Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 50

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Could he be worried about something?

Or did something happen?

Heading to the Imperial Palace certainly wasn’t an enjoyable prospect, but to see the Duke deep in thought on the very first day of the journey… Ed touched the teapot.

Thanks to a warming spell, it was still hot.

Pouring some tea into a new cup, steam rose from the liquid.

Ed placed the cup on the tray and slowly approached the door.

Should he go out?

Or not?

After a moment of hesitation, he opened the door.

Unlike the first floor, the second-floor hallway was lined with a blue carpet symbolizing the southern seas.

“……”

At the far end of the left hallway, the Duke stood silently, gazing out of the window, just as before.

Ed walked over quietly.

“Can’t sleep?”

He held out the tray to the Duke as he approached.

“Ah, Ed.”

The Duke smiled as he took the cup from the tray.

“Thank you, Ed.”

“It’s nothing, Your Grace.”

As the Duke sipped the tea, Ed stole a sideways glance at him before hesitantly speaking.

“…By the way, did Your Grace prepare the meal in my room?”

“I didn’t wake you since you were sleeping so deeply that you wouldn’t have noticed if someone carried you off.”

‘Ah, as I thought, the Duke was looking out for me.’

“Thank you so much for preparing the meal, Your Grace. And I’m sorry—I should have been the one taking care of you.”

“When traveling in unfamiliar places, it’s understandable. The sun is warm, and the breeze is refreshing. You don’t need to worry too much. Did you eat?”

“Yes, thanks to Your Grace’s care, I was able to eat well.”

“Good. No matter how tired you are, you should always eat on time. It hurts when I hold you, and your bones press against me.”

The tray Ed had been holding slipped a little in his hands.

‘…Oh, so the Duke didn’t just think about me—he actually did everything himself. He tucked me in and even prepared the warm food and cool drink.’

But the choice of words… No, it wasn’t wrong, but still…

Gathering the slipping tray back into place, Ed responded.

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. I’ll be more careful so that you won’t need to worry about me again.”

“That’s a bit extreme. I was just saying you should make sure to eat properly. But from the way you’re talking, it sounds like you won’t, so how about this, Ed—how about we eat together from now on?”

As the Duke continued talking while drinking his tea, the tray, which had just settled comfortably at Ed’s side, began slipping again.

“…What?”

“If you’re determined not to make me worry, then it’s best for me to keep an eye on you. How about that, Ed? Should we eat together to prevent any future issues?”

Why was the conversation heading in this direction?

Ed pondered what to say as the Duke smiled down at him, his gaze soft but teasing.

He scratched his forehead, clearly deep in thought.

The Duke, respecting Ed’s silence, continued to drink his tea.

Then, tilting his head slightly, he asked with a smile:

“Or is it that you dislike eating with me so much?”

“What?”

Ed jerked his head up, his blue eyes wide and shining under the light of the full moon.

“Hmm?”

The Duke squinted his eyes in amusement, smiling.

Without thinking, Ed shook his head and straightened up.

He stood tall and looked up at the Duke.

“It’s not that…”

“If it’s not, then?”

“…I’m just a servant, Your Grace. If someone of your high status frequently dines with someone like me, it wouldn’t be a very flattering picture.”

That was true.

At Count Herins’ estate, Ed had received many privileges because he had taken good care of Ronan.

But now that they had left, such favoritism wasn’t necessary anymore.

It was time to return to a life governed by rules and normalcy.

Besides, even though he called himself a servant, he didn’t yet know what role he would play in the northern castle.

The Duke had granted his wish to go north, but Ed wasn’t even sure if he was truly needed there.

The Duke gazed down at him with calm eyes as Ed’s thoughts swirled in his deep blue eyes.

‘Ah, so that’s what’s bothering him.’

“Is it that the focus is entirely on the relationship between the master and servant?”

Erd noticed that while Ed could sometimes be bold, he was also overly cautious in other ways.

But the way Ed drew a line between them and refused to let him cross it made him uneasy.

