"Siena. Lucas."The children blinked sleepily as Kaidel held them up high in each arm. They looked perfectly at peace.
Lucas waved nonchalantly."Hello, Teacher."
After making her worry sick, all he could say was hello, teacher?
Eleanor, overwhelmed with relief, pinched both children's cheeks at once."Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
The two only grinned sheepishly."Hehe. We don't know."
"From now on, your free time together is over. I trusted you, and look what you did with it."
The children shook their heads wildly at Eleanor's stern tone. They whined and pouted, but she remained firm.
Kaidel, watching her warily, added his own words."From now on, Madam Orleans will be with you at all times."
"What?"
At the thought of a constant chaperone, the children's faces immediately fell.
Still, despite their grumbling, they got along well with the nanny. In fact, they often trailed after her like little chicks.
It had been only five days since arriving at the Duke's Castle. Already the children's cheeks were plump and their skin glowed with health. Proper meals and restful sleep had done wonders.
"Please take care of them again today, Clarisse.""Of course. Don't worry, just enjoy yourself."
Leaving the children in the nanny's care, Eleanor stepped outside. Today, she would finally ride a horse.
"Hello, Ray."
As she stroked the horse's mane, Ray responded with a friendly nicker.
"I'm right here, you know."
Kaidel's quiet jealousy slipped into his voice.How could anyone be jealous of a horse? Eleanor shook her head at him in disbelief.
"Will I really be able to ride today?""That depends on your athletic sense. Do you exercise at all?"
Eleanor thought hard. She climbed the stairs to her room on the second floor, took walks in the garden when the sunset was pretty, and of course she breathed. That probably counted as exercise.
"A little?"
Kaidel nodded. At least she did something.
He lifted her easily into the saddle. The sudden height made Eleanor's stomach drop. Her face twisted into comical fear."Ahh! This is too scary."
"Sit straight. If you tense up, the horse will, too."
When Eleanor hunched instinctively, Kaidel immediately corrected her. He was a strict instructor when it came to safety.
He adjusted her posture, and each time his hand brushed her side, her abdominal muscles tensed sharply."You need to use more strength."
Even just sitting properly took time, and her leg muscles already screamed in protest."This is me giving it my all."
Kaidel realized Eleanor had not a shred of athletic ability. He now understood perfectly why Dwight had given up teaching her to ride.
"I'll let him move slowly."
He looked up at her, silently asking if she could manage. Eleanor nodded.
"Try to keep your posture. You'll find the rhythm."
Ray started forward at a gentle walk. Eleanor's eyes went wide at the strange sensation.
Kaidel held the reins and walked alongside, watching her balance.
After one circle, she began to get a feel for it. She was still clumsy, but no longer stiff with fear.
"You've seemed a little down lately," Kaidel remarked.
Her eyes widened."Me? I thought I was the same as always."
"Maybe so, but I don't know… You feel weaker somehow. Just a hunch."
Eleanor pressed her lips shut. She never imagined Kaidel would notice. If anyone, she thought it would be Ismel or Adrian.
Taking her silence as confirmation, Kaidel continued."When that happens to me, I ride hard. I just keep running, stop for a breath, and run again. It clears my head."
He had wanted her to feel that freedom, too.
Eleanor gave a small laugh."Somehow, I don't think that's possible for me."
"You'll need to stay here at least three months." Kaidel chuckled.
"Even so, this isn't so bad. Being up here, you can see so far.""What do you see?""Houses, forests… and over there, I think that's the marketplace."
She listed off the sights in the distance. Since the Duke's Castle stood on a hill, the entire territory spread out beneath them.
"You were right. It really is a beautiful place."
They circled once more, chatting. Aside from the moment Ray unexpectedly sped up and startled her, Eleanor's first riding lesson was a success.
"How do I get down?""Step here and lean on me."
Kaidel held out his arms and set her gently on the ground.
The instant her feet touched, she collapsed where she stood. Muscles she never used trembled violently.All I did was walk slowly on Ray… She laughed weakly.
"Are you all right?""My legs won't hold me…"
Handing the reins to a servant, Kaidel crouched in front of her."Get on."
