I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 67

Edgar was completely taken aback by Ariel’s sudden confession.

It was a relief that the Billhark couple didn’t fall over from shock upon hearing it with both ears.

To explain the situation, the two of them left it to their respective users and gathered in the reception room.

As a heavy silence settled, Edgar instinctively swallowed.

“So, you and Lady Ariel have become lovers… is that what you’re saying?”

“Yes, Father.”

“What a bombshell that is…”

Ransel shook his head with a confused smile, hand pressed to his forehead.

Of course, he knew his son was out of his league.

It was just that it was so out of reach it was hard to process.

If this had happened when they were both under ten, it could be dismissed as childish play, but at their current age, things were very different.

“Does His Majesty know?”

“Not just Father, but Mother knows too.”

“Is that so.”

When Ransel directed the question at Edgar, he got a chuckle in response from Ariel.

‘This is complicated.’

The relationship between the Billhark couple and Ariel had always been rather ambiguous.

Even though their families were fundamentally hierarchical, thanks to Helene’s kindness, Ariel and Edgar had become open friends.

Yet, they had only been able to overstep familial boundaries because they were still children, with the Billhark couple always viewing Ariel more as a future “lady of the house” rather than just Edgar’s childhood friend.

They had thought that it would only be until the age of fifteen that they could stay as normal friends without understanding the disparity in their positions.

But now that Edgar was going to the Robeheim family, it seemed their bond wouldn’t be cut off after all, and now he was back claiming to be in a relationship.

The Billhark couple found themselves in an utterly laughable yet frustrating situation, unsure of how to deal with this.

“Excuse me, but are you saying, my lady, that you’re considering marriage with our son…?”

“Of course. And from now on, just call me by name, Mother.”

“…”

Katria, who couldn’t adapt to being called “Mother,” managed a stiff smile.

Honestly, as opposed to her husband who was caught completely off guard, she had considered the faint possibility that something like this could happen.

She knew from Helene that Ariel didn’t have many interactions with outsiders, and in such a closed space, frequent encounters could naturally lead to unexpected romantic feelings.

What surprised her was that it was not Edgar, but Ariel herself who conveyed the news of their relationship.

In other words, it felt somewhat strange that she was the one to bring it to light confidently.

“Did you really come along just for this?”

“Yep, we have to show everyone that you belong to me.”

“…You’re something else.”

Edgar chuckled as he shook his head in disbelief.

Just how intense could her possessiveness be?

Ever since the trip to Ardeunum was decided, he had found her strange attitude a bit troubling.

He thought they could always come together later, and that even when his brother grew a bit older, it wouldn’t be too late.

Why was she making such a fuss about needing to tag along?

‘It feels like the roles have switched somehow.’

Moreover, on one hand, it was nice to think that she cared so much about their relationship, which delighted Edgar.

He had secretly assumed they would have to make this journey together eventually but had hesitated to bring up the topic.

“Mother, we can discuss this later. Let me just see my brother first; otherwise, he might be left waiting too long.”

“Ah… right. I completely forgot about that.”

Katria’s eyes sparkled as Edgar’s whining snapped her out of her daze.

After all, the purpose of their visit today wasn’t to declare their relationship but to see Edgar’s newly born brother.

Realizing this late, Katria got up and personally guided the two to the room where the baby was sleeping.

Meanwhile, Ransel decided to step outside for a breather to gather his thoughts amidst the chaos.

The three of them arrived at the room where Edgar’s brother was soundly sleeping.

They carefully entered, trying to minimize noise, and saw a little doll peacefully breathing in the cradle.

“So cute… Mother, what’s the baby’s name?”

“They named her Sonia.”

“Sonia… that’s a fitting name, isn’t it?”

Judging that awkwardness wouldn’t help, Katria found a comfortable camaraderie with Ariel.

Ariel, for her part, accepted it casually, gazing intently at the sleeping Sonia.

Unlike Edgar, who seemed to take after their father, Sonia sported a rich brown hair color.

Her adorable chubby cheeks made one feel an irresistible urge to pinch them with both hands.

“How do you feel, son? What are your impressions of seeing your baby sister in person?”

“It’s a bit strange. I’m happy, but on the other hand, it’s amazing to think my sister is this small.”

Because of the age gap, it felt more like having a daughter than a sister, but the sentiment was still undeniably precious.

As the three engaged in hushed conversations over the sleeping Sonia, her tiny eyes suddenly popped open.

“Oh? She’s awake?”

“Oh my.”

“She’s not going to cry, is she?”

With two strangers in the room, Katria couldn’t guarantee that Sonia wouldn’t start wailing.

Sonia scanned her surroundings with wide, curious eyes.

The three of them held their breath, watching with anxious eyes.

Only when a bright smile stretched across Sonia’s face were they able to exhale in relief.

“Gah…! Baah!”

Then, with exaggerated motions, she waved her tiny hands, seemingly asking for a hug.

As Katria bent down to scoop up her daughter, Ariel cautiously approached her side.

