486 – Nearby Wife’s Territory – 5
I started living in the dukedom unplanned, but no problems arose. From the academy’s perspective, it doesn’t matter at all if the inspector, who is not an ordinary faculty member, wanders around somewhere else, and the members I have to manage are diligently guarded by the guards of the three countries.
It is said that even the Duchy of Servet secretly released private soldiers to maintain public order. From my mouth, ‘I think I should probably go back.’ Efforts are being made to block the saying from being said. With this level of sincerity, it is human duty to remain quietly in the castle.
‘It’s comfortable.’
I lay on the bed blankly and looked at the ceiling. Aside from the embarrassment caused by my sudden life as a duke, I honestly feel comfortable both physically and mentally.
The year before last, I was busy dealing with Kraken in order to protect the members who showed off their flashy madness and stupidity. Last year, I couldn’t rest because I had to meet Trixie’s maternal grandmother and play with the little duke.
However, this year is different. I didn’t feel any pain or fatigue, except for the vassals who were very humble towards me. In fact, it is not that difficult if you think of it as a life of a concubine where even the low-key attitude of the vassals is experienced in advance.
‘This is travel.’
Thanks to the peace that came over me, my eyes slowly closed.
Yes, this is a trip. The school trips I’ve been on so far have been just math. It was only in the final year of the trip that I found it after losing it for two years.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel any regrets, but it’s okay. Because this is better than not finding it until the end.
– Knock knock
“Your Excellency, this is the head deacon. I have something to tell you. Can you give me some time?”
Just as I was about to take a nap while basking in the sunlight coming through the window, I heard the head deacon’s voice from beyond the door.
The pleasant drowsiness disappeared in an instant, but it was not unpleasant. It must be such an important matter that the head deacon, who treats me like a superior, comes personally.
And since the duke, Trixie, is not looking for me because of duchy business, there is a high probability that it is related to Trixie. For example, asking Trixie to pay more attention during dinner, or asking her to sleep in the same room, etc.
“Yes, of course. Please come in.”
So, I stood up with a relaxed mind and answered.
If it’s anything to do with Trixie, I’m willing to listen.
Something came out that I was not willing to listen to.
“Well, I’m sorry, but could you say it one more time?”
“There is a villa inside the forest park where His Excellency the Duke was born. If you enter there, we will lock the door.”
The head deacon lowered his head as if he was embarrassed to say such a thing, but he did not give up his intention.
I’m confused. The guess that it had something to do with Trixie was correct. But I had no idea it would be like this. Was it impossible for a kid still in his 20s to read the thoughts of a seasoned nobleman who was about to turn 50?
“We are so sorry that we dared to lock you two up in a secret room that we cannot raise our heads.”
I kept silent because I didn’t know what to say, but the head deacon spoke again. It was a protest that somehow felt earnest and sincere, so I nodded without thinking.
“However, Your Excellency, these are my words sincerely for the future of the Catoban duchy. I am by no means saying this out of personal desire—”
“I don’t doubt the Head Butler’s loyalty. Trixie also said that she wouldn’t be where she is today if it weren’t for the Head Butler and the other retainers.”
I suddenly interrupted the head deacon who was starting to examine his thoughts. It’s not polite to interrupt an elder’s conversation, but if I leave it like that, I feel like I’ll even start to criticize myself.
“Your Excellency…”
Luckily, Trixie’s praise seemed to have stuck in my head rather than my interruption.
That’s why it’s confusing. If the head deacon was an ambitious man full of evil intentions and said to the duke and his husband, ‘Just stay in the corner,’ then you can understand what he just said. However, as the head of the house said, he is a loyal subject. A loyalist like that would imprison the duke and his husband?
‘Why?’
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Really why? Is it possible that there is a culture in Quebec of confining newlyweds in secret rooms?
If so, it must be an amazing culture. I’m ashamed of myself for thinking that Quebec is a city without personality. Where else can you find a city with such crazy individuality?
“Still, I’m embarrassed. What do you mean, locking us in a villa?”
Of course, there is no culture like that in this world, so I asked for an explanation directly.
“Well, Your Excellency. Actually, that is—”
The deacon’s explanation that followed was truly tearful.
‘It’s a racial difference.’
I sighed inwardly at the deacon’s explanation. Clearly, Trixie and I are of different races. Even though Trixie is half human, the other half is not human, but elf. It is common knowledge that the union between a human and an elf is more difficult than the union between a human and an elf.
In fact, I remember that it took several years for the former Duke of Servet to see Trixie. Fortunately, Trixie is a mixed race, not a pure blood, so it won’t take that much time, but it doesn’t change the fact that she has blood that is different from that of humans.
“So, I am truly sorry, but I wanted to allow you two to stay in a space that is meaningful to the Duke… And have a private time without anyone disturbing you.”
