My Beloved Family (2)

Hadrian couldn't possibly call the target of his operation "my wife" let alone "dear". Their relationship is not that good and close. Besides, he couldn't even imagine Rheannon calling him the same way.

The thought sounded horrible.

But wouldn't a married couple naturally address each other in that way? thought Hadrian.

The late father and mother called each other with affection and affectionate tones. His late brother called his fianceé "My Sun". Could it be time for Hadrian to follow in their footsteps?

"Where's Desmond?" asked Hadrian as soon as he realized that his son had not also appeared in the dining room. They always eat together – in order to get closer and familiarize themselves as a family.

"Young Master Desmond is in Madame Rheannon's room," replied the maid on duty. "He was the one who brought dinner for Madame."

Again? thought Hadrian. Even though this afternoon Desmond had already done it.

"It seems Desmond got to know her quicker than I did," Hadrian muttered, secretly a little disappointed. The waiter who heard it became embarrassed. "Has Desmond already had dinner?"

"Eh? Erm, Young Master Desmond said, he will definitely be late."

Hadrian let out a long breath. "Please make sure his dinner stays warm," he said.

"Very well, Your Grace."

Hadrian finished his dinner quickly. When he was done, he went over to Rheannon and Desmond.

Desmond was still there, in the room Hadrian shared with Rheannon. His adopted son was cleaning Rheannon's cutlery, a job a maid should have done.

"Desmond," called Hadrian. "What are you doing here? You haven't had dinner yet, have you?"

The rebuke made Desmond bow his head for a moment. "Sorry, Uncle," he mumbled.

"You don't need to apologize," Hadrian said. "But you need to take care of your own health."

"Delaying my dinner for a while is no big deal..." Desmond replied hastily.

"Come back," Rheannon said to Desmond with a faint smile. "I'm fine."

"But…"

"It's okay. You… have to eat."

"Yeah… Alright. I'll excuse myself. Good night," said Desmond in a disappointed tone.

Rheannon immediately turned to Hadrian as soon as Desmond left. "Don't be mean," she said.

Hadrian was stunned to hear that. "I'm not," he denied. "Desmond hasn't eaten yet."

[Despite being related to a marquess, Desmond was once only a child of a noble family. He is free to eat at any time and with whomsoever. You educate him too hard. He's not even 10 years old yet.]

This is their first debate about parenting. "Desmond will inherit the title of marquess later. And since his education started too late, there was no other way but to educate him a little harder. It's not like I beat Desmond every time he makes a mistake."

"Desmond is different… from you," Rheannon said in disbelief. "There's still… plenty of time."

"I don't know," Hadrian almost chuckled. "I'm not sure. I could die in the near future."

[I won't kill you.]

Those words took Hadrian by surprise. "That's not what I meant," he sighed in annoyance. He inhaled and exhaled slowly. "Rheannon, it's only the second day of our marriage and you haven't fully recovered yet. Let's end this debate."

"Okay," Rheannon said amused.

Hadrian slowly sat down beside Rheannon. "How are you?" he asked, tracing her face. "Ready for tomorrow's long journey?"

"Yes," replied Rheannon. "Better… hurry back."

"If you aren't ready, we can postpone it." Hadrian smoothed Rheannon's hair. "I'll put a maid and a knight in your carriage later. Although the room will be a little crowded later, I hope you understand."

"No problem," Rheannon said. "Desmond?"

"He will share a carriage with the servants I brought from Paiton. The carriage will be a little smaller and uncomfortable than the usual carriage, but we've discussed that and Desmond agrees."

"One carriage… with me." Rheannon cleared her throat. "No problem."

"But…"

"I'm not… contagious." Rheannon smiled. "I don't… need much–ehm–lay down."

"Okay. I'll offer it to Desmond later. He'll be happy." Hadrian was silent for a moment. "You two already close, aren't you?"

"Desmond is… a good boy."

"You two got along too quickly."

Rheannon looked surprised, then chuckled. "Are you jealous?"

"I didn't say that." Which just sounded like Hadrian confirmed Rheannon's conjecture. "It's just… it took almost a week for Desmond to finally want to eat at the same table as me."

"Desmond is just… shy," Rheannon said. "Your position... is high."

"I am, but..." Hadrian felt a little doubtful. "I feel more like Desmond was afraid of me—in the past."

"Past?"

"Some time ago, we suddenly became closer. Desmond approached me first suddenly. It felt like something that had scared him of me suddenly disappeared."

It sounds strange, but that's how Hadrian felt. Especially since he got the sacred item from Axelle.

