[859] – Y03.159 – Serious Business II

[859] – Y03.159 – Serious Business II

“I’m sure I don’t have to say it, but I have acted like quite the fool this entire time. Is it an act, or is it not an act? The truth is probably in the middle.” Adam flashed the cheekiest smile to the workers, certainly unexecutively.

“I have to admit that I’ve been waiting for this moment for an embarrassingly long time. I was the one to really push for the business to exist, partly because I would hold such a high position, I mean I am the one who smiths the weapons, and I hold the position of High Alchemist, hence the title of Executive. I truly did create, or rather, push the creation of the business for mostly selfish reasons.”

Adam motioned a hand for his sister, but she hid away. “You see? She thinks she can ignore me now that she’s so big. She used to cry all day and night and now she won’t even step beside me!”

Dunes began the chuckle, which spread through the listeners. Even the Iyrmen joined in the chuckling, with the old Jarot letting out a playful grunt.

“I am a father before I am a fool, though the wise amongst you might say I’m a fool because I’m a father. However, before I was a father, I was a brother. I spent quite a bit of time thinking about this business, and I wanted to look cool in front of my sister. Once I had children, I understood I needed something. It’s my goal as their father to pass on something to them, and to make sure they’re raised well. As an Executive of the business, I realise I can do something for them.” His eyes then met Rick’s, but they continued along the porters and farmers, then towards the three sisters.

“I am surrounded by people who have their own families. Obviously, as the children of the high ranking members of the business, almost all of whom are Iyrmen, they will live great lives. They will be enriched by the business, it’s part of the reason why the business was created.” Adam paused for a moment, not to punctuate his point, but he realised he was about to begin ranting.

“However, I intend to make sure that your families are taken care of, that your children are raised well. Perhaps they’d be better raised in Red Oak, but how much would it cost you? How hard would you have to work to put one of your children through decent education? How hard would you have to work to put multiple of your children through such? How likely will you die doing so? If you die, what will happen to your family? Within the business, you don’t have to worry about any of that. I would say I’ll show you how much trouble I’m willing to cause to make sure all your children are well taken care of, but you’ve all seen it already.”

Another chuckle rippled through those around. Dunes and Korin exchanged a look, gently bowing their heads to one another. Another louder laugh spread through the air, causing the others to glance towards the Iyrman’s way.

“Did you hear that, Larot?” Jarot asked, rubbing the boy’s head gently.

‘Of course I did,’ the boy thought, his face still, with the slightest hint of annoyance.

“That is my grandson!”

“Whose your grandson?” Adam replied.

Jarot continued to laugh, before his eyes fell to Marmak. “Do you hear that?”

Marmak only smiled in return, though he sent back the same energy towards Jarot, who was trying to show off to him.

Adam clapped his hands together, trying to gather the attention back to himself. “So, once more, allow me to introduce to you the Young President!” He motioned a hand towards his sister, who looked up towards her mother.

Sonarot picked the girl up onto her lap, brushing her hair gently. “Greet them.”

The girl glanced around, noting all the looked her way. She pulled back and hid her face against her mother’s bosom and her bread.

“Young President,” a voice called, clearly through the air. Nobby remained sitting, slightly hunched over. “Hello, Young President.”

The girl squirmed within her mother’s lap and continued to remain hiding.

“Greetings to the Young President,” Dunes finally said, smiling.

“Not Cousin!” Taygak replied.

“Not Cousin?”

“Taygak cousin.”

“...” Adam heard the slight difference in the term. “Do you see how adorable our Little Director is?”

“Taygak big.”

“Please forgive me, Big Director.”

Taygak crossed her arms and snorted once more.

Another bout of laughter suddenly filled the air. “You should not bully my grandniece so.”

“No bully, daddy,” Jirot said from her nano’s arms, pointing towards her father with an accusatory finger.

“I’m sure you all understand the positions of the rest of the children as Little Directors, but now we have a special group of children.” Adam held out his hand.

Konarot looked towards her grandmother, and once the woman nodded, she charged towards her father. The workers eyed up the triplets who darted towards their father, who dropped to a knee, and embraced them all within their arms.

“What’s this, where are my twins?”

Jirot squirmed within her nano’s arms. Though the old woman allowed them to leave, Jirot remained within her arms.

“Are you not going to come to daddy?”

“No,” the girl replied, noting all the looks her way, before hiding herself within her nano’s arms.

“Do you see? Can you tell whose kids they are from how adorable they are?” Adam allowed Konarot to wrap her arms around his neck, feeling how cool the girl was, while lifting Kirot and Karot up in each arm.

The silver tails swayed under them. The workers who had only seen his children for the first time that day noted the tails and the tiny horns on the children’s heads, as well as the tiny scales on the back of their necks.

...

Half dragons?

The cringe continues.