I was at a loss for words when I saw the head deacon lowering his head again.
As a vassal, are you thinking about the future generations of the dukedom? It’s great. Are you concerned about the speed of the duke’s pregnancy, a mixed-race elf? It could be. Locking the Duke and Duchess in a secret room for a quick reunion? It’s extreme, but understandable.
But I don’t know why you’re telling me that. If you’re locking them in a secret room, isn’t it right to lock them in secret?
Perhaps he noticed such a question, but the head deacon raised his head with a bitter expression.
“With our ability, we could not possibly imprison the two of you, so we had no choice but to risk this rudeness and ask for your cooperation.”
“I understand that, but if you’re going to do that, can’t you tell Trixie and not me?”
“You must understand that you are more concerned about racial differences than anyone else. How can you tell your Excellency that he should stay in the villa because his retirement will be difficult?”
Hearing those words, he gently patted the head deacon’s shoulder.
If you hear something like that, you can’t refuse it. Trixie came to me because she was afraid of getting her feelings hurt. How considerate these vassals are. As your future husband, you must accept that desire.
“Okay. I will convince Trixie to stay at the villa.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency! I will never forget your mercy and generosity today!”
The head deacon’s expression suddenly brightened at my affirmative answer.
It is a sight that will make you feel happy. I can’t believe my loyal subjects are happy because of my small choice.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be leaving the villa for about five days.”
“…Yes?”
“I would like to try harder than that, but considering the school trip schedule, five days is the maximum.”
I sincerely regret it. If I had come during vacation rather than coming to Servet for a school trip, more would have been possible.
“No, that…”
The head deacon stuttered for a moment, perhaps feeling a little disappointed.
I understand everything. But for now, I want you to see it for five days.
***
Your Excellency smiled softly and patted my shoulder.
I felt relieved by that warm comfort. How much he was anxious about the scribe’s crazy opinions and the sympathy of other retainers. Even though I am the head of the house, I cannot unilaterally block the opinions of all my retainers, and because of my position as the head of the house, I had to tell my wife this crazy opinion.
Even though I thought it was a crazy idea, I was prepared to hear criticism from your Excellency, but your husband willingly accepted the complaints of his vassals. It is truly a touching thing.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be leaving the villa for about five days.”
One word was enough to turn that emotion into bewilderment.
“…Yes?”
I ended up asking a question without realizing it. Five days, what does that mean?
‘Even if you only stay for one day, it’s a blessing.’
No, actually, I could have been satisfied even if it was just five hours, not a day. For five days I did not dare to dream.
Maybe that’s why my hair turned white for a moment. The two of you stayed for five days in the villa where His Excellency the Duke was born.
‘Little Duke.’
I almost shed tears of emotion for a moment. Perhaps a minor duke of the Catovan duchy may be born in this land.
Even if no results are achieved during these five days, considering your Excellency’s will and passion, good results will come someday.
Definitely.
***
Forest park located near Quannes─ My treasure whose exact name is ‘Ariadne Garden’.
A place where my father and mother loved, where I was born, where family memories reside, and now a place where I will build memories with my new family.
At that location, he was walking holding hands with a knife.
‘I wanted to go with everyone.’
I looked back with a feeling of regret. Originally, we were all planning to come to the park together, but somehow we ended up coming alone with Carl.
“I’m sorry. Maybe it’s because I rode the carriage for too long, but I got tired later when I laid down on the bed.”
“I’ve been feeling sick since a while ago… I think I should rest today.”
It was really disappointing, but I couldn’t force him to come because it was an understandable reason. There is nothing more shameful than if those children suffer from physical illness because of my greed.
Of course, Rize and Rin could have recovered and come back, but the two kids actively pushed them away, telling them not to waste time on them.
‘It’s good, but…’
I would of course be lying if I said I enjoyed spending time alone with Carl.
But if that joy comes from the pain of two children, it is bound to be bitter. If those children are okay, then I will give in.
“Are you there?”
“Ah, yes, it is over there.”
I quickly came to my senses at the sudden sound of Karl’s voice.
“That’s where I was born.”
Soon, he looked in the direction the knife was pointing and smiled.
The villa of the Katoban Duke family located deep in the park. It was a memorable place where he went to play with his family at least once a month.
When I saw that villa with Carl, my eyes grew hot. Until a few years ago, it was a place where I could reminisce about memories with my family, but now I come here with a new family.
“Then shall we go in? This is where the legend of the magic world began.”
“hehehe, let’s do that.”
I laughed at Carl’s exaggerated words and walked away.
As soon as we entered the villa, Karl locked the door.
“Now you can’t leave here without my permission.”
“Uh, huh?”
With a firm declaration that no objections will be allowed.
The Elf Mage Lord raid begins!