Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 25

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“This one’s great.”

“…”

“And that one’s good too.”

By the time they finally finished picking out the shoes, Ed was so exhausted that his vision blurred, and his hands trembled.

Unbeknownst to him, Ronen had secretly ordered one more pair, but Ed didn’t even notice.

‘I need to get to the Earl’s estate and recharge with some sugar.’

That was the only thought on his mind.

But the day was far from over, and there were still many places to go.

“There’s a lake on the way to the Earl’s estate.”

As they left the shoe store, the Duke casually mentioned it, and Jaynon immediately responded.

“Are you talking about Bay Lake?”

He then launched into a detailed explanation about the small lagoon that met the sea, its width, depth, and some legends surrounding it.

“Well, since we’re already out, why not stop by?”

“Are you serious?”

“You’re not going to suddenly announce a training session there, are you?”

Jaynon, still suspicious, asked cautiously.

The Duke smiled faintly and replied.

“Of course not.”

“I trust you, Your Grace.”

“Wow, it’s been so long since we’ve had a break!”

Irtel and Jaynon were delighted by the Duke’s suggestion.

Even though Ed’s hands were trembling from exhaustion, he smiled faintly, not wanting to show how tired he was.

‘They may all look serious and stoic, but they sure do love having fun.’

As the carriage rolled smoothly along, warm air flowed in through the open window.

As they entered the forest, Ed’s perspective shifted.

Though it was a familiar view, it now seemed different.

The sunlight shimmered on the diverse leaves, making them glisten.

The tender new buds of leaves poked out, and even the smallest wildflowers caught his eye.

The birds chirped softly, and the scent of the deep forest was sweet and refreshing.

Just then, the carriage jolted slightly.

It had hit a small stone, causing Ed to bounce a bit and his face to crash into the window frame.

He had been leaning out, staring at the view.

“Ugh… Oh?”

But instead of hitting the window, something cushioned him.

The Duke’s hand had slipped between his face and the window, catching him just in time.

Ed, who had braced himself for the pain, opened his eyes in surprise.

“Your Grace! Are you alright?”

Quickly realizing what had happened, Ed pulled the Duke’s hand down.

“I’m fine.”

But he wasn’t fine.

Though the Duke’s tone was casual, the hand that had shielded Ed’s face was now red, and the back of his hand was scraped from the window.

Noticing this, Ed grabbed the Duke’s hand and inspected it for other injuries.

Silence fell.

Ed, focused on the Duke’s hand, suddenly became aware of the quiet around him and looked up.

“…”

“…”

Jaynon, sitting opposite them, wore an expression that looked as though he had just witnessed a couple glued together on a narrow bridge in the middle of summer.

Outside, Irtel, guiding the horses, had a puzzled look as if to say, ‘What’s all the fuss about?’

When Ed glanced over, the Duke was smiling slightly, and he suddenly realized this wasn’t the right situation.

With a small, awkward cough, Ed quickly released the Duke’s hand.

Feeling embarrassed, Ed turned his head to look out the window again and asked,

“Is the lake still far?”

Irtel, watching from outside, replied.

“We’ll be there soon. Tens, drive carefully.”

“Aye, captain.”

---

‘Even though he’s the Duke, it’s not like he can’t feel pain, right?’

Ed glanced at the Duke as they disembarked from the carriage.

When they arrived at the lake, Ronen was the first to hop out, followed by Jaynon.

Two figures dashed toward the lake where a small waterfall poured down, only to rush back in the same manner, like excited puppies.

The lake sparkled under the radiant spring sun, as if threads of gold and silver were embroidered across its surface.

Tens spread out a large cloth, which they had used as a tent during training, on the ground.

Though it wasn’t brightly colored, it blended nicely with the fresh spring scenery, creating a pleasant picture.

Irtel had prepared beef jerky, sandwiches, drinks, and cakes.

After spending so much time building and breaking down camps during training and war, both of them had become quite adept at setting things up quickly.

Ed, restless from sitting still, hovered around Tens and Irtel, eager to help.

However, with the two of them working so smoothly together, he found little chance to assist, eventually resigning himself to taste-testing the tea.

