CH 70

Inside, Aiden was looking through the weapons with sparkling eyes. Ciel looked at him apologetically.

“Aiden, I wanted to spend time with you today.”

“It’s alright, Brother.”

Aiden replied with a smile as if he already knew about it. Then, he pointed towards a bow hanging on the wall.

“I want to buy this.”

Ciel’s brow subtly became wrinkled when he saw the bow that his younger brother had pointed out. It was the same bow he had just gifted to Irene, only this time, it was in a different color.

“…This is meant for monster hunting, so it’s going to be too heavy for you. Let’s buy you a normal bow instead.”

In fact, Ciel was already well aware that he was acting out of jealousy. He couldn’t properly meet his younger brother’s red eyes.

“…Alright.”

For the first time, Ciel felt relieved that his grade level as an Esper was above his younger brother’s. If not, then Aiden would have already been able to peer into his mind.

It felt as if his face was heating up, but he kept his expression blank while pressing down on his emotions hard.

Ciel had no choice but to admit it.

Regardless of whether Aiden was his younger brother, he didn’t want him to get closer to her.

After their purchases at the smithy, they headed straight back to the baron’s residence. Upon their arrival, the employees, the baron, the baroness, David and Irene were already at the entrance of the manor.

Seeing her, Ciel sincerely wanted to disobey the crown prince’s order.

He wanted to spend more time together with her, trying to win her over while conveying to her his true feelings. It was only natural how displeased he was now because his plans had to be changed regardless of his will.

Although her outer appearance was different, the more it was cemented in his mind that she was, in fact, his wife, the more he wanted to show just how much he yearned for her, and just how much he was possessive of her—exactly the opposite of how he had acted in the past.

Why did he try so hard to hide his feelings back then?

He was regretting it now, but there was no way to turn back the clock.

“It’s a pity that you have to leave so suddenly, Duke. Please stop by our estate again next time. The guards are training diligently because they wish to have a rematch with you.”

“Haha, of course.”

Hearing the baron’s words, Ciel laughed. Even so, his thoughts kept drifting elsewhere.

All that swirled in his mind was this single thought: I don’t want to be away from her.

“I look forward to seeing you again, Duke.”

“Thank you, Baroness.”

Irene narrowed her eyes as she looked at Ciel, but nonetheless, she did not show her impatience outwardly. Rather, she drew a gentle smile upon her lips.

Then, David spoke.

“Duke, I sincerely hope to see you next time with the Duchy’s chivalric order. I really wish I could train with your knights as well someday.”

“I’ll definitely make room for you.”

Hearing David’s enthusiastic remarks, Aiden chuckled pleasantly. Ciel’s utmost focus was on Irene until now, but he soon shifted his gaze towards Aiden. It was such a rare sight to see his younger brother laughing.

Although his reprehensive jealousy was rearing its head against his own younger brother, Ciel had no choice but to admit that it was thanks to Irene that Aiden could have such a serene expression now. Ciel wasn’t the only one who had been affected by her guiding.

His mind went blank. No, he couldn’t go back like this. He didn’t want to part from her for even a single day.

He had to do something.

But at that moment, a realization flashed through his mind as though he had been struck by lightning. If he were to take her to the capital, it’s more likely than not that she would meet the crown prince and the saintess.

That was even worse than being separated from his wife.

Aiden was his younger brother, so he could still press down on his possessive tendencies. However, he didn’t think he’d be able to do the same if another Esper were to show any interest in his wife.

Besides that, the saintess had consistently harassed his wife in the past. It happened in all sorts of ways—sometimes in covert places so that he wouldn’t see, and sometimes in open places, brazenly enough.

If he really had no choice but to meet that saintess—deplorable in every which way, even for the fact that her name was so similar to his wife’s—it was only right that he went there alone.

It might be a good thing for her to stay far away from the capital.

His confused mind quickly calmed down. He couldn’t afford to lose his wife in this life.

“Be safe on your way back, Duke and Young Duke.”

Towards Irene’s brief words, Aiden replied with a bright voice.

“Thank you, Lady. I hope to see you again.”

Sharp blue eyes still glinting, Ciel continued to stare at Irene. He whispered in his mind what he couldn’t say to her directly.

‘I won’t lose you again. Not this time.’

He would never give up on her, and so it was only right that he’d think like this. Besides that, he concluded that, even though he couldn’t return home, it was only fate for him to meet his wife again here.

With a wry smirk, he told her,

“I’ll see you again, Irene.”

Ciel didn’t notice that not only Irene but her entire family’s eyes went wide after hearing him say this.

Because everyone else had faded, and only Irene was clear in his eyes.