Chapter 38
Tedian, who had been clinging to the baby’s crib, stuck out his lower lip.
“It’s break time right now.”
“That break has already lasted twenty minutes.”
“I was going to go back to my desk, but my nephew wouldn’t let me go.”
“You mean you wouldn’t let the baby go. And stop touching his cheeks — you’re going to rub them raw.”
“But he’s just so cute, what am I supposed to do?”
Tedian groaned dramatically and leaned his body against the crib.
“It’s nice that I can see my nephew without having to go all the way to the annex now.”
“Tedi, you promised my brother not to bring that up anymore.”
“Yeah.”
“And remember to watch your mouth in front of others — you’re not supposed to call them ‘sister-in-law’ and ‘nephew.’”
“Shh, quiet, brother.”
Tedian pressed his finger to his lips.
“The baby’s trying to roll over.”
Matthias, whose words were cut off, raised his eyebrows.
He, too, ended up rising from his seat and stepping closer to Tedian.
“Uuuh…”
The baby, lying on a soft blanket, was wriggling and grunting, trying to roll over.
His chubby arms rubbed against the bedding as he pressed down with his little thighs.
His upper body teetered precariously, as if he might flip over any second now.
“That’s it. Just a little more…”
According to Eleanor, the baby had already succeeded at rolling over once, but Tedian had never seen it happen himself.
He really wanted to witness it this time.
Tedian clenched his fists, cheering for the baby with sweaty palms.
After several attempts—
“Wow! He did it!”
The baby finally rolled over successfully.
“Kyaa, kyaa!”
Lying on his stomach, the baby burst out in bubbly laughter.
Tedian grabbed Matthias’s arm and shook it excitedly.
“Brother! Did you see that? He rolled over!”
“Hoho.”
Matthias, who had been ready to scold him moments ago, now wore a bright, amused smile.
“He’ll start crawling soon.”
“Really? I can’t wait until he can hold my hand and go for walks with me.”
“Walking will take a bit longer. But he should be able to stand before the year’s out.”
The two brothers chatted happily, their talk filled with warmth and laughter.
Meanwhile, a short distance away, Eleanor crossed her arms in disbelief.
What on earth are they doing?
All that talk about studying and supervision — it was obvious they’d both just come to see the baby.
She clapped her hands sharply.
“All right, time to study.”
“Aww, come on…”
“You have sword training this evening, don’t you? Sit down now. And Your Grace, it would be better if you stepped outside — you’re only going to be a distraction.”
“A young student needs at least one guardian present.”
“When I attended the Academy, there were students even younger than the young master — and they all managed perfectly well without a guardian.”
Matthias only smiled faintly, saying nothing — a clear sign that he had no intention of leaving.
Eleanor sighed.
I suppose ignoring him is best for my sanity.
Just as she was about to resume the lesson, Matthias spoke again.
“By the way, the baby’s mother.”
“What now?”
“Have you ever met Cornelia?”
Cornelia — that was the Duke’s third child.
She was twenty this year and often served as acting lord whenever Matthias was away.
Eleanor shook her head.
“No, I haven’t.”
Although she was now officially staying in the ducal household, she still avoided going out during busy hours.
Even if her situation had been unavoidable, being known as the woman who bore the Duke’s illegitimate child was a heavy burden.
People might not show it openly, but they watched her and the baby closely — and those gazes were anything but pleasant.
“Why do you ask all of a sudden?”
“Oh, no reason…”
Matthias trailed off.
“I just thought she’d be the first to come running if she ever heard someone call you ‘sister-in-law.’ Strange, isn’t it?”
“Considering how much attention everyone already gives me, I’d say it’s a blessing if even one person doesn’t.”
Eleanor replied dryly and was finally about to begin the lesson—
Knock, knock.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.”
Eleanor put her book down again.
Matthias called toward the door.
“Who is it?”
“Your Grace, it’s Sebastian.”
“Come in.”
The head butler entered, clearing his throat when he saw Tedian and Eleanor seated at the desk.
“Ah, you’re still in the middle of lessons.”
“It’s fine — we’ve basically been on break this whole time,” Tedian replied cheerfully.
“What is it?” Matthias asked.
“A letter just arrived from Litva.”
“Litva?”
Litva was where the Grand Duchess had been convalescing at her villa.
Tedian’s face lit up immediately.
“Is it from Mother?”
“Yes. Her Grace writes that she will be returning to the estate soon. It seems she sent the letter when she set out.”
“Really?!”
At the news that his mother was returning, Tedian broke into a wide grin.
Even Matthias’s face softened with relief.
But Eleanor’s expression stiffened.
The Grand Duchess is returning?
Then what about me?
How is he going to explain my presence to her?
“Young Master Tedian!”
Eleanor was just about to ask Matthias what he planned to do when another voice called out from outside the door — that of a young page.
“Ah.”
The page froze, startled to see so many people gathered.
The butler scolded him.
“What is all this commotion, Finn?”
“I’m sorry, Head Butler. I was just… in a hurry.”
“What’s the matter, Finn? What’s happened?” Tedian asked.
“It’s just— the Grand Duchess has arrived!”
“What?!”
Tedian’s eyes widened, and he leapt from his chair.
“The carriage just passed through the main gates — the knights brought the news!”
“Truly?!”
“Yes! So I went to inform Lady Cornelia as well— oh, Young Master!”
Before he could finish, Tedian had already dashed out of the room.
Matthias and the butler followed right behind him, with the page running after them.
Eleanor was left alone in the room.
“He just said she set out a moment ago…”
Why on earth would someone send a departure letter timed to arrive at the same moment as the person herself?
Eleanor hesitated — should she follow them, or stay put?
But now that she wasn’t being secretly confined in the annex, it would look strange if she were the only one to remain behind.
The Grand Duchess had just returned home — if Eleanor didn’t even make an appearance, it would seem rude.
“…”
At last, she decided to go out, vowing to stand somewhere inconspicuous, and left the room with the baby in her arms.
People were already gathered outside the building.
In the distance, a dark green carriage rolled toward them — the proud emblem of House Hilliard emblazoned on its side.
When it stopped, a woman with neatly kept brown hair and a perfectly straight posture stepped out.
Tedian was the first to run up and throw his arms around her.
“Mother!”
“Tedi, my sweet darling! Have you been well?”
“Yes! Mother, I missed you so, so much — really, so much!”
Next came Cornelia.
“Mother, you’re here. Are you feeling better?”
“Of course. And my, Cornie, you’ve grown even prettier since I last saw you. Have you found someone special yet?”
“No, Mother. I’ve been too busy managing the estate.”
“You’re at the perfect age to enjoy yourself — don’t waste your youth.”
And then, finally, Matthias stepped forward.
“Mother.”
The smile vanished from her face.
Standing tall and composed despite her long journey, she fixed her gaze on him.
“Matthias Richard Hilliard.”
Hearing his full name, Matthias froze.
He instantly realized something was wrong.
But how?
During her travels, she couldn’t have received any news — she shouldn’t know about Eleanor’s existence yet.
“Where is the woman who bore your child?”
Yet she already knew everything.
Matthias’s eyes flickered with shock.
And at that very moment—
“Ah.”
Someone bumped into Eleanor from behind, and she stumbled forward, straight into view.
