Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 127

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“This place is crowded, so it might be better if we hold hands. What do you think, Ed?”

Ed, still held in the duke’s embrace, froze, unable to respond.

The duke’s scent overwhelmed his senses, and his mind went blank for a moment.

The bustling noise of the street seemed to vanish instantly. Ed’s red eyes, shaded by the brim of his hat, met the duke’s gaze.

He forgot to blink and quickly looked away.

Usually, he could respond or react promptly, but in this situation, he was left speechless and flustered.

Turning his head awkwardly, Ed scanned the surroundings, trying to say something.

But all that escaped his slightly parted lips were faint breaths.

“Ed, hold my hand tightly.”

The duke took Ed’s hand to steady him.

Ed felt a slight tremor at his fingertips from the warmth of the duke’s touch.

‘I’ve held His Grace’s hand more than once… Why am I like this all of a sudden?’

His heart pounded so loudly that Ed took a deep breath to calm it down.

The duke chuckled softly, seemingly tickled by Ed’s fidgeting, and lifted the brim of his hat with his fingertips.

“There are so many people in this alley.”

“It’s probably because there’s a lot of street food here.”

This time, Ed caught what the duke said and looked around.

The night market was livelier and twice as crowded as it had been during the day.

“Let’s head this way, Ed.”

Ed followed the duke, who walked towards a less crowded area, but something caught his eye.

“Oh? Your Grace, I think this is the street of painters!”

Paintings hung at regular intervals along the walls of a quiet alley, almost like an open exhibition.

Ed slowed his steps, fascinated.

“There don’t seem to be too many people here. Shall we take a look? You seem interested in art.”

Embarrassed, Ed nodded.

He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the array of portraits and landscapes.

“I don’t know much about art, but something about these paintings keeps drawing my gaze. I wonder if someone looking at my portrait would feel the same way.”

As Ed murmured, absorbed in the paintings, the duke stayed silent, not wanting to disrupt his thoughts.

‘Is it because each painting carries the artist’s emotions or thoughts?’

The different atmospheres in each piece captivated Ed.

‘It seems the painters further inside will create custom portraits, but His Grace probably won’t be interested. He’s had portraits done often enough at the castle. Maybe we should stick to the plan and go see the play…’

Lost in thought, Ed didn’t realize the duke was gently squeezing his hand.

“Shall we go a bit further in?”

As they ventured deeper, nearing the outskirts of town, painters leisurely worked, brushing strokes for couples and families enjoying the night market.

‘…What a beautiful sight.’

Under the soft glow of magical lamps, the scene felt serene.

Ed observed everything with relaxed eyes until he felt warmth on his shoulder.

The duke was draping a robe over Ed and fastening the buckle.

“I’d like to commemorate this outing with a portrait. What do you think, Ed?”

Slightly startled that his feelings seemed exposed again, Ed quickly nodded, his excitement showing.

“I’d like that too. It would be a nice memory.”

“Then let’s see which painter to ask…”

At that moment, Ed’s eyes landed on a portrait beside a painter.

It depicted a family, and the warmth in the art stirred something in his heart.

The duke followed Ed’s gaze and, without a word, led him to the painter.

“If you’re still taking requests, could you draw a portrait of the two of us?”

“Of course. Together in one portrait?”

The duke held up their clasped hands.

“Yes, a portrait of us together—and two copies, please.”

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The return to the northern castle felt leisurely, unlike the trip out.

“Ed, since it’s a rare day off, shall we walk back instead of riding?”

Ed, secretly glad for more time with the duke, eagerly agreed.

Thanks to the magical lamp glowing on Joey’s saddle, the dark path was as bright as day.

Ed glanced at the duke walking slightly ahead, then took out the carefully held portrait.

Despite having to pose repeatedly, the portrait had turned out beautifully.

‘Does His Grace always look at me like this?’

Unlike his stiff, forward-facing self, the duke in the portrait was gazing at Ed.

Heat rose to Ed’s cheeks. He quickly rolled up the portrait and tucked it away.

When he looked up, he was surprised to find the duke had stopped and was smiling at him—the exact same smile from the portrait.

Blushing, Ed shook his head and hurried over.

“Sorry. I was worried the portrait might not have dried.”

“I had it treated to prevent damage. Even if something happens to it, I wouldn’t mind having another one done…”

The duke trailed off, and Ed, puzzled, watched him.

When the duke started walking again, Ed walked closely by his side.

As they neared the northern castle, the duke finally spoke again, his voice soft and faint.

“Shall we go out like this again sometime?”

Ed looked up, relieved to see the duke’s usual expression.

‘I’m glad His Grace enjoyed our time together…’

“Yes! Whenever you wish, I’ll go with you.”

The duke’s gentle smile in response made Ed feel brave enough to speak his mind.

“Then, when your herbal research is complete, will you grant me one request?”

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When Ed opened his eyes in the morning, he entered the bathroom and washed his face.

As he looked into the mirror, his face began to flush again, and he splashed cold water on it.

The more he thought about it, the more embarrassed he felt.

‘I grabbed His Grace’s hand without thinking, acted dazed when I was in his arms… And even though I enjoyed the relaxed mood on the way back, asking him to grant me a favor when the herb research is complete?’

Like a child asking for a reward after doing well on a test… He’d never done anything like that, being an orphan, yet he dared to ask that of His Grace.

Feeling he might’ve been too clingy with the Grand Duke, Ed let out a groan and turned the cold water on higher.

At the same time, the Grand Duke was in his office, sipping tea and recalling their night outing.

It was an unplanned excursion, but peaceful and precious nonetheless.

As he drank the steaming tea, he leaned deeply against the back of his chair.

“Your Highness, when the herb research is complete, would you grant me just one favor?”

Ed’s face, smiling softly as he said that, hovered in the Grand Duke’s mind.

“What kind of favor?”

When the Grand Duke asked, Ed tilted his head, replying, “Can I tell you then?”

Hearing his voice, filled with a playful charm like a spring breeze, made the Grand Duke’s heart tickle.

‘It feels like soft, round raindrops tapping gently on my heart… like my long-parched heart is finally being refreshed.’

Whenever he was with Ed, he felt that way.

Taking a portrait from his pocket, the Grand Duke smiled gently at Ed’s rigid stance, despite the painter’s numerous attempts to relax him.

After cooling his face with cold water, Ed went down to the dining hall and sipped his coffee.

‘Maybe because I spent all day having fun yesterday, I feel a bit worn out.’

Whether it was the aftereffect of yesterday’s events, his body still felt languid and his mind foggy.

As his eyes began to droop, Ed quickly shook his head and pulled out his notebook.

“Ed!”

Just as he focused on his notebook, he heard the pitter-patter of small footsteps approaching.

A chair scraped back, followed by a familiar voice.

It was Ronen.

Behind him, Jaynon and Tens entered the dining hall, as bright and cheerful as always.

“We’re going to the market we missed yesterday. Want to come along?”

Ronen leaned forward, glancing at Ed’s notebook, and got to the point.

“You went out yesterday too. Aren’t you tired?”

“Yeah, Jaynon and Tens are a bit tired, but I’m fine!”

‘I already have plans today…’

Feeling guilty toward Ronen, who waited expectantly, Ed scratched his forehead.

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