After a moment's hesitation, Eleanor obediently climbed onto his back. She was too drained to be bashful.
Kaidel lifted her, then stiffened in surprise. She was far too light.No muscle at all. Where does all the food go?
Her body was soft, delicate, and weightless—so different from his own."You don't really exercise, do you?"
Eleanor flinched."A little…""What kind?""I go up and down stairs, sometimes take walks."
And breathe.
Kaidel sighed deeply. Of course.
Just as he was about to scold her, Eleanor's slender arms slipped around his shoulders.!
His whole body went taut.
Eleanor, meanwhile, found him just as surprising. She hadn't known a body could be so firm. Warm, broad, and solid.
She rested her cheek against his shoulder and sniffed softly. He smelled of clean soap.A nice scent. Did he just bathe?
Being carried like this gave her a strange comfort, like a starfish clinging to a sun-warmed rock.So cozy.
The more Eleanor relaxed and leaned into him, the less at ease Kaidel felt.
"I must've worked out too hard today. I'm so drowsy."
She yawned, her warm breath brushing his neck, making his back stiffen."I just want to skip dinner and sleep.""You have to eat first."
Her hair slipped inside his collar, tickling his shoulder. Kaidel clenched his fists.Pure thoughts. Think pure thoughts.
When he shifted uncomfortably, Eleanor noticed."Am I too heavy?"
He didn't answer. She shook his shoulders gently."Really, is that it?"
Kaidel mumbled vaguely, "Mm."
Eleanor's face flushed crimson. She tried to pinch his arm, but his solid muscle wouldn't yield."Ugh… Then put me down."
He laughed, adjusting her more securely."No.""You said I was heavy!""When did I?""Just now!"
So that's what she thought he meant earlier.
Kaidel smirked."You're not heavy. Not at all. In fact, you ought to weigh twice as much."
His serious tone made her burst into laughter."I'll have to fatten up while I'm here, then.""You'll exercise, too.""Ugh. No thanks."
Kaidel's laughter rumbled through him, and Eleanor thought she had made the right choice in coming to the dukedom.
In that moment, she felt only joy—no worries, no burdens.I wish this could last a little longer.
That evening, they had a barbecue outdoors."Wow, this is amazing!"
Lucas gave a big thumbs-up, his excitement plain. Each time the flames roared, the children shrieked with delight. The chef, encouraged by their reactions, showed off tricks to amuse them.
"Do you really like it that much?"
The children were too enthralled to answer. Eleanor patiently retied Siena's hair, which had come half undone from play.
Freshly bathed, Kaidel casually sat beside Damian. Damian speared a piece of meat with his fork and offered it to him.
They look comfortable together now.
Eleanor smiled warmly. Seeing how close the two had become filled her with pride.
After the meal, Kaidel rose to walk the children around the garden. When Eleanor tried to clear her plate, a maid waved her off."Oh no, my lady. We'll handle it, please rest.""I'm only bored. Let me help carry the dishes at least."
She stacked the plates deftly. One look made it clear she had done this many times before.
Once the work was done, Eleanor sat in a rocking chair in the kitchen."I saw Kaidel's childhood portrait today.""Wasn't he darling? Far lovelier than the painting could capture."
The nanny smiled as she brought her sewing and sat nearby.
"How long have you worked here?""About thirty years. Since before the Duke was even born."
Eleanor's eyes widened.
"I can't do much anymore, but His Grace allows me to remain here. It's his kindness.""He really is warmhearted."
The nanny nodded emphatically."Indeed. Where else would you find a master with such depth of feeling?"
She began to share stories of Kaidel's childhood. Rocking gently, Eleanor pictured him as a boy.
They felt at ease with one another, and their conversation, begun lightly, gradually deepened.
"Young Master Damian was born in the capital, so I rarely saw him. He was always a little withdrawn, and I worried for him. But tonight, he seemed much brighter.""He and Kaidel have grown close. These days, Kaidel even checks on him at bedtime."
The nanny's face lit up at Eleanor's words. A companionable silence followed. Then, with a thoughtful sigh, the nanny spoke in a quieter voice.
"I once had a son, the same age as His Grace. When they were young, the two of them often played together…"
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