I was summoned to Father's office the next day.

There was Renata, who took me there in my wheelchair, Byron, and my Father, who was wearing gold-rimmed glasses as he worked on the documents stacked neatly on his desk.

After a minute or so, he ceased and took his glasses off.

"Both of you, wait for us outside. I wish to talk with Alexander alone." Stated him.

"Yes, Your Grace...Let's go." Commanded Byron cold to Renata. As usual, the old butler never relented on his cold facade whenever he was talking with Renata.

Following the exit of the two, my Father got up and sat across me, loosening his collar a bit to relax.

"The meeting with the Archbishop...Do you want to say something to me, Alex?" Not beating around the bush, he went straight to the point.

"I think we'll have a use for him sometime later down the road, Father," I said, not giving out too much.

"He's a man our family is grateful for, Alex. I hope you're not planning on doing something reckless." Warned Father. With what I had in my mind, it would bound to go beyond reckless, and that wasn't something I could outright tell him.

Still, it wasn't like I was planning on sacrificing the old man or anything... "I won't put him in danger, nor will I hurt him if that's what you're worried about, Father."

"..." He squinted dubiously.

The dissatisfaction was apparent in his countenance, but fortunately for me, he had stood by his words that he wouldn't pry into my secrets.

"I heard Helena spends the night in your room?" Sensing that we would get nowhere, Father changed the topic.

I nodded. "Yes. She wanted to talk, and we fell asleep before we knew it."

"Is that all? What do you think of her?" His tone dove down, bringing about a strange ambiance.

"What do I think of her? What do you mean, Father?" I tilted my head, confused.

I could tell that I was not going to like where this was going.

"You can tell me, it's alright, Alex...Helena is a beautiful girl, Alex, and I know what it feels like to be young. To be passionate about someone...The thing is, your Mother and I, right before our marriage, we couldn't help ourselves and-"

"Okay, that's it...Why don't we stop there for a second, Father?" I put my hand up to stop him.

Yes. My Father was about to unleash something that I believed I would regret hearing for the rest of my life. Thank God, I was quick enough to cut him off, lest I might have to use word magic and wipe this segment of memory by force.

"Nothing happened! We're still kids, you know? Kids! Aren't you supposed to tell us those things are still too early or something!?" As sincerely as I could, I explained it to him.

A tinge of playfulness flashed in the man's blue eyes. "It is a bit early, yes. But I was a couple of years older than you before learning about women myself. In fact, some of the impatient ones do start at your age."

'My ears...damn it...my fucking ears...'

"Father...? Can we stop talking about this?" I pleaded exhaustedly.

"Hoo, what a rare sight. To find you so flustered and lost like this. Your Mother would surely be delighted to find that her little boy can also show such a look." Teased him.

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"If you tell Mother about this, I'll tell her how Impatient you are that you just had to learn about women around my tender age. Much worse, you still remember her name and what she looks like. Now, Father...Do Mother really need to know the true extent of our talk here?" I shamelessly threatened the man.

His eyes narrowed grimly. And then, out of nowhere, he offered his hand in a resolute manner. "My Father used to say. When good men talk, it starts with them and ends with them..."

I took his hand firmly and nodded solemnly. The deal was made...

Moving on,

"That aside, Father. I thought you would reprimand me instead?" Fixing my posture, I asked.

Sipping his tea, Father remarked casually. "Because the deal is for the engagement to be temporary?"

"Well, yes...That." I scratch my cheek awkwardly.

"Things changed, Alex. Both your Mother and Sister seems fond of her, asking whether I can do something about you two. And then there's the that whole thing you want to do." Father then took a candy and ate it.

"...Don't tell me. You're not trying to pull a honey trap for your own son, are you? Is that why you're asking about what I think of Helena?" I questioned him while studying his body language for any suspicious signs.

"You're right. I am thinking about it. I'd rather have you here with us, and I will do everything I can afford to make that wish come true." Confessed my Father openly.

His response caught me off guard. "You're...amazing, Father. To go to such lengths for your family."

"Don't you hate me for doing this?" Scoffing softly, he asked me.

"No, I don't. You are your own self, Father. And just like how you're trying to respect my choice, I will do the same." I shook my head and answered him.

"Hm...What should I do with you..." Father patted me with a soft grin on his lips.

Knock!

Byron then entered as if to conclude the short chat between us.

"Your Grace, Young Master, it is time for lunch. Madam and the others are waiting for both of you at the dining hall." Saluted Byron.

"Yes. Let's go. No need, Renata. I will push Alexander myself." Declining Renata, my Father reached out to my wheelchair and guided me out of his office, heading toward the spacious dining hall, accompanied by Byron and Renata.

And as the old butler had said, everyone was waiting for us.

The moment they saw us, it was Helena who jumped on her feet first and made her way towards us. And I have to say, all the lady training she'd been doing with my Mother and Sister had really paid off.

Her braided hair swayed left and right in a comforting rhythm while her dress appeared as if it were gliding effortlessly through the floor. It was a scene I never thought I would see coming from Helena.

Standing before my Father, Helena picked up the hem of her dress while placing a hand on her chest.

"May I, Your Grace?" A soft and polite tone.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Howard's reaction as clear as a day. And it went from squirming oddly to a wide smile in a matter of seconds. God knows what that punk had cooking inside his brain.

Father hummed amicably upon seeing Helena's action.

"What a lovely sight, Helena. Go on." Relinquishing his grip on the wheelchair's handle, he then headed toward his seat beside my giggling Mother.

Never have my Father ever called Helena by her name. I guess it was his way of letting me know that his honey trap plan had begun in earnest, and Helena might very well have his seal of approval from now on.

"You're late." Said Helena, pouting.

"Yeah, we talk about this and that." I sighed furtively.

"Okay...So, how do I do?" Raising her chin and her hands on the hips, Helena asked pompously.

'Um, let's see...What do I say here...' I have failed several times in the past at something like this, so I had to pick my words carefully. "Good...?"

"Yeah? Then, hand." Beameds Helena. She bent down slightly to meet my eye level.

I knew what she was asking for. It came as a shock, was all, considering everyone was there with us.

"You know everyone is here, right? And, like, they're waiting for us?" I blinked dazedly.

"I know. That's why do it fast. Do you want them to keep waiting? Hand, Alex." Answered Helena, pushing her face closer.

Her eyes gleamed like the clearest crystal, making it hard for anyone with a sane mind to reject her. And I didn't know since when, but I just couldn't win against her...

"Ha...There's no beating you..." I stroked her hair gently.

"Hm, hm. Yes. This is it...Now, let's go eat." Chirped Helena in a joyous tone.

With a light and wide gait, Helena then led me to the dining table.