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Chapter 47
Panicking, I just held Hayden tightly and didn’t know what to do when Cheres took a deep breath. Then he removed his jacket and gently draped it over both Hayden and me.
In a calm, steady voice, he said,
“I will turn around. I swear I won’t look. I stake my honor as Beryden.”
Well, if he’s staking Beryden on it, that means he’s staking everything.
That solemn declaration somehow dulled my embarrassment.
“Okay.”
The moment Cheres turned around, I quickly pulled Hayden away and firmly retied the loosely undone ribbon. Not once—but twice. So that no matter how much those tiny hands pulled, it wouldn’t come undone!
“All done.”
At my words, Cheres turned back. Letting out a faint sigh, he took Hayden again.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s not like Cheres did anything…”
Wait, no. That’s not right.
Something felt off, so I shut my mouth.
A heavier silence settled between us. Just as I wondered how to fix this awkward situation, Hayden jumped in.
“Pya pya! Pyeh! Tetetede!”
Hayden struggled toward me, but Cheres didn’t let him go. Thanks to that, the atmosphere eased a little. I cleared my throat.
“Ahem.”
Cheres patted Hayden. At his careful touch, Hayden tilted his head and looked up at him curiously. Deep blue eyes and the child’s lighter blue eyes met in midair.
A faint smile appeared on Cheres’ lips. Seeing that, my heart felt at ease again.
Right. He said he didn’t see it.
I fiddled with the ribbon absentmindedly.
“…You should be careful too, Cheres.”
“Hm?”
“He might suddenly yank your pants down.”
Cheres stared at Hayden for a moment, then gently kissed the child’s forehead.
“What a little devil.”
“A very cute and lovable devil.”
Cheres nodded in agreement. Watching Hayden pat Cheres’ cheek with his tiny hands, I leaned back against the carriage.
Yes. This is parenting. Real parenting.
*
The outdoor wedding venue by the lake was packed as if all the nobles of the South had gathered. White drapes hung over arches, and blooming hydrangeas swayed in the wind, creating an elegant atmosphere. Spring was in full bloom.
But despite the beautiful scenery, no one was looking at the flowers.
As the carriage stopped, Cheres got out first and offered me his hand. The moment we stepped down, the noise that had been spreading like waves suddenly quieted.
The reason was simple.
Cheres was holding Hayden in his arms.
The ruler of the South had appeared at an official event carrying his heir. It was a political declaration—this child was the only successor who would follow after him.
And that was exactly the effect we intended.
Hundreds of eyes pricked at us. Murmurs spread like an epidemic.
“That child… the one from the rumors…”
“The ducal heir. He looks just like the former duke.”
“The duke is holding him himself… Isn’t this a declaration that no one should touch him?”
Perhaps overwhelmed by the unfamiliar setting and the gazes, Hayden clutched Cheres’ collar tightly with his tiny hands. His small fists turned pale from the force as he buried his face against Cheres’ broad shoulder.
I gently stroked Hayden’s back and whispered,
“It’s okay, Hayden. Nothing’s wrong, right? Everyone just thinks you’re adorable. You’re the best, Hayden!”
As always, I gave him a thumbs-up. When Hayden met my eyes, he grinned. His crescent-shaped eyes reflected me back.
I softly stroked his cheek.
“It’ll be okay.”
Cheres adjusted his hold on the child and walked slowly through the crowd. I followed beside him.
After we sat down, Hayden—now slightly relaxed—peeked up again. Seeing the colorful flower decorations, he brightened once more and pointed at them.
“Teh! Tete!”
At that moment, the tension among the noble ladies melted instantly.
“Oh my, look at the young lord babbling!”
“Look at him pointing! How adorable! That angelic face…”
The cuteness of Hayden instantly dissolved all suspicion directed at the Beryden heir. Cheres’ strategy, combined with Hayden’s devastating charm, had succeeded perfectly.
*
The wedding ceremony began.
With grand music, Chloe made her entrance. Her white dress, covered in lace and jewels, was as extravagant as her personality—but today, it suited her perfectly. She looked as if she herself had become a bouquet.
But the one who drew the most attention wasn’t Chloe—it was the groom standing at the altar, Aethan.
He looked like he was about to cry at any moment. Even from afar, his eyes were swollen red like a rabbit’s, and his chin trembled uncontrollably.
Is he going to cry before the vows even start?
My prediction was correct.
The moment Chloe finished her entrance and stood before him, Aethan burst into tears like a waterfall.
The officiating priest coughed awkwardly, and the guests lowered their heads to suppress laughter.
At first, Chloe looked embarrassed and pouty, but soon her expression softened. With flushed cheeks, she took out a handkerchief and gently wiped Aethan’s tears, whispering softly,
“…Idiot.”
Her lips moved in a way I could clearly read from where I sat.
It was an expression of affection I never would’ve expected from Chloe. Life really is unpredictable.
Her eyes were overflowing with love for Aethan. It seemed all her past boasting had been rooted in that affection.
The vows and ring exchange—the climax of the ceremony—proceeded.
Aethan kept sobbing while putting the ring on her finger, and finally, when the marriage was declared, thunderous applause erupted.
Startled by the sound, Hayden flinched, then after a moment looked around and began clapping too.
His small, clumsy hands hitting together drew everyone’s attention again.
“Oh my, the young lord is clapping!”
“How adorable! He can even do that!”
Encouraged by the praise, Hayden became excited and waved his arms wildly.
“Tehtehteh!!”
He raised both hands high and flailed his short arms while clapping. Seeing that, both Aethan and Chloe burst into laughter.
It was a good day.
*
Just before the banquet began, we faced our biggest challenge: Hayden’s lunch time.
In the middle of high society, where we couldn’t trust anyone, we ultimately decided to feed him ourselves.
Lady Petunia had already left, but it was still unclear who might be acting under Yotle’s orders. The beef-and-broccoli nutritious rice we had carefully prepared since dawn with Lady Yurein was today’s meal.
“Cheres, please hold him here.”
I rolled up my silk sleeves with determination. Cheres placed Hayden on his lap with a solemn expression. Then he carefully tied the bib around the child’s neck—so carefully that it felt suffocating just watching him.
Compared to Cheres, Hayden really did look small. It was all relative. Hayden was large for his age, but in Cheres’ arms, he always seemed smaller.
“Alright, Hayden. Ahh—yes, that’s it, our little baby bird eats so well!”
But after the first bite, trouble began.
Normally, Hayden ate well—but today, he resisted. The moment the spoon came near his mouth, he turned his head sharply and shouted “Pya!” while flailing his hands.
“Bububububububu!”
And in that moment, I watched grains of rice fly into the air.
