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The Ducal House. Now it had become my “family home.”
The reason I was momentarily at a loss for words when Lenox brought it up was because calling the duke’s estate “home” still felt strangely awkward.
After all, I wasn’t there for very long, was I?
Not long after I possessed this body, I was married and moved into the Grand Duke’s household. In truth, I had only stayed in the duke’s estate for about two months.
Everyone there had been kind, and though my stay was short, I had lived comfortably without any major issues. Because of that, I was left only with good memories. Yet it still felt awkward—perhaps because until now, I had never really had a place I could call “home.”
Before possession, back in the modern world, I lived with my aunt. But that place could never be called my true home. How could I think of it as home when I wasn’t even treated like a proper human being there?
Now, I at least had one place—if not more—that I could call my own “home.” It was comforting, but at times, it also gave me a strange feeling. Was this what people with their own homes called a sense of security?
“Noona? Are you all right?”
“Oh, yes. I’m fine. It’s nothing.”
Lost in thought for a moment, I was pulled back by Lenox’s curious voice. I lightly shook my head and said to him,
“So, you’re saying we should go home?”
“Yes. Since you haven’t been back even once after your marriage, I thought today might be a good time for you to visit.”
“Hmm… yes, I suppose that might be nice…”
“Father happens to be home today too. He said he was taking the day off.”
“Really?”
For someone who only knew work, it was surprising he had taken leave. He almost never rested unless it was an official holiday. I looked at Lenox in mild shock, and he gave me a faint, bitter smile.
“Ever since you left, the atmosphere in the house has been gloomy. Father also seems to have lost some of his spirit.”
“He’s not ill, is he?”
“He doesn’t appear to be sick, but he hasn’t been eating well. He says he has no appetite and often pushes food away.”
“That’s not good… what if he collapses? He needs to take care of himself. Why would he let himself go like that…?”
Was it because of too much work? Could that be why he finally took a day off? Even Edwin, if burdened with heavy responsibilities, could have built-up fatigue. A quiet worry bloomed inside me.
Seeing my face grow darker, Lenox hurriedly waved his hands.
“It’s not that serious. His health is fine—he just seems to have less energy than usual.”
“Less energy…? Maybe it’s from overwork. If he actually took leave—when he barely rests even a few times a year—that must mean things have been really hard lately.”
“His workload has been about normal. No major issues either. I think the reason lies elsewhere.”
“Another reason?”
“You, noona. I think it’s because of you.”
“…Because of me?”
What on earth did that mean? Why would Edwin lose his spirit because of me? Unable to understand, I tilted my head, and Lenox chuckled softly before continuing.
“Because you’re not there. You were always at home before, and without you, I think Father feels lonely.”
“Father… lonely?”
“Yes. Not just Father, actually. I feel it too. Warren, Roena, and even the servants have all been quite lonely since you left. When you were there, the household was always lively, but now it feels empty.”
“Ah…”
Hearing Lenox’s slightly forlorn words, I finally realized. The people at the duke’s estate really did miss me that much.
Come to think of it, while I had only lived there for two months after possession, the real Tiana had spent over twenty years there.
They were the people who had been with her since birth. It must have felt like losing a family member they saw every day. For Edwin and Lenox especially, my absence would have been a painful void.
Warren, Roena, and the other servants too—sending away the young lady they had always served must have left them feeling regretful. The servants of the ducal house were very close to Tiana.
I should have been more considerate.
After leaving for the Grand Duke’s estate, I had been too busy adjusting and dealing with countless matters to think of it. Though I sent letters from time to time, I hadn’t thought to actually visit. Even when Lenox had asked me the last time to stop by, I had brushed it off without much thought.
“I’m sorry. I should have made time to visit sooner.”
“No, noona. You’ve been very busy. And besides, everyone understands the position you now hold.”
He smiled faintly, as though to show his understanding.
“Everyone is eager to know how you’ve been. Of course, they hear bits of news here and there, but hearing directly from you is completely different.”
“That’s true.”
“If you were to visit, I know everyone would be delighted… so, what do you think?”
He asked again carefully, his gaze sliding toward the side. Following his eyes, I realized he was watching Lucius for his reaction. I turned to him, who had been quietly observing our conversation. He smiled softly and said,
“Let’s go to the Ducal House, Tiana.”
“Lucius, are you really okay with that?”
“Of course. You wish to see your father too, don’t you? He’ll surely be happy.”
