It has been half an hour since I began eating, and now I perceive that the breakfast is about to conclude.
Therefore, I grab the wine I hadn't touched since earlier, signaling the end of our meeting.
Father saw it and smiled.
"It seems you are eager to taste it. Be cautious, though. Don't drink too much. You still have an agenda to attend to."
I was stunned and dumbly stared at Regulus as I replied with a flabbergasted face, "I'm not drinking this. Instead, I'll be giving this to someone."
Regulus appeared stunned, and I took the chance to form a playful expression.
"I'm not telling who. But, of course, I'm not like not benefitting it."
"That's my good son!"
Strange, it's not as cringy as before.
Regardless, feeling that it was the best moment to finish our quite long breakfast, I was about to stand up when I realized I couldn't.
I wanted to slap my face, but I had to hurry, so I just shrugged off my embarrassing mistakes.
I grabbed the wheel and was about to roll it backward when Regulus' voice shook my soul.
"Sophie!"
It was a shout, yet it was calming as well, conveying that it was only him calling and nothing else.
As expected, even before the voice died down, the door creaked and opened as Sophie's appearance appeared.
I couldn't see her as I was facing my back to her, but there was no need for me to be confused.
I knew Regulus' intention anyway, so I just waited with a calm demeanor.
Of course, I shouldn't forget to bid farewell.
"Goodbye, Father. I'll send Sophie to you later if I'll be leaving for the Church now. If you haven't talked with the Aunties and my brother, you can talk to them. I'll give you time.
Two hours or so at most."
Regulus nodded and smiled.
"Don't worry, I will.
But, before that."
Regulus gazed at Sophie while the latter seemed to be not affected by his imperial scarlet eyes.
"Sophie, dear, you'll come back here after sending my son to his chamber. I want to talk with you."
I was a bit shocked but instantly brushed aside the matter.
I didn't hold any suspicions as I quickly thought it should be related to the invitations from the Royal Academy.
There was no need to worry anyway since Sophie would receive two blessings: the God of War and Earth.
She would be at the same level as Regulus.
However, even though I knew this, recalling the plot, I felt strange.
Nonetheless, there should be nothing to worry about, right?
I hope I'm only overthinking.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Sophie addressed me and Regulus the same, but the way she delivered it was different.
To Regulus, it obviously carried a deep respect and politeness.
As soon as she said so with a head bow, she slowly moved my wheelchair outside and transported me to my chamber.
***
Once we arrived, Sophie made sure at first that the window should only produce a light that I could carry.
It should be mild, and no sunlight must pass through the window.
I solemnly requested that the window glass should have the trait that could absorb the sunlight and the light could be pierced through.
Compared to the sunlight, the light from the sunlight wasn't as powerful.
Knowing this, Sophie was rest assured that I should settle on this arrangement.
She was, after all, totally aware of my preference.
"Thank you, Sophie.
You may go now. Father is waiting."
I said so after she pushed me towards my noble desk, where countless books were placed atop, and myriads of paper were placed atop the table alongside the ink and feathers.
At this moment, she had an idea of what I should do while I waited for my Father to finish his appointment.
Hence, with a soothing heart, she slowly took a step back and bowed,
"I'll take my leave, Your Highness. If you need something, I'll tell Anna to stand before the door to quickly accommodate your needs."
"Thank you for that."
Then, she slowly paced towards the door and left.
***
Sophie first informed Anna, who was the maid waiting outside from the dining room.
Since there was no need to call another maid to replace her position, she didn't hesitate to take her leave and hastily move to work for her other job.
She couldn't afford to waste any time, or she would be responsible for not being quick in response if her Young Highness needed something.
Feeling rest assured again, Sophie opened the door and entered.
Without delay, she genuflected and stood up once her master said so.
"Take a seat beside me, Sophie."
Compared to before, his voice was stern and so was his face after Sophie caught it.
Her master usually won't act like it unless he needs something important.
And as a servant, it was natural to satisfy his demand even if it would be out of her will.
Without further ado, Sophie walked towards the seat that Regulus was pointing with his eyes earlier and sat beside it.
There was a plate there, too, as if Regulus wanted her to join the breakfast as he wasn't still finished yet.
However, without the instructions of her master, there was no way for her to act by herself.
"Go and eat. There's so much food there, so don't be shy."
His voice didn't change at all, and, as a servant, she didn't want to question or go against her master's words, so she quickly grabbed food without hesitation.
While she was at it, without even feeling a bit of fear, Regulus' voice echoed again.
"Have you noticed my son's change?"
Sophie was taken aback, then tilted her head while meeting Regulus' eyes without an ounce of fear.
Regulus wasn't offended by it.
Normally, no servants would dare to meet their master's eyes.
Such an unwritten rule was even applied in the society; no commoners should dare to look directly at the eyes of the noble.
Yet, Sophie even broke the rule without hesitation.
Furthermore, she was even performing it in front of an Archduke!
Even a King in other kingdoms would be shocked!
Nonetheless, Sophie was a different case, and Regulus didn't even mind it.
Seeing her confused face, Regulus continued, "I just feel that something has changed in him, and it's quite massive, too."
After a moment of pause, discerning that Sophie was contemplating with her frozen body movements, he continued,
"I feel like he is not the Luke, my son, I know."