For several hours, Kai remained glued to a flat, rectangular device called a tablet, which he used to design an orphanage suitable for a two-hectare plot of land. He also still had to design the building’s interior to match.

Unfortunately, Kai could only draw; he had never taken any architecture courses.

Actually, ever since he was a child, Kai had had many dreams while on Earth—like becoming an architect. He studied diligently without tiring, but he had to bury that dream deep inside after realizing his fate was in the hands of his adoptive parents, who were part of the mafia.

That’s why Kai is so serious about designing the orphanage. He’s considering it from various perspectives as well. For example, from the children’s perspective, Kai needs to create a playground with swings, seesaws, slides, and other features. There must be a small garden for vegetables and flowers, because children are sure to enjoy learning about those things. There must also be a place to practice sword fighting, since that’s very popular with boys in this world. And let’s not forget the egg-laying chicken farm, which might eventually be expanded to include sheep or whatever else the children want.

Meanwhile, from the adults’ perspective, there must be a place for study, a library, a nice kitchen, spacious rooms for the children, and so on.

Of course, with a plot of land that large, all of this can be realized. However, Kai wanted to add a fairly large fish pond—though not a deep one—so that fish or ducks could swim there. The pond’s depth mustn’t be such that children could potentially drown.

After about two hours of working on his tablet, the digital drawing was finished, and he printed it out.

Kai stood up and stretched. His body felt stiff, and his buttocks were sore from sitting too long.

"Young master, you haven’t had dinner yet. May I come in?" asked Keith, knocking gently on Kai’s door.

"Oh, come in, Keith. I just finished my work," Kai replied.

Keith opened the unlocked door to Kaileon’s room, then walked over to Kai, who was standing near the window.

Kai was closing the window to keep the mosquitoes out, because that’s his habit. Although Kai was actually surprised, because in all the time he’d lived in Arslan, he didn’t think he’d ever seen a mosquito. Kai had once asked his system about it, and the system explained that it was due to the weather. Although Arslan was a tropical country, it was different from the tropical countries where Kai used to live back on Earth.

He never thought he’d miss the days when he’d get bitten by mosquitoes if he was even a little late closing the window.

"Have you finished everything?" Keith asked.

Kai chuckled and shook his head. "Not everything, Keith. I’ve only finished the design for the future reconstruction of the orphanage. I think Pablo will understand everything just by looking at my design," said Kai.

"May I see it, young master?" asked Keith.

Kai smiled broadly at that and handed Keith the design he had printed out. It wasn’t just one sheet—there were several, and they were all very detailed.

"But young master, how can we make wall paint this bright?" Keith asked, confused.

Kai had forgotten that even though wall paint existed in that world—and even had anti-mold and waterproof features—the colors were still natural shades derived from the surrounding environment.

Since the orphanage was a place for children, Kai provided designs with cheerful colors that were still soft and not too flashy.

"Don’t worry about that, Keith... have you eaten yet? I think I’d like to eat something tonight while we chat outside," said Kai.

Keith nodded, "I haven’t eaten yet; I’ll make dinner for you and Duke—"

"No, Keith, we can make it together because—wait a minute, who did you just say?" Kai asked hurriedly, thinking he’d misheard.

Confused, Keith replied, "Who do you mean—oh, Duke? He came because he wanted to talk to you, too. There’s a lot Duke wants to discuss."

Actually, Kai wasn’t ready to meet his father. But he also had a lot to say to the man.

As he walked toward the kitchen, Kai happened to see Duke chatting with Jeny and Angeline. Kai didn’t know what kind of relationship Duke had with his daughter, Jessica. But one thing was certain: the man looked like a real father when he spoke with Angeline.

Kai hoped Jessica didn’t know that, because Jessica had a temperament similar to her mother’s.

She was vindictive, too.

"What are we going to make, young master?" asked Keith.

Kai smiled broadly, then took out a few packages of food he wasn’t supposed to eat for dinner.

Instant noodles.

"We’re going to make instant noodles, Keith—just boil them. Do you like noodles with broth or without?" asked Kai.

