Arrival at the Northern Duke's – A Doting Mother's Resolve
After arriving at the Northern Duke's estate, Mom and I were led politely inside by the servants. Everything was impeccably organized, as if welcoming esteemed guests. It had a different vibe from our own mansion. In the game, it was just a simple space for dialogue, but stepping inside for real, I couldn't help but chuckle at how massive it was.
"...Enough gawking, dear. Ours is several times larger than this."
"Is it?"
"Yes. Standing there with your mouth open like that isn't befitting a young noble."
Did I look that ridiculous? Mom scolded me with a somewhat displeased expression. It made sense—I was excited because this was my favorite location in the game, home to my absolute fave character. What could I do?
My mom was incredibly beautiful and cool, sure, but the Northern Duke was on another level entirely!
The Northern Duke. Adelaide von Edelweiss. She was the character I'd used most alongside the hero, one I held dear. Facing her in person now, my heart pounded involuntarily.
"You like her that much...?"
"Yeah! I'm a huge fan of the Northern Duke!"
"...I see. I had no idea you admired her so."
Mom murmured with a complicated look upon hearing my excited voice. She wanted to respond to my reaction, but it clearly didn't sit well with her. I grabbed her hand tightly. A faint warmth seeped through her glove.
"But you're still the best in the world to me, Mom, so don't worry!"
"...! Ahem, right. I'm worrying over nothing."
My guess hit the mark. At my affectionate words, the corners of Mom's mouth twitched upward ever so slightly. No matter how much I loved my fave character, she couldn't compare to Mom and my sisters who stayed by my side and loved me. A fave was a fave, after all. Family came first.
I smiled at Mom, showing my love, and she finally relaxed, gently stroking my cheek as we followed her lead.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
We walked down the corridor for a while. With so many eyes on us, it felt weird. At home, I could run down even the longest halls, but here, surrounded by strangers, I couldn't help being conscious of my position.
Intense gazes raked over me, scrutinizing every inch. They stared so openly it bordered on embarrassing... The pressure and itchiness made me grip Mom's hand tighter. I pressed my body even closer to hers, leaning into her as we walked.
"......"
Mom glanced down at me briefly. Then she slowly scanned the surroundings.
Zap...
Her eyes narrowed thinly, glaring at the servants. In an instant, all those stares vanished. Mana coiled around Mom, and the air inside turned chillingly cold, like it had frozen solid.
...Scary.
It was terrifying even to me, and since I'm her son, she was holding back as much as she could. If she'd unleashed it fully without restraint, who could have withstood it?
"...Hehe, thanks, Mom..."
I shyly smiled and snuggled even closer. If no one were watching, I'd have hugged her waist tight.
"It's only what I should do."
Mom carefully stroked my head, her gaze softening. The aura around her body calmed, and the chilled space began to breathe again.
......
It hit me anew. My mom wasn't just anyone—she was the one who had clashed with the Demon King himself.
"To dare look at Elion's—my son—with such eyes. They're not even worth a pigsty... So don't worry. I'll protect you."
"Mom's the best... Hehe..."
* * *
"Come on, sit down. It's been so long since we've seen each other—I can't tell you how happy I am."
"...Is that so? You're busy, yet you're that glad?"
"It's been over three years, hasn't it? Of course I'm glad. Weren't we the ones who always had each other's backs?"
"Well, true enough."
We settled into a private seating area. Normally, we'd meet once or twice a year alongside commemorative events, but the last three years had made that impossible. The reason? The worsening condition of the hero Aurelia's son, Kael la Elion.
Even if it was just for show, he was the late-blooming only son of the Elion family, who had led the pact between monsters and humans. News that such a child was vomiting blood and bedridden half the day... Her closest friend couldn't drag her out for that.
So, upon hearing a year ago that his condition was improving—to the point of normal activity—we'd arranged this private meeting without fanfare.
"Still so taciturn after all this time. Is it because you only have daughters? I thought having a son might soften you up a bit."
"Don't say pointless things. I'm plenty satisfied as is."
"Fair enough. Who else chews on rocks in the mud like they're snacks? My bad for assuming."
