Chapter 7. A New Home

Roberto, Berenice, and Terenzio’s mode of transportation to the dukedom was a mana train. It was a train that passed through five major cities to the capital and operated only twice a day.

“It feels like we’re going on a trip.”

Berenice murmured with an oddly fluttering heart.

“Do you want to go on a trip?”

“It’s not that, it’s just my first time riding a mana train. And it’s also my first time going this far.”

It was natural, since she was born and lived all her life in the capital.

Most noble ladies never leave their birthplace, except perhaps when they follow their husbands after marriage.

Berenice looked around the mana train with flushed cheeks. Despite having traveled extensively with her father, who managed the Valencia Merchantry, this was her first time on a mana train.

“You’ll probably ride it often from now on. In case you find it scary or difficult…”

Roberto asked, observing Berenice’s expression. Among those riding the mana train for the first time, there were some who were scared or those who got motion sickness. Although the carriage had already departed and couldn’t be stopped, if it really became unbearable, there was also the option of getting off at the next station and using another mode of transportation.

It would take more time, though.

Berenice shook her head.

“No, it’s fun! Thanks to you, Roberto, I get to ride a mana train. A country bumpkin from the capital has been successful.”

“Are you uncomfortable anywhere? You’ll have to sit for quite a while.”

“Don’t worry, Roberto. This mana train is more comfortable than a carriage, you know?”

“If you feel uncomfortable at any point, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“I promise.”

Berenice nodded. In fact, the mana train was operating so smoothly that there was hardly any shaking. Just look at Terenzio, who was tired from the early morning departure and had fallen into Roberto’s lap.

“You can take a nap if you want. We’ll have to get off near the Cyrilov estate’s nearest major city and take a carriage from there. It will surely be tiring.”

“Okay, Roberto.”

Berenice nodded with a smile.

Roberto, who had been worrying about Berenice until the end, also closed his eyes. Only then did Berenice quietly get up. Selphine, who’s riding the mana train for the first time like Berenice, had already gone out to explore the train.

Berenice planned to join Selphine quickly.

She had heard that the train lacked nothing.

There’s even a restaurant, I think?

Berenice clicked open the cabin door.

“I’ll just take a quick look around.”

She whispered in a very small voice.

***

Berenice and Selphine enjoyed their time on the mana train until they arrived at their destination. Terenzio clung to Berenice as soon as he woke up.

“Mom…”

It was both surprising and somewhat embarrassing for Terenzio to call Berenice ‘mom’ without hesitation. Hmm, it still felt awkward.

Nevertheless, Berenice managed those feelings well and responded with a bright smile.

“Hmm?”

“Terenzio is hungry.”

Roberto, who had been helping the servants with the luggage due to Terenzio’s mumbling with a sullen face, stopped in his tracks.

“Roberto?”

“There are many restaurants around the station. Should we have lunch before taking the carriage?”

“Yes!”

It was Terenzio who answered instead of Berenice. Thanks to Terenzio, their journey was slightly delayed. They could only board the carriage after having lunch.

After eating lunch, Terenzio seemed to be in a better mood and chattered away non-stop.

“Have a cookie, Mom.”

He even offered his most cherished cookies to Berenice.

“Oh, are you giving this to me?”

Berenice accepted the cookie and took a bite. This cookie was one with chocolate chips in it, which Terenzio could only eat two of per day. He offered one of these precious cookies, which he savored little by little, to Berenice.

It was clear that Roberto and Terenzio were concerned about whether this long journey would be boring for Berenice.

‘What a thoughtful boy.’

Berenice broke the cookie in half and offered one half back to Terenzio.

“It seems a bit big to eat alone. Will Terenzio help me?”

“Yes, Mom!”

Terenzio nodded vigorously. Although he had given it up to Berenice, his desire to eat it was obvious. Berenice swallowed a laugh and put the cookie Terenzio gave her into her mouth. During the nearly four hours riding in the carriage, there was never a dull moment with Berenice, except when they were eating.

“I think it tastes better because Terenzio gave it to me?”

Terenzio’s cheeks turned red with an obvious compliment.

‘Hmm.’

Roberto, who had been alternately looking at Terenzio and Berenice, narrowed his eyes. It was surely a good thing that the two were getting along well, but he felt a familiar, bittersweet feeling.

And that Terenzio kid.

He had never once offered that cookie to Roberto.