She had been unable to hold back her desires to touch the baby from earlier.

“Um… Mother, may I hold her just once?”

“Of course! She’s such a good girl, she hardly cries.”

Katria presented the baby, cuddled in her arms, toward Ariel.

Ariel cautiously extended her pinky finger to poke Sonia’s cheek.

Gotcha.

“Did you catch her?”

But Sonia was quick to counter any nonsense, catching Ariel’s little finger with her tiny hand.

Ariel’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Edgar, as if saying, “Look at this!”

At this point, it was hard to tell whose sister she was.

“Come on, Edgar. You should hold her too.”

“Me? What if she cries?”

“Your sister isn’t going to not recognize you. Hurry up.”

Forced by his mother’s insistence, Edgar carefully cradled his sister in his arms.

Though she was wrapped in a blanket, he felt her warmth radiating right through.

“Baaah…! Baah!”

“See? She’s thrilled to see her big brother.”

“Wow, this is incredible!”

As soon as Sonia was in his arms, she stretched out her little hands to explore his face and shoulder.

Ariel flinched at the sudden contact, but the other two were oblivious.

“She wasn’t this affectionate with me, huh? She’s all excited to meet her brother.”

“I guess that’s how it is.”

“She usually acts high and mighty. She doesn’t bother much but doesn’t initiate affection either.”

“Ha ha, is that so?”

Edgar felt immensely happy to be recognized by his sister.

To repay that joy, he bounced in place, giving his little sister a ride as if she were on a merry-go-round.

“Ariel, look at my sister smiling. Isn’t she adorable?”

“…Yeah, she is.”

Wanting to show this to Ariel, Edgar suddenly turned around, but he was met with an unusually curt response from her.

Under normal circumstances, he would have caught on immediately, but today his excitement kept him oblivious.

He was too focused on having fun with his sister.

“You used to say you wouldn’t care if you got a sister, so what’s got into you today?”

“I didn’t expect to feel this way. Sonia is just so cute.”

Katria teased Edgar with fond memories, and as he awkwardly chuckled, he gently pinched Sonia’s cheek.

Just by being his sister, new bonds were forming.

Just looking at her made him see endless beauty, making him imagine how it would feel if he had a daughter someday.

“…Mother, can I take Edgar for a moment?”

While Edgar was lost in his sister’s cuteness, Ariel’s calm voice broke through as she tugged at his sleeve.

In that instant, a chill ran down his spine.

Katria didn’t seem to notice anything odd and merely nodded in acknowledgment.

“Sure. Is there something you need to talk about?”

“Yes, I forgotten an important topic I need to discuss with him.”

“Well then, Edgar, give Sonia to me, and go have your chat.”

“Yes, okay… I will.”

So, led by Ariel, Edgar left the room, moving silently alongside her, not knowing where they were headed.

The destination turned out to be the guest room that Ariel often used.

She roughly shoved him inside like a piece of luggage, and without warning, she wrapped her arms around him.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell or something?”

Edgar naturally stroked her head smoothly, asking about her condition, despite her puzzling behavior.

Ariel shook her head gently, burying her face in his chest.

To be honest, she did feel a bit down, but it embarrassed her to tell the truth.

“Tell me. What’s going on?”

“…It’s about Sonia.”

“Sonia?”

Edgar tilted his head, completely taken aback.

What on earth did Sonia have to do with her feeling bad?

Even he, who knew everything about Ariel, couldn’t figure it out.

“…Can I speak honestly?”

“I’d rather you be straightforward with me.”

What would be the point of beating around the bush?

Edgar gently brushed her hair aside and pinched her cheek softly, just as he had done with Sonia.

It was his unspoken way of saying “Hurry and say it.”

“I felt a little… off because all the attention was on Sonia.”

“So you’re jealous?”

“…Maybe.”

It was embarrassing to admit feeling jealous of a mere infant who hadn’t even turned one, making her shy and look away.

On the other hand, Edgar stared at her with a blank expression as he processed this new revelation.

Then he opened his arms and embraced her, gently patting her back.

“How is it that our lady is so full of jealousy? Aren’t you worried you’ll feel jealous over our daughter someday?”

“I… I don’t think so… probably.”

In the end, that was a sign that she wasn’t entirely sure.

Edgar chuckled lightly, loosening his hold and gazing tenderly at her before planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Sonia is just a little sister. You are my partner. Plus, when we return to Hespania, it’ll just be us two, so bear with it until then.”

While her discontent hadn’t completely faded, Ariel nodded reluctantly as if admitting, “What can I do?”

With that adorably childlike attitude, Edgar couldn’t help but think she looked cute as he cupped her cheeks and squeezed gently, treating them like soft rice cakes.

“Mm…! Mew!”

“It’s because you’re so adorable.”

He had always known she was cute, but to find her jealous side charming was unexpected.

It was sure he was head over heels for her, and he couldn’t release her from his embrace for a long time.