My mother’s and my father’s studies are on opposite sides of the house. The house is so big that each part has been dubbed and each room has been dubbed. My mother’s study is called the Ice Room of the West Wing, whereas my father’s study is called the Sapphire Room of the East Wing. The only room that has not been dubbed is the lounge, the room closest to the entrance of the house and the place where most of the guests are seated to wait. I guess my parents didn’t feel like giving that room any particular name, or the author was just too lazy to name it.

Anyway, I stand in front of the door to my father’s study and knock. I open the door upon his reply and find him sitting at his desk with multiple towering stacks of papers in front of him. His assistant, a man with brown hair and glasses, sits on the couch, the same kind as the one in my mother’s study.

“Papa! Are you busy?”

“Not at all, Nova. Come here.” He opens his arms, and after closing the door behind me, I dash over and sit in his lap.

“You have so many papers on your desk. Are you sure you’re not busy?” I make a face at him.

“Of course Papa’s busy. Papa has to entertain you.” He taps my nose lightly on his last word.

I giggle and turn to the assistant. “But Papa, look at Viscount Florian’s expression. He looks annoyed enough to break down a house.”

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The assistant’s frown lessens and he coughs lightly. “You joke, Miss Nova, but your father is indeed extremely busy at the moment.”

My father laughs. “Viscount Florian can do most of the work anyway. He is my assistant after all.”

“Kane…!” The viscount slams his papers onto the table and stands up. “I really will quit at this rate. You only use me… even in school when we were on student council together I was worked to the bone.”

“Viscount Florian, you won’t stay for me?” I open my eyes wider and pout for my current best puppy dog expression. “Even though I especially ordered your favorite stock of tea to be refilled?”

He slowly sits down and crosses his arms. “Well, I guess it can't be helped. I’ll work here a little longer for you, Miss Nova.”

My father laughs again and pats my head. “That’s my girl. Definitely a strong foe.”

“Papa, when will you be free? I want to go see the lake light up from the nightloques.”

“We can go see them tonight.”

The viscount picks up his papers. “Miss Nova, your father has two days’ worth of work to catch up on. He will be free in three days, if he doesn’t slack off.”

I slide off my father’s lap and turn to him. “Then until Papa finishes his work, I won’t come to see him.”

“But Nova, you’re just so cute. How will Papa live if Papa can’t see you?” He pouts.

“By working. Then see you at dinner, Papa!”

I smile and leave the room, and as I leave, I hear my father grumbling, “This is all your fault, Markus.”

The other man replies, “You only have yourself to blame, Kane. Now please, focus on your work.”