"It's a pleasure to meet you, Adrian. I am Shelby, the principal of this school."
An elderly gentleman in a formal suit with a handlebar mustache stood up and shook hands with Adrian.
"Hello, Principal Shelby."
After the initial pleasantries, the two went to an office and sat down.
Adrian crossed his legs, his hands resting naturally on the armrests of the chair, his slender fingers tapping rhythmically.
"Well then, Adrian, let's talk about your son's enrollment. You see, our school is not just any ordinary school; many nobles from various kingdoms study here, so..."
The older Principal Shelby clasped his hands under his chin, the rest of his words unspoken, giving Adrian a meaningful look.
Adrian didn't mind, placing the briefcase he was carrying on the table and pushing it towards Shelby.
Shelby looked at the briefcase being pushed towards him, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
At Adrian's silent prompting, Shelby opened the case. Inside, it was filled with Berries. Shelby's surprise vanished instantly, and he couldn't help but swallow, quietly weighing the case with both hands, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
"Principal Shelby, how do you find this small token of appreciation?"
Adrian smiled as he looked at the elderly man in front of him, who was past fifty and somewhat portly, his formal suit looking a bit tight on him.
The old man cleared his throat, regaining his composure, and explained with feigned difficulty.
"Adrian, you know..."
"I will also donate one hundred million Berries under the guise of sponsorship."
Shelby's eyes grew brighter, and his face flushed with excitement.
"Adrian is so generous and refined; his sons must also possess excellent virtues. Our school highly values such children."
"So, when can my son start school?"
"Tomorrow is fine. Of course, if Adrian is busy lately, a few days later is also acceptable. Whatever is convenient for you."
"Alright, I understand. I'm glad our conversation went so smoothly. Goodbye then, Principal Shelby."
"Goodbye, Adrian. We look forward to your son's arrival."
... Adrian, walking out of the academy, passed through the bustling streets and found Villa No. 513 on Peachwood Lane in a residential area. This was Adrian's current residence.
"I'm home, my cubs."
"Oh, you're back? Bastard."
"Uncle Adrian, you're back."
Two completely different greetings made Adrian want to kick a certain arrogant idiot. Sure enough, Rosinante was the gentle little angel, but then his older brother blew his head off later.
Adrian hugged Rosinante, who ran to him, lifted him high, then put him down, and then flicked Doflamingo on the head.
"Doffy, you little brat, watch your language."
Doflamingo covered his head where he had just been flicked, an indignant expression on his face.
"Hey, I told you before! Don't flick my forehead! And! I don't want to go to that school! I still want to go back to Mary Geoise!"
Looking at the somewhat agitated Little fellow, Adrian decided to ignore him for now and started speaking to himself.
"Little Rosi and Doffy, you little brat, next time when we're outside, it's best if you call me father. Your identity outside is my son, but inside, it's fine to keep things as they are. You don't have to force it too much, how about that?"
Adrian leaned down and stroked Rosinante's little head. Adrian was really a little worried that Rosinante would be very repulsed, after all, his real father hadn't been dead for too long.
But Rosinante's face flushed when he heard this, and his two small hands kept rubbing together as he lowered his head.
"C-can I, oh no, I mean I can."
Rosinante's words were a bit disjointed. Adrian thought this Little fellow might feel awkward, after all, his own father was gone.
"Rosie, if you find it hard to say, I can understand. After all, your father was a good father."
"I don't admit he was a good father! If it wasn't for him... I'd rather call you a bastard father."
Doflamingo's emotions were always exceptionally intense whenever his biological father was mentioned.
"Uncle Adrian, I'm fine. During this time, you really have taken care of me like a true father. Calling you father doesn't feel forced at all."
Rosinante was a bit anxious about Adrian's initial misunderstanding, and saying those words just now even made his face flush with excitement. He simply buried his face in Adrian's chest and hugged him tightly.
Looking at Rosinante in his arms, Adrian showed a relieved expression. This child was truly too adorable!
"Hey, Adrian, I'm telling you, don't expect me to call you father."
"Alright, alright, I know," Adrian replied perfunctorily, then picked up Rosinante again. "Anyway, as long as Little Rosi is willing to call me father, that's all that matters."
"Come on, Rosie, say it."
"otousan."
Rosie wrapped her arms around Adrian's neck and called out softly.
"Oh! Our Little Rosi is so cute. Let's go, it's time to eat."
Adrian walked off, holding Rosinante.
Doflamingo snorted and followed, making a face at Rosinante along the way. Even Doflamingo didn't realize he was becoming a bit childish.
Meanwhile, Adrian, immersed in Rosinante's call of 'father,' felt a sweet warmth in his heart. Excellent, now he, Adrian, also had a son. Indeed, Rosinante was the little cotton jacket that warmed an old father's heart!
Unlike Doffy, who was always scheming and sharp-tongued.
Of course, to foster the brothers' relationship, Adrian had specifically arranged bunk beds in this house.
"Hey, Doffy, you can go to school tomorrow. What are your thoughts?"
"What thoughts could I have? It's just spending some time with a bunch of trash."
"Is that so... It seems you'll have it easy... Doffy, from now on, you can form your own gang every day after school."
"Huh? Didn't you say before that I had to wait a while?"
Doflamingo scooped a spoonful of mashed potatoes into his mouth, speaking indistinctly.
"This is different. The other side of this island isn't a good place, you know. There are quite a few outlaws gathered there, and they're not to be trifled with. It's perfect as your first step. The four people you met before are already on standby. You can start tomorrow."
Adrian elegantly cut a piece of steak and put it in his mouth.
Doflamingo was somewhat shaken at this moment. The first step of his revenge was about to begin. He wasn't sure if he could do it, but once he recalled the past, anger burned from the bottom of his heart, making him eager to start quickly. Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night for him.
Doflamingo returned to his room early; he needed to think carefully.
"Will older brother be alright?"
"Don't worry, Doffy ate the String-String Fruit; ordinary people can't do anything to him. Besides, the other four aren't easy to take down either."
At night, Adrian came to check on the two sleeping cubs, tucking their blankets around them. Adrian sat beside Doffy's bed and gently ruffled Doffy's golden hair. His golden hair wasn't as curly as his brother's.
Adrian took off Doffy's still-worn glasses. Doflamingo had one bad habit: he never took them off, even when sleeping, almost never removing them.
Adrian murmured to himself in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Doffy, go ahead and cause trouble. With me here, no one can touch you."
Then, he quietly left.
And in the darkness, Doflamingo's lips curved into a slight smile.
Having a family is truly wonderful.
Short Play:
Doflamingo had been diligently practicing with his String-String Fruit, and one day, he jokingly said to Adrian,
"Aren't you afraid I'll develop it to its extreme and just split your head?"
Adrian merely smiled faintly.
Doflamingo had always believed, or rather, instinctively believed that Adrian's strength was not great, because his appearance was too deceptive.
Adrian's identity had always been a mystery. He never mentioned it. Doflamingo was even curious why the other party adopted him. Was it because of his former Celestial Dragons identity? It didn't seem so; it felt more like guidance.
Whenever Doflamingo wanted to spar with Adrian, the maid would coincidentally serve hot lobsters.
It was all because the lobsters were too delicious.
It wasn't gluttony.