Chapter 33

The Fourth Plan. To increase the intimacy between the father and the son. (3)

“I wonder if it was my fault for rushing the marriage… That child had also entrusted Carl to you, so I hope that she feels much more comfortable there now.”

With her warm eyes, the Duchess Dowager looked at Carl who was sitting on my lap while clutching onto the hem of my skirt in his hand. As he kept on wagging along with his tricks, I just held him tight in return. She had been someone who could recognize how sincere I was while raising Carl. Then, she soon continued to say;

“And if only Gellerhard had a brother or sister whom he could trust in, neither you nor he would be this very busy.”

“Oh, I see…”

The Duke and I weren’t particularly on birth control, so I would probably get pregnant when the time eventually came. In the original story, after ‘Amanda’ had given birth to Carl’s younger brother, she became more explicit in antagonizing and attempting to kill Carl. Perhaps the Duke’s child whom I would eventually give birth to had been a son. Nevertheless, I would never create such a future, even if I were to have several sons in tow.

“When the time comes, Carl will eventually have a good brother for himself.”

I said so while stroking Carl’s black hair, which looked exactly like his own father. Our pretty Carl would become a wonderful older brother to his new younger brother and the child whom I gave birth to would follow him while getting along well with him too. Just like that, I would definitely pour a lot of love to both Carl and the new child.

Knock—I could hear a sound, so I raised my voice and asked the other party to come in. A maid soon entered while bowing her head.

“The Duke requested for the Madam as well as the Duchess Dowager to have lunch together with him.”

I instantly turned to look at the Duchess Dowager. But she shook her head in response.

“It’s been a long time, so take Carl along and have lunch together with just the three of you. And child,”

She called out to the maid.

“You tell Charlotte that I am going to have lunch soon as well.”

“Yes, Duchess Dowager.”

“Then, tell him that I will be there with Carl presently.”

“Yes, Madam.”

The maid, who had entered, greeted the Duchess Dowager softly before she quietly went out. There was a sound of the door closing and the Duchess Dowager eventually spoke to me. She seemed to be apologetic for refusing the Duke’s lunch invitation.

“…It would be great if you could tell Gellerhard that I would like to have refreshments together in the afternoon instead.”

“Yes, Mother! He would definitely like it as well.”

“Wike!”

Carl shouted with his messy pronunciation as if he was simply imitating my words. Aww, this cute little thing.

* * *

In that large castle, there was also a rather small dining hall where only family members could dine together. It was a place where the Duke’s immediate family would have their meal if there were no special occasions or guests and two knights would always be standing by in front of the door to strictly guard the entrance. Furthermore, it was extremely rare to invite anyone else other than the family members themselves. Despite the fact that it had not been a place that would be flaunted to guests, this dining hall was still the most luxurious amongst all the other dining rooms in the castle. Not only that, it was a place that could raise the authority of the head of household too.

The butler personally came to inform me that it was already lunchtime and the Duke had been waiting for me as well. So, I eventually took Carl and headed to the dining hall. Even when the Duke wasn’t present, I would eat with Carl and the Duchess Dowager and when the Duke was around, I would dine with him instead. It had been a place where even Charlotte, whom the Duchess Dowager had taken along with her like her own daughter, was not allowed to enter. Therefore, the Duchess Dowager had eaten separately from Charlotte earlier today as she had enjoyed it with Carl, so Carl quickly moved towards the dining hall on his own.

In front of the dining hall stood two escort knights of the Duke, not the knights who would always guard the dining hall. Carl’s escort knight was also standing beside them while the butler had just returned. Eventually, only Carl and I entered the dining hall. Gellerhard was already seated at the head of the table and only in his absence could I sit in that seat. Gellerhard was resting against his chin on that luxurious armrest while giving a heedless yawn.

Oh, he looked just like a dog.

His shaggy hair was still covering the nape of his neck, regardless of the fact that he was planning to grow it or just had no time to cut it, and his violet eyes were still hazy too. Gellerhard, who had just yawned when I entered, cleared his throat slightly, perhaps he felt a little embarrassed.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Huh… honestly, that just happened indeed.”

Gellerhard wiped his face dry while rubbing his dazed face with his hands. He seemed to be trying to sweep away that repressed sleep of his.

“You really slept well.”

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t have breakfast with you earlier.”

“No, I also overslept just then.”

I tried to take Carl and sit on the right side of Gellerhard, but as I was talking to him for a while, Carl had already toddled before he approached to sit where I always sat.

So, it had been to where Gellerhard was sitting right now.

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