Lucian smiled deeply as he recalled yesterday’s memories. The image of Rachel, her face flushed as she called him ‘honey,’ lingered in his mind.

“Duke, the progress is smooth.”

“Good.”

As promised yesterday, Rachel’s new office was under construction. He had also granted Rachel a long-overdue vacation.

“It feels a bit empty without the Duchess, but considering she has been working non-stop, I think it’s a good thing.”

“That’s none of your concern.”

At Lucian’s low voice, Alex screamed inside. Knowing how deep and intense the Duke’s affection for his wife was, Alex hurriedly made an excuse.

“I meant no disrespect. I was merely suggesting that perhaps the Duke gave her the vacation with that intention. If I overstepped, I apologize.”

“…Hmm, well observed.”

“Then, I am relieved.”

Alex wiped the sweat from his hands on his trousers.

Thud, thud.

Loud noises echoed unusually through the usually quiet office. The children cleaning the hallways and window sills gathered near the office, driven by curiosity.

“Why is the office so noisy today?”

“Exactly. Didn’t they say we should never make noise in the second-floor hallway?”

“Does this mean it’s noisier than us today?”

“Then, can we be noisy as well?”

As the children whispered among themselves, Tommy appeared behind them.

“Why are you all gathered here making noise?”

“Ah, it’s Tommy.”

“Complaint chief Tommy.”

“When did I ever complain that much?”

“Ah, Tommy shouted. No, we must be quiet here!”

“But the office is noisier today?”

“Oohh, right?”

“Maybe we can be a bit noisy?”

“Hnng, right?”

“Tommy! It’s okay to talk loudly! We’ll understand!”

“What’s there to talk about?! Why aren’t you at your posts? What will you do if you get kicked out of the Duchy? Go back to your places now!”

“That’s why you’re the complaint chief.”

“How is this complaining?! It’s because you all aren’t doing your jobs right!”

“Oohh, Tommy is always nagging.”

The murmur of half a dozen children could be heard in the deeper parts of the office. Feeling puzzled, Alex opened the door just as the children who were eavesdropping tumbled forward.

“Ouch!”

“Ow!”

“Ah!”

Alex’s eyes widened as he saw the children sprawled on the floor.

“You, what are you doing here…”

The children, startled and embarrassed, quickly tried to get up. Before they could flee, Lucian, who appeared behind Alex, asked.

“What are you doing here?”

Even his mere deep voice made the children’s hearts pound. They had been taught by Amber always to show respect to the master of the manor and his wife…

Feeling like they had ruined everything, the children looked up at Lucian with teary eyes.

At that moment, Tommy, who had not fallen, helped the other children up and stepped forward.

“I apologize, Duke. It seems they were curious because the office was noisier than usual. We will make sure it does not happen again. Please forgive us this once.”

It wasn’t that Tommy was not afraid. He respected the Duke, but he also feared him.

Lucian appeared kind, though that kindness was only when the Madam was by his side.

Tommy immediately realized the Madam wasn’t present. It was because, in such situations, she usually reacted before the Duke. Even if that weren’t the case, he knew the Madam had gone out that morning and, trying to ignore his pounding heart, he pleaded for forgiveness.

“Why would you think I’m going to scold you?”

Lucian asked curiously. He hadn’t planned on it. Rachel had already informed him about the children.

Children were as lovely as they were prone to mischief, she had said. Since they couldn’t act as parents but as adults, they could provide care. That had always been her way, perhaps why she had also enveloped him like her own child in the past.

“Hoho.”

Reminded of the past, Lucian chuckled. The children gaped in surprise at his unexpected smile.

One girl, her face turning red, stared blankly at him.

“We are currently renovating the office. Has your curiosity been satisfied?”

“…Yes.”

“Yes…”

“It has been…”

The children each responded in turn.

“Have you finished your tasks?”

“I have finished mine!”

“I still have a bit left.”

“I’m done, too.”

“Well done. If you’re finished, go and ask Amber for some snacks.”

The children who had expected a scolding were surprised. They got praised instead… They twisted and turned, awkwardly expressing their gratitude.

“Yes! We will!”

“Thank you, Master!”

“Thank you!”

Lucian patted Tommy on the head as he stared at him and instructed.

