Chapter 6

Carinne looked at the child in silence and eventually stretched out her hand to pat his head.

His hollow cheeks appeared to have gotten slightly plumper, at least, after eating consistently throughout the month they spent traveling to the archduchy and the week they resided at Viscount Tyrian’s estate.

“Yes, Nittens, you’re also prettiest when you smile.”

“Heehee.”

With a beaming smile, the child hugged Carinne. She felt Nittens’ unconditional love for her more than ever, and it caused her to choke up.

He never once asked about his father, but Carinne was certain that the 2-year-old boy knew much more than he gave away. That fact always made her feel guilty.

She couldn’t bring herself to confess that she had entangled herself with a man she didn’t know for payback, and used the unborn child as a pawn in her plan.

“Mommy, how much longer before we get to the new house?” the child asked, his voice full of curiosity.

She lowered her head and opened the window to look out the window for a moment. They were already inside the archduke’s territory, so it looked like they would arrive that afternoon.

“Soon. We’ll arrive there today.”

Nittens hugged Carinne’s waist and kicked his dangling feet.

Gazing down at the boy’s excited eyes, she hoped that the lord of the house was not as dreadful as the rumors said.

It was around sunset when Carinne and her entourage arrived at the archduke’s residence.

A loud commotion was heard outside. When Carinne opened the window, the guard of the archduke’s residence and one of her guards were in the midst of an argument.

“We need to escort the lady inside.”

“No one except those permitted can enter the archduke’s residence. His Highness does not allow strangers to visit unannounced.”

“Are you disrespecting us?” growled the man from Carinne’s group, who appeared to be the captain of the guards. He sounded insulted by the guard’s treatment of him.

Carinne let out a short sigh.

“Mm…? Mommy...”

“We’ve arrived, Nitty. It’s time to wake up.”

“Okay... Are the knights fighting?” the boy asked as he rubbed his drowsy eyes.

Carinne stroked his head and swallowed her sigh. Neither her escort knight nor the archduke’s guard showed any signs of backing down, so it looked like she would have to intervene.

“Yes, I’ll have to step outside for a bit.”

“Take me with you!”

“Alright.”

Carinne opened the door and stepped out of the carriage. The hem of her dress glided smoothly on the ground. She stretched out her arms, picked up Nittens, and gently placed him on the ground.

“I couldn’t help but notice the ruckus out here. What’s the problem?” she asked.

The guard on duty at the main gate of the archduke’s residence bowed to her.

“According to His Highness’ order, only the lady and the lady’s son are allowed to enter.”

Nittens took cover behind Carinne, clutching the hem of her dress. Then he extended his head, mouth agape as he looked up at the soldier of the archduchy in his glistening armor.

He looks so cool!

The child’s eyes sparkled as he locked his gaze on the soldier, who acknowledged the child’s fixed, intense gaze before turning to lower his head to Carinne once more.

“His Highness does not permit any unauthorized persons to enter the mansion. I ask for your understanding.”

“I understand. But they’ve escorted me all the way here. I wish to provide them with a place to stay so they can relieve their travel fatigue.”

“Yes, that can be arranged.”

With Carinne’s negotiation, the escort knight eventually retreated with a dissatisfied expression on his face. Carinne was the one currently in charge of the escort knights, and they were obligated to follow her instructions.

“If you would step back inside the carriage, we’ll lead you inside.”

“Is it too far to walk?”

“It’s about a forty-minute walk from here to the mansion’s entrance.”

Carinne dropped her head in response to the soldier’s answer. It was clear to her that Nittens was getting tired of being cooped up in the carriage. He didn’t complain to her, but she couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

Wow, this place is huge.

While it was not as big as the imperial palace, it came close. It had a huge garden along with densely wooded areas. There was a fountain in front and a pond in the distance that hinted at the grand size of the place.

“Mommy, Mommy.”

The child carefully pulled on Carinne’s dress. When she lowered her gaze, the boy’s eyes were twinkling.

She hadn’t witnessed him look so lively in a while...

No, maybe this is the first time.

