Chapter Seventeen: A New Role

As he ate a croissant for breakfast, Cedric smiled.

I almost couldn’t believe that until yesterday, he was suffering from a high fever.

After waiting for Cedric to stop crying and calm down, I escorted him to his bedroom, which was next to mine. Then, it was time for breakfast. Of course, my husband would be coming along. Thus, a breakfast for three was laid upon the small table.

Before breakfast, Dr. Morgan examined Cedric’s injuries. Not only did he give me advice on which medicine to apply to which wound, he also taught me how to wrap a bandage. Since he had just recovered from illness, I was concerned as to whether or not he’d be able to digest food. However, the doctor assured me. “Since he’s recovered this much, he’ll be fine.”

While Cedric wasn’t blessed with loving parents, he grew up while being cherished by his family’s servants, so he was very friendly. In such a short time, he managed to befriend my husband, Elsa, and Frederick.

“…Cedric, how’s your injury?”

While sipping coffee after dinner, my husband hesitantly asked.

Cedric, who was drinking tea, shook his head.

“I’m fine because my sister is with me.”

“…I see, but don’t exert yourself. Take a good rest in your room with Liliana today.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency the Marquis.”

“No problem. By the way, Cedric, I’d like to ask you something. However, if you refuse to answer, it’s alright, too. Did your father give you those injuries? Or is it your mother?”

After showing a satisfied smile, my husband’s expression became mysterious as he observed Cedric’s expression. With a troubled look on his face, Cedric looked up at me.

“It’s alright, Cedric. I’d like to know, as well.”

In response, Cedric’s lips quivered for a moment, but I gave his hand a little squeeze.

“…They’re from my father and my sister, Margaret.”

“Did it happen after Liliana got married?”

At my husband’s question, Cedric shook his head.

“…Be it father, mother, or my sister, none of them cared about me. Albeit sometimes, their mood would turn sour and I wouldn’t be getting any meal. But other than that, nothing in particular. Ever since my sister had left, I was sad, but nothing else changed. However, about two days ago, my father suddenly called me, and then… It, it hurt, I was so surprised, and scared…”

“Oh, Cedric…”

I left my seat to hug Cedric, and his little hands clung to mine.

“Immediately after that, Margaret took father’s place. She’d kick me, or whip me. I think the reason was because she received a letter of refusal from a man named Charles, whom she planned to be engaged to.”

“I’ve reminded you of something awful. Be rest assured, from now on, you’ll receive my full protection. Don’t worry, I’ll never let you experience such a thing again.”

Cedric’s expression eased in relief.

With his large palm, my husband stroked Cedric’s head.

“Then, I shall prepare a room for you, Cedric. Until your injury gets better, rest properly.”

“…I’d like to share a room with my sister just a bit more.”

Cedric said while glancing at my husband’s expression.

Then, my husband caressed his head once again, and said with a gentle expression.

“No wonder, after all, it’s been a year. However, it’s only after Cedric thinks that he has fully recovered, alright?”

“Yes! Thank you, Your Excellency the Marquis”

Cedric smiled happily and innocently. With a genuinely kind smile, my husband stroked Cedric’s head with both hands. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw Cedric laughing so boisterously.

“Cedric, if you don’t mind, please call me ‘brother’. After all, I’m your older sister’s husband, so I’m basically your brother-in-law.”

“Understood, brother-in-law!”

Towards Cedric’s honest answer, my husband smiled even more. I was a bit nervous, but everything should be fine considering that my husband was a kind person.

“Now then, Cedric, I’d like to discuss something with Liliana, so please head to your room.”

“…Can I see my sister soon?”

Cedric grew uneasy, and even though I could muster a smile, my heart constricted in pain. My husband also looked a little sad, but nodded gently.

“I’m just going to talk to her for a minute. I’ll leave the bedroom door open.”

“Alright.” Cedric nodded sadly.

After I had let go of him, Cedric left the room while turning around several times.

“May I accompany you?” Elsa offered to escort Cedric into his room.

With Elsa by his side, he’d be safe no matter what.

“…He’s truly fond of Liliana.”

My husband spoke earnestly.

“In a sense, we only have each other. As such, we grew to open our hearts with each other… I’m probably akin to a mother figure to him, since both my father and stepmother only care about my sister. Thank you very much, my husband.”

I bowed deeply.

I couldn’t thank my husband enough.

To share his kindness with not only me but also Cedric, he was truly a wonderful person.

“Liliana, I haven’t done anything to earn your gratitude.”

“That’s not true. Thanks to my husband, I was able to save Cedric. Thank you very much for your kindness.”

“…I understand, then I shall accept your gratitude.” My husband laughed as if in trouble.

Then, he urged me to sit. I took a sip of the warm tea.

“I have something to tell you.”

I proceeded to put down the cup and straighten my back.

“…Liliana, I forgot to mention it yesterday, but starting from today, I’ll be working for the Order of the Knight again.”

I froze for a few seconds, before taking a deep breath.

“I, is that so…”

All I could muster was a meek reply. At the very least, my voice didn’t shake.

“Have you regained your memory?”

“No, I haven’t, but I’m in the position of authority. A lot of documents are waiting for my approval and payment.” My husband frowned in disgust.

