* * *
The child wriggled as if ticklish from the soft movements of lips against his palm.
With a faint smile, Ed lifted his head and gazed at the child’s eyes as if enchanted.
“It would’ve been nice if Your Grace could’ve seen this too.”
A deep sense of regret settled within him.
At that moment, a gust of wind swirled around Ed.
He glanced up to survey the surroundings and realized that they had reached their destination.
The dragon was descending slowly toward the ground.
“It must be cold.”
Shielding the child’s head with one hand, Ed held him tightly to his chest, ensuring the little one wouldn’t be startled.
He patted the child’s bottom, exposed just outside the coat, in a soothing manner.
The dragon landed in the snow-covered clearing of the northern castle.
It then lowered its head to make it easier for Ed to dismount, but with both hands protecting the child, dismounting alone proved difficult.
‘Should I step on its head to get down? But what if I trip and fall forward…?’
While he hesitated, the child began to babble.
“Bpu-bpu, bpu-bpu-bpu.”
“Bpu-bpu-bpu?”
The cute, nonsensical words suited the child perfectly.
Tilting his head curiously, Ed imitated the sound, prompting the child’s feet to bounce excitedly.
The side of his coat puffed out and flattened repeatedly with the movement.
“Bpu-bpu.”
The dragon seemed to understand the child’s words, raising its head and curling its tail into a rounded shape.
It was as if the dragon was signaling for them to use its tail to descend.
Ed gently stroked the child’s head.
“Ah, so you’re saying, ‘Use this to get down’? Thanks.”
Following the child’s implied suggestion, Ed slid down the dragon’s tail.
Though the descent was swift, he worried it might frighten the child.
Instead, soft giggles bubbled up from the bundle in his arms.
“Was that fun?”
“Bpuu!”
Surprised by the child’s rounded lips forming an enthusiastic response, Ed looked at him with amazement.
At that moment, the dragon grabbed the back of Ed’s collar with its mouth.
He was lifted into the air, his wide eyes staring ahead, and then gently deposited back onto the dragon’s back.
With a quiet sigh, Ed muttered, “That startled me.”
The dragon playfully wrinkled its snout at him, nudging Ed’s back with its head and gesturing toward its tail again.
The child, unable to hide his excitement, stomped his feet eagerly.
Ed let out another sigh and slid down the dragon’s tail once more.
“Bpuuuu!”
Again and again, the dragon’s antics continued, delighting the child.
Ed, who had spent several cheerful moments spinning and sliding with the child, eventually dusted off his trousers and stood up.
After thanking the dragon for its hard work, he and the child patted its large body.
Ed pointed out the snow-covered surroundings, meeting the child’s curious gaze.
“This is the North, and that over there is the northern castle. The North is a place Your Grace personally cultivated and leads. Where we’re standing now is the backyard of the northern castle. That little shed over there is…”
The child’s eyes sparkled, and he eagerly reached out with his tiny hands to mimic Ed’s gestures, cooing with wonder at every point of interest.
“By the time you’re old enough, much will have changed. Ronen—your uncle—will be running around, preparing to meet you…”
Ed could already picture Ronen busily scurrying about, brimming with excitement over meeting his nephew.
As Ed softly explained, he could sense the child listening intently, even as his tiny feet tapped energetically.
Grasping the small feet in his hands, Ed mused to himself.
‘One day, this child born between His Grace and me will run about these grounds on such tiny feet.’
Perhaps it was a fleeting dream born of his own desires, one that might vanish as quickly as it came.
But for now, Ed chose to savor the moment.
Walking slowly through the backyard of the northern castle, he introduced the child to every place he could see.
Memories of the Grand Duke and him shared here, the house he built with Ronen for Roa, the paths he’d traversed with Jaynon and Tensrang—all of it.
The child attentively turned his head from side to side, engrossed in the explanations. Ed found himself losing track of time as he wandered the familiar paths.
Eventually, the sun dipped low, and snow began to fall.
Shielding the child’s head from the silent flurry, Ed set his sights on the greenhouse in the distance.
As he carefully made his way there, the child extended a tiny hand beyond the coat.
The snowflakes that landed on his palm melted almost instantly.
His cheeks flushed with delight as he laughed at the sight.
“Is it fascinating?”
“Bpuu.”
“Not too cold?”
“Bpuuuu.”
“That’s called snow…”
Ed explained, leading the child to the fogged-up greenhouse for shelter from the cold.