Nittens always had a smile on his face, but it was mostly to comfort Carinne, who was typically somber.

But right now, he looked eager and excited, mirroring the look of a regular child his age.

“Yes?”

“Nitty wants to walk! I can do it!”

He reinforced his statement by clenching his fists. His small, chick-like appearance was so adorable, Carinne chuckled.

He had little experience in walking, so she wasn’t sure if he could, but his determination was admirable.

The child jumped up and down in place with a very excited face.

“Alright. Do you want to hold my hand and take a walk?”

“Yes!!!” the child shouted as loud as he could.

Carinne raised her head and looked at the guard. Every guard present appeared to have a blank look on their face. Given the archduke’s intimidating nature, it was understandable why they looked like that.

“Excuse me, but would you mind if we take a walk?”

“Not at all, if that’s what you prefer.”

Carinne nodded silently and proceeded to walk through the wide-open front door, holding her child’s hand.

Nittens moved with a slow gait, so she needed to hunch her back as she walked, yet the twinkle in his eyes made it all worthwhile.

“Wow.”

“Whoa!”

The boy was in awe of everything around him. His exclamations were non-stop.

She could tell he wanted to run around freely, but she held on to his hand firmly because the ground was very hard. If he tripped and fell, he would certainly hurt himself.

Due to the boy’s slow pace, it took them well over an hour to reach the entrance of the mansion, surpassing forty minutes.

It was hard for the child, but he was resolute in walking to the end, likely because he had been craving physical activity after being stuck in the carriage for a long time.

The sprawling mansion was exceptionally large, and a group of maids, knights, and butlers were standing outside to welcome them.

What impressive hospitality, especially for a sham marriage, Carinne thought to herself, but didn’t let it show.

Nittens felt nervous seeing such a large number of people, and sought comfort by hiding behind Carinne.

“How do you do, Lady Carinne? My name is Vincent. I’m the manor manager and head butler for this grand mansion.”

“Yes, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Vincent gave a gentle nod in the direction of Nittens, who was shyly hiding behind Carinne with only his head visible.

Despite being startled, Nittens responded by lowering his head.

Vincent’s smile became even broader. “His Highness is waiting in the drawing room...”

“Oh, it’s fine. You don’t need to bring them in. I’m here.”

A man appeared, standing out from the sea of servants in his dark uniform.

Carinne’s eyes widened in surprise. She recognized him at once.

His hair as dark as the night sky and his sharply slanted, crimson eyes. His face was all too familiar to her.

Uh...

He was the man with whom she’d had a one-night stand three years ago.

Flustered, Carinne lowered her head.

Didn’t he say he couldn’t see?

She carefully scanned the man. They exchanged glances, but he didn’t seem to recognize her. It was only natural. He couldn’t see her that night.

Waving his hand, he instructed all of his employees to leave except for the butler.

“Are you Carinne Tyrian?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Vaster Kayen. I will be your husband, in name.”

Her body went rigid as she confronted him face to face. His brow furrowed when she just silently stared at him.

“Is there something on my face?”

“No, no. Yes, I’m Carinne Tyrian, Your Highness,” she answered in a low tone.

In the past three years, she had become significantly thinner and her energy had completely shifted. Maybe it was only natural that he couldn’t recognize her by her voice or aura.

And he couldn’t see anything at the time...

Strangely enough, it seemed like he could see fine now. Unlike then, it was evident his eyes could focus, and there was vibrancy to his eyes.

Looking down, she lightly tapped the child on the shoulder. Nittens raised his head with a puzzled expression.

“Will you go over there for a moment?”

“Okay.”

Nittens started to move away at Carinne’s words, all the while casting glances over his shoulder.

The guard who had escorted them to that location followed him.

“Is he your son?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sure you have heard the gossip about me, but it’s important for me to make it clear that I am not able to offer marital affection.”

“I heard.”

“I would like to forgo a wedding ceremony and just file the necessary paperwork. Are you alright with that? If you’d like a formal ceremony, I can arrange it.”

“That’s fine,” she responded indifferently.