“Thank you.”
Overjoyed at his approval, I smiled, and he drew me close, pressing a gentle kiss on my forehead. His hand stroked my hair with tender affection.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“No need, young master.”
Lucius shook his head at Lenox’s thanks before instructing the coachman of our new destination. The carriage soon turned off the main road and entered the right path.
“We’re almost there.”
The carriage sped along and quickly reached the Celeste Ducal Estate. Passing by the tall, familiar stone walls, the grand front gates came into view. As the carriage slowed to a halt, the guard on duty rushed forward, eyes wide.
“Young master…? Ah! N-no, my lady!”
Seeing the Grand Duke’s crest on the carriage had surprised him, but upon spotting Lenox and me inside, he was even more shocked.
“It’s been a while. May we come in?”
“Of course! Please, go right in!”
I teased lightly with a smile, and the flustered soldier bobbed his head up and down. The gates swung open, and the carriage rolled inside.
After passing the familiar gardens, we soon arrived in front of the mansion. Perhaps the gate guard had already given word, because people poured out of the house in a rush.
As the carriage stopped, Lenox opened the door first and stepped down. Then Lucius and I followed. Immediately, the waiting servants rushed forward.
“My lady!”
“The young lady has returned!”
“Welcome home, my lady!”
They beamed with joy as they greeted me. I stood there a little dazed by their enthusiastic welcome, until the mansion doors opened and Edwin and Warren emerged.
“My lady!”
Warren approached with the same unchanged face, while behind him Edwin wore an expression of mild surprise. The servants parted to make way as he slowly stepped forward. Letting go of Lucius’s hand, I walked up to him.
“Father.”
“…Tiana.”
Up close, he hadn’t changed much. His hair had grown a little, but he was still the same neat, proper man as always. Only, as Lenox had said, his face looked somewhat weary, lacking its usual vigor.
Perhaps it’s just because it’s been so long.
It was the first time I’d properly seen him since the wedding. Maybe that’s why, along with the joy, I felt an inexplicable pang of tenderness. Smiling at the man quietly staring at me, I said,
“I’m home.”
“…Yes. Welcome back.”
“Didn’t you miss me?”
“…”
He faltered at my question, lips trembling slightly before he spoke in a subdued voice.
“I… did miss you.”
“…Me too.”
The look in his eyes, so full of affection as he said those words, made a lump rise in my throat. Before I knew it, tears threatened to spill, so I held them back and instead opened my arms, embracing him tightly. Feeling his arms close around me, I let out a relieved sigh. His familiar warmth after so long made me smile unconsciously.
After that slightly embarrassing reunion, we moved to the parlor. Lucius and I sat side by side, while Edwin and Lenox took their seats opposite us.
“So, how did you end up coming back with Lenox?”
“I met him on my way back from visiting His Majesty. We were going to have lunch together, but Lenox mentioned you, Father.”
“I see.”
“I heard you haven’t been eating well lately. Is it because I’m not here?”
“Ahem… N-no, it’s not that. I’ve just had little appetite, that’s all.”
He coughed awkwardly, avoiding my gaze. Lenox quickly cut in, refusing to let it slide.
“It’s not just a little, noona. He hasn’t even been able to eat his favorite dishes properly.”
“Lenox, don’t say unnecessary things.”
“I’m only telling the truth. The head chef has been lamenting about it nonstop.”
“Mm…”
Edwin pursed his lips, frowning, clearly struck by his words. It almost looked like a father being scolded by his son for being picky with food. Despite the role reversal, the two of them seemed closer than before, and I felt reassured.
“Let’s have lunch together. I want to eat with you again, Father—it’s been too long.”
“…All right.”
He finally sighed and nodded, unable to avoid my gaze. At that, Lenox jumped up and called to Warren, who was waiting nearby.
“Tell the chef to prepare lunch immediately! Make plenty of Father’s favorite dishes. He’s going to eat everything today.”
“Yes, young master.”
Warren left with a smile at Lenox’s playful tone. As Lenox moved to sit down again, Edwin called to him in a low voice.
“…Lenox.”
“Yes?”
“After Tiana and His Grace leave, you and I need to have a talk.”
“…Understood.”
Lenox, who had been trying to feign nonchalance, stiffened at his father’s stern tone. Though his sulky expression showed reluctance, he still gave a reluctant nod. The sight of the two together, so much like a father and son, made me laugh without realizing it.
