The Softest And Cutest Of The Dukes - Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

In the soft spring breeze, the blue eyes of the one who read the report froze.

“A child fell to the Panteur estate? From the sky?”

The man who read the report smiled curiously. 

“Silver hair and gold eyes? That’s her mother’s description.”

The white sheet of paper revealed something unexpected, and the man slammed his hand on the desk. 

“Duke, is it possible that this child is the child of destruction they speak of in the temple, otherwise she wouldn’t have fallen from the sky?”

The man shook his head at the words of the aide beside him.

“You believe that. I don’t trust anything they do in their temple. I shudder to think of what they’ve done in the past.”

He’s pretty much living his life pretending to be loyal to the temple because he’s tired of the lies they tell to keep the people happy. An imperial order was issued to wipe out the neighboring kingdom, claiming it was heretical. 

It turns out that the imperial court and the temple were working together. The temple had waged war on the neighboring kingdom to reduce the number of soldiers in the duke’s army, expand its territory, and gain adherents as a bonus. The result was the death of the family’s patriarch. 

The sneering man looked at the paper with interest. It would be better if this child was a child of destruction. So that she could raze the temple and the imperial palace to the ground. 

A few days passed after that report, and another arrived. 

“The child has amnesia, age three, and has been named Seraphina…… What on earth was her father thinking?”

The Duke of Panteur was no match for his blood. He marveled that he would give a child who had fallen from the sky the name of the woman he loved but had to send to heaven first. 

He wondered if he was trying to get the child into the Panteur’s family registry since they didn’t share a drop of blood. 

“Isn’t it a big deal for Duke Panteur to give his wife’s name to a child?”

“Of course, it would be a big deal. The name Seraphina is completely banned in the East now.”

As soon as Duchess Panteur died, an order was issued forbidding anyone to name their child Seraphina and forcing anyone who already bore the name to change it. So much so that the Duke did not want the name to be used by anyone else.

“Could this be a daughter that Duke Panteur had out of wedlock?”

“Not likely. It is evident from his character that he longs for his wife.”

“But if he prized the child enough to give her the name Seraphina,…… could it be that there was another woman who resembled the Duchess?”

“I can’t say that there wasn’t.”

Duke Panteur was still young. Moreover, he was a man who took care of himself, and there were still many women who would jump at the chance, so it was possible that he could secretly meet another woman. 

After all, he was alone, so he couldn’t be accused of having a child with another woman. 

He stared at the report and wondered what would happen if she found out. 

“Do you plan to tell Lady Erica?”

“Of course. It’s about Erica’s family matter. Even though she’s married into this place, it doesn’t mean she lacks the bloodline of Duke Panteur.”

Although it seemed like she completely severed ties with that place after the passing of the Duchess and she refused to go even when her father disapproved.

The warm bridge that was intended to link her to Duke Panteur disappeared, and for three years, she never set foot in the eastern region.

“Well, then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Very well.”

As the aide turned and left, the duke sighed deeply. When Duchess Panteur died, Erica had to force herself to swallow her tears. Then she had lashed out at Duke Panteur, telling him he had no right to cry, and she had come straight back after the funeral. 

It was only after coming here that Erica, embraced by him, burst into tears. Even though Duchess Panteur wasn’t her biological mother, Erica sobbed uncontrollably, repeatedly apologizing for her death.

“Well, if that’s the case, then we’re just as guilty as she is.”

He smiled bitterly and sighed. If only his father hadn’t died then. As he stared at the report, there was a knock at the door.

“My lord, Lady Erica is here.”

It was Erica, who preferred to be called by her first name rather than Duchess. 

“Come in.”

The door swung open at the short word, revealing a formidable yet beautiful woman. With black hair and blue eyes that could only be described as Duke Panteur’s, Erica held a small child in her arms.

“Jerome, I’m back.”

“Thank you for your hard work in my place. By the way, Colin went to Dreamland, it seems.”

“Yeah, he said he was going to see his dad and then he fell asleep.”

Erica took her son on a tour of the estate, filling in for Jerome, who looked like he was about to be buried under a pile of papers. It took a little longer than usual because she had a child with her, but Jerome didn’t blame her.

“My son seems to have grown a lot in the few weeks I have not seen him.”

Jerome stroked the hair of Colin, who had fallen asleep in his mother’s arms, and then he glanced at someone, and the woman who had been waiting quickly picked up the sleeping Colin and walked out. When they were alone in the room, Erica fell into Jerome’s arms.

“I’ve missed you, Jerome. Did you miss me?”

“Of course I missed you.”

They hadn’t seen each other in two weeks, and a light hug broke the ice. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Erica’s gaze fell on the report. 

“Jerome, what were you looking at?”

“Oh, that’s…….”

Jerome recited the facts to Erica, hoping it would be enough to convince her that he had gotten a glimpse of his father-in-law’s estate. 

Jerome’s words sharpened Erica’s blue eyes. Erica’s eyes turned into those of Duke Panteur as she read the report, and a gasp escaped her lips.

