The Softest And Cutest Of The Dukes - Chapter 39

CHAPTER 39

Although I had decided to sleep for two nights before leaving, I had already packed my bags. When Father saw them later, he had a somewhat wistful expression.

“You’ve already prepared?”

“Yes, Father.”

If you’re going somewhere, you have to be thoroughly prepared, right? I smiled and nestled into Father’s arms. In response, Father hugged me and patted my back.

“Rafi, instead of getting married, should we live together for the rest of our lives?”

“Father likes someone who is behave, though.”

“No, how could I find our daughter bothersome? Father would be happy just to have Rafi by his side. Besides, Eugene can’t leave here anyway.”

Of course, the eldest son of the household should naturally continue the lineage here, but it was inevitable for the daughter to go to her husband’s house after getting married.

“No, if there’s someone you like, bring them here. Father will test them a bit, and if they pass, they can become my son-in-law.”

I couldn’t imagine what that test would be. I just clung to Father’s chest, feeling the danger lurking behind his half-deadly smile, without saying a word.

“When you go to Erica’s house, contact me if you think of Father. You can come back anytime.”

“Yes, Father.”

“But when will you come back?”

Father asked when I hadn’t even left yet, and I smiled and replied.

“Well, I’ll sleep for seven nights and then come back.”

When I went to the Tigris Duchy, I had originally promised to stay for a week. It ended up being extended, but I said I would come back roughly a week later to maintain fairness. However, Father’s expression didn’t brighten up.

“Nowadays, it seems like day trips are popular even for travel.”

Going for a day and coming back in the evening? Is that what they meant?

It seemed too much to do a day trip to the Aquila Duchy. However, as I tried to answer, my mouth hung open like a clam that had met seawater.

“Whoaaah!”

“You must be sleepy. Let’s go to sleep now. Father will put you to bed.”

Nestled in the warmest and safest embrace in the world, I fell into a deep sleep under Father’s lullabies.

After sleeping for two nights, I slung the pre-packed crossbody bag over my shoulder and went outside with Jenny, who was carrying the luggage.

“Huh?”

What’s going on? Why are there so many people at the warp gate?

Looking at the familiar faces, I tilted my head in confusion. Then Father came and lifted me.

“They’ve come to see you off.”

“Ahaha! I’m going to Sister’s house.”

As I waved my hand towards the people who had come to see me off, they all slightly bowed their heads. You don’t need to come out as a group like this.

“Why is Vance here?”

I understood why the employees came to see me off, but when I saw Vance and others gathered, I tilted my head in confusion.

“He’s your attendant.”

What do you mean by sending ministers as attendants? My mouth hung wide open at the thought of many ministers as attendants.

“Why? Is there a shortage?”

“No! I’ll go by myself.”

“Going alone? What if something happens on the way?”

What could happen in the blink of an eye when I would already be at the destination? In response to Father’s incomprehensible words, Vance grinned and said.

“Miss, it’s your first time going to the Aquila Duchy. How can we send you alone? Our abilities…”

“I said I’m going alone.”

It was a bit embarrassing, in a way, to take all these people with me. So I stopped those who were planning to fight against the Aquila Duchy. But some people objected.

“No, you can’t. They should at least bring you along a little, in case there are any risks. Father wants to go, but I’m busy and can’t go…”

Father, with a disappointed look in his eyes, looked at his attendants one by one, then pointed at someone.

“Kai Gabriel, you seem somewhat suitable.”

At Father’s call, Count Kai Gabriel stepped forward and slightly bowed. From what I heard, he was the commander of Duke Panteur’s secret bodyguard. So he’s going to be assigned to a little girl like me, who’s just going to her sister’s house.

“Lady Seraphina, I am Kai Gabriel. Please call me Kai from now on.”

Most of the knights were well-built and had a strong physique. In comparison, Kai had a more agile figure. I nodded my head, impressed by his sleek physique, which seemed to resemble an assassin.

“Hello. I’m Rafi.”

When I greeted him, Kai reached out his hand to me. Seeing his blue, piercing eyes, I moved from Father’s embrace to Kai’s. And I felt like I knew why Father had chosen Kai. It must be because he lacked the brawniness in his chest that I couldn’t fall for.

Father, who had handed me over to Kai, gave him something. Kai put it in his pocket.

“Your Excellency, what about me? I must protect our future Lady!”

Suddenly, Vance stepped forward and spoke, but Father pretended not to hear him, only kissing me on the cheek.

“Rafi, have a safe journey. If you miss Father, come back right away.”

“Yes, Father! I’ll have a safe journey.”

I bid farewell to everyone and saw Ciel in Jenny’s arms. I waved my hand at Ciel, who looked sad with droopy ears and a tail.

“Ciel, bye-bye.”

Nyaa.

Even Ciel’s moist eyes showed a tinge of sadness. But I made up my mind not to take Ciel with me. My brother-in-law doesn’t like pets, so I heard that they don’t keep animals in the Aquila Duchy.