“You go have some snacks as well.”

“…Yes.”

“And remember, it’s under construction, so it might be dangerous. Stay away for now, even if you’re curious.”

“Yes, I will.”

Tommy bowed and then hurried after the other children, who had already scampered off.

“…So cool.”

As he was coming down the stairs, Tommy blurted out without realizing it. Perhaps it was Lucian’s formidable aura that had always made him feel afraid.

Yet, that was cool.

Tommy promised himself he would become a distinguished adult like the Duke.

“Oh, are you kids coming down from the second floor?”

“Miss Amber!”

“Miss Amber! We’ve finished cleaning the second floor!”

The children followed Amber like she was their mother, and she was just as fond of them.

“Already? Oh, but you didn’t have to today… I forgot to tell you.”

Something came up suddenly, and she forgot to tell them. Amber looked at the children apologetically.

“It’s okay, Miss Amber!”

“We should clean every day anyway!”

“Right!”

While coming down, Tommy approached Amber and relayed Lucian’s message.

“Miss Amber, the Duke said we could ask you for snacks.”

“Did he?”

“Yes, he said all of us should have snacks….”

“Hehe. Well then, let’s eat. Shall we go to the dining room?”

“Yes!”

The children crowded around Tommy, whispering among themselves.

“Tommy might be the complaint chief, but he’s really just the chief, right?”

“Right. Chief Tommy…”

“Hehe.”

* * *

“Master! Master! Come here! Oh, hurry up!”

Oscar was more frantic than usual, but I knew the reason well, so I gave him no reprimands.

“It’s been a while! Master, give us some attention too!”

Oscar, who had gone into the seawater, had his trouser cuffs wet. After a joyful run in the mountains in the morning, he was now enjoying the sandy beach in the afternoon. Why did he have so much energy?

After a morning of running around in the mountains, I sat in a corner of the beach.

“Master, please have this.”

Damian somehow found a cool juice and offered it to me.

“Where did you get it?”

“I asked at the restaurant up there, and they gladly made it.”

“What about yours?”

“I’m fine.”

“Come on, you should have some too…”

“We’re shapeshifters, remember? But you’re human, so you need to take care of your health.”

“Right, I appreciate it.”

Following Damian’s advice, I quietly sipped the juice. Indeed, shapeshifters had far greater stamina than humans.

Just watching Oscar run around all morning was proof enough.

“Hehe, it’s nice to be with you guys after so long.”

“I enjoy it too, Master.”

Damian stayed by my side, holding a parasol. The hot sun might look nice, but it wasn’t good for the skin. Thanks to him, I could relax in the shade and watch Oscar run around.

“When will he get tired?”

“He’s been more active than usual today.”

“Really?”

“He must be happy that the Master is here.”

“Haha, Damian, I don’t think anyone knows Oscar as well as you do. Better than I do, right?”

“…I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Damian responded with a deadpan expression, which was so amusing that I couldn’t stop laughing. When was the last time we had a leisurely afternoon? It was definitely a mood booster.

“Master! Look at this! Isn’t this the seaweed you ate before?”

Oscar came running up with something dangling from his hands.

“Is that seaweed?”

“There’s a lot over there, should I bring more?”

“Hmm…”

I remembered finding seaweed and trying to cook seaweed soup once. It was hard to replicate the taste from Korea, but it was quite close to real seaweed soup.

“Should we?”

It seemed like a good idea to offer it to Lucian. He was always interested in my past.

“Alright, Oscar! I’m giving you a special task!”

At my words, Oscar’s red eyes sparkled vividly.

“As much seaweed as you bring back, I’ll buy you melon candies next time!”

“Yay!”

Oscar, still obsessed with melon candies, ran off excitedly. I gestured, and the knight waiting nearby approached. He was a guard assigned by Lucian.

“Could you find something like a basket to carry that in?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Alright, thank you.”

“Master, are you planning to make that soup again after such a long time?”

“Do you remember?”

“…Yes.”

Damian’s expression soured even more than when he looked at Oscar. It was so funny that I burst into laughter. That reminded me that he had a tough time for a few days after eating the seaweed soup last time.

“Ah, the breeze is really refreshing.”

“Yes, it is.”

Thanks to Lucian, I had a fun day for the first time in a while.

__