Living as a Butler to the Northern Duke chapter 70

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When they’d arrived at the imperial palace and then headed to the hunting grounds for the festival, Ronen had been terribly nervous.

His knees had trembled at the thought of meeting His Majesty the Emperor.

But Asnel had held his hand, reassuring him with kind words, and when he came down from the podium after greeting His Majesty, he praised him for doing well.

Although he’d heard many stories of the Emperor’s benevolence, the Emperor was known as the noble sun of the empire, a presence one dared not gaze upon directly, so he hadn’t been able to look at him properly.

Yet, unlike the stories, the Emperor’s gaze was sharp and cold as he looked at him and his brother.

That gaze made Ronen’s heart pound, his fingertips going numb.

‘Did… did I do something wrong?’

Even in that tense moment, however, Asnel had answered the Emperor’s questions smoothly and without a single hitch. It had been so impressive, so reassuring.

‘I want to become an adult as outstanding as Asnel-hyung.’

When he and his brother left the podium, Ronen felt like all the hard parts were finally over and felt relieved.

“As there’s still some time left, you might enjoy looking around with Tens and taking in the festivities,” his brother had said.

“Is that really okay?”

“Of course.”

Ronen had left the tent cheerfully after hearing his brother’s suggestion.

Then, he’d looked forward to enjoying a pleasant evening with his brother, but it hadn’t been possible.

Asnel had explained that as someone of the Grand Duke’s rank, he had to accompany His Majesty on a night outing, while Ronen would be having tea with the young nobles.

Smoothing down Ronen’s hair, he’d spoken lightly of the event as just one of the many hunting festival customs.

“I’m sorry I can’t stay with you, Ronen.”

Ronen shook his head, answering with a smile.

“It’s fine, hyung. I’m actually looking forward to getting to know some of the other young nobles. Go on, don’t worry about me.”

He’d felt a bit disappointed about parting from his brother, but he’d kept it to himself, knowing how Asnel would worry if he showed it.

Besides, he’d practiced a few ways to handle impolite people, just as his brother had taught him.

And as he’d seen his brother off for the night outing, he’d found himself admiring him all the more.

Mounted on a white horse, Asnel had looked so radiant, catching everyone’s gaze.

“Be safe, Asnel hyung!”

It never felt like he could say it enough.

Hoping that his brother would return safely from the night outing with the Emperor, Ronen had made his way to the children’s tent for tea time with the noble youths.

Being in a strange place with unfamiliar people was uncomfortable, but with Ed and Tens there, he felt more at ease.

Of course, there had been tense moments, but thanks to the methods his brother taught him and the support from Ed, he had gotten through the tea time without trouble.

“Excuse me, I’ll just step outside for a moment, Young Master Ronen,” Ed had said when Miss Chames had announced that he needed to wear a golden accessory.

Realizing that he hadn’t been informed, Ed had stepped out.

Ronen felt reassured watching Ed’s back as he left.

Somehow, he had a feeling that Ed would handle everything smoothly.

‘Ed always takes care of things.’

So when Asnel appeared at the tent entrance along with the other nobles, Ronen blinked, wondering if Ed had fetched his brother to solve the situation.

But his brother simply explained that the night outing had been canceled, and he’d returned because of it.

Knowing that, Ronen started worrying about Ed, who still hadn’t come back.

“What should we do, hyung? Ed went outside, but he hasn’t returned.”

Noticing his concern, Asnel met his gaze and reassured him.

“Don’t worry. Head back to the tent, Ronen. I’ll go find Ed and bring him back soon.”

Asnel’s firm gaze and the warmth of his hand as he patted his head eased Ronen’s worries slightly.

“Yes, hyung.”

Yet, as Ronen walked back with Tens to their temporary quarters, he found himself glancing back several times, and even after returning to the tent, he couldn’t sit still, pacing nervously.

Finally, unable to hold back, he asked Tens, “When will he be back?”

“He’ll be here soon, Young Master Ronen. The Grand Duke is faster and stronger than anyone.”

“Yes, you’re right, Tens. Hyung will be back soon.”

Ronen murmured this almost as if reassuring himself and stood on tiptoe to peer out of the tent.

It felt like ages had passed, but there was still no news.

Neither Asnel nor Ed were anywhere in sight…

Unable to shake his worries, Ronen paced around inside the tent, trying to distract himself from his growing anxiety.

‘…?’

Just then, he noticed a shadow flickering in the clearing in front of the tent.

Hurrying outside, Ronen ignored Tens calling from behind, thinking it might be Asnel or Ed.

He quickened his steps.

“Huh?”