“How’s the tea? Is it over-brewed?”

“No, Tens. It seems just fine.”

“Then try it with the cheesecake. See if they go well together.”

“Ah, yes. One moment.”

Ed sipped the tea, which had a dried orange floating in it, and carefully tasted the cheesecake.

He nodded in approval.

“They complement each other perfectly.”

“Oh, really? Then try it with this cookie too.”

“Yes, Tens.”

The Grand Duke, who was tending to the campfire, watched this exchange with a faint smile.

As Ed continued to look for ways to help, Tens skillfully led him through eating more sandwiches and cake, and soon Ed had eaten over three slices without even realizing it.

The warm tea and sweet desserts gradually loosened the tension in his body, and the awkward stiffness that had been present earlier began to fade as he relaxed.

Lying back on the cloth, Ed stretched out, tapping his toes absentmindedly.

Watching him, the Grand Duke felt satisfied, as if the leisurely outing was worth it.

“Ed! Stop just sitting there, come join us!”

“Yes, my lord.”

Ronen was already soaking wet. Initially, he had hesitantly dipped his toes into the water that reached his waist, but after falling in once, he quickly became comfortable, happily splashing around.

With Jaynon teaching him how to swim nearby, Ronen enthusiastically paddled, clearly enjoying himself.

Ed, with a cookie in his mouth, rolled up the hem of his pants.

When Irtel handed him a large towel, Ed grabbed it and confidently headed toward the water, his energy returning.

He had been so listless when choosing shoes earlier, rolling his eyes in boredom, but now he was completely different, full of vitality.

At the water’s edge, Ed dipped his toes in.

The cool, gentle water wrapped around his feet, making him smile unconsciously.

Ronen, who had been swimming diligently in the small lake, approached Ed, sitting on the bank and dipping his feet into the water beside him.

“Feels nice, right?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“It feels amazing.”

Ronen’s face was full of joy as he smiled at Ed, circling around him playfully.

Soon, Jaynon approached and whispered something to Ronen, and the two exchanged glances before suddenly grabbing Ed by the ankles and pulling him into the water.

“Whoa!”

With a firm grip on both ankles, Ed was dragged into the water.

After flailing his arms and legs for a few moments, he remembered that the water wasn’t deep.

Planting his feet on the ground, he stood up, the water sloshing around his waist.

“Hahaha, doesn’t it feel great?” Ronen laughed, his voice echoing across the lake.

Ed looked at Ronen, who was laughing heartily.

Even though his clothes were soaked and clinging heavily to him, he didn’t feel displeased.

A faint smile appeared on Ed’s face, and he splashed water at Jaynon.

“What—hey! Why are you only attacking me?!”

“Because I can’t attack my lord,” Ed answered dryly, continuing his assault.

Jaynon, trying to block the splashes with his hands, moved behind Ed.

He wrapped his arm around Ed’s neck and hooked his foot behind Ed’s ankle.

‘Is he trying to trip me?’

Ed tried to stand his ground, but with Jaynon being taller and slightly bigger than him, there was no way to resist for long.

Just as Ed thought he was about to fall into the water—

“Whoa!”

Jaynon let out a stifled cry as he tumbled into the water with a splash.

At the same time, as Ed began to lose his balance, a hand swiftly wrapped around his waist, pulling him back.

The Grand Duke, who had quietly entered the water, pushed Jaynon away and rescued Ed.

As the Grand Duke held Ed behind him, Jaynon, now back on his feet, protested.

“That’s cheating! You can’t step in like that, Your Grace!”

Ed, peeking out from behind the Grand Duke, shot back, “What do you mean cheating? Did you ask me before throwing me into the water, Jaynon?!”

Amidst the chaotic fun, it was the Grand Duke who was the busiest.

He had to deal with Ronen clinging to his leg, thoroughly enjoying the situation, while also fending off Jaynon, who was trying to lure Ed out of the water.

Meanwhile, the Grand Duke kept Ed behind him, splashing water in Jaynon’s face.

It was childish, yet fierce.

And all the more enjoyable because of it.

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