In the office of the archduke Garrison, a young child was sitting on the table and solving his mathematics problem while Garrison was sitting near his office table and working on his files.
His face was so cold and there was a frown on his lips that worried the child. He wanted to stand up and tell his father that he could not solve this sum and needed help with it but he did not dare to move an inch when he saw him frowning over everything.
Just when he was struggling with the idea of asking or not, the door of the office opened and the assistant of his father walked in.
He smiled at the man but he was in such a hurry that he did not notice Rowan and walked straight to the table of Garrison.
"Not now, Ben. i am working on important files." he groaned at his assistant when Rowan sat back. He finally got the answer of his confusion that his father could not be worried about such a menial problem. He would find a solution himself later.
"Your highness, the lady had refused the request for lunch. She had even refused to get the training for the duchess." The nib in the hands of Garry stopped as he raised his head and looked at his assistant with bafflement.
"What does it mean?" the cold voice made Ben hesitating for a second and continued.
"Your highness, not only that.. The lady had returned all the gifts we had sent saying it was not to her taste or the dresses did not fit her. She is not replying to the letters of the vassal families or the extended family and even refused to meet any of us." He was sure that the duke would burst at that.
He had always been a man who lacked patience and a calm mind and this woman! She was behaving oddly. Who would not want that glory, that wealth and attention that she was refusing with strange and lame excuses.
"Hmm, then send a designer to her house and ask her to choose the dresses that fit her body and taste. And it is fine that she did not want to get training, she is from the house of businessmen. Of course, she must know how to make a budget and handle a palace. Is there anything else?"
"....." Ben blinked as he stared at his master with confusion but in the end shook his head.
"But your highness, the lady should meet the prince at least once!" he added as he asked Rowan to come closer when Garry shook his head.
"Just let her be! I am sure you have other important tasks to do too." His words cut the conversation as Ben shook his head and took a step while giving an apologetic look to Rowan and leaving the room.
"Do you want to say anything, Rowan?" he asked his child who did not leave but kept standing there.
"Father, is that lady.. My new mother?" Garry nodded without looking at him as he marked another point which needed to be changed.
How in the world did they work when he had to personally mark all the mistakes of his staff. He was going to tear this file if he found another mistake.
"Umm, if you do not mind, can i go with the assigned designer to see her once." The hesitating voice of his son broke his attention as he finally raised his head and looked in his eyes.
"I promise that I would not create a scene, I would not demand anything or I would not disturb the lady. I will just stand in the corner and come back. I just want to see her once, father!"
"..." he wanted to refuse but when he noticed the desire in his eyes, he sighed and nodded his head.
"Yes, you can go. But do not stand in the corner when you go there. Introduce yourself and ask for a good treatment. If they did not treat you well, you can punish everyone there. My name is attached with you, son, so always remember the responsibility that comes with it. Did you get it?" the smile on the face of his child had never been this wider when he nodded his head.
"Yes, father! I understand. Thank you." he smiled brightly and Garry felt that stars had fallen on the ground but soon he felt a bitter taste in his mouth and his face turned cold.
"Very well, now leave. I have work to handle." Rowan did not mind the coldness of his father as he nodded and left.
His father used to be a kind and warm man but since his mother died, he often stayed silent and soon turned colder. For some reason, he had hopes. Hopes that once his new mother would come, the snow would melt and spring would come again in the palace.
With his hopes, he walked out of the room when Garrison closed the files with so much force that it tore from the corner.
His sudden outburst was nothing new but it still scared the maids to no end who held their breaths and tried to be invisible in the room.
Garrison stood up and walked out of the room following his son who was walking towards the garden. He kept staring at him from a distance and then sighed as he asked for Ben who surprisingly came from the trees as if he was waiting to be called all this time.
"Rowan wants to go and meet Anastasia. I want you to make sure that she did not misbehave with him at least. And if she does, report to me immediately."