The Cold-Hearted Grand Duke Obsesses Over Me After My Death - Side Story 5

When August arrived, Emilia decided to spend the summer vacation at the ducal residence with the children.

“Let’s go to the Shine villa.”

Louid suggested going to the Shine villa in the south, where there were hot springs, for her sake since she was tired. The Shine villa, where the Emperor spent his summer vacations, was near the Domer village where she had stayed before. She wanted to visit Domer village to check whether the grapes were ripening well, but since Domer village was best visited in autumn when the grapes were ripe, she decided to visit the ducal residence this time.

A few days later, Emilia rode in the imperial carriage and visited the Berthe ducal residence with the children.

“Welcome, Your Majesty the Empress.”

In the lobby of the ducal residence, dozens of servants, including Simon, stood in a line. Damian was not there, as he was working at the imperial palace and would arrive at the ducal residence the next day.

“It’s been a while, Simon. How is your health?”

Emilia had already met Simon several times. When Damian brought Simon to the imperial palace, Simon had not been in good health. But now, he looked much healthier.

“I’ve improved greatly after taking the medicine Your Majesty sent last time,” Simon answered with a bright expression.

He had recovered much of his health while recuperating at the ducal residence, and these days he was helping Damian by recruiting servants and focusing on restoring the former ducal estate. Of course, Louid had also dispatched personnel from the imperial palace to assist Damian, but Simon’s role was very significant.

“I’m glad it helped. I’ll have more prepared and sent.”

Emilia hoped that he, like a grandfather to her, would remain healthy for a long time. The two walked through the lobby as they talked.

“Yes, thank you. The prince and princess have grown a lot.”

Simon looked kindly at the children walking ahead, holding the hands of the escort knights.

“Haha, they’re growing quickly.”

“They both resemble His Majesty the Emperor very much.”

“That’s right. You can’t see my genes at all,” Emilia sighed as she replied.

When she gave birth, she thought they would resemble her at least a little, but both of them took entirely after Louid. The only thing they seemed to have inherited from her was the shape of their toes.

“Haha, perhaps if you have another child, they’ll resemble Your Majesty more.”

He said they might resemble her, not that they would. It wasn’t that she disliked that the children resembled Louid.

“It might be faster if Damian gets married and has children.”

Emilia muttered as if complaining. As Empress, she had to be careful with her words, but she could say anything in front of Simon.

“Haha, that may be true.”

“Does the duke not have a woman he’s seeing?”

“It seems he does not yet. His Grace only knows work.”

“That sounds like him.”

Emilia nodded and fell into thought. Damian was a workaholic like Louid.

At the imperial palace, he had his duties as a duke, and when he came down to the ducal residence, he had more work to rebuild it. On top of that, he personally oversaw the vineyards in Domer village and within the duchy, and even took on dairy farming. He was a naturally diligent man.

‘He was born that way.’

Perhaps blood could not lie, because although Damian looked delicate on the outside, his actions were swift and his judgment was sharp. Even if he had not inherited the ducal title, he would have succeeded on his own.

And yet, such a person had been confined until reaching adulthood.

Thinking of the past made the tip of her nose sting.

“Please rest comfortably. Call for me anytime,” Simon said kindly after guiding her to the room.

“I will. Thank you. You should rest as well.”

“Yes, understood.”

Emilia watched Simon leave the room with a wistful expression. He still held the position of head butler and was devoted to his duties. She had been worried when she heard he’d fallen and been injured two months ago, but she was relieved to see he had grown much healthier.

“Please live a long, long time.”

Emilia murmured softly as she looked at the closed door. She wanted the people she knew to remain by her side for a long time. That was why she checked on them whenever she had the chance. Visiting the ducal residence was also for that reason.

***

“Sit up straight.”

“Stop messing around and eat.”

That evening, Emilia busied herself taking care of the children’s meal while listening to their chatter. The maids of the ducal residence helped, but it was impossible to handle the children without nagging.

