the contamination would slowly start covering whatever he had just cleaned up.
Now, that was highly frustrating for Luca, who realized he would have to get it all out in one session.
One session that almost drove everyone outside crazy.
While Luca worked himself to the bone, the others outside started to feel anxious about how long they’d left him and his father alone.
One such person was Ollie, who wasn’t sure of his brother’s safety, considering the number of things they had accidentally done.
Did the Duke find out about the mine? Would his brother survive and be discovered as a related party to the fruit vendor?
There were honestly more questions, but if Ollie had thought more about his other concerns, he might not have made it to see his brother come out.
But if there was anyone who was more concerned about what was behind those metal doors, it would be Butler Gary and Xavier.
The seemingly calm Butler was just praying that the Duke was still inside. The last time he took his young son to play, they found him escaping with the toddler to shirk his duties.
They obviously understood it as the Duke was worked to the bone during that time, but right now, he seriously shouldn’t be kidnapping his own son while on the school grounds.
Then there was Xavier, who maintained his posture as always but tried to formulate his introduction to the Duke.
Was he going to be discovered soon? After all, he had met the Duke as a child.
But these worries were all replaced with something more pressing.
It started with the clattering of bowls, then a loud thud, and everyone who was initially pretending to be calm raced to the door in fear.
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