They arrived at the Capital City an hour later. Little Jean was awed with literally everything he saw. From the bustling city, tall buildings, horses, and carriages around. The city was also filled with crowds wearing colorful dresses and hats walking at the side of the street. Apparently, colorful hats were the trend in the Empire nowadays.
"Uwaaa, Big brother, it's so amazinggg!" Little Jean squealed out of joy. Maximillien smiled and nodded.
Eau Saumont City was the capital of this Archduchy, and it was well maintained and prosperous thanks to the effort of the previous Archduke, his dad Archduke Raoul Eau Saumont.
Maximillien had been trying to at least maintain the city. He hadn't intended to build anything yet, because it might create controversy and affected people's opinion about him.
He was exhausted every day because he had to handle many documents. But he was satisfied when he saw Little Jean looked so happy with the city. At least, his effort wasn't in vain.
"Big brother, when I'm older, I want to live in the city!" Little Jean exclaimed.
Maximillien chuckled and looked at their left side of the carriage.
"Look at the La Fleur Academy on your left, Jean," Maximillien pointed. Little Jean darted his eyes and saw the grandeur academy gate and the big building with art noveau design. There were plenty of students coming in and out with their academy uniforms.
"Who are they, Big brother?"
"They're the students of La Fleur Academy. When you're seventeen, you'll be eligible to enter the academy as long as you pass the test. If you want to live in the city, then you'll have to live in this academy first," Maximillien explained.
Little Jean nodded. He seemed to have something in his mind, and he turned his head at his Big brother, "Big brother, if Jean lives in the city, will Big brother also live with Jean?"
"Hm? That's impossible. My office is in the Palace of Eau Saumont. There's no way I can abandon my work," Maximillien replied
"So Big brother can't be with Jean?" Little Jean pouted and lowered his head. "Then Jean doesn't want to live in the academy…."
"Hm? Why? I thought you said you want to live here."
"Because Jean wants to live with Big brother forever…." Little Jean mumbled. "Little Jean likes Big brother the most…."
[Pupa: Ding! Maximillien Eau Saumont's Fatemeter increases to 35%.]
Maximillien became quiet for a moment. His heart was beating whenever Jean showed how much he liked his Big brother.
Maximillien wasn't keen on someone who expressed his feeling so freely. He got few admirers who tried to confess their feeling, wanting to be Maximillien's fiancee.
And he turned them down because he found people like those to be too dreamy and stupid. Since it wasn't beneficial for him, then he didn't need to care about them.
But Little Jean was a bit different…
Maximillien never felt disgusted whenever Little Jean expressed his feeling. In fact, he was delighted, and his cheek would turn ruddy for a moment, alongside his heart would beat faster.
Maximillien looked away immediately to calm his heart and said, "Well, you can always visit me on the weekend, or I can always visit you in the academy whenever I can. It's only one hour trip from Palace of Eau Saumont anyway."
"Really? Jean can do that?"
"Yes…" Maximillien replied. He felt inconsistent with his own words. Because he thought he could just throw Little Jean after he matured. But now, he allowed Jean to return every weekend.
They arrived in the restaurant called 'The Garden.'
A restaurant reserved only for nobles or essential guests. As the owner of the restaurant, Maximillien could easily enter without any reservation. Maximillien held Little Jean's hand and walked to the second floor. They entered an outer pavilion shaped like a white cage, and the waiter approached them.
"Your Highness, may I take your order?"
"Just the usual, but for my Little brother, give him a light meal instead. He doesn't like sour and can't take spicy. Give him milk and a plate of mille-feuille. He will like that," Maximillien ordered.
The waiter was stunned by the attentiveness. He didn't expect Archduke Maximillien to have a little brother. Since the late Archduke Raoul only had one son.
So maybe this kid was adopted.
But how could Duke Maximillien become so attentive to his adopted little brother?
Archduke Maximillien was known to be coldhearted even since he was a kid. He was ruthless, and after taking control over the duchy, nobody dared to oppose him due to his cruel but competent nature, even as a fourteen-year-old.
"What? Why are you standing here? Go and make it for us," Maximillien said.
"C—Certainly, Your Highness," the waiter left the pair of brothers alone.
Little Jean looked around in wonder, "Big brother, this place is also nice! It looks like our pavilion in the palace!"
"I modeled it based on our pavilion," Maximillien replied.
When the food came, Little Jean ate his portion obediently. He had been trained by the butler, so he ate just like his Big brother, just a little messier.
Then the Millefeuille came for Little Jean, with cream cheese strawberry on top.
"Uwaaa! Thank you, Big brother!" Little Jean dug the cake and ate happily. He squealed whenever he took a bit, praising how delicious it was.
Maximillien smiled. Somehow, he loved seeing his brother eating. Something unthinkable for him a month ago.
Little Jean's small feet kicked around happily under the table, and his lips were smeared with cream cheese.
Maximillien sighed and fished out his handkerchief. He wiped Little Jean's mouth carefully and scolded him gently, "Jean, eat slowly. The food won't go anywhere. We also have a lot of time here anyway."
"Thank you, Big brother…." Little Jean nodded. He stared at his Big brother. He could see how handsome his Big brother was, from his jet black hair, dark pupil, jawline, and beautifully shaped nose. Even as fourteen years old, the handsomeness of Maximillien Eau Saumont was undeniable, and he would be even more handsome as he reached maturity.
"Big brother…"
"Hm?"
"Big brother is so handsome…." Little Jean said.
"…"
Maximillien's cheeks reddened. He retreated and pocketed his handkerchief again. He cleared his throat and said, "You shouldn't say that to your Big brother. Say that to someone you like."
"But I like Big brother the most."
"… whatever you said, Little Jean."
[Pupa: Ding! Maximillien Eau Saumont's Fatemeter increases to 40%.]
[I think when he reaches eighteen or twenty years old. He will be one of the most handsome men in the Empire.]
[Pupa: Apparently, in the otome game route, he is indeed one of the most popular choices. Many players like him for his intimidating aura, but he is very gentle and caring inside.]
[I can see that.]
[Oh, Pupa, about this otome game. Is there any secret route? Like, another Master of the world or something.]
[Pupa: Apparently, yes, there is a secret route. I'm not sure who, though. It's hidden under the hidden plot.]
[Pupa: There are only three masters of the world in my record for now, and we will see the last one later when you're older.]
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