Chapter 486
I ended up starting an unexpected life at the Duke’s residence, but everything was surprisingly smooth. From the Academy’s perspective, having an inspector (not even a regular staff member) hanging around didn’t cause any issues at all, and the club members I had to manage were vigilantly protected by the three kingdoms’ guards.
I even heard that the Servette Duchy quietly dispatched some of their private soldiers to maintain public order. They were doing their best to prevent me from saying, “I think it’s time to head back.” At this level of effort, it would be human decency to stay quietly in the castle.
‘It’s pretty comfy.’
Lying in bed and staring at the ceiling, I felt a mix of confusion over my sudden life in the residence and a comforting ease in both body and mind.
Two years ago, I was busy dealing with the Kraken to protect the flamboyant and foolish club members. Last year, I couldn’t catch a break from meetings with Trixie’s grandmother and playing with the young lord.
But this year was different. Aside from my overwhelming vassals who were overly submissive, I felt no pain or fatigue. In fact, if I considered the subservience of my vassals as a preview of what being a husband is like, it wasn’t even that bad.
‘This is a vacation.’
Thanks to the pleasant tranquility, my eyelids began to droop. Yeah, this is a vacation. Till now, my school trips had just felt like math. I’d only just rediscovered the joy of traveling in my final year after losing two years.
It would be a lie to say I didn’t feel a bit of regret, but it’s okay. This is better than not finding it at all.
— Knock, knock.
“Your Husband, it’s the steward. Could you spare a moment for me?”
Just as I was basking in the sunlight coming through the window while attempting to take a nap, the steward’s voice came from the other side of the door.
My pleasant drowsiness evaporated instantly, but I wasn’t unhappy. If the steward came to see me like that, it must be important.
And considering it was Duke Trixie’s situation, it couldn’t be about a normal duchy matter. There was a high chance it would be related to Trixie. Maybe he wanted me to pay extra attention to her during dinner or perhaps, when it was time for bed, to have some intimate time together.
“Yes, of course. Please come in.”
I answered calmly, ready to get up slowly. If it was about Trixie, I’d gladly listen.
However, what came next was something I really couldn’t agree to.
“Um, I’m sorry, but could you repeat that?”
“The forest park has a villa where His Grace was born. If you both go in there, we’ll lock the door.”
The steward looked embarrassed as he said something so odd, but he didn’t waver in his request.
It was confusing. My assumption about it being related to Trixie was correct, but I never imagined it would involve something like this. Was it really impossible for a twenty-something newbie to understand the thinking of a seasoned noble nearing fifty?
“We can’t help but feel disheartened to say such things about locking you both away.”
Not knowing what to say, I fell silent, and the steward spoke again. There was a hint of sincerity in his tone that made me unconsciously nod along.
“But, Your Husband, this is said for the future of the Kato family, with pure intentions. It’s not for personal desires—”
“I don’t doubt your sincerity, steward. Trixie said if it weren’t for you and the other vassals, she wouldn’t be who she is today.”
I interrupted the steward’s lengthy elaboration. It’s rude to cut off the elder, but if I let him continue, he might start a self-critique.
“Your Grace…”
Luckily, it seemed the steward was more focused on Trixie’s praises than on me interrupting him.
That’s why I’m confused. If the steward harbored some devious ambitions and told the Duke and me to “just keep to the corner,” I could understand their reasoning. However, he genuinely believed he was doing it with pure heart. Why would such a loyal servant propose to lock up the Duke and his husband?
‘Why?’
Seriously, why? Could it be that there’s a culture in Kenne of locking newlyweds in a room?
If that’s the case, then that’s an astonishing culture. I’d be embarrassed for having ever thought of Kenne as a city without personality. What kind of crazy culture could exist here?
“But still, it’s shocking. You want to lock us in a villa? What exactly do you mean by that?”
Of course, since there’s no such culture here, I straightforwardly sought clarification.
“Uh, Your Husband, the thing is—”
And the steward’s continued explanation was truly tear-jerking.
‘The difference in races.’
I sighed inwardly at the steward’s explanation. It’s true that Trixie and I belong to different races. Although Trixie is half-human, her other half is not human—she’s an elf. It’s common knowledge that a union between a human and an elf is more challenging than one between two humans.
I recall that it took years for the previous Duke of Servette to accept Trixie. While Trixie being a half-blood meant it probably wouldn’t take that long, the fact remains that there’s blood that differs from humans.
“So, I sincerely apologize, but I want both of you to stay in a space of great significance to His Grace, allowing you to enjoy a cozy time without interruptions.”
With the steward bowing his head again, I found myself at a loss for words.