“…Oh?”
A bright smile spread across his face.
Inside the greenhouse, familiar faces awaited—Ronen, the Grand Duke, and the northern retainers.
They welcomed Ed with warm tea, cakes, and cheerful greetings.
“Ed!”
“Why are you so late? We’ve been waiting forever!”
“If you’d been any later, we’d have started without you!”
Smiling softly, Ed patted the child’s bottom.
“I didn’t know you were all gathered here. Leaving us out, that’s just mean, don’t you think?”
“Bpu-bpu!”
The child’s loud agreement had Ed shrugging playfully, only to realize the sound of “bpu-bpu?” repeated faintly in a curious voice.
“…Ah.”
Suddenly, it felt as though he was being pulled from deep waters. His heavy eyelids fluttered open.
The weight he had felt in his arms and the scenery before him had vanished.
Blinking slowly to focus his vision, Ed saw neatly combed black hair and striking red eyes.
“Good morning, Ed. Did you sleep well?”
The familiar voice greeted him, and Ed turned to find the Grand Duke lying beside him.
Slowly, he smiled.
“Yes, I slept well.”
“And?”
“I dreamt of a journey with the child.”
Looking around the warm room lit by the crackling fireplace, Ed took in the sight of the baby dragon curled atop his stomach, the Grand Duke gently brushing back his hair, and the child kicking energetically at his abdomen.
Once, he used to dread opening his eyes, terrified of losing the fleeting warmth of his dreams. But not anymore.
Now, he woke to the Grand Duke’s steady presence and a room filled with life and warmth.
Surely, upon their return to the North, Ronen and the others would greet them with joyous anticipation.
As if sensing his thoughts, the child kicked his stomach again.
‘Don’t forget me either, right? You’ll love me lots too, won’t you, Dad?’
Chuckling, Ed hooked his arm around the Grand Duke’s neck and pulled him close.
“I can’t wait to return to the North. And I want to start preparing everything before the baby arrives.”
A few days after Ed woke up, the Imperial Palace was bustling from the morning, seeing off those who were departing.
It was a stark contrast to when the Grand Duke had entered the palace.
The carriage the Grand Duke was riding in was flanked by guards on both sides, while the supply wagons were filled with gifts prepared by the Imperial family.
The Empress Dowager, who had come as far as the central gate to see them off, gazed calmly at the Grand Duke and Ed as they prepared to set out for the North.
“It would have been nice if you could have stayed a little longer in the palace. You’re leaving in such a hurry.”
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s thoughtful care, our stay here felt as comfortable as if we were in the North. I’m deeply grateful.”
“Your words put my mind at ease. The capital will always be open to you. Whenever the mood strikes, come back anytime. You’ll always be welcomed with open arms.”
“Once everything is settled, I’ll make sure to set aside more time and return. Please, Your Majesty, take care of your health until then and don’t overexert yourself.”
“Thanks to your cooperation, we’ve managed to resolve many of the complicated matters. I’ll handle the remaining issues slowly. Things will likely remain hectic for a while, but I can’t afford to collapse just yet.”
“I pray for the continued glory and blessings of the Empire of Aind.”
“And may the Empire’s blessings also be with you, Grand Duke. By the way…”
The Empress Dowager glanced at Ed, standing beside the Grand Duke, and leaned in slightly, tugging the Grand Duke’s arm to whisper.
“Is there anything I can help with as you prepare for the wedding?”
“You’ve already given us more than enough. If I could request just one thing…”
“What is it, Grand Duke? Please, don’t hesitate to speak freely.”
“When the child in the Grand Duchess’s womb is born, would you be their godmother?”
“Not only that child but all the children of the Grand Duchy—I would gladly be their godmother as long as I live.”
The Empress Dowager smiled gently before turning her gaze to Ed.
Her bright blue eyes briefly scanned the line of guards before meeting his.
Ed dipped his head slightly in greeting.
“Take care, Grand Duchess. If the Grand Duke ever causes you trouble, think of the palace as your family home and come back anytime. I’ll make sure he can’t even come near you.”
Hearing the term “Grand Duchess” from someone else still felt a bit strange, and Ed offered an awkward smile.
His soft gaze, framed by his crescent-shaped eyes, conveyed warmth.
“Your Majesty, thank you so much for your care during our stay. Please stay healthy, and the next time we visit, I’ll make sure to bring good news.”
* * *
