* * *
“Then let’s start by loosening up your lips.”
The Grand Duke traced his lips with his own as Ed’s face flushed bright red.
Ed understood why the Grand Duke wanted him to use his name.
It wasn’t about hierarchy or titles but about sharing emotions as equals—as lovers.
Still, calling his name didn’t come easily.
‘Why does it feel so awkward and difficult?’
They both knew how deeply they cared for each other, even to the point of being willing to risk their lives.
Yet somehow, saying that name, so perfect and dignified, felt daunting.
Even though Ed understood the Grand Duke’s desire to stand as equals, as partners, he still struggled to see himself fully in that role.
‘Does he know? That sometimes, I wonder if this is all just a dream?’
The thought never left Ed’s mind.
‘How could someone as perfect and incredible as the Grand Duke feel the same way about me?’
It felt surreal, almost like floating.
‘How could everything work out this perfectly? The person I love loves me back, and we’re building a family with the people I care about…’
As his happiness grew, so did his fear.
Having awoken one day in a world that felt like a novel, Ed couldn’t shake the worry that he might blink and return to reality.
Whenever those dark thoughts crept in, the Grand Duke seemed to sense them and would vividly reassure Ed, just as he was doing now.
This time, as the Grand Duke gently nipped at Ed’s ankle, a wave of pleasure coursed through him, and his vision blurred.
Only the Grand Duke filled his gaze.
Words felt unnecessary.
Whenever the Grand Duke held him so passionately, Ed felt his fears dissolve in an instant.
“Ah… mm…”
Ed let out a soft moan as the Grand Duke’s touch grew more intimate.
Feeling the warmth building within him, Ed clung tightly to the Grand Duke.
The heat between them was real—neither a lie nor an illusion.
The dramatic miracle of morning sickness vanishing overnight didn’t occur.
If Ed didn’t eat regularly, dizziness would strike, yet eating triggered nausea, making every meal a struggle.
‘Can’t it be one or the other?’
Though it was still dark outside, Ed, half-asleep, wiggled his toes, marveling at the mysteries of a body undergoing such changes.
‘If morning sickness is this bad, I should hate the thought of food. So why do I think of so many things I want to eat?’
Even when feeling queasy, it only took three seconds for a craving to pop into his mind—a fleeting yet irresistible urge.
‘I’ve never been one to crave food much, whether as Ed or Seonyu.’
Eating had always been more of a practical necessity than a source of pleasure.
Now, the sudden spikes in appetite amazed him.
The physician had explained it was all part of the baby settling in.
Each time Ed felt Tobagi’s presence, he couldn’t help but wonder how much of the Grand Duke’s traits the child would inherit.
His dreams had also grown more frequent and vivid.
From bizarre, chaotic scenes to those that vanished entirely upon waking, he tried to discern Tobagi’s gender through them but found no clear answer.
‘Apples, a full moon… nothing helpful.’
As he mulled over past dreams after waking from a nap, Ed shrugged.
‘Boy or girl, it doesn’t matter. Just grow healthy, Tobagi.’
A ripple, like a tiny bubble, moved within him.
Startled, Ed focused all his attention.
‘Ah! There it is again.’
He chuckled at the gentle rippling sensation he felt in his stomach.
“Could it be that our little Tobagi is a genius? Even in the womb, it seems to understand my words and promises to grow healthy and strong.”
Later, when the Grand Duke woke up to Ed’s laughter and asked what was going on, Ed didn’t share.
Even to himself, he felt he was being too much of a doting father.
A few days later, one quiet afternoon:
“Ed.”
Ed was spending time with Ronen in his room when Jaynon knocked softly and entered.
“Gio is here.”
“Geo?”
Ronen reacted before Ed did, pausing the chess game and tilting his head in thought.
Then, with a laugh, he exclaimed, “Count Herins’ gardener, Geo?”
“That’s correct, young master.”
“Is Gio really here to visit?”
Hearing Ronen’s cheerful voice, Ed thought to himself. Did he actually come all the way here?
Not long before Ronen’s birthday party, Ed had indeed sent Gio a letter.
‘But that was just to convey congratulations for the young master’s birthday and ask for a simple reply about how he’s been.’
Ed turned to Jaynon.
“Where is he now?”
“In the drawing room.”
Ronen sprang out of his chair and bolted out the door, and Ed, more composed, rose to follow him.
“Geo!”
Geo, who had been sitting in the drawing room inspecting his unfamiliar surroundings, jumped to his feet when he heard Ronen’s voice.
The anxious look on his face—so out of place here compared to Count Herins’ residence—melted away the moment he saw Ed and Ronen.
“Young master Ronen!”
As the two exchanged warm greetings, Ed smiled faintly.
“Geo, it’s been a while.”
“It really has, Ed. Have you been well?”
“Of course. How about you?”
“Me? I’ve been fine.”
Ed gestured for Gio to sit on the sofa as the man shrugged casually.
Jaynon, who had followed them in, set down tea and fruit, then left, saying they should relax and catch up.
Ronen handed Ed a piece of fruit, a sight that made Gio unable to hide his smile.
“It’s a relief to see Ed and young master Ronen getting along so well. You both seem to be doing well,” Gio remarked.
Ed lifted his head at the comment.
“I was a bit worried on the way here. When I first heard Ed was coming to the northern castle with young master Ronen, as a commoner, I didn’t think much about it. To me, a count or a grand duke were both equally out of reach.”
“…….”
“But then I learned just how much higher the Grand Duke stands compared to a count. A count’s estate might be impressive, but the Grand Duke’s castle feels straight out of a fairytale.”
As they exchanged updates, a servant called out to Ronen.
“Young master, His Grace has requested your presence.”
“My brother? Okay.”
Reluctantly, Ronen stood, visibly torn about leaving, and left the drawing room.
Once the door fully closed behind him, Ed asked, “Did you come to the northern castle because of my letter?”
“No. At first, I only planned to send a letter congratulating young master Ronen’s birthday. Getting to the northern castle by myself would have taken forever.”
“Then how did you arrive so quickly? It hasn’t been long since I sent the letter.”
“Not long after your letter arrived, the Grand Duke sent a carriage and people to fetch me. Didn’t you know?”
“His Grace did?”
“Yes. Since Count Herins went bankrupt, he said I could come here, and he’d help me find a job, so I jumped at the chance.”
“Wait, what?”
Ed processed Geo’s words. Count Herins went bankrupt?
“It seems news didn’t reach here. After young master Ronen left for the north, their finances quickly deteriorated and eventually collapsed.”
“I see.”
“The count and countess tried to raise funds from all over, but it didn’t seem to help.”
Ed recalled the couple’s hopeful, ambitious faces as he left their estate, and took a sip of water.
“They ended up selling anything of value, including all the flowers and trees in the gardens.”
“Oh.”
“I was working at a nearby flower shop when I heard rumors they were looking for me. Shortly after, your letter arrived, and the next day, the Grand Duke’s people came.”
Ed smiled faintly at Geo’s recount.
“I’m glad. It’s so good to see you again.”
“Me too! I thought I’d never see you again after you left for the north, but fate works in mysterious ways.”
“So, are you planning to stay here now?”
“Probably. I met the Grand Duke earlier, and he said something interesting.”
“What did he say?”
* * *
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