OPDPS 156

The Grand Duke spoke playfully.

“That… actually makes sense. I read that in a novel. You know how when that one older bachelor uncle finally gets married, the whole family welcomes it without question?”

“…Aeryl.”

The Grand Duke gave him a wounded look. Aeryl realized his mistake too late, and ended up having to kiss him on the lips and spend some time soothing him.

While they were doing that, they passed through the town and arrived at the outer quarters before they realized it. The carriage came to a stop, and the Grand Duke got out first and offered his hand.

“Hoo…”

Thanks to the warm welcome from the territory’s people, he had gained a burst of courage. Even if some rejected him, he couldn’t give up on Hiello. He’d give it his best shot.

He gripped the Grand Duke’s hand with resolve and stepped down from the carriage. Almost at the exact moment he felt the cold air against his cheeks—

—applause erupted.

Applause?

Startled, Aeryl turned his head toward the sound, and saw the workers in the outer quarter clapping from the windows.

The sound was infectious, spreading to the guards on the walls and even to the attendants waiting farther back just in case. The applause that echoed from all around had a tremendous impact.

“W-what is this?”

He clung to the Grand Duke and asked.

“They’re welcoming Lord Aeryl home!”

Rynello approached while clapping. Around him were the inventor, the doctor of the outer quarters, and even Raeler—people with whom Aeryl had had personal ties. Each one had come to greet him, all wearing genuinely happy expressions with not a trace of discomfort. It was deeply moving.

It was definitely touching, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit puzzled as well.

“Why the applause…?”

“It’s a cultural difference. Around here, we think shouting loudly isn’t very dignified.”

“I see…!”

It was a strange custom, but the fact that they were welcoming him came across clearly and hit him hard. It finally started to feel real.

He couldn’t just stand there! Snapping back to his senses, Aeryl raised both hands over his head and clapped loudly in return—toward the outer quarter, toward the ramparts, toward everyone.

“That’s enough. You’re not even feeling well.”

The Grand Duke placed an arm around his shoulders and gently lowered his arms. Aeryl had been unsure when to stop anyway, so he was relieved. As soon as he stopped clapping, the surrounding applause came to a halt as well.

“Welcome home,” Rynello said with a respectful bow. Hearing him speak so formally felt very odd.

“Please speak casually. I gave up my title as prince.”

“No, I can’t do that. You’re still the future Grand Duchess, even if the wedding’s in spring.”

“…What?”

Rynello mentioned the wedding as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

A wedding? In spring? Everyone except Aeryl seemed to nod in agreement at his words.

What on earth was going on?

He looked at the Grand Duke, who subtly avoided his gaze.

‘Something’s up!’

His instincts screamed it, but he held off on confronting him for now and turned his attention to greeting those who had come to welcome him.

“Thank you all for coming to meet me. I’m sorry for lying before…”

“At first, I was surprised and a bit hurt, but not anymore! In fact, I think it’s incredible!”

Raeler said enthusiastically.

“Exactly. To pursue freedom, hone your medical skills, and come all the way to the north alone? That’s admirable.”

Even the inventor chimed in.

After Aeryl disappeared, the Grand Duke had stopped hiding the fact that he was a prince. Word spread quickly through the castle.

Reactions ranged from fascination to discomfort. But once people learned that Aeryl had been used by the emperor and had run away to the north, their attitudes changed.

The people of the north had long lived battling the harsh elements and cultivating barren land. Because of that, they deeply respected those who refused to be defeated by their circumstances and instead carved out their own paths in life.

Aeryl’s story—defying the overwhelming power of the emperor, coming to the north, and becoming a doctor—deeply resonated with the northern people.

And to top it off, the emperor was someone they disliked the most, always interfering in the affairs of the duchy. The fact that Aeryl had defied such a man even made them feel a sense of vicarious satisfaction. That he had chosen the ducal house over the imperial family gave them pride.

All these factors combined to sway public opinion in Aeryl’s favor. Of course, there were still some who were lukewarm or indifferent, but at least no one would openly show hostility toward him now.

Rynello and Lady Merel had gone to great lengths to spread the story, though they never tried to manipulate public sentiment.

