Continue the Lineage, Duke! - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

Chapter 5.1

“Hyah!”

Lyla spurred her horse forward with vigor.

She was heading toward the direction of the Magni Marquisate. Visiting a noble’s residence without prior notice was considered highly improper. Normally, she would never make such a mistake.

However, Lyla’s stress had reached its peak, and she was no longer in her right mind. She had to find someone suitable for Kadis as soon as possible.

Someone far more lovable and universally admired than a person like herself, who was neither here nor there.

‘If only Professor Charlier were here.’

A man’s face suddenly came to Lyla’s mind.

Charlier had been Kadis’s tutor.

The late Duke of Wolfgallion had shown no interest in his son’s education. A man who couldn’t even govern the North properly was hardly capable of loving his child. Lyla had taken it upon herself to hire a tutor in the Duke’s stead.

That was how Charlier came to the ducal residence.

Charlier had been like a father figure to Kadis. Kadis, in turn, was grateful to him and spared no expense in supporting his continued studies in the capital.

Of course, this was merely Lyla’s perspective on their relationship.

‘Are you really going back to the capital?’

‘Yes. The Young Master has graciously provided me with research funding.’

‘I see.’

‘Truthfully, the Young Master is so brilliant that I believe he’ll do well even without my guidance.’

‘That’s disappointing. I thought it would be good for Lord Kadis to have a male figure he could rely on at home, not just for studying but for other things as well. So…’

‘Aren’t you already here, Earl?’

‘Pardon?’

‘I believe you, who risked his life to save the Young Master, are someone he can truly trust and rely on.’

‘I… I…’

‘Haha. Of course, I understand that you are still young, Earl. However, I cannot let go of my own desire for learning, so I cannot pass up this opportunity. Please forgive this cowardly adult.’

‘No, you’re not cowardly, Professor! Please forget what I said. I should be sending you off with ease, but instead, I’ve burdened you with unnecessary guilt.’

‘I’ll write to you. Take care, Lyle.’

‘Yes, Professor.’

Although Charlier had stayed in the North for just over a year, it was enough time for a deep bond to form between teacher and student.

Lyla secretly envied their relationship.

The usually brash Kadis behaved quite maturely around Charlier. During debates, he would assert his opinions rationally, and he could eloquently discuss philosophical topics that Lyla found difficult to understand.

She could only stand back and watch from a distance.

That special bond between the two.

A relationship that could be defined as teacher and student, one that anyone could recognize as a strong and genuine connection, was something she longed for.

In contrast, she felt that merely not being a burden to Kadis was the best she could hope for.

Charlier was also something of a mentor to Lyla.

While Kadis was away at war, Charlier had sent letters to encourage her as she struggled to manage the ducal residence.

Despite his own financial difficulties, he even made occasional trips to the North to check on her well-being. Lyla, in turn, supplemented his living expenses with her modest savings.

Lost in these memories, Lyla arrived at the gates of the Magni Marquisate’s mansion.

***

“Earl Cardia, do you have nothing better to do? Visiting another noble’s house unannounced at this hour?”

Didian looked at Lyla with her chin held high.

Despite her words, she didn’t seem inclined to immediately throw Lyla out, which was a relief.

“Thank you for taking the time to see me, Miss.”

Lyla greeted her with a warm smile.

For some reason, Didian’s cheeks turned red. She quickly unfolded her fan to cover her face and began speaking as if she had been waiting for this moment.

“Ahem. My second brother recently brought back some sweets from a foreign land. I’ll graciously allow you to taste them, Earl.”

Exotic sweets? For me?

Lyla was startled and waved her hands in protest.

“That won’t be necessary. Wouldn’t it be better to serve them to the ladies instead of a man like me?”

Lyla emphasized the word “man” as she spoke.

Just imagining the sweets made her mouth water, but she had to resist. In the North, sweets were considered the domain of women and children. Eating sweets was far from manly.

No matter how she felt inside, outwardly she was still a man. If this fact were exposed, she could no longer serve as Kadis’s aide.