Thinking for the good of the Duke’s lineage? That’s commendable. Worrying about the speed of the Duke’s conception, being a half-elf? I can understand that. Forcing the Duke and Duchess into a locked room to speed up that conception? Extreme, but I get it.
Yet, I couldn’t understand why he was telling me about it. If they locked them up, wouldn’t it be better to do it secretly?
Perhaps sensing my confusion, the steward lifted his head with a bittersweet expression.
“With our power, we can’t possibly lock you both away ourselves, so we have no choice but to seek your cooperation.”
“I understand that, but if that’s the case, why not talk to Trixie instead of me?”
“You are the one who is most concerned about the difference in races. How could you, of all people, talk about locking them up in a villa and having them deal with conception troubles?”
After hearing that, I softly patted the steward’s shoulder.
With words like that directed at me, how could I refuse? Trixie likely came to me because she feared getting hurt emotionally, and what kind-hearted vassals they are. As the future husband, I needed to accept that longing.
“Alright. I’ll persuade Trixie to stay at the villa.”
“Thank you, Your Grace! I will never forget your kindness and generosity today!”
With my affirmation, the steward’s expression brightened significantly.
It’s a heartwarming sight. My small choice brought joy to the loyal servants.
“Don’t worry; I doubt they’ll be out within five days.”
“…Yes?”
“I wish I could stretch it out longer, but considering the school trip schedule, five days is the max.”
I genuinely felt regret. If I hadn’t come to Servette for the school trip but rather during vacation, I could have managed longer.
“No, uh…”
The steward seemed a bit disappointed too, stammering for a moment.
I understood completely. Still, I hoped for the five days.
*
The Duke’s Husband had a gentle smile as he patted my shoulder.
That warm gesture made me feel at ease. How tense had I been with the lunatic opinions of the librarian and the agreement of the other vassals? No matter how much I was the steward, I couldn’t unilaterally dismiss the opinions of all the vassals, nor could I avoid bringing those wild notions to the Duke’s attention.
I thought it was a mad idea, so I was prepared to be scolded by the Duke. Yet, he willingly accepted the vassals’ complaints. It was truly moving.
“Don’t worry; I doubt they’ll be out within five days.”
That moment transformed my joy into confusion with just a single phrase.
“…Yes?”
I instinctively crossed my arms, perplexed. Five days? What on earth?
‘How am I lucky even with just one day?’
In fact, I’d be satisfied with just five hours. Five days? I would have never dared to dream of that.
Maybe that’s why my head blanked out for a moment. The Duke and I would spend five days together in the villa where he was born.
‘The young lord…’
Tears of joy almost welled up at that moment. Who knows, maybe a young lord from the Kato family might be born here.
Even if nothing comes of these five days, given the determination and spirit that the Duke exhibits, good results will surely come later.
Definitely.
*
In the forest park near Kenne—officially known as “Ariadne Garden,” my treasure.
A place where my father and mother once cherished, where I was born, filled with family memories, and now a space for me to build new memories with my new family.
Walking hand in hand with Carl, we smiled.
‘I wish everyone could be here.’
Feeling a bit wistful, I glanced back. Originally, we were supposed to come as a group, but somehow it ended up just being Carl and me.
“I’m sorry. Maybe it’s because we were in the carriage for too long, but now that I’m lying in bed, all the fatigue is catching up to me.”
“I’m feeling a bit sluggish too… I think I should take it easy today.”
It was a genuine disappointment, but I couldn’t force them to come against valid reasons. It would be the most embarrassing thing ever if my greed resulted in them catching a cold.
Of course, Rizie and Lynn could have recovered and joined us, but the two kids were insistent that they didn’t want to waste time just because they were sick.
‘It’s nice, but…’
Spending time alone with Carl is also pretty nice, so it’d be a lie if I said otherwise.
Still, if that joy came at the expense of the kids’ well-being, it was hard to brush that over. Once they’re back to full health, I’ll gladly yield.
“Over there?”
“Ah, yes, that’s right.”
Startled by Carl’s sudden voice, I quickly redirected my focus.
“I was born over there.”
I followed where Carl was pointing and smiled.
Deep within the park stood the Kato family villa. No matter the circumstances, we’d gone there at least once a month to create fond memories as a family.
Seeing that villa with Carl made my eyes brim with warmth. Just years ago, it was a place I reminisced about with my family, yet here I was, returning with a new family.
“Shall we go in? This is where the legend of the magical world began.”
“Right, let’s do that.”
With Carl’s overly dramatic line, I chuckled and took a step forward.
As soon as we entered the villa, Carl locked the door.
“Now, you can’t leave here without my permission.”
“Wha, huh?”
With his authoritarian declaration, he made sure there was no room for disagreement.
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