“That’s why I told you not to worry.”

“But you didn’t explain enough… ngh.”

In the end, Aeryl burst into tears. He had been insulted at the imperial palace, and now he was being praised—it made the emotion hit even harder.

He hadn’t wanted to cry. He wiped at his eyes with his sleeve, but the tears kept coming, making it pointless. The Grand Duke patted his back gently, but that only made the tears flow faster.

And then, someone unexpected made the tears stop.

“Aeryl!”

A high-pitched voice rang out—distinctly that of a child. He wiped his tears and looked up to see Sorel running toward him from the direction of the inner quarters. He had apparently grown too impatient waiting there and dashed all the way out to the outer quarters.

Behind him, far in the distance, Lady Merel and her maids were chasing after him. Trying to catch up with a child was no easy feat for adults, but they had no choice but to follow—there was no way they could let him go alone. They looked completely worn out, to the point it made Aeryl’s tears disappear.

“Why’d you take so long? I was waiting the whole time.”

Sorel threw himself into Aeryl’s arms with a huff and a grumble.

“Oh dear, is that so?”

“Yeah. I was careful not to get hurt and ate my meals properly, too.”

Don’t get hurt, eat well—it was what Aeryl had always told him like a habit.

“Well done, young master. You’re very brave.”

“Ah. You can’t call me young master anymore. You’re gonna be my brother-in-law.”

“Ahaha…”

This is strange.

Aeryl had been agonizing the entire way here, wondering how he could possibly gain acceptance for his marriage to the Grand Duke. But now that he was actually here… why was everyone acting like it was the most natural thing in the world?

“You look unharmed. I’m relieved.”

Lady Merel finally caught up to Aeryl. Somewhere along the way, she had even fixed her clothes and hair, returning to her usual dignified self. But because of the expression he’d seen on her face earlier, Aeryl couldn’t help but notice her lips twitching upward now and then.

“Yes, my lady. Thank you for the warm welcome.”

“Don’t smile. Really now… I spent all that time preparing to welcome you properly.”

“It was a fine welcome.”

“Hmph, you’ve still got a silver tongue. Oh, and don’t bother with formal speech. I’m your mother-in-law now, prince or not.”

Lady Merel seemed quietly pleased. Speaking casually to a royal must’ve amused her quite a bit.

“Please don’t bully him,” the Grand Duke murmured, slipping in beside them.

“Me? As if I could win against him,” Lady Merel said, waving her hands in genuine dismay. Aeryl couldn’t help bursting into laughter at her expression.

Ahaha!

And then—he caught sight of Connie, standing off to the side, staring at him with both hands covering her mouth.

He had spent the longest time with Connie. Was she still upset? Aeryl looked at her with concern, and Raeler went over and tugged at her arm.

“Uhhh…”

“Connie?”

“Waaah! Waaahhh! You’re too, too beautiful! How can a person glow like that?!”

Connie dropped to her knees with a cry of pure awe. Up close, her eyes were swirling like a fanatic’s.

“You are my Grand Duchess. The best—just the best…!”

“Senior, please—this isn’t the place for this…”

Raeler, clearly used to this, hoisted Connie up by the arms. Her over-the-top reaction sparked laughter all around.

“You really do look better like this.”

Even Sorel said it sincerely, and Aeryl ended up laughing again.

His eyes and hair had always been the most noticeable changes—traits that marked him as a prince—and he had constantly been self-conscious about them. He’d gone on about dyeing them so many times, only to be stopped by the Grand Duke. Now that everyone accepted him as he was, he felt completely at ease.

“You’re really home now, aren’t you?”

The Grand Duke whispered in his ear. Aeryl was suddenly choked up and nodded vigorously.

“Come now, it’s cold! Let’s all head inside!”

Rynello wrapped things up. The people watching from the windows pulled away, and the Grand Duke’s family began walking back into the inner quarter. Aeryl naturally joined them.

He had been the only one who didn’t realize it—he had already long been accepted as part of the family.

Seeing him there, the Grand Duke smiled.

He felt like, for the first time, he was beginning to understand the happiness of being with one’s family.