# 38
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Tidian held onto the child's bed and stretched his lips.
“Now is the time to rest.”
“It's already been twenty minutes of break time.”
“I was going to go back to the office, but my nephew won't leave me.”
"You're the one who doesn't let go of the baby. Stop touching his cheeks. They'll eat away."
“But they are so cute, what should I do?”
Tidian let out a moan and leaned back against the crib.
“Now I don't have to go to the ward to see my nephew, which is great.”
“Teddy, we agreed with your brother not to talk about this anymore.”
"Yes."
“And be careful in your words in front of people and do not call your sister-in-law and your nephew…”
“Fragile, brother. Be calm.”
Tidian put his finger to his lips.
“The baby is trying to roll over.”
Matthias raised his eyebrows when his speech stopped.
Finally, he too rose and approached Tidian.
“Oh.”
The baby, lying on a soft blanket, was struggling to roll over.
He rubbed his chubby arms on the ground and tensed his thigh muscles.
His upper body was swaying as if he would topple over at any moment.
“Come on, just a little…”
Elinor said that the baby had indeed managed to roll over, but Tidian had not seen it himf.
Today, he was determined to see it through.
Tidian encouraged the child, squeezing his hands with sweat.
After several attempts.
"Wow! He flipped!"
The baby finally managed to roll over.
“Kya, kya.”
The child laughed while lying on his stomach.
Tidian took Matthias's arm and shook him enthusiastically.
"Brother! Did you see? He flipped!"
"he."
Matthias, who intended to rebuke Tidian, showed joy on his face.
“He'll start crawling soon.”
"Really? I hope he can walk with me soon."
"Walking will take longer. But he might be standing by the end of the year."
Matthias and Tidian talked cheerfully about the child.
And Elinor, who was standing at a distance, raised her arms and said in astonishment.
'What are they doing now?'
Studying and observing were just pretexts, it seemed that both of them came to see the child.
Eleanor clapped loudly.
“It's time to study now.”
“Oh.”
“In the evening, you have to go to swordsman training. Sit down now. And Sir Duke, your presence here is disrupting the study, so it is best that you leave.”
“My little brother needs a guardian while studying.”
“When I was in the academy, there were students younger than the young master. Of course, they coped well without guardians.”
Matthias smiled without replying, clearly showing that he had no intention of leaving.
Elinor sighed.
'Ignoring him seems to be best for my mental health.'
When she was about to start the lesson, ignoring it, Matthias spoke to her again.
“By the way, the baby’s mother.”
“What now?”
“Have you ever met Cornelia?”
Cornelia is the third in the duke's family.
She is twenty years old, and takes over the duties of the fiefdom on behalf of Matthias in his absence.
Elinor shook her head.
“No, I haven't met her.”
Even though she officially resided in the palace now, she avoided leaving her room when people were around.
Even if it was necessary for the circumstances, the misunderstanding that she was the mother of the duke's illegitimate son was a burden on her.
Everyone was watching her and her baby carefully, even if they didn't show it.
Those looks were not pleasant.
“Why do you suddenly ask?”
“Nothing, just...”
Matthias stammered.
“I thought she would be the first to run when she heard the word my sister-in-law, but she didn’t, which is strange.”
“Everyone cares about me too much, so it's nice to have at least one person who doesn't care.”
Elinor responded coldly, and just when she was about to really start the lesson, a knock was heard at the door.
“Oh.”
Elinor finally put the book down.
Matthias spoke for her.
“Who's there?”
“Sir, it is Sebastian.”
“Come in.”
The butler coughed once when he saw Tidian and Elinor sitting at the desk.
“You're still in class.”
“It's okay. We've been on a constant break.”
“What's wrong?”
“A message has just arrived from Retba.”
“Who is Retba?”
Retba is the place where the Grand Duchess stays to convalesce.
Tidian took immediate interest.
“Is it from my mother?”
“Yes. The Grand Duchess says she will return to the fiefdom soon. It seems she sent the message as she began her travels.”
"truly?!"
Tidian smiled broadly upon hearing the news of his mother's return.
Happiness also appeared on Matthias' face when he read the letter.
But Elinor was not like that.
'The Grand Duchess will attain the fiefdom?'
So, what about me?
How will they explain my presence to the Grand Duchess?
“Master Tidian!”
When Elinor was about to ask Matthias about the plan, a young servant appeared from behind the door.
"Yes."
The young servant looked confused when he saw everyone gathered together.
The butler scolded him.
“What's that noise, Finn?”
“Sorry, sir butler. I was in a hurry...”
"What's wrong, Finn? What's wrong?"
“The Grand Duchess has just arrived.”
"What?!"
Tidian's eyes widened, and he jumped out of his chair.
“One of the knights said that the Duchess’s carriage had just passed through the main gate.”
"truly?!"
“Yes! So I also told Lady Cornelia… Ah, young master!”
The excited Tidian immediately rushed out.
Matthias and the butler hurriedly followed him.
The little servant ran after them, and Elinor was left alone in the room.
“Didn't they say she just left...”
Why do they send a departure message that arrives when the person has almost arrived at their destination?
Elinor hesitated whether to follow them or not.
But now, since she wasn't secretly kept in the ward, it was strange to be alone in the room.
When the Grand Duchess returns home, wouldn't it seem rude if she didn't come out to greet her?
In the end, I decided to stand somewhere that would not attract attention and left the room with the child.
People had already gathered outside the building.
In the distance, a dark green carriage carrying the Grand Duchess approached.
The carriage was imposing, reflecting the prestige of the Hilliard family.
The door opened, and a brown-haired woman came out, standing up straight.
Tidian ran to her first and hugged her.
"My mom!"
“Teddy, my sweet little puppy. Have you been okay?”
“Yes! Mom, I missed you so much, so much.”
Then Cornelia approached.
“Mom, you're here. Are you okay?”
"Of course. It seems that Connie has become prettier while I've been gone. Have you met someone in the meantime?"
"No. I'm busy with feudal affairs, so where's the time for romance?"
"Aren't you in your prime? You should be enjoying your youth."
Finally, when Matthias approached.
"My mom."
The smile disappeared from her face.
The Grand Duchess stood directly facing him.
Although the journey was exhausting, her posture was impeccable.
“Matthias Richard Hilliard.”
Mathias stopped when his full name was said. He instinctively knew something was wrong.
Why?
She wasn't supposed to get any news during the trip, so how did she know about Elinor?
“Where is the woman who gave birth to your child?”
But she already knew all the rumors.
Matthias's eyes shook with panic.
And at the same moment.
"Yes."
Elinor, who had been standing behind everyone unnoticed, was pushed forward.