Ah, that was right. My husband despised paperwork.

Burying the loneliness in my heart, I did my best to smile.

Apparently, the moment I realized my yearning from him, I was doomed to not have the opportunity to see him for quite some time.

For the past two weeks, we had been spending a lot of time together. As such, I took it for granted. Now that we weren’t able to meet as often, I wondered what would become of my love..

“I, I see, then we probably won’t be seeing each other again for a while. Uhm, can you return in half a year? No, in about three months? It’d be terrible if you overworked yourself and collapsed again.”

“…Eh?”

“Pfft—!”

For some reason, Frederick burst into laughter behind my husband. When my husband glared at him, Frederick had reverted to his usual composed self. Perhaps, I was merely seeing things. After all, Frederick was an excellent butler who supported my husband.

“Liliana, I plan on coming home every day, though…”

“Every, day…?”

I covered my mouth in surprise.

“This is your own doing, my Lord.”

Frederick muttered something that I couldn’t quite hear. My husband shot a look at Frederick again, but soon turned to me.

“I’ll be sure to come home every day. However, if it’s past 21:00 and I still haven’t returned, head to bed first. But, if I return by then, I’d like you to greet me. I also want you to see me off.”

“I, I may do so?”

“Apparently, my former self refused, but now I want you to do it.”

My husband looked at me with a serious expression. With the joy of being given the role of a wife, I naturally smiled. While concealing the rapid beating of my heart, I agreed.

“If you’re alright with me, then I’d like to do it.”

“I-I see! That’s great! Then, I’ll go back to my room and change into my knight’s uniform, but… didn’t you promise to see Cedric soon?”

My kind husband was concerned about Cedric’s feelings. That alone made my face flush even more.

“If that’s the case, then the young lady can see you from the balcony.”

Frederick’s proposal cheered my husband up.

“That’s a good idea. Liliana, can you see me off from the balcony of your bedroom? Although, depending on Cedric’s condition at night, you don’t have to force yourself to do so.”

“I understand.”

When I nodded, my husband left his seat in satisfaction. I saw him off to the door, before heading towards the bedroom. When I entered the bedroom, Cedric, who seemed to be conversing with Elsa, beamed.

“Sister, are you done talking?”

“Yes. Starting from today, my husband is going to work for the Order of the Knight. Therefore, let’s see him off together from the balcony later.”

“Of course! I’d like to see my brother-in-law off, too!”

Cedric, who nodded happily, made me overjoyed.

After a while, Cedric and I went out to the balcony to see off my husband, who had donned his black uniform and was riding a horse. My husband, dressed in a jet-black and gold-based knight attire, was so amazing that I couldn’t help but fall in love all over again.

“Liliana, Cedric, I’m heading off”

“Yes, please have a safe trip, my husband!”

“Brother-in-law, take care!”

When Cedric waved his hand, my husband also waved back from the horse. After he kicked the horse’s belly, it dashed off. Frederick, who was also on a horse, waved to Elsa before going after my husband. The two ran through the spacious garden and disappeared in a blink of an eye.

“Elsa, why didn’t my brother-in-law ride a carriage?”

I tilted my head to Cedric’s question.

Until now, my husband barely returned home, and even when he did, I was asleep. Therefore, I didn’t know if he rode a carriage or a horse.

“The lord said that carriages are troublesome in regard to intercepting attacks. As such, he preferred horses due to the wide field of vision it offers. Besides, his office is only ten minutes away.”

“Is my brother-in-law being targeted?”

Elsa smiled proudly and shook her head at Cedric’s gloomy question.

“Since my lord is the strongest knight in the Kingdom of Cresion, there’s no need to worry. Even if there are about 40 of them in a group, they wouldn’t be able to defeat him. Moreover, there aren’t that many who’d want to target a hero.”

At times, Elsa seemed to treat my husband coldly, so I was relieved that she respected him. Not only that, I also admired the proud look on her face.

Cedric’s eyes sparkled at Elsa’s words.

“My brother-in-law is called the guardian of the kingdom, isn’t he? Teacher Oswald told me.”

“That’s right.”

Elsa’s lips twitched for a moment. I could tell that she was about to burst out laughing. However, I was unsure what was so funny. More than that, I was surprised that my husband had such a nickname. However, since he was indeed a hero, it wasn’t strange.

By the way, Oswald was Cedric’s tutor.

“My husband sure is amazing.”

“…Yes, mostly because he’s a peerless knight. Now, Lord Cedric, Milady, let’s head inside. As for Lord Cedric, please lie down on the bed and rest properly.”

“Alright. By the way, Sister, I’d like you to read me a story just like before!”

We went inside while Cedric clung to me like a spoiled child.

“Fufu, of course. Instead, if you feel unwell or if your wounds hurt, please let me know. I don’t want Cedric to suffer. It’s a promise.”

“Yes! I promise!”

His innocent smile filled me with love. It was so pitiful that my father, stepmother, and stepsister didn’t know how adorable he was.

I found a book that Cedric had been wanting to read for a long time, and asked Elsa to fetch it for me. Then, I read the story to Cedric. He enjoyed all the ups and downs of the story.

Once again, I was grateful to my husband for returning my brother to my embrace.

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***T/N: Aww, get married, you two!!! But they already did…

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