“So you’re saying that some kid just fell out of the sky?”

“Yes, that’s how they say she appeared, for starters.”

“And he gave the name Seraphina to a child who couldn’t remember her past?”

“Yeah, I think it’s because the child looks like your mother, so don’t be mad at him. You can’t blame him if he marries someone and has a child.”

Jerome’s words furrowed Erica’s brow. She had no right to condemn Duke Panteur’s choice to settle down with someone so close to him. But she couldn’t help but feel bad. 

Still staring at the report, Erica turned to Jerome and said. 

“It’s wrong of me, and it’s wrong of my father, and it’s wrong of each other, but I don’t think we can just let this go.”

“Then what are you going to do, do you still intend to go to Duke Panteur’s house?”

“Yes, I will go, even tomorrow, but Jerome doesn’t need to come with me.”

The father-in-law and son-in-law were very uncomfortable. Moreover, Duke Panteur had a very bad opinion of Jerome. He had taken his daughter, a young woman of seventeen before. 

Jerome smiled awkwardly, unable to say that he had married at sixteen. 

“I’ll go where Erica goes, and I’ll leave Colin here, just in case.”

“Thanks for coming with me, Jerome.”

Erica kissed Jerome lightly on the lips. Judging by the way she reacted, she seemed quite pleased that he was coming with her. 

After escorting Erica, who had just arrived from a tour of the estate to her room to rest, Jerome summoned the butler.

“I’ll be at Duke Panteur’s tomorrow, so get ready to open the warp gate. And a gift for her father. Oh, and something for the little girl.”

“Yes, I will, my lord.”

Erica used to go there sometimes until Duchess Panteur died. 

Jerome had paid a fortune to have a warp gate installed between the Duchy of Panteur and Aquila. So that his young wife wouldn’t get homesick. 

The thought of going to Duke Panteur’s tomorrow suddenly gave Jerome a lot to prepare for, which is why he stayed up late at night. 

“Father!”

The next morning, Colin was the first to greet him. 

“Did you sleep well, my boy?”

“Yes.”

A slight smile appeared on Jerome’s face as he held his son, who is now four years old and looks just like him. After holding his son, Jerome shared a morning kiss with Erica, who had just woken up. 

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes. I must have been so tired last night, I skipped dinner and slept the whole time. I should have been getting ready to go to Duke Panteur’s house today.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve got it all taken care of.”

Jerome was a duke, but he was in charge of the inner workings of the house, and Erica focused on the outer workings of the House of Aquila. She never wanted to live like the ladies inside, so she stayed active and ruled the estate. 

“Let’s eat first.”

After dropping off Colin, who begged to go downstairs, Jerome escorted Erica to the dining room. After the meal, they prepared to go straight to the Panteur duchy.

“Did you call Duke Panteur beforehand?”

“Yes, I’ve been in contact with someone there.”

Jerome nodded at the butler’s words. He quickly changed his clothes. He was going to his in-laws for the first time in three years, so it was only natural that he should dress up.

“Jerome, come on out. I can’t wait to get home and see what’s going on.”

At Erica’s urging, Jerome hurried out of the house. He was well dressed and stood with Erica in front of the warp gate. The warp gate was already piled high with gifts for Duke Panteur.

“You don’t have to take these things.”

“But it’s my in-laws after three years, and I can’t go empty-handed, and most of all, he’s the father who gave birth to my Erica. Come on, there’s no time to complain, let’s go.”

Compared to the outgoing Erica, Jerome had a more domestic side to him. Therefore, Jerome, who personally selected and prepared gifts with the butler and staff until late at night, stood beside Erica at the Warp Gate. As they did, the preselected knights stood upright, surrounding the vicinity.

“Well, then, we must be going. In the meantime, take care of Colin and the house.”

At Jerome’s words, the aides bowed and left. As soon as they were gone, his vision blurred and a new place appeared before him. 

After three years, the Panteur Manor was just as they remembered it.

“It’s been a long time. Lady Erica, and Duke Aquila.”

Oscar, who had been warned of their arrival, bowed slightly in greeting. 

“Where is my father?”

“He’s in a meeting inside, but he’ll be out shortly.”

Hearing Oscar’s words, Jerome had his knights gather the gifts he had brought with him, and he made the first move, announcing that he was going to take a short walk.

A few moments later, Duke Panteur, having concluded his meeting, appeared with his aides. Looking indistinguishable from his daughter, Erica, the Duke stood before her.

“You have returned after three years. What brings you here?”

“If I’m coming to my house, do I have to tell you why?”

As the blunt Duke Panteur spoke after three years, Erica also spoke bluntly. Her voice was sharp, with a hint of anger in it. 

“Who are you to come and lose your temper after three years?”

“My father. You didn’t call me when I wasn’t here for three years either.”

Erica, who never held anything back, looked at Duke Panteur and said. The Duke frowned slightly at his daughter’s gaze and asked. 

“Perhaps your husband has been spying on our home and has heard some news.”