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Chapter 37
“Regarding the north, the person who knows it best is the Count, and the one currently leading it is the Duke, so it would be more efficient to go together!”
Alex and Claude spoke at the same time. Eloise blocked them as if she didn’t even need to hear what they were going to say—it was obvious.
“Count, I’m sorry to say this upon first meeting, but I don’t think shirking your duties sets a good example for your children! And Duke, too. I’m disappointed!”
Her voice rose, though she felt it wasn’t something she would normally say. But Eloise was completely exhausted, and at this point, she didn’t care.
“For the sake of your children….”
“D-Disappointed!”
Eventually, Alex and Claude couldn’t say anything further and left.
“Breaking their stubbornness and rapid judgment at the same time… Miss, you’re remarkable.”
Eloise heard Kane’s applause from nearby.
‘Since when has he been standing there…?’
Eloise shot him a glance, noticing he had been observing the whole time without intervening.
“Is it okay to call it ‘useless stubbornness’? You respect the Duke, after all.”
“That’s separate from respect. Can you say that, too? You like His Highness, don’t you? Plus, this is the first time you’ve been by His Highness’ side.”
“I also separate my words from my feelings. And as for the Count… I don’t know either.”
Eloise sighed.
“Well, I have to go with my lord too.”
Kane muttered a brief farewell and walked away, a rare smile appearing on his face as he replayed the earlier scene in his mind.
“The way she handles an administrator…”
Seeing that smile made Eloise shiver. She shook her body as if to shake off Kane’s lingering presence in her mind. That’s when she noticed Kylian staring at her from a corner with an unusual gaze.
“Kylian!”
Eloise ran toward him. She usually raised her voice the most during commotion, so why was he in that corner?
“J-Just a moment! Eloise… it’s really you, right?”
“Then who else would I be?”
“Earlier, you looked exactly like yourself, but somehow, you also looked like Kane.”
“Of course it’s me! You’re really…”
Eloise shouted, and at her voice, Brizny, who had been ignoring the scene, turned her body.
“You!”
Thumping toward her, Brizny planted her hand firmly on the ground. Eloise barely had time to brace herself.
“J-Just a moment! What are you doing!”
Before she could make sense of it, Kylian had grabbed her and brought her into the room.
“…Um, can I ask what exactly is happening?”
She didn’t understand being carried like luggage, but there was something even stranger: Kylian standing guard fiercely in front of the closed door.
“I studied swordsmanship along with military strategy. I learned the most important thing there.”
“What…?”
“The core of tactics is to establish your own territory first. Then, you make the enemy enter your territory! I’ll protect you!”
“No need, I’m safe now. What matters to me right now is lying down on that bed over there.”
Kylian spoke as if swearing an oath, ignoring her words.
“Your body! And your heart that’s been hurt!”
“I haven’t been hurt at all. So, you can go now.”
Eloise pushed Kylian toward the door. She just wanted to rest alone.
“No, I’ll stay here.”
Kylian shook his head firmly.
“Really, no hurt at all?”
Eloise smiled brightly, signaling him to leave quickly. Right now, she just wanted to rest—if she could do that, she felt she could endure anything.
‘Just go! Let me rest!’
But Kylian remained firm, shaking his head.
“In your room, ‘that thing’ will come. And the moment it enters, you’ll regret it.”
“Calling a person ‘that thing’!”
“Then? There’s no proper name for someone who’s completely unhinged.”
“Don’t be so extreme.”
No matter how many times she said it, the conversation kept repeating, draining Eloise completely.
“Don’t be so extreme? You’re saying I shouldn’t be? Do you even remember what I said to you earlier?”
‘How can I explain that I’m really okay?’
Just as Eloise was trying to find a way to convince Kylian, there was a knock at the door.
“They’re here!”
Kylian watched the door like a predator awaiting its prey. Eloise panicked and raised her voice.
“What exactly are you trying to do! Stay still!”
The slowly opening door hesitated. Then, in a graceful voice, someone cautiously asked:
“Can we talk for a moment?”
Kylian’s angered voice had probably carried outside. The door opened just enough to pause, and Eloise moved closer.
“Please, come in.”
“I didn’t properly greet you earlier… I’m Cecilia Swinton.”
“Hello, I’m Eloise Swinton.”
“Although you’ve been nominally enrolled in the Swinton family, you’re still under Claude and me, so just feel comfortable.”
Cecilia hesitated before continuing.
“The first meeting may not have left a good impression, but I’ll try to build a good relationship.”
“No, I hope we have a good relationship too!”
“Thank you. Should you call me ‘Mom’…? No, that’s strange. Aunt? Uh… Anyway! Just call me comfortably.”
‘Aunt? No way. Someone this graceful and beautiful doesn’t suit such a title.’
Recalling the queen from fairy tales, Eloise felt enchanted and offered her own title.
“May I call you Cecilia-nim?”
Cecilia’s face softened at the child’s request, and she lowered her head.
“Yes, whatever you feel comfortable with…”
‘She seems hurt from the earlier encounter… Ah, I mustn’t! I have to show her a good example as an adult.’
Cecilia, still upset, lifted her head.
“Um…”
Cecilia tried to greet Kylian, but her mouth stiffened.
In the pitch-dark room, his black hair absorbed all light. His eyes, filled only with crimson, remained vivid in Cecilia’s memory—the last image she had of Kylian. She recalled how she couldn’t protect him, and it stayed with her.
“Please, just call him Kylian. We’re not in the palace anymore, so there’s no need for formalities.”
“It’s been a long time.”
The broken figure from before was gone. His crimson eyes were as warm as midday sunlight, and his black hair shone faintly like a sharp blade. The child appeared unbreakable, strong. Cecilia’s voice trembled uncontrollably at this sight.
“Yes, Aunt-nim.”
Cecilia widened her eyes at the title. Previously, Kylian had addressed her by rank, not aunt. The formal posture was gone, replaced with the child smiling comfortably.
“Yes, really… it’s been a long time.”
Cecilia replied to the seemingly experienced Kylian. She took a deep breath to steady her wildly beating heart. But soon, her eyes wavered.
‘Ah, I came here because of the earlier incident… W-what should I say? Pull yourself together, Cecilia! You’re the guardian of these children.’
Scolding herself, Cecilia straightened her posture. The children took a step back at her actions.
“U-Uh, Aunt-nim?”
“Cecilia-nim?”
Ignoring the children’s confused gaze, Cecilia bent her waist. At a full ninety degrees, the children instinctively stepped back against the wall.
“First, I’m truly sorry for hurting your feelings the moment we met. I don’t know what words could express my apology… I have no excuse.”
“It’s okay. I wasn’t upset at all, really!”
“Not upset at all? And… saying you’re not upset, is that even possible?”
Kylian, who had been silent, raised his voice.
