Diaval sat at his desk, a polished piece of expensive wood that gleamed under the sunlight streaming through the window.
His room was lavishly furnished, with elegant draperies, a large four-poster bed, and intricately woven rugs covering the floor.
The notebook before him was filled with scribbles, crossed-out words, and half-formed ideas.
He tapped his pen against the paper, his frustration mounting with each failed attempt to come up with a viable business idea for his mother.
Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair, which had become increasingly messy as the day wore on.
He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.
"I should have finished that degree," he muttered to himself. "Maybe if I'd stayed in university, I'd have more knowledge to draw from now."
He had dropped out of his Bachelor in Education program, thinking it wouldn't get him far.
Becoming a teacher or a professor had seemed like a limited path compared to the vast opportunities he now faced as a member of the powerful House Astarot.
But in moments like this, he regretted not having more business acumen to guide him through this challenge.
He looked back at his notebook, where he had listed various business ideas and then crossed them out one by one:
- Trading Company: Too complicated and too cutthroat.
- Alchemy Shop: His mother had no experience in alchemy, and neither did he.
- Tailoring: No, Isolde already had that market cornered with her fashion designs.
Every idea seemed wrong, either not fitting his mother's personality or being too difficult to manage.
Jade was a kind and gentle soul, more comfortable managing household affairs than dealing with the cutthroat world of business.
He tried to focus on her strengths.
"What does she love?" he asked himself.
"What would make her happy?"
Jade enjoyed gardening and had a knack for growing the most beautiful flowers.
She also had a natural talent for creating soothing herbal remedies and teas, which the maids and other family members frequently praised.
Diaval began to scribble down more ideas, but again, nothing seemed quite right.
- Flower Shop: Too small-scale.
- Herbal Remedy Business: Too niche.
- Tea Shop: Too mundane.
Frustration boiled over, and Diaval slumped back in his chair, letting the pen fall from his fingers.
He massaged his temples, trying to think of something, anything, that would work. But his mind kept circling back to the same dead ends.
"What do dragons even need?" he wondered aloud.
"Power? Wealth? Status? My mother deserves something grand, something that will make those other wives jealous and show everyone her true worth."
He racked his brain, but every idea seemed either too ambitious or too trivial.
He needed something that combined his mother's gentle nature with the strength and prestige of their family.
Diaval looked out the window, watching the bustling activity of the estate's staff.
Suddenly, a thought struck him. What if he could combine his mother's love for gardening with something more powerful?
An idea began to form, slowly taking shape in his mind.
He sat up, grabbing his pen again.
"What if we create a botanical garden? Not just any garden, but one that specializes in rare and magical plants.
A place where people from all over the continent would come to see and purchase these unique specimens."
He scribbled furiously, outlining the concept.
The garden could include an apothecary section, where his mother could sell her herbal remedies and teas.
They could host events, teaching others about the magical properties of different plants and offering guided tours.
"This could work," he thought, excitement building.
"It combines her love for gardening with a touch of magic and prestige."
He continued to write, detailing how they could market the garden, the types of plants they would need to acquire, and potential partnerships with local alchemists and herbalists.
The more he wrote, the more confident he became.
This idea felt right, perfectly aligned with his mother's skills and interests while also elevating her status within the family and the community.
Finally, Diaval leaned back, satisfied with his plan.
His hair was disheveled, and he felt a bit weary, but a sense of accomplishment washed over him.
He had found a way to honor his mother and give her something to be proud of, something that would showcase her talents and bring her joy.
He closed the notebook, a determined smile spreading across his face.
"This is it," he said to himself.
"Mother will love this, and it will make those arrogant step-mothers green with envy. I'm going to make this happen."
With renewed energy, Diaval set about organizing his thoughts and planning the next steps.
"I will need to gather resources, find the right plants, and perhaps most importantly, convince mother that this venture is worth pursuing."
But for now, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction, knowing he was on the right track to creating something truly special for the woman who had given him so much.
'Even if she really isn't my mother, I perceive her as one.'
Diaval was deep in thought, jotting down ideas for his mother's new business when the door to his room burst open.
The sudden intrusion startled him so much that he toppled over his chair and landed with a thud, hitting his head on the floor.
"Oh my goodness, Diaval!" Jade exclaimed, rushing in with a tray in her hands.
She quickly placed the tray on the nearby table and knelt beside her son.
Despite Diaval being a grown man, Jade always saw him as her baby boy, and in her eyes, he would always be her little child.
"Are you okay, my darling?" she asked, helping him sit up.
"Let me see your face."
"I'm fine, Mother," Diaval mumbled, feeling a bit embarrassed but also touched by her concern.
Jade ignored his protest and examined his handsome face, gently smooshing his cheeks to check for any bruises.
"You've got such a lovely face," she said, a hint of playfulness in her voice. "I can't have you bruising it like this."
Diaval couldn't help but smile at her fussing. It was a warm, comforting moment that made him feel like a kid again.
Even as a grown man, the care and affection from his mother were heartwarming and soothing, something he had never truly experienced in his previous life.
"Did you chip your horns?" Jade asked, her eyes scanning his head.
She found no damage to his horns but noticed a small cut on his scalp.
Her eyes turned green with a black sclera as she moved her hands swiftly to heal the tiny wound.
"Hold still, let me take care of that."
"Mother, you know dragons can heal naturally," Diaval said, but he let her do it anyway.
The healing magic washed over him, closing the wound in seconds.
"Yes, but I want to take care of you," Jade insisted.
"Now, try the muffins I made for you."
She picked up the tray she had brought with her, revealing five muffins with bright yellow icing on top.
Diaval's eyes lit up at the sight. He knew his mother was an excellent baker, and her sweets were always a treat.
As he bit into one of the muffins, the flavors danced on his taste buds. It was soft, sweet, and perfectly baked.
"These are amazing, Mother," he said with his mouth full.
"You always make the best sweets."
Jade beamed with pride, brushing her son's hair affectionately as he ate.
"I'm glad you like them, dear. I know you've been working hard, and I thought you could use a little treat."
Diaval nodded, savoring the muffin and the moment.
His mother's presence was soothing, and he felt a deep sense of gratitude for her care. As he glanced at the tray filled with muffins, an idea suddenly popped into his head.
His mother wasn't just a good baker; she was an extraordinary one.
Perhaps, instead of trying to fit her into a role that didn't suit her, he could create a business that highlighted her natural talents.
///NEXT CHAPTER: FATHER, MAY I HAVE 10K GOLD COINS?
A/N:
If you want to have an idea of how our protagonist, Diaval Astarot looks like...go check the banner at the top of my profile page on WN.... hope you like the design I spent hours on :D
Full art on the discord server(Link on synopsis or Profile page)