Chapter 98

At Conrad’s words, Vincent’s eyes shook violently.

To be honest, it wasn’t the first time he’d heard such an expression. Still, every time he heard it, it felt as though his heart turned cold.

Conrad continued in a cutting tone.

“The Duke you see is nothing more than a mask. He’s simply trying to look human.”

“But…”

“There is no ‘but.’ Your Highness, you say the Duke treated you politely? There are countless people in this world with smooth faces and disgusting intentions inside.”

Vincent’s young face fell at once.

He could no longer protest and only lowered his gaze.

Only then did Conrad release the knee he’d been gripping tightly and smile.

“You asked one more thing earlier. Whether the Duke couldn’t produce an heir even after Your Highness leaves the North. Yes, of course he could. But applying pressure is important. They must be made to understand the Imperial Family’s will, that we do not desire a child who inherits the blood of the Duke of Vasteron.”

Vincent slowly nodded.

“I get it.”

“I knew you would understand. You’re wise, Your Highness.”

Conrad praised him and straightened back up.

“Still, Your Highness is also correct. You’re young, and unlike Her Majesty, you aren’t sly by nature. It would be difficult for you to naturally pry into the Duke and Duchess’s night matters.”

“N-No, I can do it.”

As if he’d expected that answer, Conrad narrowed his eyes and smiled.

“Yes. I believe you will, when the opportunity comes. But we can’t simply wait idly for that chance. Fortunately, there’s a very easy target in this estate.”

“An easy target? Who? Mother said the Duchess isn’t an easy person.”

Since it obviously couldn’t be Dylan, it was only natural for Vincent to think of Agnes.

However, Conrad shook his head.

“The Duchess has a son.”

“Ah, that child.”

Noah Overhen.

Vincent didn’t know him well, but he had seen his face.

Was he five, or six? He was young, and even for his age, quite small. His eyes were round like a calf’s, so gentle that Vincent had even thought he looked a little dull.

“But what would a kid that young know?”

Even as he said it, Vincent felt childish himself and his face flushed slightly.

Still, the other party was only a six year old child. A child who wouldn’t know what married couples did at night, or even how he himself had been born.

Vincent couldn’t imagine getting any useful information from such a young child.

Yet Conrad smiled meaningfully.

“Children that young don’t even realize what they know. No matter what Your Highness asks, he’ll answer honestly within the limits of his understanding.”

“How am I supposed to ask him?”

“That’s something I’ll help you with, so don’t worry. Your Highness only needs to create opportunities to be with the child. Understood?”

Vincent still didn’t understand a single one of Conrad’s ideas, but Conrad had always been far smarter than him.

“Alright. I’ll trust you, Conrad.”

“I’m honored, Your Highness.”

Conrad bowed in thanks, then lightly rang the bell on the table.

The maids who had stepped outside slipped back into place like shadows.

“It’s late. Please take a warm bath to ease your fatigue, then retire for the night.”

With others watching, Conrad deliberately spoke like a loyal knight. Vincent nodded.

Thus, the first night in the North passed, filled with questions and confusion.

* * *

The next morning, Agnes called for a maid as soon as she opened her eyes and asked about the annex.

The maid quickly went to check, then returned and bowed politely as she reported.

“He said he’ll have breakfast in the annex and rest a bit longer. He also said he’d like to have lunch with all members of the Duke of Vasteron’s household.”

“All members?”

“Yes, my lady.”

‘All.’

If he only wanted to see Dylan and Agnes, there’d be no need to phrase it that way.

That meant Noah was included as well.

“I see. Thank you for checking. Help me get ready.”

The maid called in several others, and they helped Agnes dress. With a guest staying in the house, she needed to be more attentive from the morning.

Agnes put on a calm blue toned dress and twisted her abundant hair up to create an elegant look.

To keep the scar on her wrist from showing when she moved her arm, she fastened a blue ornament around it.

As she chose earrings that wouldn’t stand out too much, she asked the maid.

“Noah should be up by now. He’ll be disappointed he can’t have lunch with Sir Sepion. Give Lizzie a heads up.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“My lady, Sir Sepion went out early this morning. He said he’d be back after lunchtime.”

At another maid’s words, Agnes paused mid motion while putting on her earring and turned around.

“He went out? Where to?”

“I’m not sure about that. But he seemed excited when he left.”

“Excited…”

Then it was probably something related to magic. Louis seemed to have nothing else on his mind.

“Alright. Let me know when Sir Sepion returns.”

After giving her instructions, Agnes stopped by her office briefly.

Food was the most important part of hosting a guest, so the kitchen had requested many ingredients.

Agnes flipped through the ledgers, double checking several times, then went down to the dining room a bit earlier than lunchtime.

“The Crown Prince’s seat will get too much sunlight. Lower the curtains a little more. And this vase is too plain. Bring a different one. And…”

Agnes inspected the dining room meticulously.

Normally, she didn’t want to trouble the servants and let things slide, but today she couldn’t afford to.

The maids, aware they were serving the Crown Prince, responded faster than ever and moved busily.

After a while, Dylan arrived first, and then Noah appeared holding Lizzie’s hand.

Agnes stopped what she was doing, walked over to Noah, and bent her knees to meet his eyes.

“Noah, you’re here early.”

“I didn’t see Mom this morning.”

“So you wanted to see Mom quickly?”

“Yes.”

The words were unbearably adorable.

Agnes wanted to pull Noah into a tight hug, but seeing how carefully he must’ve been dressed since morning, she held herself back.

Instead, she gently stroked his round cheek with her fingertips and spoke softly.

“Today you’ll be eating with the Crown Prince. You know how to behave, right?”

“Sit properly and eat. Don’t talk while eating.”

“That’s right. If the Crown Prince speaks to you, don’t get nervous. Just answer slowly. Okay?”

“Yes.”

Noah nodded vigorously. As Agnes pulled out a chair to seat him, Dylan naturally stepped in, picked the child up, and placed him in his seat.

“Ah, Your Grace…”

Before Agnes could say anything, Noah spoke first in a bright voice.

“Your Grace, thank you!”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Dylan’s lips when he heard the child’s thanks. Watching that, warmth spread through Agnes’s chest like watercolor bleeding into paper.

That was when it happened.

“You truly are a harmonious family.”

A calm boy’s voice came from the dining room entrance.

Agnes, Dylan, and Noah all looked up at once.

Vincent, dressed in a navy suit, entered with a smile.

A child imitating an adult. She’d felt that way since yesterday, but today it was even clearer.

More precisely, a child who had no choice but to imitate an adult.

That made him awkward, and at the same time, unsettling.

Agnes smiled as naturally as she could, lifted the hem of her dress, and greeted him.

“It’s an honor to see you, Your Highness. Did you rest well last night? It must be uncomfortable compared to the Imperial Palace, but please let us know if you need anything. We’ll do our best.”

“Not at all. Uncomfortable? Thank you for your consideration.”

Vincent glanced toward Dylan and added.

“More than that, I was impressed. I never imagined the Duke liked children this much. If a child is born between you, they’ll make wonderful siblings.”