Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 49

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The first destination of the carriage ride was a small southern city called Illa.

Illa, known as the City of Winds, had a mild climate year-round, with a gentle breeze that constantly swept through.

As they passed a signpost indicating that Illa wasn’t far, the fresh scent of grass, the earthy smell of trees, and the fragrance of flowers filled the open window of the carriage.

The air was so fragrant and crisp it almost stung their noses.

Lively voices could be heard from all directions.

“Hey, isn’t that banner hanging too far to one side?”

“No way! It’s just swaying because of the wind, but it’s centered perfectly!”

“Why don’t we add more raspberry jam to the sandwiches we’re making this time? The last ones were sweet and tasty, but they lacked a bit of tartness.”

“Then how about adding a little lemon honey?”

“Oh, that sounds great!”

Illa seemed to be buzzing with preparations for a festival that was starting that evening.

Jaynon had mentioned that Illa holds a festival around this time every year to celebrate the birth of ‘Muz,’ the herald of spring, and to pray for a safe and prosperous year ahead.

The festival would last a week.

Ronen pressed himself against the carriage window, watching the bustling and lively scene outside.

Everywhere people moved out of the way as the carriage passed, only to quickly gather again, full of energy and joy.

The carriage soon left the busy streets preparing for the festival and turned onto a quieter path.

Even here, the festival’s excitement lingered, with gold and silver paper decorations strung between the trees.

The papers fluttered in the wind, reflecting sunlight and sparkling.

The procession of horses and carriages stopped in front of a large estate. A steward emerged from within, bowing deeply as he guided the horses and carriage through the heavy iron gates.

As the carriage entered the well-maintained garden, the Grand Duke disembarked, and the estate’s servants, lined up at the entrance, bowed to welcome him.

An elderly man among them stepped forward and greeted the Grand Duke.

“Your Highness, I hope the long journey hasn’t been too taxing?”

“I hope we haven’t disturbed your rest and enjoyment of the festival with all this commotion, steward.”

“Not at all, Your Highness. It’s an honor to host you at Duke Jade’s estate. We will do our utmost to ensure your stay is comfortable.”

“I see. Thank you.”

“If there is nothing else you require, shall we begin preparing the meal, Your Highness?”

The Grand Duke glanced at the horses and carriages in the garden and replied.

“Yes, let’s start with the meal. I appreciate the attention. Please convey my thanks to Duke Jade for his hospitality.”

“It’s our pleasure. The Duke mentioned you should think nothing of it, Your Highness. There is a resting area prepared inside. Please, unpack your things and rest, and we will bring the meal to your room shortly.”

With a nod from the Grand Duke, Jaynon and Irtel gave instructions to the knights who had dismounted from the horses and carriages.

The group that had traveled to Illa would soon split, with one team heading to the capital and another to the north.

After confirming the arrangements, Jaynon approached Ed and Sena and handed them their room keys.

“Ed, you’ll be staying in the third room on the second floor. Erin and Sena, you’ll take the fifth room. Erin’s siblings can stay in the room next to yours. If you need anything, just let me know.”

“Got it, Jaynon.”

“Understood.”

“Erin’s with her siblings in the restroom, so Sena, let me know when she gets back to her room. Oh, and if you get hungry, we can give you some milk and cheese while you wait for dinner, which will be in about 30 minutes.”

“Got it.”

“Understood.”

With their responses, Jaynon clapped his hands once.

“Alright, then. Let’s all go to our rooms and rest. See you later.”

Ed gathered his luggage and entered the estate.

The ground floor was a large hall with towering ceilings.

He paused for a moment, looking up at the expansive space, then turned his gaze toward the wide windows.

Bright sunlight poured in, and through the windows, the neatly arranged gardens were visible at a glance.

‘Gio would’ve been dazzled by this sight.’

Smiling faintly, Ed continued walking.

As he climbed the stairs, the soft carpet cushioned his shoes.

Reaching his room, he opened the door and stepped inside. It was a small, cozy room.

