Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 74

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As he raised his head slightly, the Grand Duke looked at Ed and spoke.

“Shall we go for a meal now?”

“Yes!”

With Ronen’s cheerful response, a lively day began.

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Throughout the hunting festival, the Grand Duke spent a lot of time with Ronen.

By day, they strolled through the imperial garden, conversing, and by night, he stayed by Ronen’s side to soothe his mind.

After the festival ended, they went together to greet the Emperor back at the palace.

The Emperor, seeing how close the Grand Duke and Ronen seemed, commented with a smile.

“Considering you didn’t even participate in the festival to avoid worrying me, you’re looking quite well-rested.”

The Grand Duke, observing the Emperor as he removed his hunting garb with the help of his chamberlain, responded, “It’s all thanks to Your Majesty’s thoughtful concern.”

The Emperor glanced at the Grand Duke through the screen, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“It’s a relief that you’re well. Then I trust I can get back to unfinished business. Both of you should join the banquet tonight in celebration of the hunt.”

He narrowed his eyes slightly, adding, “And don’t evade it this time, Asnel Grand Duke.”

Ronen glanced at himself in the full-length mirror, tilting his head.

He had changed into attire for the palace banquet, which felt both stylish and a bit unfamiliar compared to his usual clothes.

With his bangs brushed back, his face looked starkly exposed under the bright lights, making him feel a bit odd.

After staring in the mirror for a while, he turned away.

“Ed, do I look strange?”

Ed, who was adjusting Ronen’s collar, straightened up.

“Why, sir? Does the outfit not fit well?”

The outfit had been custom-made for him to wear to the palace banquet.

Ed inspected it, wondering if Ronen found it uncomfortable or ill-fitting.

Ronen shook his head firmly.

“No, it’s not that. I just wondered if it suits me.”

When Ed looked up, Ronen was awkwardly fidgeting with his bangs.

Ed took a step back from Ronen, examining him.

“Sir, even from here, you look splendid.”

He took another step back, adding with a smile, “From here, too—you look truly remarkable.”

Ronen chuckled, looking down, seemingly pleased yet a bit bashful.

“Ed, I feel like you’re just saying nice things.”

“Not at all. Dressed like this, you look so captivating, I hardly know where to look.”

Ronen’s face showed a hint of concern as he puffed out his cheek slightly, despite Ed’s continued praise.

Then, as if seeking confirmation, he asked again.

“We’re really going to the banquet together, right?”

Ed, recalling how Ronen had eagerly expressed his wish to attend the banquet with the Grand Duke several times since morning, replied with confidence.

“Yes, absolutely.”

At that, Ronen beamed. Just then, a soft knock sounded on the door.

“Yes?”

Ronen answered, and the door opened to reveal the Grand Duke entering the room.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, Brother.”

“My dear brother shines brightly every day, but today you’re especially radiant.”

With a gentle smile, the Grand Duke’s comment made Ronen look up at him, tilting his head slightly.

“Brother, hearing you say that makes me feel strange.”

“Strange? In what way?”

“To me, you seem to be shining even more.”

“I was worried about whether my outfit suited me, but hearing that from you puts me at ease.”

With that, the Grand Duke brushed Ronen’s hair back, and Ronen scratched his forehead, tapping the floor lightly with the toe of his shoe.

The Grand Duke, looking down at him, took Ronen’s hand.

“Shall we go, Ronen?”

Ronen clasped his hand in return, nodding.

“Yes, Brother.”

“Ah, hold on for a moment.”

Releasing Ronen’s hand, the Grand Duke turned, approaching Ed, who had quietly stepped back during their conversation.

Ed blinked in surprise as the Grand Duke reached out, his eyes widening at the sudden approach, only to find the Grand Duke gently straightening the collar of his shirt, smoothing out any creases.

His touch was, as always, precise and gentle.

“Ed, you look great no matter what you wear.”

“I think so too, Asnel.”

Ed let out a small, awkward laugh at their exchange and then spoke.

“Before we attend the banquet, weren’t we supposed to tour around the area near the palace? We should get going. Your Grace, Sir Ronen.”

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The banquet venue at the palace was the grand hall.

Having left slightly early, they took the time to tour the surrounding area.

‘Perhaps to help ease Ronen’s nerves,’ Ed thought, glancing at Ronen seated across from him in the carriage.

Inside, as the carriage trotted along slowly, Ronen sat upright to keep his clothes unwrinkled, occasionally resting his hand on the window ledge as he looked outside.

Through the window, he saw lively streets bustling with people and neatly maintained village walls.

As a cool evening breeze drifted in, Ronen took a deep breath, calming his mind as he grew increasingly nervous.

“Ronen, shall we take one more round?”

The Grand Duke asked, watching him closely.

Ronen, who had been looking outside, turned to face him, seeing both the Grand Duke and Ed observing him with quiet concern.

“No, it’s alright. I think we should return to the palace now for the banquet.”

The Grand Duke gently brushed back Ronen’s wind-tossed hair, nodding.

“Then we’ll make our way back to the palace slowly.”

At his words, Tens slowed the carriage’s pace.

Once the carriage arrived at the entrance of the banquet hall, the Grand Duke rose first, stepping down before reaching out to help Ronen hop down after him.

“Ed, come here.”

The Grand Duke called out to Ed, who, after double-checking that nothing had been left behind in the carriage, moved to stand beside him.

Ronen, who had been standing beside the Grand Duke, tugged at Ed’s sleeve.

When Ed looked down, Ronen looked up at him and said softly, “You need to stick close to us, Ed. If you stay too far back, people might think you’re a noble from some other house because you look so distinguished.”

Ed knew no one would think that, yet he understood Ronen’s nervousness.

So, without a word, he moved closely behind Ronen as they ascended the steps.

“Take care of His Grace and Sir Ronen,” one of the attendants said, bowing.

Ed simply nodded, quickening his pace to keep up.

“His Grace, Grand Duke Asnel Linden, and Young Master Ronen Linden have arrived!”

As they stepped onto the red carpet at the entrance, the announcer’s voice echoed through the hall.

The guests’ attention shifted toward the entry.

Inside, many nobles were already present, though the banquet hadn’t officially begun, as the Emperor had yet to arrive.

‘He’ll probably enter in time to give a speech,’ Ed thought, glancing around the hall as they moved forward with the Grand Duke.

A servant holding a tray offered champagne, saying, “Your Grace, would you like some champagne?”

The Grand Duke waved the servant off with a gentle gesture before asking, “Do you have any refreshing non-alcoholic beverages?”

“Oh, yes, we do. Here it is.”

The duke took the drink offered by the attendant and handed it to Ronen.

Ronen, seemingly parched, quickly drank it all in one go.

At that moment, Zollen, the deputy chamberlain, who had been busily moving around the banquet hall, noticed the duke and approached him swiftly.

“Your Grace, I was worried when you didn’t attend the hunting festival and left early, but I’m relieved to see you here at the banquet.”

“Indeed, Deputy chamberlain. I’m pleased to see you again as well.”

The duke greeted the deputy chamberlain and gave Ronen a gentle pat on the back.

With his head bowed, Ed quietly pondered.

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