He admitted it.

The duke wanted to shake Ed’s firm resolve.

He wanted to peel away the layers that surrounded Ed and see him smile at him without reservation, free of ulterior motives.

Ed was the first to break their gaze, lowering his head to look at the floor.

The duke shifted his eyes toward the window.

In the garden, now cloaked in the dark of night, the blue leaves and red flowers cast long shadows under the full moonlight and faint illumination.

The duke took a sip of tea and turned his head toward Ed.

Ed’s white nape, slightly exposed as he lowered his head, reflected the pale moonlight. It was stark and clear.

“Shall we go out together to see the festival, Ed?”

There was a hint of puzzlement in Ed’s blue eyes as he raised his head. ]

Tilting his head slightly, he asked,

“I’m sorry, Your Grace. But I have something to ask.”

“What is it, Ed?”

“Is that… an order? Or a suggestion?”

It wasn’t strange for staff to accompany the duke.

But considering his status, it would be appropriate for high-ranking personnel like Irtel or Jaynon to guard and assist him—not someone like Ed, a mere servant.

The conversation they just had carried the same implication.

Ed found it curious that the duke didn’t seem to mind.

With a faint smile, the duke replied, “It’s just a silly request from an adult who doesn’t want to enjoy a fun festival alone.”

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Ed silently followed the duke.

His broad shoulders, firm back, and muscular arms… none of it gave off a sense of loneliness.

Yet, hearing the duke’s words about not wanting to go out alone made Ed walk with him to the garden.

‘…Why do I care so much about the duke being alone?’

When the duke reached out to touch the reins of a tethered horse, Ed quickly stepped forward.

“I’ll do it.”

The duke smiled lightly and stopped him.

“Hold on, Ed. Joy is friendly, but sometimes he can be mischievous. Be careful—he might kick you if you get too close.”

The duke gently led the horse out of the stable and walked alongside it before approaching Ed.

The horse, with its noticeable black tail, neighed softly and gazed at Ed.

The duke, holding the reins short, smiled as if introducing the two.

“You’ve met before, but riding him is a different story. It looks like Joy has taken a liking to you, Ed.”

It was Irtel’s horse.

As the duke lightly patted the horse’s back and checked the saddle, Ed felt a bit nervous.

He wasn’t familiar with horses.

They were expensive and sometimes wild, so at the Count of Herins’ estate, Ed was only allowed to clean the stables, never to ride.

‘Am I supposed to ride a horse like that?’

Instead of the duke taking the reins and leading the way?

“Come on, Ed. Step here and mount the horse.”

“…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll hold you steady.”

The duke offered his hand as he spoke.

Isn’t it strange?

Just a moment ago, the thought of being so close to the duke felt embarrassing and difficult.

But now, without even realizing it, Ed found himself helplessly drawn to the hand extended so casually.

He couldn’t ignore or refuse it—it was irresistible.

And knowing how warm and firm that hand was, Ed found himself believing everything would be okay.

Like emerging from a long, dark crack… perhaps, just for today, he could hold that hand and enjoy the festival?

Ed hesitated briefly before taking the duke’s hand. As expected, it was warm and large.

The full moon bathed the night in light.

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Once on the horse, Ed felt strange. His view was higher than expected.

The vivid movement of the horse beneath the saddle was unsettling.

But what felt even stranger was the solid presence of the duke’s body against his back.

As Ed fumbled on the stirrups, the duke helped him, steadying him with a strong hand so Ed could properly mount the horse.

There wasn’t even time to wonder how to position his legs safely.

Before he knew it, he was seated on the horse.

And unlike Ed’s awkward, clumsy attempt, the duke mounted the horse in one smooth motion.

Feeling the heavy presence of the duke behind him, Ed instinctively scooted forward.

As Ed tried to avoid disturbing the duke’s position, he sensed a faint chuckle from behind him.

The gentle breath of the duke seemed to brush against the back of his neck, causing Ed to flinch slightly, his shoulders tensing.

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