‘Sigh, Louid needs to come quickly….’

At times like this, the first person she thought of was her husband.

Damian would arrive tomorrow, but he likely wouldn’t be much help. Damian never scolded the children. So rather than listening to their uncle, the children treated him like a friend.

“I’m calling your father.”

Left with no choice, Emilia gave her final warning. Then Gerard and Elea sat properly in their seats. The children knew their father disliked it when they acted restless while eating.

“Not now. Call him after we finish eating, Mom.”

Gerard spoke first, watching her carefully.

“Alright, eat quickly.”

“Yes.”

“I want to play, Mom.”

“If you do that, you’ll say you’re hungry before bed again, won’t you? That’s not good for your body. Eat before your father comes.”

“Yes.”

At the mention of calling their father, the two children diligently ate their food. Emilia smiled warmly at how cute they were.

***

“Your Highness, you mustn’t go that way. You’re too fast.”

“I’m going to catch a dragon, so don’t stop me.”

“Your Highness Princess, it’s dangerous.”

“Hehe.”

The next afternoon, the children’s clear laughter echoed through the ducal residence. Jamie and Deo were playing tag with them. Jamie and Deo were responsible for guarding Emilia and the children.

It had been decades since children’s laughter echoed through the ducal residence.

“It finally feels like people live here now.”

Damian, who had arrived at the ducal residence earlier than scheduled the previous night, said with a satisfied expression. Emilia had been surprised when she saw him in the morning. He said he had come down early because he was curious about the children.

“Indeed.”

Emilia and Damian watched the children running around brightly and thought the ducal residence finally felt like a home. The two sat on a bench beneath an old tree that had stood for hundreds of years, watching the children.

“You should get married too.”

“Me? Haha.”

Damian shrugged and laughed.

“Shouldn’t you bring in a lady of the house for the ducal residence?”

But Emilia was serious. She wanted her only younger brother to marry soon.

Damian had brought Martin and Simon to the ducal residence, and they were living together. They treated him well, but the ducal residence also needed a lady of the house.

“When I’m ready.”

“Even if you’re not ready, attend the next banquet. I’ve made you a splendid tailcoat.”

“Really? Thank you. Haha.”

“Or should I introduce you to a good young lady?”

“An introduction?”

“I’ve matched quite a few couples, you know.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Just wait. If you don’t have a knack for courting women, that’s another way. I want you to be happy.”

Emilia spoke seriously. She had actually matched several couples, including Alex, the Imperial Guard Commander, and Aaron, the Grand Duke’s Knight Commander. And although Helen and Jamie seemed to be secretly seeing each other, it could also be said they ended up together because of her.

“I’m happy even now. Haha.”

Damian only kept laughing, scratching his head with an awkward, bashful expression.

***

A few days later, on an afternoon when warm sunlight shone over the grand castle, Louid arrived at the ducal residence. He had many matters to resolve, so he sent Emilia and the children ahead and followed later.

“Your Majesty, you’ve arrived.”

Damian greeted him warmly.

“Welcome, Your Majesty.”

He exchanged greetings with Simon as well.

“Where is the Empress?”

Even as he shook hands, his gaze searched for Emilia.

“She’s probably out for a walk,” Damian replied.

“Mm.”

Stepping out of the lobby, Louid stood at the top of the stairs and looked over the ducal residence. He could see the children playing with the escort knights in the playground. It was a playground Damian had newly built for his nieces and nephew. It had a maze made from short trees, a seesaw, swings, a slide, and even a carousel.

‘It’s a fantasy castle for the children.’

Louid felt like he understood why the children kept asking to go see their uncle. He strode down the stairs.

‘Where did she go?’

Even after searching every corner of the ducal residence except the playground, he couldn’t find Emilia.

“Ah!”

He thought of one place. There was only one place she would go. He turned his steps toward the eastern tower.