‘Is this why they say there’s no point in raising a son?’

Roberto’s mood became thoroughly gloomy.

And there were those who smiled fondly at them in the carriage.

“Did you see His Grace’s expression today? He was smiling all the time.”

“I saw it too. It gave me goosebumps, really. His usually stern face softened so much when he looked at the Madam.”

“That’s because she’s the Madam… What a wonderful person she is. Even young master Terenzio follows Madam so well.”

“That’s. They’re with the Madam, so it’s understandable.”

The person leading this group of knights was Enoch, the deputy commander of the Cyrilov ducal knights. In truth, it wasn’t only Terenzio who was captivated by Berenice. Most of those working at House Cyrilov liked Berenice’s smile and wit.

Besides, with Berenice around, even Roberto couldn’t help but smile like that.

He had been working non-stop for years, bringing the ducal estate back on track. It had been a long time since he had shown a smiling face. How could anyone hate someone who made such a person smile?

Especially since even the fussy Terenzio was following her around.

It was clear she was a good person.

As they continued their conversation, the weather started to cool down, a sign that they were nearing the ducal estate.

Sure enough, the ducal estate revealed its majesty in the distance.

Inside the carriage, Berenice also spotted the ducal estate outside the window.

“It looks like we’ll be arriving soon.”

“Berenice, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. You can stop asking me now!”

Berenice playfully said and then turned her gaze to Terenzio.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, Mom. I’m perfectly fine. I’m really strong!”

That’s right. If the child was struggling, Roberto would have sought another way after having gone back and forth so many times.

“Is that so? Terenzio, you’re amazing.”

Berenice naturally stroked Terenzio’s head. His expression soon became gleeful, rubbing his head against Berenice’s palm.

Roberto cleared his throat at that sight.

‘What a fox.’

How could he act so adorably? He had never acted spoiled with Roberto before. So Terenzio’s current behavior felt unfamiliar to him.

While Roberto was glaring at Terenzio, Berenice was worrying about something else. Even though Roberto had a child, he had never held a public wedding ceremony. Besides, in the social circles, there were countless rumors about Duke Cyrilov’s former wife, but her name was not even known.

So she was a bit worried. Perhaps the members of the ducal household would find Berenice, a remarried woman, disagreeable.

When she thought about what Roberto had told her about his estate, it seemed like the people got along well and were united.

So there might be a few who thought Berenice was too good for Roberto.

Berenice took a deep breath.

‘It’s okay, I can do well.’

Terenzio tightly held Berenice’s hand, as if to comfort her.

Roberto fixed his gaze on their clasped hands. Noticing that, Terenzio grinned.

And then.

He stuck out his tongue slightly.

‘Bleh!’

That fox… Roberto sighed shortly and turned away.

Soon after, the carriage arrived.

The sound of horse hooves stopped one after another, and the carriage door opened. Roberto got off first and helped Berenice down.

Then it was Terenzio’s turn.

Berenice, who seemed pale with nervousness, straightened up. Her overly nervous appearance was pitiable. Maybe it was because the day had turned noticeably colder, causing her to huddle her shoulders.

Roberto called out to Berenice.

“Berenice.”

“Huh?”

Roberto took off his cloak and draped it over Berenice’s shoulders. Berenice wasn’t dressed thinly, but she seemed too cold.

In fact, Berenice wasn’t even aware that she was shivering.

“Ah, thank you.”

Berenice murmured absentmindedly.

‘I don’t want to be hated…….’

But the atmosphere inside the castle was completely opposite to what Berenice had expected. There was no need to worry at all, just as Roberto had said.

“Hello, my lord. Madam.”

“Have you been well?”

“Yes, Your Grace. You must have had a hard journey coming here.”

Roberto, the master, spoke first, and then it was Berenice’s turn. Berenice tried her best to smile as naturally as possible. Whether it worked or not, she wasn’t sure.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“Ah, I am Sebastian, the butler working at Cyrilov Castle. I look forward to working with you.”

“It’s actually me who should be saying that. I’m Berenice.”

“Not at all! It’s definitely me who should be saying that. How grateful we are that you married our lord…”

“What?”

“I never thought our lord would marry until the day I closed my eyes. Thank you so much for saving him.”

Saving him? If anything, it was Roberto who had saved Berenice.

Since she was unable to discuss their contract marriage, Berenice laughed awkwardly. But Roberto seemed already used to this situation.