‘Hey, Lyle. Come eat this.’

‘Apple pie?’

‘Yeah. I hate sweet things, so you can have my share too.’

‘I, I’m not fond of sweet things either…’

‘You don’t want it?’

‘N-No, Lord Kadis! If it’s something you’ve given me, I can’t leave it uneaten…!’

‘Good. Eat it all. Even the crumbs on the plate.’

‘Hehe, yes!’

Come to think of it, Kadis, who always nagged Lyla to act more manly, never scolded her for eating sweets.

In fact, when they were alone, he would often bring her all sorts of sweet treats and snacks.

Even though he himself despised sweet things.

The memory of Kadis saying, ‘Just watching you eat fills me up,’ flashed through her mind, making her heart sink.

It was then that she remembered why she had come here.

“Idiot!”

A sharp voice snapped Lyla out of her thoughts.

Idiot? Was she talking to me?

Lyla blinked at Didian, who was seething with anger.

Why is she upset? Did I do something wrong?

Lyla racked her brain, shifting her eyes as she tried to figure out what had gone wrong.

“Earl Cardia! You’re the worst man I’ve ever met!”

Didian’s shrill voice rang out as she began ranting at a speed Lyla could barely comprehend.

From what Lyla could gather, she—or rather, Lyle—was being criticized for being a Northerner who was short, unimpressive in build, not particularly strong, and lacking in any redeeming qualities…

Didian, who had poured out her words in a rush, looked at Lyla with teary eyes. Her blue eyes, shimmering like beautiful jewels, sparkled with unshed tears.

Honestly, what man wouldn’t waver at the sight of such beauty?

“Even so, I thought you were different. Kind and thoughtful in ways other men aren’t…”

Seeing her like this, an overwhelming sense of guilt crushed Lyla’s chest.

Although they had often spoken before, this was the first time something like this had happened.

Though, to be fair, their “conversations” mostly consisted of Didian rushing over to Lyla, who was sitting alone, to complain about something or other. Lyla, however, found Didian somewhat reminiscent of Kadis and often took care of her as a result.

“Miss Didian, I was thoughtless. Please forgive my rudeness.”

Although she still didn’t understand why Didian was angry, Lyla sincerely apologized.

Didian’s expression gradually softened. She mumbled behind her fan.

“…Call me Didi.”

“Pardon?”

“Call me Didi, and I’ll forgive you. Everyone close to me calls me Didi.”

Only my father and brothers, though.

She added with a pout.

‘Her father and brothers?’

Lyla mulled over Didian’s words, unable to respond immediately.

Meanwhile, the servants of the Magni Marquisate peeked out from behind pillars, curtains, and walls, watching the two intently.

“Forgive me, but wouldn’t granting me the privilege of an affectionate nickname be unfair, considering I’ve upset you?”

Lyla asked cautiously.

The observing servants let out a collective sigh.

Didian, who had momentarily calmed down, grew indignant again.

Her fan, which had been spread open like a peacock’s tail, snapped shut with a sharp sound.

“You…!”

Didian began tapping Lyla’s body with her fan.

“Idiot! Fool! Do you think I don’t know that? Ugh! Someone throw this man out! Why are you all just standing there?”

At Didian’s command, the watching servants rushed forward.

“This way, Earl.”

“Pardon? Wait! I still have more to say to the young lady!”

The servants politely escorted Lyla, who was flailing, to the entrance. Truthfully, they wanted nothing more than to throw this rude man, who had hurt their lady’s feelings, onto the street.

However, Lyla was the aide to the fearsome Duke of Wolfgallion. Moreover, they knew Didian would be furious if they acted recklessly.

“Take care on your way.”

“…Yes. I’ll take my leave now.”

Just as Lyla, still baffled, turned to leave, a voice called out.

“Earl, if I may be so bold, there’s something we must say.”

“Excuse me?”

Lyla turned back. The head maid of the Marquisate glared at her with narrowed eyes.

“You’ve been told you’re clueless, haven’t you?”

“…?”

Lyla paused to think before answering.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Well, you truly are clueless!”