Keith was confused and didn’t know how to answer, until Kai realized on his own that Keith didn’t understand what instant noodles were.

"Uh, right... I think it’s better if you start with instant noodles with broth. You like seafood, right? We’ll make some fried shrimp as a side, and we’ll use shrimp in the broth too, to make it even tastier," said Kai.

Kai then taught Keith how to make a somewhat healthier version of instant noodles.

For Keith and Duke, Kai used instant noodles with a mild seasoning, topped with shrimp, a soft-boiled egg, and vegetables.

As for Kai himself, he used slightly spicy instant noodles with a jalapeño chili broth. He also added beef, a soft-boiled egg, and vegetables like green mustard greens and bok choy.

"Why is yours different, young master?" Keith asked after all the noodles had been served in bowls. Kai had arranged his bowl to look attractive for a photo.

Taking photos of food and drinks has been one of Kai’s favorite pastimes ever since he was on Earth.

"You’ll find out once you taste the broth, Keith—hey, wait!"

Too late—Keith had already tasted the broth from Kai’s bowl, and as a result, he started coughing from the spiciness.

"I told you to wait, Keith... oh my gosh, drink this milk to neutralize the spiciness. You’re not used to spicy food yet, unlike me—I’m already immune to it," Kai scolded.

Finally, Kai and Keith met with the Duke. The three of them ate together since Angeline and Jeny had already gone to bed.

"What does Father want to talk about?" Kai asked as they were eating.

At first, Keith wanted to scold Kai, because for nobles, eating while talking is considered bad manners. But he forgot that Duke had never paid any attention to that rule anyway. Keith would discuss that rule with Kai another time.

"There are many things, one of which is about Angeline. But don’t get the wrong idea—I like that girl. She’s not at all like the rumors circulating about her, especially after you healed her. What worries me is... I’m afraid you won’t accept this engagement. Because I can see that Angeline really loves being here. In the kingdom, her position is very precarious, and she has no power there at all. Meanwhile, here in the pavilion, she’s free. That’s why I just agreed when the Duchess said it would be better for you to take care of her. The problem is, even though she’s weak and looked down upon in the kingdom, she’s one of the reasons our kingdom is able to cooperate with the Kingdom of Eleflare—the kingdom of the elves. Thanks to that cooperation, I’ve been able to defeat our enemies with the help of magical weapons developed by the Kingdom of Eleflare. The bottom line is that both kingdoms—Nagreize and Eleflare—are mutually dependent on one another. We can’t let this good relationship be ruined because the Eleflare side finds out that Angeline isn’t being treated well."

Kai listened intently to his father’s explanation, and he didn’t see any problem with it.

"But Dad, why are you so worried? Angeline’s already in the right place, isn’t she? I’ll take care of her," Kai replied, and it sounded like an innocent child’s answer to the Duke and Keith.

The Duke laughed as he patted Kai on the back.

"Oh my gosh, I forgot you’re still just a kid, Kaileon. Your somewhat mature demeanor always throws me off. What I mean is, if you refuse this engagement, then Angeline will have to return to the kingdom."

Kai, who had just realized this, finally fell silent. He’d never had any experience with romantic matters, not even while he was on Earth. Kai had also never felt in love with any girl. So clearly, the issue of an engagement had never seriously crossed his mind.

Kai’s response afterward didn’t sound convincing to Duke Hendry.

"In that case, I’ll get engaged to Angeline, Father. It’s no problem for me—I like her."

Hearing Kaileon’s words, Hendry’s thoughts drifted back to several years ago, when he’d said the exact same thing about his arranged marriage to Nathalia Maustrine.

In the end, Hendry never loved Nathalia in the slightest. Not Nathalia, nor any other woman.

Besides Kaileon’s mother, of course.

"I hope you’re better than I was, Kaileon," Hendry muttered, though he didn’t know if Kaileon had heard him.

"This is really good. Do you want to try some more, Keith?"

"No, young master, it’s way too spicy."