Placing his luggage on the floor, Ed sat on the edge of the bed, feeling his body grow limp with exhaustion.

When he let himself fall backward, the soft mattress gently supported his back.

His legs dangled over the side of the bed as he lightly swung them before stopping.

‘I don’t want to dirty the sheets.’

Kicking off his shoes, Ed wiggled his toes, feeling the cool air on his feet, and smiled slightly before turning his gaze.

His eyes followed the elegant curves of the bedposts up to the neatly arranged canopy above.

He could feel his consciousness starting to fade.

‘I guess I really was tired.’

He had been tense the entire time, sitting across from the Grand Duke in the carriage.

Although he had slept well enough in the carriage, blaming the Grand Duke for his current exhaustion felt a bit unfair.

Now that he was alone, his body immediately signaled that it was time to relax.

His posture, which had been stiff and upright, was finally starting to catch up with him.

Ed covered his eyes with his arm and closed them.

‘Just a short nap…’

“Huh?”

When Ed opened his eyes again, he realized it was the time when the sun had set, and the moon had risen.

The room was dark, and the canopy draped over the bed was now hanging down on both sides.

Yawning softly while staring blankly at the bedpost, Ed suddenly sat up.

The mattress, which had been gently supporting his body, lightly shook from the movement.

Ed blinked in confusion.

“What the…?”

He had clearly fallen asleep without properly lying down, just leaning his back against the bed, yet now he found himself tucked in neatly, with the blanket pulled up to his neck.

Ed pulled back the canopy and tidied it up before raising it back onto the bed’s roof.

He glanced around the room.

He felt fully rested, his mind clear, and his body, which had felt heavy earlier, now felt light.

The shoes he had carelessly kicked off onto the floor were neatly placed under the bed.

“Who could’ve done all this for me?”

On the round table in the room, a variety of foods were laid out along with a drink.

A small pot containing warm stew was placed atop a lightly flickering candle.

A milk bottle, still coated in cool condensation, sat beside a cup of warm tea.

Scratching his head, Ed sat down and took a sip of the warm soup.

As he felt the warmth spreading through his belly, he dipped a piece of soft bread into the stew and ate it.

As food filled his stomach, he realized how hungry he had been, something he hadn’t noticed while asleep.

After quenching his thirst with the perfectly warm tea, Ed slowly savored each dish laid out on the table.

‘Ah, I’m full.’

Having eaten to his heart’s content, Ed patted his full stomach and slumped deeply into the chair.

His full belly made his body feel heavy, and his mind began to grow hazy.

‘How long has it been since I woke up?’

Realizing he shouldn’t get too lazy, Ed got up and started tidying up the tableware.

He stacked the dishes on a tray and moved toward the door, intending to take them to the kitchen.

“…….”

But when he opened the door and saw the silhouette outside, Ed quietly stepped back into the room.

Leaning his forehead against the door, he let out a small sigh.

‘Why is the Duke here again?’

In the corridor, illuminated by the bright full moon, the Duke stood by the window.

Is that what a leader’s back looks like—someone who bears many burdens but handles everything flawlessly with patience?

“…….”

Ed leaned his forehead against the door and sighed quietly. He put the tray back on the table and scratched his head.

As the memory of the Duke’s lips touching his forehead suddenly came to mind, his eyes twitched slightly.

The hand scratching his forehead froze.

He felt a strange tingling sensation in his fingertips, and a wave of heat spread across his forehead.

“Should I kiss you, Ed?”

“If I break the barrier, I’ll come to kiss you.”

“This time, on the lips.”

“…Why is that popping into my head now?”

Muttering to himself, Ed rubbed his hands against his pants and then raised them to scrub at his forehead.

But that wasn’t enough; he even gave his forehead a few light taps in an attempt to cool the heat rising there.

Yet no matter how hard he tried, the image of the Duke wouldn’t fade.

Instead, the memory of his figure standing by the window loomed even larger in his mind, and Ed let out a small groan, pressing his hand against the table for support.

‘Why is the Duke’s back standing out so much in my mind at this late hour, when he should be asleep?’

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