Chapter 24

At Hans’s words from the front seat, Ellie’s head whipped around. Her expression was one of doubt, as if she wondered if she’d heard wrong.

“Ellie.”

“No, just now… did you say ducal residence…?”

“Yes, the ducal residence. Welcome to Hairos, Miss Ellie.”

Ellie was struck speechless for a moment.

Hairos Grand Ducal House.

It was the Grand Duke’s family that ruled the North like a king.

She thought she’d prepared herself enough just for the fact that he was a noble, but to think he was from the Grand Duke’s family of the North, and not just any branch, but the direct line.

Ellie suddenly became terrified, wondering if coming here was truly the right thing.

Unaware of Ellie’s feelings, Cal was smiling brightly.

Side Story 1 – Winter Kingdom

Calix Elder Hairos.

That was Cal’s full name, which Ellie learned only later. She’d known he was a noble and had prepared herself for it, but to learn he was from the Grand Duke’s family, almost like the king of the North, and even the direct line…

Ellie was dumbfounded and overwhelmed as she was warmly welcomed by the Grand Duchess of Hairos and the young prince.

“Ellie, this is my mother, and this child is my younger brother Phil.”

“Welcome, Miss Nord. I’ve heard about you from Cal. Welcome to Hairos.”

“Ah, hello! I’m Elysia.”

“Brother! You brought the princess!”

The Grand Duchess was a beautiful woman with dark brown hair and pale sky-blue eyes, her smile gentle. The young brother was like a miniature version of Cal, a young prince.

Ellie was overwhelmed, her mouth open, as the excited young prince called her princess.

“Princess! You came from the Land of Spring, right?”

Ellie, faced with the prince’s expectant face, didn’t know how to respond and looked at Cal for help. Only then did Cal, with a smile, calm his brother.

“Phil, the princess came a long way and must be tired. Let’s talk more later.”

“Yes, brother!”

But for Ellie, it was no help at all. Princess? She couldn’t understand why she was being called that, and was just swept along, confused.

“Miss Nord, we’ve prepared a room for you so you can rest from your journey.”

At the Grand Duchess’s signal, a servant dressed in black and white approached.

“This child will help you during your stay, Miss Nord.”

“Ah, th-thank you. And, please feel free to call me Ellie.”

The Grand Duchess smiled at Ellie’s words and replied, ‘All right, Ellie.’

The servant, who introduced herself as Susan, carried Ellie’s luggage and led the way. Ellie, feeling shy, followed her up the stairs.

On the second floor, Ellie was amazed when she saw her room. A fire burned in the fireplace, making the room warm, with a big, plush-looking sofa on one side and a large bed with blue curtains on the other. There was also a vanity with a mirror, a wardrobe, and even a partition, all perfectly arranged.

“We’ve prepared bathwater. Would you like to wash now?”

Susan opened the door to the attached bathroom and spoke. Seeing the bathroom filled with steam, Ellie suddenly wanted to bathe, but she didn’t want someone to help her with it.

“Thank you. I’ll wash by myself.”

“Yes, Miss. Please pull the cord after your bath.”

Only after Susan left did Ellie take off the clothes Cal had dressed her in that morning and hang them on the sofa. There was warmth from the fireplace, but after undressing, the air felt chilly, so Ellie hurried to get n*ked and entered the bathroom.

“Ah, this feels nice….”

As she slipped into the hot water, a m*an escaped her lips. Someone had put bath salts in, and the fragrant scent in the water pleased her.

Sitting in the tub, Ellie tried to gather her thoughts and understand the situation.

“Haa….”

‘Grand Duke’s son… is that it?’

He was destined to become the Grand Duke of the North. Even if he were just a noble, it would have been unthinkable, but it was impossible not to consider the difference in status with someone so high up.

She’d only wanted to try dating, but so much was getting in the way. The difference was so overwhelming that Ellie’s head grew more and more confused.

“Phew.”

Ellie’s sigh filled the small bathroom. Just then, knock knock, came a sound at the door, and Ellie thought Susan had come back, so she answered.

“I’m still washing.”

“Ellie, can I come in?”

It wasn’t Susan, but Cal. Ellie, startled, almost stood up, but sat back down. The water rippled and calmed, and Cal spoke again from outside the door.

“Ellie?”

“…I said I’m washing.”

“Can’t I come in?”

Her tone came out curt, perhaps because she was annoyed, but Cal pleaded again. Hearing his voice, Ellie’s heart softened and she let out a deep sigh, finally giving permission.

The door opened, and Cal appeared through the steam. Ellie didn’t want to look at his face, so she turned her back and hugged her knees.

“Ellieee…”

Cal’s voice was playful, as if he knew he’d done something wrong. He walked over and knelt in front of the tub, wrapping his arms around Ellie’s turned shoulders.

“I was wrong.”

“…….”

“Hm? Ellie, I was wrong.”

Cal kissed the nape of Ellie’s neck. Ellie, boiling inside, paused for a moment before speaking.

“Sigh. Not asking about your family was my fault. But how could you hide it so well?”

Maybe she hadn’t really wanted to know what kind of family Cal was from, but Ellie forced herself to erase that thought. Right now, there was a more important issue.

“I’m sorry, Ellie. I didn’t mean to deceive you. It’s just…”

Cal tightened his arms around Ellie’s shoulders, then buried his face in her shoulder and muttered.

“If I told you about my family, I thought you’d turn away without even looking back…”

Ellie was dumbfounded by Cal’s excuse.

“You barely accepted I was a noble. But if I told you my father was the Grand Duke, I really thought you wouldn’t want to see me anymore.”

So he’d planned to confess after they arrived in the North, Cal explained in detail. Since they’d come all the way to the North, he said at least she couldn’t run away now.

Ellie let out sigh after sigh. But as Cal said, now that she was here, there was nothing she could do.

“Ellie, please look at me. Okay?”

Ellie turned a little and patted Cal’s head.

“There’s nothing else you’re hiding from me, right?”

Cal quickly lifted his head at her softened voice. When their eyes met, he grinned and nodded.

“I’ll never hide anything from you again.”

Strictly speaking, he hadn’t lied, just failed to tell the truth, but Cal chose to grovel. He didn’t want to upset Ellie, who seemed to have finally calmed down, by arguing back.