Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 73

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“Did you sleep well, Ronen?”

Ronen, who had been resting his head on the Grand Duke’s arm, sat up and replied.

“Yes. And you, brother?”

“I slept well too.”

“You weren’t uncomfortable because of me, were you?”

“Were you uncomfortable because of me?”

“Oh, no, not at all!”

Ronen shook his head firmly.

The Grand Duke, lying on his side and looking up at him, gently brushed Ronen’s bangs back.

“Neither was I. It was a peaceful, pleasant night.”

Ronen chuckled as he softly pressed the back of his head, feeling as if a weight had been lifted.

“Oh, right. Before I fell asleep, Ed was by my side… Do you think he went off to sleep well? I ended up drifting off before I could even wish him a good night.”

Recalling the face that had nodded off beside him last night, the Grand Duke replied.

“Ed went off to sleep well, so don’t worry. Actually, it was Ed who suggested I sleep by your side, saying it would help prevent nightmares.”

“Really?”

“Yes. And it worked; I slept peacefully without a single bad dream. Do you think I could sleep next to you more often?”

“Really? You didn’t have nightmares and slept deeply because you were with me?”

“Exactly.”

Hearing his response, Ronen’s ears turned bright red.

“It was really nice for me, too, being with you.”

“Then I’ll look forward to it from now on, Ronen.”

“Yes!”

With a cheerful reply, Ronen gave a big smile before adding, “Oh, by the way, I have something to tell you.”

“What does my Ronen want to say to me?”

“Ed always takes such good care of me, so I want to do something nice for him, too.”

As Ronen pondered over what he could do, the Grand Duke watched him with a soft smile.

“That’s a lovely thought, Ronen. So, what do you think would make Ed happy?”

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When Ronen came out to the garden bench with colorful papers, Tens and Jaynon were with him.

“So, Young Master Ronen, you want to decorate outside Ed’s room?”

“Yes, Tens. I want to do something nice for him before he wakes up.”

“Then making paper flowers would be quick and easy… Roses or sunflowers would take too long, though, so how about folding irises?”

“Irises?”

“Yes, we won’t even need to cut the paper; we can make them very quickly.”

As Tens demonstrated how to fold an iris with the colored paper on the bench, Ronen watched attentively.

When Tens finished folding one, Ronen’s eyes grew round with excitement.

“Oh, that’s pretty! You can fold flowers this fast?”

“I’m glad you like it. I’ll show you how to fold them slowly.”

Ronen picked up a red paper, and as Tens folded a yellow paper in half, Ronen followed his movements carefully, his small but nimble hands steadily working on the flower.

“Couldn’t we make a bouquet with real flowers instead?”

Understanding Ronen’s eagerness to complete the decorations before Ed woke, Jaynon picked up a sky-blue paper and joined in beside Tens.

“That would be nice, but I don’t think we’re allowed to use the palace flowers casually.”

Watching Tens fold the paper over again, Ronen replied, and Jaynon, recalling a strict head attendant who always praised the emperor, folded his paper in silence.

“Then how about putting the paper flowers in a vase along the hallway? That way, Ed will see the flowers you folded as soon as he steps out.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea, Tens. I was thinking of making a wreath to hang on the door, but your idea sounds even better.”

“Adding small candles beside the flowers could be nice, too. The light would make the paper flowers look even more vibrant.”

“Yes, yes, let’s do that, Jaynon.”

After a while, the crisp sound of folding paper filled the space as a pile of paper flowers quickly accumulated.

As Tens gathered the flowers, he suggested, “If we only use irises, it might look too plain. Would you like to fold some roses too? It’ll take a little longer, though.”

“Aren’t roses too difficult?”

“If they are, we can try another flower. I’ll make stems for them to attach to.”

With a slight roll of his sleeve, Tens picked up pink paper and began folding a rose, while Jaynon carefully curled the paper edges with his fingers.

“It’s been a long time, so I might be a bit rusty, but let’s see.”

As a rose started to take shape in Tens’ concentrated hands, Ronen watched with admiration.

“That’s amazing! How do you know how to make all these, Tens?”

“I’ve always been good at anything that involves using my hands. I actually met the Grand Duke because I got caught… while pickpocketing.”

Grinning at Ronen’s praise, Tens stopped, realizing the sudden silence, and looked around sheepishly.

Jaynon clicked his tongue, while Ronen, wide-eyed, averted his gaze, fiddling with a blue piece of paper.

Shrugging his shoulders, Tens continued, “Anyway, that’s how I met His Grace, changed my ways, and began living a more honest life. Now, shall we try folding some roses, Young Master Ronen?”

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Ed woke to the soft rustling sounds and voices outside his door.

“Young Master Ronen, should we place the paper flowers and candles about this far apart?”

“Oh, that seems just right.”

“Then should I place this candle here?”

“Yes, Asnel. The red candle would look nice beside the blue rose!”

“Hey, Jaynon! I said don’t light it yet!”

“Oh, come on, Tens, you’re no fun. You need to light it early to set the mood. The candle burns down just enough to not go out.”

Sitting up in bed and rubbing his eyes, Ed thought groggily.

‘What’s all this noise?’

Clearly, something was happening outside.

Sensing the activity, Ed quickly got out of bed and approached the door, reaching for the handle.

“Huh?”

As he opened the door, he froze, seeing a path of paper flowers and brightly lit candles stretching along the hallway floor.

“What… is all this?”

Mumbling in surprise, Ed looked up as Ronen quickly approached.

“Oh! Ed, you’re not supposed to come out yet!”

“What is all this, Young Master Ronen?”

“What else? It’s a flower path for you. You’ve always mentioned wanting to walk down a path of flowers, right?”

Hearing their exchange, Jaynon stepped forward, nudging Ed back inside.

“So go back in, and when we knock, you can come out.”

Feeling Jaynon’s insistent prodding, Ed thought for a moment as he reluctantly returned to his room.

‘It looks like everyone teamed up to make this special for Ronen.’

Settling back into his room, Ed listened to the muffled conversation outside.

“I didn’t expect Ed to wake up this early.”

“It would’ve been better if you’d tied the door handle with a string to keep it from opening.”

“That’s illegal, you know, Jainon.”

“You’re too soft-hearted, Young Master Ronen. Sometimes, you have to sacrifice a small thing for the greater good.”

“Jainon, the candles over there have all gone out. Go and light them again.”

“Oh! Why did they all go out? Understood, Your Grace!”

Hearing their conversation in low voices, Ed sat on the bed, thinking he might need a bit more time.

He had been worried that Ronen might still be feeling down about what happened yesterday, but seeing him in good spirits was a relief.

The Duke also looked well, and Ed let out a small sigh of relief.

Then, as if everything was finally ready outside, there was a soft knock on the door.

Ed couldn’t help but smile and went out with a bright expression.

“Did you sleep well, Ed?”

Neatly folded paper flowers lay in a small vase on the floor, and beside them, a gently flickering candle lit up the hallway.

“Yes, I slept very well. Did you also have a restful night, Young Master Ronen?”

Ronen nodded in response.

“Yes, it was nice to sleep with Asnel. Thanks to you, Ed.”

Ed met Ronen’s gaze and gave a faint smile.

“I’m truly glad you had a good rest.”

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