Considering the landlord’s preferences, I bid farewell to Ciel. Then Kai, who had taken my luggage from Jenny, stood right in front of the warp gate.

“Rafi, if you don’t go now, Father can stop everything…….”

Before Father finished speaking, a hasty magician injected mana and the warp gate opened right away. I blinked my eyes once, and the sight of Duke Panteur’s mansion disappeared, replaced by an unfamiliar place.

“Is this Sister’s house?”

“Yes, it’s my first time too, but I think so.”

Kai smiled and greeted the person who came to meet us, then bowed.

“Hello. I’m Rafi, Sister’s little sister. I’m three years old.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Arnold, the butler of Duke Aquila’s mansion. Haha, it’s amazing how much you resemble Duchess Panteur.”

Arnold, who saw me, smiled broadly and said that. Seeing that there was no familiar face around Arnold, I tilted my head in confusion.

“Where is Sister?”

“Lady Erica and the Young Master are out on territory business. And his Excellency is at the military headquarters.”

I hadn’t told her when I was coming here on purpose to surprise her.

“Should we go to Sister? Doesn’t Sister know that we’re coming here?”

“Lady Panteur hasn’t given the orders yet, so we haven’t conveyed the news.”

“Hehe, it’ll be a pleasant surprise.”

As I smiled and said that, the people around me also smiled. Even though I had said I was coming here, it seemed that I hadn’t told the head of the household, which made it even more remarkable.

“Kai, shall we walk?”

I couldn’t keep clinging to a man who wasn’t my father while becoming Lady Panteur. It wasn’t proper. So, embodying the dignity of the Panteur household, I asked Arnold as soon as I got off the ground.

“Please guide us wherever your Lord is.”

“Yes! I will do so. Haha.”

Arnold burst into laughter, and I followed closely behind him. 

Kai, who was standing behind me, kept rubbing his left chest as if he wasn’t feeling well. 

And the people who had come to greet me also seemed to have eaten something wrong, as they covered their mouths and shivered.

I couldn’t understand why they would fall ill every time I went somewhere. Perhaps I should ask my brother for good medicine as a gift later. 

While walking briskly behind Arnold, we stopped momentarily at the entrance to the training ground. 

“Lady Panteur is here to visit the Lord and Lady Erica. Please open the way for them.”

As Arnold spoke, the gaze of the knights guarding the entrance fell upon me and Kai.

“Hello. I’m Rafi. This is Kai!”

As I greeted them with a wave, their eyes widened.

“The lady may enter, but I’m not sure about the person behind her.”

Seeing the knights politely express their concern, I shifted my gaze to Kai. He smirked as if he had expected this. Each noble family had a way of training. So while I was allowed to enter as a novice in swordsmanship, Kai drew the line for himself.

“No need to worry. Kai is coming with me… My father told me to bring him.”

As I wagged my finger, the knights seemed taken aback. They exchanged glances, seemingly communicating silently about what to do.

“Then, please stay at a distance.”

“Really? Thank you. Hehe.”

After receiving permission, I expressed my gratitude by taking out two candies from my bag and placing them in the hands of one of the knights.

“Have this. Enjoy it later and make lots of smacking noises.”

“Thank you very much.”

Passing by the knight who held the candies preciously, I entered the training grounds of the Aquila estate. Dozens of knights, who appeared to be well-trained, were engaged in sparring matches. 

It was a sight I had never seen in the Panteur estate, so I gave Arnold a look.

Arnold responded with a warm smile and a nod. 

Meanwhile, Kai, who stood a little further away, looked around with a smirk.

“Wow, it’s impressive.”

With his well-defined muscles and strong physique, it was clear that he was a top-notch groom. 

While observing the training from a distance, my brother-in-law stepped forward and spoke in a relaxed manner.

“Assume a proper stance. Today, I will personally supervise the training.”

Upon my brother’s words, the faces of the knights instantly tensed up. But my brother showed no mercy. With sharp eyes, he commanded them to take their positions. Then, without a word, he swung his sword. Soon, sounds of pain could be heard from various places.

“How can you call yourselves knights of Aquila if you’re so weak and easily defeated? How can any of you touch an eagle feather in the sky?”

My brother’s fierce shout made him appear truly intimidating for the first time. Startled, I took a step back, and at the same time, made eye contact with several knights who were training. 

It felt as if the unfamiliar girl they were seeing was piercing their souls with her gaze.

Feeling overwhelmed just by their gaze, I hurriedly ran towards them and shouted, 

“Brother!”

“Hmm?”

My brother turned his head at my call, and our eyes met. His expression softened as if he had never been harsh in the first place.

“Our adorable little sister, or should I say, sister-in-law!”

I ran towards my brother with my arms wide open but lost my balance and fell forward. I landed flat on the ground, not only in pain but also feeling embarrassed. 

Unable to get up, I stayed in that position. My brother rushed over, helped me up, and dusted off the dirt.

“Sister-in-law, are you okay?”

In response to my brother’s concerned question, I extended my hand.

“It hurts, here. It hurts. Please blow on it.”