# 29
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“My brother.”
"Yes?"
“Are you getting married?”
Matthias thought that Tidian was angry because dinner was repeatedly late, but Tidian asked a question that Matthias had not expected at all.
Tidian's expression was unusually serious.
Matthias answered Tidian's question first.
“There must be an heir to the Grand Duke’s family, so of course I will marry.”
"when?"
“When is the time?”
“What does it mean when the time has come?”
“I'm a little busy now.”
The problem of feudal contamination, considered a secret, had to be solved first.
Reports were that the situation was getting worse day by day.
"When I find some time, I will do it immediately. The lady of the Grand Duke's family cannot remain absent for a long time."
“Right. Please, get married quickly, brother.”
said Cornelia warmly.
“I want to hand over all the business to your new wife and be free.”
“Will my wife just be someone who takes care of your business?”
“I'm not just a working person! If I had known that I would be working like this for a long time, I would not have accepted the position of managing the fiefdom. I should have gone with Maria and Julia to the capital.”
“I see...”
Tidian lowered his head as he poked the unfinished steak with his fork.
Cornelia Mathias asked:
“By the way, who are you going to marry? Is there a woman you are meeting now?”
"no."
“Hmm… If you announce that you are looking for a wife, everyone will definitely be interested. It is an opportunity to become the lady of the Grand Duke’s family.”
“I can't put anyone in that position.”
“Indeed. If you are not meeting a woman now, why don't you ask our mother to arrange a meeting for you with a suitable woman?”
Tidian's eyes twitched.
Not meeting any lady now?
So, who is this woman he is secretly meeting in the ward?
“Don't meet any women?”
"no."
“Why?”
“Why? I was so busy.”
“But, but...”
“Tidian, in my opinion, you shouldn’t expect anything from your brother when it comes to women. Your brother likes work more than women. I bet he doesn’t have a good eye for choosing women.”
“Don't exceed your limits.”
Matthias growled lightly.
Cornelia snorted sarcastically.
Tidian lost himf in his thoughts again.
He didn't even look at the cold steak.
'It seems that the younger brother has entered adolescence.'
Normally, if Matthias had suggested exercising together, Tidian would have thrown the food into his mouth and said, “Let’s go now,” but he didn’t do that today.
Matthias should have been happy about his brother's maturity, but he felt a little sorry.
Do they call this empty nest syndrome?
Children are growing up quickly every day.
Like Eleanor's baby.
'I wonder if the baby's mother has improved.'
He suddenly remembered Elinor lying on the bed, her face flushed and saying she was fine.
The blush on her white cheeks was very prominent.
Maybe because of the transparency of her skin.
'She always falls down fainting.'
He couldn't help but worry, even if he tried not to.
'Looks like I should get her something good for her health.'
Matthias thought he would bring healthy food when she visited tomorrow.
* * *
“Abba abba.”
A hand moving lively like a jumping salmon.
“Oppa.”
Fat, healthy thighs from good nutrition and regular sleep.
The baby was moving on the bed.
Lately, he seems to be trying to flip over, as his movements have become more active.
He was nice and funny.
But Elinor couldn't quite focus on the baby.
'The secret passage has been revealed.'
It was revealed by the Grand Duke's young son.
She doesn't know how Tidian discovered the hidden secret passage.
She thought she had removed any trace of her presence, but it seemed she had not done so enough.
'Shall I tell Matthias that we met outside?'
Maybe he did that? They seemed very close.
That night, Elinor immediately canceled her plan to go out down the aisle again.
‘Hello, mother of the child. 'Did you enjoy the outing and leave your baby?'
She was afraid that Matthias was waiting for her at the exit.
“Hoo.”
Her gaze turned to the gift box stacked in the corner of the room.
During the last days, Matthias brought her these things.
It was supplements and health foods, but to Elinor, it felt like a kind of pressure.
A gentle warning to remain calm while he treats her this way.
'Do I communicate with the Magic Tower?'
The Magic Tower was closed, but he had a particularly good relationship with Elinor.
Because it gave priority to the use of its patents that it developed during the academic years of the tower.
'If I ask for help, maybe they will help me.'
But wouldn't that be like entering another tiger's den?
Elinor sighed.
Something was supposed to happen, but things being quiet so far made her feel even more anxious.
It's as if Matthias is watching her choices.
While she was looking at the child with a troubled face, a voice was heard.
Friction sound.
It was the same voice I last heard a few days ago.
Elinor rose terrified from her place.
The unused corridor was opening again.
And behind him...
“…Hello.”
Tidian Hilliard appeared, strangely calm.
Knock.
Close the door.
Tidian dusted off his body.
His blue eyes, similar to Mathias's, scanned the room.
'Why did this boy come back here?'
Elinor warns Tidian.
The first day he appeared through the secret passage, she didn't give him any information.
She had nothing to say.
What could she have said when he asked her about her relationship with Matthias?
We're cooperating, but now I'm somehow imprisoned?
“Kya.”
The child was happy to see a new person and started humming.
Tidian's gaze, who was scanning the room, naturally turned to the child.
His eyes were shining, as if he had never seen a little child before.
Elinor quickly stepped forward.
“What brings you?”
"Yes."
Tidian's gaze moved away from the child.
He opened his mouth embarrassed.
“I have something I want to say.”
“Something you want to say?”
“Over the past few days, I have searched for many things.”
Elinor frowned slightly.
What did he discover?
She had a feeling it wasn't good news.
“This ward is not a place that is normally used.”
Tidian continued speaking.
“It had been closed since before I was born. I asked the servant, and he said it had been that way even when my brother was born. He said it had only been used in my grandfather’s days.”
Tidian asked why, but the servant did not tell him.
'Hahaha. The building is old, and it can be dangerous to enter.'
All he said was that the building was old.
But, if that was the case, wasn't there already someone inside the building?
His brother also frequented it.
Tidian unexpectedly found the answer from his older sister, Cornelia.
'That building was the place of my grandfather's secret meetings.'
'Secret meetings?'
'It was a place where he met his hidden lover, little innocent Tidian.'
'But, didn't my grandfather have a grandmother?'
'That's why he was meeting her secretly. Because it was not a legitimate relationship. So my father closed the ward. He said he didn't want to see it because it had caused my grandmother grief all her life.'
The suite that my grandfather used for secret meetings with his lover.
And now, a woman he had never seen before was using this suite.
With a child who inherited his brother's blond hair.
“My sister said that there are relationships in the world that are not recognized.”
Tidian said sadly.
"Now I understand why you are here. You gave birth to my brother's illegitimate child, right?"