Why the Northern Duke Wanders the Snowfields - Chapter 66

Cedric stood beside Eloise, watching the people alighting from the carriage with his cloudy gray eyes.

When Kaeloc, the first to step out of the carriage, looked up the stairs, Cedric flinched and averted his gaze.

“Smile, Cedric. Her Majesty the Queen will be arriving soon. These are people we desperately need right now.”

At Eloise’s rebuke, Cedric weakly raised the corners of his lips.

‘I was more at ease while that bastard was gone….’

But he no longer raped maids or whipped prostitutes as he had before. He was afraid that if he did such a thing, Kaeloc might suddenly appear and stab him with a sword.

‘That bastard is more than capable of doing that.’

Watching Kaeloc help Aubrianna down while she held the baby, Cedric let out a quiet whistle. Then he spotted Aileen linking arms with Agnes and chattering away, and the fingers clasped behind his back twitched.

Aileen and Aubrianna were both exceptionally beautiful, but seeing them together highlighted Aileen’s noble elegance and liveliness as a count’s daughter.

‘Compared to her, that former maid looks utterly listless.’

Quiet, submissive women certainly weren’t his type. Stealing a glance at Aileen’s lively green eyes, Cedric moistened his dry lips with his tongue.

‘When you’re whipping them, it’s definitely more thrilling if they thrash around.’

He glanced at the expressionless Eloise.

‘Aunt still doesn’t know Kaeloc’s memories have returned, and she’ll try to push ahead with his marriage to Lady Lott.’

Eloise had urged him to marry Lady Lott now that he was the head of the Tennant family, so the Coville family could eventually become the ducal family. Yet once Kaeloc returned, she gradually began avoiding him, leaving Cedric both hurt and angry.

‘What if I take Lady Lott first?’

The words of Sion, the Duke’s aide, suddenly came to mind.

“Though it may only be temporary, you are currently the head of House Tennant, the ducal family of the north.”

“Once you go to the capital, you can stay at the royal palace, assist the King, and command all the military forces of the north. You can also use its vast territory and wealth however you please. What are you afraid of?”

He regretted refusing to even enter the office because it was too much trouble and spending the wealth on nothing but prostitutes.

‘It’s about time I tasted something else.’

He would soon have to hand the position of family head back to Kaeloc, but if he married Aileen, the only daughter of House Lott, wouldn’t the status of Count Lott’s family become his?

To do that, he had to seize his opportunity while Kaeloc was still pretending to have amnesia. He didn’t know why, but Kaeloc apparently intended to keep up the act, so Cedric would pretend to cooperate and ask for Aileen.

Imagining Aileen’s luscious body and the status of a wealthy count, Cedric swallowed the saliva pooling in his mouth. Just then, Eloise spread her arms and approached Agnes and Aileen.

“It’s lovely to see that the two of you seem to have grown closer.”

Eloise looked at the two of them with a satisfied expression.

“Lady Agnes treated me wonderfully during my stay.”

Aileen smiled brightly, but Agnes walked away with an indifferent expression.

“I’d like to rest. I’m not feeling well.”

Noticing her unusually pale complexion, Eloise hurriedly ordered the servants to move her luggage and told an attendant to show her to her room.

“It seems she still hasn’t adjusted to the chill of spring in the north.”

At Kaeloc’s words, Eloise welcomed him with a radiant smile across her face.

“Kaeloc. With your concern and care, I’m sure Lady Agnes will be all right.”

Kaeloc’s brow twitched before smoothing out in an instant.

“Then I’m relieved, Mother.”

Standing beside them, Cedric secretly pretended to vomit at their shameless performance before greeting Aileen.

“Lady Lott. You look exceptionally beautiful today as well.”

“Thank you.”

After giving him a cold greeting, Aileen hurried inside. Cedric grinned, snatched one of her bags from a servant, and eagerly trotted after her.

“Hello, Duchess.”

At Aubrianna’s greeting, Eloise hesitated briefly before reluctantly inclining her head, then gave Theo an awkward smile.

“He looks very much like your childhood portrait.”

There was no need to make an enemy of the Duke’s own flesh and blood. With that thought, Eloise ushered them into the castle.

When they entered, the employees stood in long lines to welcome them, to welcome Kaeloc.

They had seen Kaeloc alive and well before, but because he left for Count Bellone’s villa the next day, today marked his official return.

“Your Grace, we’re delighted that you’ve returned safely.”

At Harrick’s greeting, countless people bowed.

Kaeloc paused, then nodded and spoke in a dignified voice, “Thank you.”

Aubrianna met the eyes of Lien and Carlo among the crowd and smiled with delight.

