For the first time since Caelis cured Claude's fever, the Grand Duke was not present with them for breakfast or lunch.
Edgar informed them that the Grand Duke had gone to the border after sensing a high-level mage sneaking into the Northern Territory.
Lina had been curious about the fate of those captured mages, but she chose to push the thought aside. Claude's peace and safety were far more important to her.
One afternoon, Lina read a Northern storybook to her son. The book told the story of a race of beasts striving to evolve into human form.
Lina found such stories rather dull, but her son listened with great interest. "Clau," Lina called after she finished the story. "What if His Grace were your father?"
"My father? Like Milo's?" Claude asked.
"Yes… But he wouldn't be as rude or arrogant as Milo's father. He would love you as I do, and he would teach you many things."
"Will you marry him?" Even though he was not yet ten years old, Claude was a very intelligent child and had begun to understand the meaning of relationships between men and women.
"If you don't mind. He has already asked me to be his wife."
"Then… do you like him?"
Lina chuckled softly at her son's question. She felt as if she were being interrogated. "I like anyone who cares about you."
Claude tilted his head, sensing someone's presence behind his mother's back. "Your Grace!?"
Caelis cleared his throat awkwardly, looking slightly embarrassed to have been caught listening to their conversation. Originally, he had intended to greet them after returning from his duties at the border. However, he had paused when he overheard Lina asking Claude about him.
"Hello, little one," Caelis said gently. "I'm sorry I couldn't spend the whole day with you. How was your day?"
Claude immediately jumped down from his mother's lap and ran toward Caelis. "Is it true that you asked my mama to be your wife?"
Caelis knelt down so the boy would not have to look up too far. "That's right."
"Do you like Mama?"
"I do." Of course, the affection Caelis felt was familial—completely different from what Claude imagined.
"Then will you protect her and stand up for her if someone bullies her?"
"Of course. I would never allow anyone to harm those under my protection."
Claude smiled brightly, clearly satisfied with the answer. With one small hand, he grabbed Caelis's hand and pulled him toward Lina. With his other hand, he took Lina's hand and placed it on top of Caelis's.
Both adults froze instantly, unsure of how to react. Caelis wanted to pull his hand away immediately, but he did not want to hurt Claude's feelings—or appear rude toward Lina. Meanwhile, Lina felt slightly awkward. She had intended to enjoy the moment, but she had not expected things to escalate this quickly. Moreover, she could feel the tension in Caelis's hand, as though he was not entirely comfortable with the contact.
She knew she was using charcoal powder to dull her appearance. In her current state, she looked far from her true self. Still, she was certain she was not so unattractive that a man would feel uncomfortable just by touching her.
Thinking that his future parents did not fully understand what couples were supposed to do, Claude intertwined their fingers until their hands were clasped like lovers'.
At that moment, Lina's heart skipped a beat. This was the first time she had held a man's hand like this.
No… that wasn't entirely true. But it was the first time she had felt so shy and flustered just from holding hands. His hand was rough and calloused, yet it felt warm… and safe.
At the same time, Caelis felt something unfamiliar stir within him. His heartbeat quickened.
Her hands are so small and fragile. Am I holding too tightly?
He did not even dare to tighten his grip, afraid he might hurt her.
"Well, with this, I am willing to have a father," Claude declared happily.
Caelis and Lina exchanged a brief glance before looking back at Claude, who was smiling brightly. Neither of them had the heart to pull away, so they continued holding hands in front of him.
Since learning that his mother would marry Caelis, Claude had become much less shy. He even grew more affectionate whenever Caelis approached him.
Previously, Claude had hesitated whenever Caelis tried to carry him. Now, he showed no hesitation at all. Seeing her son so happy after Caelis's return, Lina felt a quiet sense of relief.
That night, she tucked Claude into bed while singing her usual lullaby. However, for the first time, the child did not fall asleep immediately.
"Mama… am I really not dreaming?" he asked softly.
"No, you are not dreaming."
"I'm really going to have a father?"
"Yes. His Grace will become your father."
"Will you still call him 'Your Grace'?"
"If not, then what should I call him?"
"I heard Mrs. Elsie call her husband 'darling' or 'hubby.' What about you?"
Lina blinked a few times, thinking carefully. "I think I'll just call him as usual, " she replied. After all, this was only a contractual marriage. It would be inappropriate to address the Grand Duke too familiarly.
"But Mama… He already calls you by your name."
"That's because I don't have any title. Now, go to sleep." Lina gently adjusted her son's blanket.
"Mama, when can I call him Papa?"
Lina's movements stilled. She did not know how to answer. She sighed in relief when she realized Claude had fallen asleep after asking that question.
A soft knock sounded at the door. When she opened it, she saw Caelis standing outside.
"Your Grace? Is there something you need?"
"I came to inform you that our wedding will take place in two months."
So soon? Lina thought. "I understand."
"And also… I happened to overhear your conversation earlier."
The rooms in the palace were well soundproofed, but no one underestimated the beast's sharp hearing.
"It seems Your Grace has quite a habit of eavesdropping."
The corner of Caelis's mouth twitched. If anyone else had said that, he might have frozen them on the spot. Strangely, he felt no such urge toward Lina.
"Anyway," Caelis continued calmly, "tell him he can call me Papa whenever he wishes. And also…" He paused deliberately. "You may call me 'darling' as well. Or… 'hubby,' if you prefer."
Lina's face instantly flushed, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks. Even so, she could still see the teasing smile on the man's face.
So… he's getting back at me.
"Alright," Lina replied lightly. "Then I'll start now. Good night… hubby."
For a brief moment, Caelis looked genuinely surprised. Then he took Lina's hand and gently kissed the back of it.
"I will dream of you… my beloved."
What?
'My beloved?'