As the room got empty, Anslem got up from his seat & went towards the large window overlooking the vast & beautiful garden which always helped his distressed mind to calm down. He spoke confidentially in front of those people, but in reality, he was also scared a little. He was the ruler with enormous hope & expectations to fulfill & if he failed, it would not end well for anyone.
"Max, your leg does it hurt? You have been standing the whole time."
"Kind of, but it's bearable." replied Philip with a little smile.
"Sit down, then."
"Yeah." Philip proceeded to sit on the seat which was previously occupied by one of the advisor but his steps halted when he heard the duke say something.
"I didn't tell you to sit there."
"Where should I sit then?"
"On the throne, which is rightfully yours."
"There..." said Philip in a confused tone, pointing towards the seat where the duke was sitting before. It was the ruler's seat who held the absolute authority over the land.
Anslem nodded, saying nothing, as it was a test on his part to know the changes in Max. His son, whom he had known before, would always try to sit on the throne, telling everyone that it belonged to him as he was the future ruler, boasting about his overly grown ego.
"NO, I shouldn't. It's for the one who carries the responsibility of all & I am not that capable enough." Said Max with a smile.
The philosophy he followed was a person must capable enough to hold his title. Like how he become the black reaper by proving that he could do something that none could do. He earned that name through hard work & dedication, which others couldn't.
He declined sitting on the throne because he was not worthy enough to sit on it. He hadn't proved himself that he was capable enough to carry that title. In the end, it was just an order which only he followed.
"Why?" asked the Duke with a questioning gaze.
"How should I put it? I think I am not worthy enough to sit there. I need to prove myself, right?"
"Yes." replied the man with blonde hair with a smile, looking at his son, who was now looking at the throne with an everlasting smile, like he was reminiscing some old memories. It seemed he had become more mature than himself in a month.
His words were precise & carried a deep meaning. His expressions, movements, gestures, everything was different. It was like he was not the Max whom he had known for 20 years.
"You are Max, right?" asked the Duke in a suspicious tone. He was now uncertain of his own son's existence.
"Yes. Yes I am." replied Philip hastily. He couldn't explain this reincarnation stuff to others, but also couldn't stop them from noticing the changes.
"It's weird, you know. I am your father. I know you for past 20 years but now it feels like I don't know you. My Max can't possibly figure this out. He is a worthless piece of garbage, after all. But you... You did it like it was nothing. He doesn't even know how to spell economy, but you explained like you have been doing it for years. Your words, expression, smile, laugh everything is different."
Philip's face became increasingly paler with every word escaped Anslem's mouth. Was his cover about to get blown? And then how he was going to explain all the stuff, which was even impossible for him to figure out. Was the plan he proposed gave away his identity?
Still, there was no point in thinking about this. If the push comes to shove, then he was going to explain everything, but until then he would try his best to maintain this facade.
"So let me ask you again, who are you?" asked the Duke with a grave expression. Things were not adding up & he had to find out why?
"Do you liked me when I was worthless?" asked Philip, countering Heinrich's question, fixing his not so convincing demeanour to a convincing one.
"Nope, I like you better, still things are not adding up."
"About that... I started changing myself. I wanted to get better at everything." replied Philip with a beaming yet fake smile.
"But that doesn't explain how you knew economics all of a sudden."
"I... I read about that in the city library."
"We don't have a city library."
"That.... about that... Now I remember, I read that in castle library. Yes, I read there."
"We don't have books on economics in there." Replied the duke with a deadpan expression.
Hearing the words, Philp's expression became more paler than before. What the hell was this guy even wanted? It was like he was dead set on finding out who he was. And even if he told him everything, it was not like he would understand everything & they would laugh happily. That was definitely an outrageous thought.
"So..." seeing Philip's dumbfounded expression, Anslem spoke once again. After he brought the topic of his identity, Max's behavior was becoming weird. He was confident a moment ago, but was not anymore.
"I think we should focus on the topic at hand. And about who am I? I am Maximillian Von Lexius, your son. That's abundantly clear." said Philip in a heavy tone for added emphasis. He was mustering every ounce of courage he had to speak those lines, as there was no choice left but to act like Max, who seemed like a courageous guy.
"Fien then, but tell me one thing? How did you anticipate all of their questions?"
"Honestly, I didn't. It was just luck. I just thought about it & it just happened." replied Philip with the same confident expression. He was thinking about changing the topic & the duke did it.
"If you say so. But thanks to you, I believe we are going to walk on a path towards the change."
"We have to. Otherwise this duchy will collapse under its own influence." said James with a sigh.
"Yes, yes, we have to. We don't have a choice anymore." Replied the duke, looking towards the beautiful garden where beautiful flowers were blooming.
"May I leave now?"
"Sure."
Max bowed & began to leave the room, but his steps halted as he heard the words of the duke once again.
"Max?"
"Yes."
"I am happy with this plan & what are you going to do with saying sorry to Princess Stella?"
"Not again." said Philip with a sigh. He could do 10 laps around a football field if needed, but couldn't chat with any girl because of their... you know, nature. Girls being girls' things.