Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 113

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“I’ll carry it, Ed.”

The Duke, who had appeared before Ed realized, took the bag from his hands.

Even though it was just a fleeting touch as their palms brushed, a searing sensation spread across Ed’s hand as if fire had scorched it.

Ed stared blankly at his hand, rubbing it absentmindedly before belatedly expressing his gratitude.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“The roads get treacherous after sundown, so let’s hurry to the carriage, Ed.”

“Yes.”

Following the Duke, Ed boarded the carriage and took a seat beside Ronen, who was playing with Roa.

“All right, we’re off!”

With a shout from Tens outside, Ronen opened the carriage window, letting the fox peer out as well.

“Look, Roa! The wind feels so nice, doesn’t it?”

Kang kang.

Ronen, who had been enjoying the breeze with the fox in his arms, eventually grew quiet.

He had dozed off, seemingly exhausted.

Ed gently adjusted Ronen’s head to rest on a cushion and wrapped him in a blanket.

“Shh, Roa,” he whispered, meeting the fox’s gaze.

Ed reached out to pick up the small fox wriggling in Ronen’s arms, but the Duke was faster.

The Duke scooped Roa up by the belly and placed him on his own lap.

Ed smiled faintly, thinking, ‘The Duke must find Roa adorable too.’

However, the Duke’s thoughts were elsewhere as he watched Ed, whose eyelids were half-closed from exhaustion.

‘Ed hasn’t had proper rest these past few days. It’s best to let him relax in the carriage.’

The Duke wasn’t wrong.

As Ronen leaned against Ed, the latter’s head eventually nodded forward, and before long, the two were dozing with their heads lightly touching.

Seeing them asleep, the Duke quietly closed the carriage window.

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The Northern Fortress was bustling when they arrived just before twilight.

As the carriage pulled up, attendants quickly moved to greet the Duke.

“Was your journey tiring, Your Grace?”

Ed, who had been fast asleep, woke as soon as they reached the fortress gates.

The Duke watched silently as Ed’s sleepy eyes sharpened with awareness, before belatedly responding to the steward’s inquiry.

“…No, it was fine.”

The Duke handed Roa to Ed, who was preparing to tend to Ronen, then carefully carried the still-sleeping Ronen himself.

“Ed, give Roa to Sena and ask her to bathe him.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Following the Duke out of the carriage, Ed answered briskly.

The Duke exchanged a brief conversation with the steward regarding the evening banquet while Ed passed Roa to Sena and then followed them inside.

“Steward, see to it as discussed. Ed, get some light exercise, then join us in the grand hall.”

“Understood.”

Ed quickly went to his room, washed up, and changed into fresh clothes.

‘I must’ve fallen asleep at some point,’ he thought as he briskly dried his damp hair with a towel before heading to the banquet.

“Ah, Ed!”

“Did your tasks go well?”

The grand hall, glittering under a large chandelier, was abuzz with activity.

Several people greeted Ed as he entered.

“Yes, I just arrived and came straight down.”

Ed responded as he approached one of the tables to assist Sena in setting up.

“Thanks for helping, Ed.”

“It’s easier when we work together during busy times.”

Sena smiled softly at Ed’s reply.

“By the way, what’s with the fox?”

“Master Ronen decided to keep him. Was it difficult bathing him?”

“He didn’t seem to like water, but once I explained that he needed to stay clean here, he cooperated. He even drooped his ears—it was adorable.”

Smiling at the thought, Ed explained how they had found Roa as he continued helping Sena.

“Quite the serendipitous encounter,” she remarked, nodding lightly.

After arranging the dishes, Ed moved on to place vases and candlesticks in the center of the tables.

He glanced around.

“Doesn’t the vase seem a bit sparse?”

“Perhaps, but instead of adding more decor, we should focus on providing guests with additional refreshments and food.”

“Really?”

As Ed explained his reasoning, he suddenly turned, sensing a prickling at the back of his neck.

His gaze landed on the Duke, standing at the entrance and watching him intently.

“Ed.”

“Y-Yes!”

At the Duke’s call, Ed quickly approached.

‘Does he have urgent instructions?’

The Duke left the grand hall without a word, and Ed followed.

They stopped in a quiet hallway some distance away.

‘Why bring me here?’

Ed scanned their surroundings, confused, when suddenly a warm hand landed on his head. His body froze.

“Your hair’s still damp, Ed. There was no need to rush out like this.”

The Duke’s low voice and the gentle way he tousled Ed’s hair sent a strange tension coursing through him.

Ed blinked, stunned.

The warmth of the Duke’s touch seemed to make his ears burn.

Cool hallway drafts offered some relief; otherwise, he felt his face might’ve been on fire.

“Did someone pressure you to hurry outside?”

Ed averted his gaze slightly.

“…No, Your Grace.”

The Duke’s sharp eyes softened but still held a protective edge.

“The fortress is heated now, but winter’s coming. Even we Northerners can fall ill in this weather.”

The Duke retrieved a towel from nearby and began gently drying Ed’s hair.

“From now on, don’t step outside until your hair is completely dry. That’s an order.”

“Huh?”

Ed chuckled softly at the Duke’s concern.

“This isn’t a joke. If you disobey, I’ll have to start issuing punishments.”

“Punishments?”

When Ed met the Duke’s gaze, his head tilted slightly.

‘Why do I feel uneasy seeing Ed fit in so well here? Strangely, I was more at peace when he was back at the Count’s estate.’

Flustered by the Duke’s heated gaze, Ed smiled playfully and quipped, “If I obey, will there be rewards too?”

“Rewards?”

“Yes, Your Grace. If I know there’s a reward, I’ll be more diligent.”

The Duke chuckled softly. “You’re right. Rewards are only fair, after all.”

“Well, it’s not mandatory, but it wouldn’t hurt,” Ed said, laughing.

“You’re right, Ed. If you continue to follow my instructions carefully, I’ll make sure to reward you with a small gift.”

The duke, observing Ed’s silent yet sly smile at the mention of a gift, exhaled softly, his gaze lingering on him.

‘…I wish things could stay like this for a bit longer.’

Just then, footsteps approached from behind the duke.

When he turned, Irtel greeted him with a slight bow.

“The High Priest has arrived at the northern castle.”

“Understood. Make preparations; I’ll head out shortly.”

The duke gave a curt reply before placing a towel on Ed’s head, speaking softly as his lips brushed the younger man’s forehead.

“The relief team will be arriving at the reception room soon. Stay here and keep the fireplace burning until they get here.”

“Yes.”

Ed replied quietly, almost like a sigh, to the duke’s voice coming from right above him.

“Also, make sure the snacks and tea are of good quality and that there’s enough of them. It wouldn’t hurt for you to taste them yourself.”

“Ah… understood.”

Ed was only able to join the banquet hall after sampling all the refreshments in the cozy reception room.

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