CH 149

Seeing them sleeping as though dead to the world even though the sun is shining all the way to the middle of the room, they must have been quite tired.

The Duke closed the still open window door.

Then, he drew the curtains to block out the strong sunlight.

Would it be better for him to clear the plate?

He decided against it because he was afraid that the children might wake up if the rattling of the plate made too much noise.

Instead, the Duke looked intently at Noel’s face.

He didn’t know how long it had been since he had seen Noel cry like this.

He felt sad and also apologetic.

He picked up a thin book from the ground.

He was worried about the sweat running down the children’s foreheads.

As he fanned the makeshirt fan softly, a faint smile appeared on the children’s faces, faces that had previously been slightly distorted due to the heat.

It seemed like it was pretty hot.

He continued fanning there for a few more minutes.

But he could not stay with the children forever.

He had a mountain of things to do.

Slowly it was time to go to the Imperial palace, so he put down the thin book.

He felt like stroking Noel’s hair at least once, but he stopped himself.

“. . .”

He rose up from leaning on the sofa and headed toward the door.

Rustle.

A tossing sound was heard behind his back.

“. . . Father?”

And he could hear Noel’s slightly cracked voice.

The Duke pondered for a moment, then looked back.

Noel looked at him, rubbing his swollen, hard-to-open eyes.

“You can sleep more. Noel.”

Noel didn’t respond to his soft words.

Well. The Duke thought Noel had nothing to say, so he turned around again and grabbed the doorknob.

He had to hurry.

“Sorry.”

But eventually he stopped again.

“Father said I shouldn’t be afraid . . .”

“. . .”

“I’m sorry for saying I didn’t want you to come go . . .”

When the Duke looked up, Noel quickly turned his head away.

“But I still don’t want to see Father and Brother go to the Duchy’s estate.”

“Noel.”

“But I have to endure it, right? As Noel of the Duchy of Mayer.”

The Duke reluctantly nodded his head.

“Yes, as Noel of the Duchy of Mayer.”

“All right.”

The Duke looked at his little son who was trying his best to become an adult.

So that he can one day heal his painful mental scars himself.

Perhaps the day may never come.

“Thank you. And I’m sorry.”

In response to the Duke’s reply, Noel smiled faintly.

And he soon yawned, returning to the face of a little boy.

“I feel sleepy.”

“Get some more sleep. I will make sure no one disturbs you.”

Noel seemed to have answered something, but his lips barely moved. The Duke couldn’t hear him.

A deep breath was heard again.

The Duke cautiously exited Noel’s room.

* * *

A few days passed, and it was the day the Duke and Darrel left for the Duchy’s estate.

Noel and Rieta got up early in the morning to see them off.

“Princess, I will go. When something difficult happens, please tell anyone.”

“Please be careful, Duke. I hope it will rain soon.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

After greeting Rieta, the Duke turned to his son.

“Noel.”

Noel’s face was very red, and it seemed that he was forcing himself to hold back his tears.

“Noel of the Duchy of Mayer, I will entrust this mansion to you.”

He took out a ring from his hand and placed it on Noel’s hand.

Noel looked at the ring and the Duke alternately with a surprised look.

This was bestowed by the Emperor and was a precious treasure for the family.

“It means that you are the official representative of Duke Mayer.”

“Me? Is it okay for me to hold this?!”

“Yes.”

“But this mansion and ring have been protected by my father since he was sixteen. I . . .”

Noel’s face was still red, apparently because this time he was a bit more agitated than he had been before.

“Of course, I’m sure you’ll protect it. My son knows how to act as a good gentleman.”

“I will protect it with my honor!”

Noel put his hands together and grabbed his ring.

“Instead of that.”

“Hmm?”

“You have to come back safely . . . Be sure to return.”

Was the tension relieved now?

Noel wore the expression of son, not of the Young Lord.

“Yes.”

The Duke stroked his son’s hair.

“I won’t let you down.”

Now the time has come to leave.

The Duke greeted the butler and servants as well, and climbed onto the carriage.

Darrel also greeted Rieta and Noel one last time before following him.

“Noel, for the time being, you will be in Father’s place. Be strong.”

“Brother . . .”

“The Princess must be busy with her studies, but please take care of Noel.”

“Don’t worry.”