Chapter 31

“Ma! Maa!”

“Ah, Young Master! You mustn’t go that way!”

The serene silence of the backyard was suddenly broken by unfamiliar sounds. Euphrasia instantly recognized the voice—it was one she knew better than anyone else.

“Hmm, Maa!”

A small but strikingly noticeable figure appeared in her view. Surprisingly, it was Louis, walking shakily on his two little feet as if he might fall at any moment. Behind him, his nanny hurriedly followed, her face showing clear distress.

“Louis? My dear!”

“Kyaha!”

Though his posture was clumsy, the toddler’s pace was surprisingly quick. Overjoyed at spotting his mother, Louis grinned widely and rushed toward her in an instant. As Euphrasia instinctively stretched out her arms, the child nestled into her embrace as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

She had only stepped outside for a brief moment, leaving Louis in the nanny’s care after ensuring he was soundly asleep. Compared to the early days when Euphrasia had strictly forbidden anyone from even touching the child, this was a significant improvement. 

Holding Louis in her arms, Euphrasia glanced at the nanny, who had just caught up. The nanny bowed deeply, her expression apologetic and full of remorse.

“I-I apologize, Madam. The young master seemed bored after waking up from his nap, so I thought I’d carry him for a brief stroll. But then…”

Louis’s feet were bare, and his pants were frayed and dirty from brushing against the ground as he walked. The backyard of the Duke’s estate was covered in small, blunt gravel, and it seemed like the tender soles of the child’s feet might have scratches or redness. The nanny’s face turned pale with guilt.

She felt she had failed the trust placed in her. How could she disappoint Euphrasia like this? She stammered on, trying to explain.

“It seems the young master spotted you from afar. Suddenly, he leapt from my arms and ran off… His walking speed was far faster than I anticipated, and I couldn’t catch him in time.”

The nanny’s face darkened further, realizing even as she spoke that her excuses sounded absurd. After all, Louis was still just a baby, only a few months old. It was truly unbelievable that such a young child had managed to escape her grasp and walk on his own.

No, to be honest, Louis’s development was extraordinary. Compared to other children his age, he was exceptionally tall and had advanced motor skills. His large and small muscles were noticeably more developed than those of his peers.

‘It’s not just physical development…’

Whenever the nanny made eye contact with the young master and spoke to him, there were moments when she felt as though Louis understood everything she was saying. It was an unsettling sensation—how could an infant, not yet old enough for cognitive recognition, comprehend her words?

The nanny was a seasoned veteran with over 15 years of experience tending to children in noble households. She had never encountered a child like Louis.

‘Special, yes, but…’

Sometimes, she couldn’t help but feel a chill run down her spine. 

Was this normal? Perhaps not. 

She quickly dismissed her irreverent thoughts, shaking her head to clear them.

Euphrasia, unaware of the nanny’s inner turmoil, shook her head gently. She had no intention of reprimanding the nanny. It wasn’t her fault that Louis had woken earlier than expected, nor was it wrong to take him out for a stroll. 

Her concern lay elsewhere.

‘Is it normal for a child to start walking so early?’

Just this morning, Louis had been lying quietly in his cradle. Was it truly possible for children to grow this quickly? 

Her heart swelled with pride and emotion, even as she felt a twinge of disbelief. 

“His clothes are dirty.”

“Hya! Ba! Ba!”

With a calm yet attentive touch, Euphrasia brushed off the dirt from Louis’s pants. Eric, who had leaned down to match the toddler’s eye level, carefully dusted off the grime from his clothes. 

It was an unconscious act—a subtle attempt to immerse himself in the bond between Euphrasia and Louis. Louis seemed pleased by Eric’s attention, letting out cheerful sounds and playfully grabbing his fingers.

Euphrasia’s heart fluttered as Eric’s proximity unexpectedly stirred her emotions. She instinctively stepped back, startled.

“Ah.”

Eric awkwardly added,

“The child is impressive. He’s already so agile. Perhaps it’s time to start teaching him swordsmanship…”

“No!” 

Euphrasia exclaimed, cutting him off. 

“That’s too dangerous!”

“Dangerous? If he’s to inherit the Herrington Ducal estate, it’s only natural for him to learn such things. Swordsmanship, archery, horseback riding—they’re all essential skills. I should also consider teaching him aura cultivation methods.”