A light, meaningless joke. But thinking back, Aurelia had always been a bit peculiar. She'd repeatedly ask about finished stories, munch on meaningless pebbles, brush off her body catching fire like it was nothing, suddenly bite a knife and dress for summer in the northern terrain. She'd whip up food, gear, or materials out of nowhere... Truly a friend overflowing with talent.
"So, how about over there?"
"Pardon...?"
"Just curious. What does the young master of Elion think of the North—and this castle?"
Especially since he's been staring right through me since earlier. She left the last part unsaid. Men were delicate, fragile beings compared to women, after all. You could beat a woman black and blue without issue, but with men, you had to handle them gently with words to avoid scars. Especially a young, formerly sickly lord like him—no need to overwhelm.
"It's, um, super cool..."
"Ah, really? Thanks for the praise. Your mom used to visit me over and over. Begging for even one chat. But she clammed up more than I did—frustrating as hell."
"R-Really? My mom did?"
"Yep. She'd start the conversation, then just stand there silently when I replied. I thought someone was puppeteering her."
"Cough...! Ahem..."
Kael suddenly coughed awkwardly, averting his eyes and flinching like something hit home. Adelaide looked down with concern.
"I heard your health improved, but even so, it must be tough. The road north is rough."
"I-I'm fine! Mom held me the whole time and soothed me. Hehe."
"Hoo..."
At that, Adelaide's eyebrow arched slightly.
"...That Aurelia let you into her arms?"
The woman who kept a blank distance if she approached, who drew lines even with her own three daughters. And she'd held someone? Not 'matriarch,' 'hero,' or 'mother'—but 'Mom'. Calling her that could get your limbs chopped for insult. But it was Kael, her son, who said it. Shocking.
Adelaide shrugged and reached out. Careful of sudden temperature shifts, she removed her glove and gently placed her bare hand on Kael's forehead.
"...!"
"No fever. Still, mind your health. The climate here's harsh compared to yours."
"Y-Yes! Th-Thank you!!"
Kael waved his arms excitedly, eyes sparkling. His already delicate, pretty features lit up like that—impossible not to smile.
"You look more relaxed today yourself."
"Meeting an old friend and her precious son after so long? Of course."
Come to think of it, she was showing a side utterly unlike her public image. The cold, silent Northern Duke, where even requesting talk took resolve, a ruthless ruler who drew her sword without hesitation. This was the complete opposite.
With the Northern Duke's house constantly fending off provocations and attacks from various powers, she maintained that image outwardly. But with a trusted friend like this, she just wanted to let her guard down.
"So, when's the engagement ceremony?"
"...Still on about that?"
"Obviously! Marrying the Northern Duke's daughter to the son of the hero and Demon King—that's unmatched power."
"......"
Aurelia faltered, unable to respond smoothly. Adelaide knew. Binding with the Northern Duke politically would elevate their standing beyond compare. Military pinnacle with the dukedom, honor, authority, and imperial influence towering over any noble with Elion. United, their power couldn't be broken even by the empire.
But...
"......"
Aurelia stayed silent, eyes dropping. There sat Kael, glued to her side, munching snacks.
...Acting tough.
He looked anxious. From a child's view ignorant of adult affairs, marriage by parental order—not his will—would terrify. Especially from parents.
"...Kael, my son."
"Y-Yes... Mom..."
"What do you think?"
"Huh? I-I'll do whatever you say, Mom..."
"No, that's not the answer I want."
She gently stroked his hair. The locks and eyes mirroring hers perfectly, trembling faintly. Her irreplaceable son, whom she wouldn't mind placing in her eyes.
"Are you truly okay with this engagement?"
"I-If you like it, Mom..."
"I promised, no matter what, I'd keep you by my side and protect you. So tell me. What does your heart say?"
He fidgeted with his fingers. Nearly on the verge of tears now. It hurt to see, made her want to hug him—but she waited.
"I... I..."
Kael finally spoke.
"I... don't wanna get engaged..."
"It's unavoidable. In this empire, with filthy monsters rampant again, disrupting the peace pact—"
"I refuse."
Aurelia's single word. The space froze cold. Adelaide's eyes darkened.
"...Haha~! Aurelia, it's been ages since you joked like—"
"I refuse. My son said so."