“Kaeloc, where are you going?”

Eloise stopped Kaeloc as he was about to head toward the annex.

“I’m going to my room.”

Kaeloc replied with evident annoyance in his eyes, and Eloise smiled.

“You’re the Duke. You should stay in the main building.”

When Kaeloc fell silent at her firm tone, Harrick stepped forward.

“You previously stayed mainly in the annex, but as my lady said, it would be best for you to reside in the main building to uphold your dignity as the Duke and head of House Tennant. We’ve also finished preparing everything so that you won’t be inconvenienced, Your Grace.”

Seeing Kaeloc’s displeased expression, Harrick discreetly retreated half a step.

‘He needs to stay in the main building so he can encounter Aileen often and grow fond of her.’

Eloise glanced sideways at Aubrianna, who stood beside Kaeloc as though that were her rightful place, holding the baby. After glaring at her briefly, she curved her eyes into another smile.

“Besides, we’re renovating the annex for Her Majesty the Queen and her attendants, who will be coming from the capital.”

“It can’t be helped, then.” Kaeloc sighed and instructed Harrick, “Prepare the room next to mine.”

“W-What do you mean?” Harrick asked in surprise.

“Aubrianna’s room.”

“That won’t do, Kaeloc.”

As though she’d been waiting for this, Eloise stepped in.

“You’re not married yet, so I’ve prepared a room for Aubrianna on the fourth floor.”

The fourth floor of the main building was mainly used to receive noblewomen visiting as guests, and Agnes’s room was also there. Moreover, it had several rooms for young babies and was close to the ladies-in-waiting’ and maids’ rooms, making it convenient to receive help.

Seeing Kaeloc’s face twist, Aubrianna placed a hand on his sturdy arm and said, “I’ll be fine.”

“Your Grace.”

Sion emerged from behind Harrick’s shadow.

“Her Majesty’s messenger is waiting in the office.”

As Aubrianna remembered it, the Queen’s unusual visit meant the north was about to become quite busy. Her small hand gently pushed Kaeloc’s back.

“Go. I can make my own way there.”

“What am I supposed to discuss with a messenger when I’ve lost my memory?”

At Kaeloc’s sarcastic words, Sion silently bowed his head.

“I’ll have Sir Cedric, the acting head of the family, join me. Since I’ve lost my memory, wouldn’t the man who has been looking after this place in the meantime be better suited?”

“I’ll bring him immediately!”

After bowing, Razen went to find Cedric with a menacing expression, as though he were going to arrest a criminal.

As Aubrianna watched him, a large hand suddenly cupped her cheek and Kaeloc’s lips approached. After stroking the nape of her neck and pressing his lips firmly to her other cheek as well, Kaeloc studied her red eyes for a moment.

“Don’t look at another man.”

Aubrianna’s face flushed at his absurd jealousy. Showing affection in such a public place?

Gasps could be heard from people all around them.

“Show me to the office. As you know….”

After gazing fondly at her reddened cheeks, Kaeloc turned his head.

“I don’t remember where it is….”

“This way.”

Sion led the way, and Kaeloc followed him with a smirk.

***

Despite the cold gleam in Eloise’s blue-gray eyes, the room given to Aubrianna wasn’t bad. It had an adjoining nursery, and thanks to Agnes’s consideration, Renee had come with her, allowing Aubrianna to relax and put her mind at ease.

“I’ll put Young Master Theo to sleep.”

Once the feeding ended quickly and Theo’s eyes began to droop at naptime, Renee picked him up and headed toward the nursery. Following her, Aubrianna looked around the sunny room. A rug in warm colors covered the floor, and wooden toys that Theo could play with had been placed around the room. The crib in one corner looked cozy.

“It’s a little cold in here.”

Because the castle was built of stone, a chill lingered inside, unlike Count Bellone’s villa.

“Should I call a maid to light the fireplace, just in case?”

“Miss Aubrianna.”

Just then, Lien’s voice sounded. Delighted, Aubrianna returned to the bedroom.

“It’s still chilly here.”

Seeing Lien carrying firewood as if she’d been waiting for those very words, Aubrianna beamed.

“Lien!”

After Lien set down the firewood, the two clasped hands and delighted in their reunion for a while.

“I missed our little lord so much too.”

Lien smiled as she wiped her nose.

“I’m so relieved, Aubrianna. I’m truly glad His Grace has returned….”

“Yes.”

After Kaeloc disappeared, Lien was the only person who worried about her and looked after her.

When Cedric came to her room, if Carlo hadn’t arrived at Lien’s request, something truly horrible might have happened to her.

“Thank you, Lien.”