“I have no intention of forcing Louis to do anything. He’s still just a child who hasn’t even had his first birthday. What you’re suggesting is far too harsh.”

“Why worry? He’s already showing exceptional physical abilities. His athletic talent clearly takes after me.”

Eric’s face lit up with pride as he gazed at Louis. Euphrasia, meanwhile, hugged the child protectively and covered his ears.

“My dear, don’t listen to any of this. Don’t worry about anything. Mother will raise you to live freely and pursue whatever you desire.”

Though Louis couldn’t possibly understand her words, Euphrasia’s sincerity was evident. Eric scoffed lightly and added, 

“It’s not about forcing him. He’ll naturally enjoy it—just as I did. I spent my days in the training hall from the age of three.”

As their conversation flowed naturally, neither of them realized they were envisioning Louis’s future together. It felt like watching a well-rehearsed play unfold.

Leopold, who had been silently observing the pair, narrowed his eyes, studying their expressions. Their playful banter over the child’s education seemed so intimate, almost as if they were a loving couple. 

The scene was undeniably heartwarming. Even Louis’s distressed nanny couldn’t help but smile at the affectionate exchange between the Duke and Duchess.

Leopold, however, felt a pang of irritation despite knowing that a strong bond between Eric and Euphrasia would ultimately benefit him. His gaze shifted to Louis, whose development was far beyond that of other children his age.

He recalled a fleeting moment in the drawing room when he had first noticed Louis’s unusual presence. 

‘There was definitely a breeze.’

At the time, he had brushed it off without much thought. But now, as he pieced together the puzzle, Leopold couldn’t shake his unease.

“Hmm.”

He deliberately cleared his throat loudly, drawing Eric and Euphrasia’s attention. Satisfied, Leopold smirked and let his gaze linger on Louis.

“As the Duke mentioned, the child’s physique is remarkable. I must admit, I’m tempted to personally oversee his training.”

“What right do you have?”

“Oh, I didn’t mean it literally.”

Eric’s sharp retort was immediate. Leopold shrugged nonchalantly, continuing, 

“The young master is truly impressive. His emerald-green hair is a perfect match for Euphrasia’s.”

“His eyes resemble mine.”

“Indeed. Though it would’ve been even better if they mirrored Euphrasia’s violet ones.”

“What?”

Leopold’s casual remark intentionally provoked Eric, who bristled visibly. Leopold added with feigned innocence, 

“It’s just a personal observation. The young master is so lovely that I couldn’t help but wonder if we shared any similarities.”

Eric’s brow twitched in irritation. Despite himself, he found Leopold’s crimson eyes—so similar to Euphrasia’s—difficult to ignore.

“Do you always take such an interest in other people’s children?”

Eric’s curt remark hung in the air as the atmosphere grew tense. The nanny, sensing the shift, nervously interjected, 

“Madam… It’s time for the young master’s meal. Shall I prepare to nurse him?”

“I’ll handle it.”

Euphrasia, aware of the subtle tension between Eric and Leopold, quickly took charge. She understood Eric’s animosity toward Leopold, stemming from the fact that Leopold had saved his life—but only after his half-sister had poisoned Eric in the first place.

‘Perhaps I was too tactless.’

Eric’s hostility was understandable. Yet Euphrasia had allowed Leopold to stay at the estate, driven by her curiosity and unanswered questions.

‘I hope he doesn’t push him away entirely.’

Eric had personally instructed her to welcome Leopold as a guest, and she trusted that he wouldn’t go back on his word.

“I’ll leave you two to your conversation.”

Euphrasia said, urging the nanny to follow her as she left.

After Euphrasia disappeared,

Leopold lightened the mood with a sly smile.

“Well then, I’ll be in your care for the time being… Brother.”

Seeing Eric’s entire body reject him so openly, a slight irritation twisted within him.

He had decided to keep Euphrasia’s true identity a secret, but that didn’t stop a mischievous urge from surfacing.

After all, if she was his sister, then calling Eric ‘Brother’ wasn’t entirely wrong.

Besides, he figured Eric wouldn’t start suspecting anything over something this trivial.

And as expected, the response he was hoping for came.

“Have you finally lost his mind, Your Highness? What? Brother?”