Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 89

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‘I’m sure they said they were making samples… but why do they keep ending up in my room?’

Just that morning, the tailor had brought in more clothes, and Ed had to pacify him when he looked disheartened, fearing Ed didn’t like them.

Of course, there was no way he disliked them.

They were clothes the duke, Ronan, and the tailor had all put their heads together to create.

In fact, he liked them too much to the point he couldn’t imagine actually wearing them.

‘Besides, they don’t even match my status.’

Just then, he heard a knock on the door.

“Yes?”

When Ed opened it, Tens stood there, stifling a yawn.

“Ed, are you ready?”

“Tens, you look exhausted.”

“Oh, I was up late playing a game with Jeynun.”

“If Sir Eretel saw you, you’d definitely get scolded.”

“Ugh, Ed, why do you have to say something so scary?”

Ed chuckled softly as Tens spun around dramatically.

Today, rather than studying clothing styles, they were going out to learn about the northern specialties and foods popular with the locals.

Tens had volunteered to drive the carriage and act as a guide.

“Alright, let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Following behind Tens, Ed pondered to himself.

‘It seems like the duke takes much more care of me than he needs to… He’s got so much work, and here I am making him go out of his way.’

“Hm, Ed. If you’re upset, why not just say it?”

As Ed stood by the carriage with Tens, waiting for the duke and Ronan, he suddenly realized he had been tapping what he thought was the carriage wall – but was actually Tens’ back.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“You were thumping my back like a training dummy. If I did something wrong, just tell me – I’ll try to do better.”

Though he was teasing, Ed quickly apologized.

“I was just a bit lost in thought. I’m sorry.”

“Well, seeing as I beat Jeynun at our game last night, I’m in a good mood. I’ll let it slide.”

Grinning, Tens tipped his head toward the mansion.

“Look, the duke and Master Ronan are coming.”

From afar, a voice called out, “Ed!” and Ronan came running over.

“Hello, Master Ronan,” Ed and Tens greeted him with smiles.

“Hi, Tens. Hi, Ed.”

“Yes, Master Ronan.”

“Oh, Ed! You’re wearing the outfit you had tailored recently. You look amazing!”

Ronan circled around Ed, admiring him, and Ed returned the compliment.

“Thank you, sir. You look wonderful as well.”

“And how about me?”

Hearing the voice, Ed looked up, breaking his gaze from Ronan’s.

The duke, in a light blue coat, was approaching the carriage.

The spring breeze lifted the hem of his coat, and Ed found himself holding his breath without realizing it.

“Well, Ed? What do you think?”

The duke tilted his chin slightly, waiting, so Ed, hiding his stirred feelings, smiled playfully.

“You’re just a little bit more impressive than Master Ronan.”

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The carriage arrived at a small restaurant nestled at the foot of a high mountain.

As they entered, the middle-aged owners warmly greeted the duke.

“Ah, Your Grace. It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it has. Have you been well?”

“Thanks to your grace, we’ve been doing very well.”

As the couple chatted with the duke, their eyes met Ronan’s.

“Hello, young Master Ronan.”

“Ah, yes.”

Ronan, lightly clutching the edge of the duke’s coat, gazed up at the couple and then shyly ducked behind the duke. They couldn’t seem to take their eyes off him, touched by his demeanor.

“They used to be knights of the Northern Order,” the duke explained to Ronan.

“They defended the castle whenever the territory was in danger. You don’t remember, but you were quite attached to them as a child.”

At this, Ronan, seeming to recall a vague memory, looked at the couple with new interest.

They beamed as they spoke to him.

“It’s truly wonderful to see you again, young master.”

“We missed you very much.”

“Yes… I missed you too…”

As Ronan’s cheeks flushed with a soft smile, the couple squeezed each other’s hands in happiness.

“Tens, have you been well?”

When the wife finally tore her gaze from Ronan, Tens jokingly grumbled.

“So you’re only noticing me now, former captain?”

“It’s a miracle I noticed you at all, you rascal.”

As Tens laughed and made his way to a table, Ed, who had been quietly standing behind him, finally came into view.

The couple looked curiously at the unfamiliar face, and the husband, showing him a seat, asked,

“We haven’t met before. Are you the one who helped young Master Ronan return?”

“Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Ed.”

“Oh! It’s you.”

When Ed’s cheeks flushed under their warm greeting, the duke leaned in and added a little more to the story.

“Yes, he’s the one who helped bring Ronan back, making sure my brother was never lonely or struggling. And now…”

The duke’s words trailed off as everyone waited, intrigued. Smiling, he placed a hand on Ed’s shoulder.

“He’s become someone truly precious to both of us.”

“Then please wait a moment, Your Grace. The food will be out shortly.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Ed had wondered, just before the food was served, if the Grand Duke was once again using the promise of a delicious meal as a ruse to bring him and Ronen here.

But that doubt quickly faded as dish after dish was presented.

First came a fragrant bread made from potatoes, followed by juice of crushed raspberries sweetened with honey from northern wildflowers.

Then, a potato salad mixed with mayonnaise was served, showcasing the distinct, renowned flavor of the northern potatoes, which were larger and more flavorful than those from other regions.

“Ed, why aren’t you eating? Are you not hungry?”

Ronen, who had already finished his own serving, asked as he noticed Ed staring blankly at the food.

“Oh, no, it’s nothing.”

Finally picking up his fork, Ed took a cautious bite of the potato salad.

It was indeed made with potatoes he was familiar with, yet the flavor was much richer than what he’d tasted in the capital.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, it’s really delicious.”

The Grand Duke smiled contentedly as he watched Ed.

“As you know, Ed, the climate here in the north is much colder, so it’s not easy to get ingredients like in the capital or the southern regions. Because of that, potatoes have become a staple.”

As the Grand Duke explained, Ed could feel the genuine affection he held for the northern region.

“Hearing Your Grace talk about it makes the food taste even better.”

“In that case, I’ll have to share all I know about the north to keep you impressed.”

Next, a dish of pasta made from potatoes, topped with a generous amount of melted cheese, arrived, radiating warmth.

The Grand Duke explained that this was a traditional winter meal, enjoyed by northern locals to keep warm.

Finally, a pudding made from goat’s milk—a goat native to the north—was served, uniquely adorned with dried flowers on top.

“Hyacinth is a flower known for its resilience to the cold; it’s a symbol of protection in the north. Its fragrance is so beloved that it’s used in perfume, and its oil is even edible.”

The Grand Duke picked up the hyacinth flower from the plate and handed it to Ed.

Ed gazed at the flower, then carefully wrapped it in a handkerchief and placed it in his pocket with care.

The Grand Duke chuckled as he watched, and Ronen followed suit, tucking a flower into his own pocket.

“Thank you for the wonderful meal.”

The innkeepers, who sensed the Grand Duke’s unspoken sentiment behind his simple words, teared up slightly as they saw them off.

The food served today was what the Grand Duke and Ronen’s families had often made for them when they were growing up in the northern castle.

The hyacinth, too, was a favorite flower of the Grand Duke’s mother.

“Take care, Your Grace.”

“I had a wonderful time today. We’ll come again.”

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