"I don't think… you need to… worry," Rheannon said. "Desmond–ehm–is a little sensitive."

Hadrian fetched a drink for Rheannon which she drank immediately. "Actually there's something else I want to talk about, but now it's time for you to take your medicine and rest. I'll call the maid."

"You are strict."

"It's for your own good, Rheannon."

"All right. Even tonight… I'll… wait for you." Rheannon smiled, then added, "My husband."

Hadrian should have known that Rheannon would still read his mind. "I didn't intend to sleep in another room," he replied.

***

Chas and his father sent off the Melchoirs to Paiton. After this they would rarely see Rheannon, but at least this time they knew that Rheannon would be treated well like a human.

"Be careful on your journey. If you feel uncomfortable, tell His Grace immediately. Let me know when you get to Paiton." Duke Colton gave Rheannon a long farewell message.

When it was Chas' turn, he just hugged Rheannon and whispered, "I'm going to miss you."

"Yeah, me too," Rheannon replied.

Chas could feel Hadrian's gaze on his back.

"Please take good care of Rhea," Chas said sharply to Hadrian afterward. Meaning: I won't forgive you if something bad happens to her.

"Of course, Lord Chas," Hadrian replied calmly.

Had it not been for Desmond, Chas would have said something even sharper.

But Desmond is still a child, Chas thought as he patted the top of Desmond's head, bidding farewell.

Not long after, Hadrian's group left the Ozera Capital. From what Chas had heard, their journey would take up to 10 days, 3 days longer than the normal journey. They would stop and rest a lot because of Rheannon's condition. Judging from the expressions of Hadrian's group, it seemed that no one at all objected to the change in their journey.

"Looks like Rhea is being treated well," commented Duke Colton on their way back to the townhouse in their carriage.

"Hopefully they're sincere," Chas said with a half sneer.

"Since Marquess Hadrian always treats everyone well, I think they must be sincere. If they didn't like Rhea even they wouldn't dare show it."

Yes, that's correct. Although Hadrian is known as a noble who seems gloomy and always in mourning, he is actually a very kind person. His people and the people of Paiton loved him so much they would do anything to see him smile – that's what Chas heard. And since this marriage is Hadrian's decision, then his people will support him and will surely plead with God every second for Hadrian's happiness.

Chas also wished Hadrian happiness to make him seem more human. But does Hadrian's happiness have to come from Rheannon?

"Actually I wanted to ask this for a long time," said Duke Colton seriously. "You… really love Rheannon, don't you?"

While trying to keep his expression down, Chas said, "I don't understand what Dad means."

Duke Colton let out a long breath. "Who do you think raised you all this time?" He shook his head in disbelief. "Forget Rheannon, Chas Colton. She's someone's wife now," he added sharply.

"The wife of someone who intended to kill her," Chas hissed. "It's just a matter of time until–"

"Don't change the subject, Chas," interrupted Duke Colton.

Cheating and hiding things from Ithel Colton is not an easy matter. "Yes, I admit it. But is it wrong that I like Rhea? My own father once said he would marry me off to Rhea. I could definitely be a better husband to her than Marquess Hadrian."

"So it's true that you like Rhea," sighed Duke Colton. "I just want you not to show it so openly."

"What?"

"Actually I don't want to blow your head, but even though Chas Colton is only titled 'son of a duke' you are the strongest candidate for Princess Luciell's husband."

Chas couldn't contain his disgusted expression.

"Apart from Princess Luciell, the noble girls out there must also be after you now that—say—your biggest rival is now married." What Duke Colton meant just now was Hadrian. "Proclamation of your feelings for Rheannon will only bring her and Marquess Hadrian trouble."

Damn. Chas couldn't find a word because what his father said was true.

This was the reason why Chas preferred to stay low rather than join as a Palace Knight or take the title of Young Duke. Chas didn't want to be the target of crazy parents who wanted to marry off their daughters to him just to achieve a higher position. Just imagine how those crazy parents would be if Chas had only one degree or one job…

Chas shuddered.

Not to mention Luciell. Chas knew she had been eyeing him for a long time, and sadly never succeeded even though she had signed a contract with a Demon Enchantment once. Chas was immune from demonic influences, unlike most men out there (especially Marquess Hadrian, Chas thought).

But Chas's immunity to this demon is a double-edged sword. Luciell must have started to realize that he was immune to demons. If Luciell found out Chas' weakness was Rheannon, she would definitely do something to her…

"I see, Dad. I… will be more careful," said Chas later.

"I'm glad you understand," said Duke Colton. "Forget Rheannon and find another woman who is good for you and our family. You know how our family works."

But is there really such a woman out there?