Chapter 57

Dylan found it difficult to describe what he was feeling.

Was it simply because he wasn’t used to children?

He hadn’t had many chances to spend time with Cali’s son, Vincent.

After Vincent was born, Dylan had spent most of his days on the battlefield, and once the war was over, he left for the North.

More than anything, he had never truly felt that the boy was under his care.

Because of that, whenever he gave Vincent gifts, he did so through others, and when the boy entered the academy, he had only sent a brief message of congratulations.

Of course, he had felt a touch more affection for Vincent than for other children, sometimes even pity, but that was all.

Yet whenever Noah smiled brightly, Dylan felt a sense of relief.

When the boy furrowed his brows and tried hard to learn to speak properly, Dylan found himself silently cheering him on.

He didn’t mind when Noah ran or rolled around fearlessly before him. And when Agnes said softly, “He’s not usually like this. Maybe he knows how kind Your Grace is to him,” Dylan felt an odd sense of fulfillment.

At first, he had thought of Noah merely as a byproduct of his deal with Agnes, a small child who naturally needed protection.

When he ordered a room to be made for the boy, he hadn’t thought much beyond that.

But once he met Noah in person, he realized it wasn’t that simple.

The child was so small, so fragile, and yet he trusted Dylan almost instantly, like a pup that didn’t know to fear a wolf.

After watching Noah for a few days, Dylan couldn’t help but give Gavelin an additional order.

‘The child is smaller than others his age. Adding a cushion to his chair won’t help him study comfortably. Have a smaller desk made for him.’

That was how this desk came to be.

Fortunately, Noah seemed to like it. As soon as he finished thanking Dylan, he sat properly on the chair and ran his little hands along the desk’s surface for a long while.

Dylan looked down at him and said quietly, “If you need anything else, tell your mother or the head maid.”

Agnes gently touched his arm near the elbow with an awkward smile.

“Your Grace, you’ve already done so much for us.”

“All I did was prepare a single room. I swore to protect him under my name, so Noah should grow without any discomfort.”

Dylan looked at the hand that still rested on his arm, then led her forward.

“I’ll show you your study as well. It’s not far from Noah’s room.”

“My study?”

“Yes. Though I must admit, it wasn’t my idea. It seems to be a northern custom.”

Usually, a lady of the house didn’t have a separate study. She often used an adjoining room next to the couple’s bedroom.

Agnes followed him with curiosity.

At the end of the corridor stood three doors—one directly ahead, two on each side. Dylan opened the door on the left and gestured for her to enter.

Inside was a cozy, well-kept study. A large desk stood at its center, accompanied by a comfortable-looking chair. There was even a small sitting area for rest.

Dylan, who had followed her in, pointed to a door in the right corner.

“That door connects to the couple’s bedroom. My own study is on the opposite side.”

The structure connected one bedroom with two adjoining studies.

Since the castle had been renovated from an older northern stronghold, the design must have been a remnant of local tradition.

“At first, I thought it was unusual. But over time, I realized it’s quite a good custom. The lady of the house has many responsibilities to manage, so having a space like this must be convenient.”

Agnes nodded in agreement. She remembered her time at Count Overhen’s estate, always hunched over a small desk, sorting household ledgers from morning until late at night.

“However, when you receive guests, please use the reception room on this floor.”

“Yes, of course. I will.”

When she answered promptly, Dylan nodded and opened the connecting door to the bedroom.

The room was far larger than any she had seen before, yet it felt strangely empty. The only furnishings were a bed, a bedside table, a wardrobe inside the dressing room, and thick curtains that blocked the window light.

Each piece of furniture was finely crafted, almost like art, yet the emptiness made the entire space feel hollow.

Sensing her thoughts, Dylan spoke.

“To be honest, I never grew attached to the North. I governed and protected this land because it was my duty, but that sense of obligation was all I ever felt.”

He swept his gaze across the bare room and let out a heavy breath.

“I always put the people’s livelihood first, managing the outer affairs of the territory. There was little time to care for the mansion. Though perhaps, it wasn’t time I lacked, but will.”

Agnes looked into his eyes, the color of cold water. They seemed indifferent, but she could see resignation behind them.

When he first came north, he must have felt exiled.

Driven by circumstance and his brother’s influence, he had been pushed here. No place, no matter how beautiful, could have lifted that bitterness.

And yet, Dylan had governed the North with care. He had poured his effort into it, even at the cost of neglecting his own home.

To Agnes, that was Dylan’s true nature.

A man who might once have become Emperor had fallen into darkness, yet he still fulfilled his duties with integrity.

“I still haven’t found anything joyful in the North,” he said quietly. “But I have found something I wish to do.”

He turned toward her, and his gaze grew deep and sincere.

“I want to see what kind of ending you and Noah will have. I want to watch the life you build under the North’s protection. I want to learn what it means to love someone truly and wholly.”

He smiled faintly, his voice soft as a passing breeze.

“It’s something I could never understand in the Imperial Palace. I wish to see it up close. So please, don’t reject my protection. Don’t think of it as a burden. Do you understand what I mean?”

Agnes had known he was being kind to her and Noah, but she hadn’t realized he thought this deeply about it.

Her purpose since reuniting with Noah had always been simple—to protect him and ensure his happiness.

But in that moment, another wish formed within her.

She wanted Dylan to see that families weren’t always cruel and twisted like the Imperial ones.

That there were families who cried together, laughed together, and comforted one another with genuine love.

“You may look forward to it.”

Her golden eyes shone with determination as she nodded. Dylan looked at her and smiled, content.

“I will.”

* * *

After her conversation with Dylan, Agnes enjoyed a longer bath than usual.

Once she finished, she visited Noah’s room, where he had also just come from his bath, and lay beside him to sleep.

His small body was warm and soft, making her drowsy the moment she held him close.

Half-asleep, she pulled the blanket up to his chin.

The faint scent of clean linen mixed with the sweet scent of Noah’s skin. Just as she began to drift off, Noah pressed his palm against her cheek and whispered.

“Mom, tomorrow.”

“Yes… tomorrow…”

“Tomorrow… Mom?”

He tried to say something more, but Agnes never heard it.

Since the day she fought to reclaim him, she hadn’t had a moment of rest.

Preparing for the wedding, attending the banquet, and traveling north had worn her down completely.

Now that she had arrived safely, heard Dylan’s promise of protection, and had Noah beside her again, her body finally gave in.

“Yes, Mom will listen tomorrow…”

“Mom!”

That last murmur from Noah was the final sound she heard before she fell into deep sleep.