Chapter 54

At three in the afternoon, the grand banquet celebrating Dylan and Agnes’s marriage began.

From the very start, sweet music filled the ballroom, and one by one, the most prominent nobles entered.

Each noble approached with a pleasant smile, offering congratulations.

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

“You make such a perfect pair. I’m honestly envious.”

“I wish the two of you nothing but happiness and bright days ahead.”

Wedding banquets were always peculiar events. Although Dylan and Agnes were clearly the main figures, people seemed far more interested in each other than in the newlyweds.

After all, social gatherings were really opportunities for unmarried nobles to find suitable partners.

Because of that, Agnes found herself more relaxed than usual. Even though she spoke to many people, she did not have to fend off rivalry or flattery.

Those who normally gossiped about Dylan, calling him a monster and avoiding him out of fear, now smiled and laughed loudly as if none of that had ever happened.

Agnes accepted Dylan’s escort as they made their way toward the table where champagne was served. She whispered to him quietly.

“It feels like no one would even notice if we disappeared.”

“Oh, they would notice. They just wouldn’t bother to look for us.”

He was right. Agnes hid her laughter behind her fan.

Just then, a count and his wife approached, their tone balanced perfectly between polite courtesy and overdone enthusiasm as they offered their congratulations.

Agnes recognized them immediately. They were among those who had mocked her when she first appeared at a party with Dylan, doubting that their relationship would last.

She hid her displeasure completely and smiled as she thanked them.

Behind her fan, she whispered again.

“People really are something.”

Dylan tilted his head slightly, surprised.

“Was that sarcasm?”

“No, truly. That count and his wife have an unmarried daughter whose health hasn’t been good for years. They attend every party in the hope of finding her a suitable match. So even if they dislike us, they still come and offer their congratulations with a smile.”

There wasn’t a trace of mockery in her expression.

“I used to be so caught up in my own life that I never noticed anyone else’s struggles. I always thought the world had singled me out for hardship, but everyone carries their own burdens, don’t they?”

Dylan looked down at her, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.

“You say you’re not being sarcastic, but if that couple overheard you, they’d be embarrassed all the same.”

Agnes laughed softly.

“Then it’s lucky they seem too busy to listen.”

Their glasses clinked lightly, the clear sound blending with the music.

Before long, Lizzie arrived with Noah. Agnes reached out to take his hand, but Dylan knelt down on one knee first and met the boy’s eyes.

“Noah, may I hold you?”

His voice was far too polite for addressing a child. Noah’s emerald eyes lit up, and he nodded.

Startled, Agnes leaned forward and whispered quickly.

“Your Grace, there’s no need. I can just hold his hand.”

“It’ll be difficult with your dress. Besides, if you keep refusing, people will notice.”

His reasoning was sound. Agnes bit her lip and stepped back.

Dylan slipped his hands under Noah’s arms and lifted him up. Noah laughed brightly, wrapping his small arms around Dylan’s neck. Dylan held the boy securely against one arm and began walking through the hall.

Agnes immediately understood what he was doing.

Rumors that Dylan had fallen deeply for her had spread far and wide, but people still debated whether he had truly accepted her child.

By showing this affectionate scene, Dylan was silencing every doubt at once.

From this day on, no one would question that Noah was under his protection.

As Agnes followed beside him, she whispered softly.

“Thank you, Your Grace. Truly.”

Their eyes met briefly, and between them, Noah reached out his tiny hand with a pure, innocent smile.

The man held the child, and the woman looked at them with warmth.

None of the three were related by blood. Their marriage was not born of love.

Yet the sight of them together was so natural and complete that even an onlooker might have felt an ache of envy.

It was the picture of a perfect family.

* * *

The magnificent banquet lasted for three full days.

During that time, some people found love and proposed, others became lifelong enemies, and some struck profitable deals that would change their fortunes.

When it was finally over, the true stars of the event showed no attachment to the capital. Without hesitation, Dylan and Agnes boarded their carriage and set off for the North.

Noah fell asleep almost as soon as the carriage started moving, his head resting on Agnes’s lap. Dylan and Agnes sat quietly, either reading or watching the scenery pass outside the window.

It was Agnes who broke the silence first. Having lived all her life in the East, she was full of curiosity about the North.

“I heard the northern winters are terribly cold. Is that true?”

Dylan’s calm voice replied.

“A mountain range runs across the North. South of it, the climate is only a little colder than the capital. But beyond the range, the cold is severe enough that people need heavy furs, large stores of firewood, and houses built specifically to withstand it.”

“There are people who live even in such harsh places?”

“Yes. Mostly natives. They take pride in surviving the cold. No matter how often they’re invited to move south, they refuse.”

“That’s incredible.”

Agnes spoke with genuine admiration.

“The Vasteron estate lies well below the mountain range, so you won’t find it too uncomfortable. Though you may have to dress more warmly than you did in the East.”

Agnes smiled and nodded. Dylan watched her and said quietly,

“When I first went north, I was anxious too. But once I settled there, I realized it’s not so different from anywhere else. It’s peaceful. That’s what I liked most.”

Agnes also preferred quiet places, so that thought comforted her.

What worried her more was whether the small northern society would accept Noah without prejudice. Yet that was something Dylan couldn’t answer, so she resolved to face it with her own strength.

As if sensing her thoughts, Noah stirred and opened his eyes, whining softly.

Agnes brushed his hair gently.

“Did you wake up? You should sit up straight. If you sleep too much now, you won’t fall asleep tonight.”

Noah mumbled in protest, rubbing his head against her lap. Agnes laughed quietly and held his head in place.

“Noah, behave yourself.”

Her tone was gentle, but Noah only giggled, rolling around and laughing.

“My goodness, Noah. Sit properly. We’re not alone in here.”

Agnes glanced nervously at Dylan, her voice slightly firmer. She held Noah’s shoulders and tried to lift him upright.

Dylan, leaning one arm on the carriage window, shook his head.

“Let him play.”

“But Your Grace, it’s not very proper to…”

“That’s exactly why it’s fine. When I saw him before, he acted far too mature for his age around others. Knowing when he can relax shows he understands time and place. That’s a sign of intelligence. You should be proud.”

Agnes blinked in surprise, unsure how to respond.

So Noah could tell when it was safe to act like a child. Did that mean he felt comfortable enough with Dylan to behave this way? But why?

Dylan’s kindness had been vast and immeasurable, but Noah was only six years old. He couldn’t possibly grasp the depth of it all.

Even around Rickman or his nanny, Noah had never been this carefree.

‘Surely it’s not because he finds Your Grace’s face so pretty… right?’

As Agnes drifted into thought, Noah seemed to tire of playing. He sat upright again and leaned back into his seat, gazing intently at Dylan once more.