Upon realizing that the shadow belonged to a boy around his age, he stopped, tilting his head.

‘Who’s that?’

Under the light of the magical lamps, he could see the boy’s face clearly—white skin, black hair, and red eyes, all watching him unblinkingly.

‘He looks… a bit like Asnel-hyung…’

Catching himself, Ronen shook his head and asked, “…Who are you?”

“Ah… I… I’m Ronenkaez Linden.”

“Ronenkaez Linden?”

“…Yes, I came here because I heard Asnel would be here. I… wanted to see him right away.”

With a gulp, Ronen stood there, his heart pounding.

‘He said his name is Ronenkaez Linden… but that’s my name.’

Then Tens, who had somehow appeared behind him, stepped in front of him, blocking him from the boy’s red gaze with his crimson hair fluttering in the breeze.

Jaynon, standing beside Tens, spoke up.

“Young Master Ronen, perhaps it would be best to go inside the tent.”

Ronen hesitated before glancing a bit more curiously from behind Tens and then returned to the tent.

Jaynon kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, guarding the tent’s entrance.

Ronen, now inside the tent, peered out, noticing that the boy was still standing outside, not moving.

At first, he’d been curious about the boy’s identity, but soon his thoughts drifted in another direction.

‘Could that boy be Asnel hyung’s real brother?’

Feeling a slight pang of melancholy at the thought, Ronen quickly shook his head.

‘But Asnel said I am his true brother, without a doubt.’

Ronen touched his forehead thoughtfully.

His brother had mentioned it once—a long time ago, when they were parting ways, he’d left a mark on Ronen’s forehead.

It was during a time of trouble at the northern stronghold.

The mark, his brother had explained, was a sign that only he would recognize.

And when a bloodline test confirmed their familial connection…

Ronen scurried to a corner of his tent and rummaged through his bag.

He dug through neatly folded clothes and blankets, finally pulling out a small hand mirror.

Glancing around to find the brightest spot in the tent, he walked over to the magical lamp on the table, sitting down and angling the mirror in every direction.

He focused intently, wondering if he’d be able to see the mark his brother had supposedly left.

“Since it’s a mark, maybe it’s a tiny dot or some kind of symbol.”

Ronen strained his eyes, carefully inspecting his forehead from every angle.

Just then, he heard someone calling from outside—Tens’s voice addressing the Grand Duke.

Ronen jumped up and started toward the tent entrance, ready to step outside.

But then he stopped abruptly, remembering the boy outside.

Ronen leaned against the inside of the tent entrance, only sticking his head out to peek.

Asnel was talking to the boy, but from where Ronen stood, he couldn’t make out his brother’s expression as he looked down at the child.

Biting his dry lips, Ronen glanced at the scene outside and, feeling strangely self-conscious when he met Ed’s eyes, retreated further back into the tent.

“Why… Why am I acting like this?”

He wanted to step outside and greet his brother, to welcome him back, but for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to move.

Just then, the Grand Duke was about to pass by the boy and approach him when—

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived! Everyone, show respect!”

The sound of a conch echoed through the open grounds surrounding the Grand Duke’s temporary quarters, signaling the Emperor’s arrival.

“His Majesty the Emperor has arrived! Everyone, show respect!”

As the Emperor entered the grounds of the Grand Duke’s temporary quarters, Ed bowed toward him, stealing a glance inside the tent to check on Ronen.

“Now, Ronen has no choice but to come out.”

Sure enough, Ronen, who had been peeking out from the tent, hurriedly dashed outside and bowed in respect.

The Emperor moved with several knights holding large magical lamps, lighting up the area so brightly it felt like midday.

Behind the Emperor’s horse, nobles attending the hunting festival followed closely, and the spacious grounds soon bustled with people gathering to witness the scene.

Their gazes fixated on the Grand Duke, who bowed to the Emperor, and on the black-haired child standing before the Emperor, bowing as well.

Those who had followed the Emperor’s summons without knowing why were now curiously observing the Grand Duke and the unfamiliar boy beside him.

“Well, well.”

The Emperor dismounted with the help of his attendants and walked forward, clicking his tongue in feigned regret, though a faint smirk played on his lips.

Standing in the bright center of the magically lit grounds, the Emperor spoke to the boy.

“Raise your head.”

When the boy lifted his head, his red eyes gleamed brightly in the light, and as his black hair fluttered in the breeze, murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“Wait, doesn’t that boy look just like Grand Duke Asnel?”

“Yes! He looks exactly like the Grand Duke did as a child! That pale face, those red eyes… Even the way he lifted his head is similar—he could easily pass as the Duke’s younger brother… Oh.”

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