With that one remark, Dante delivered another shock to the two, who were already half-dazed.

[Sleeping together! It’s when a married couple lies in the same bed, under the same blanket. I read it in a book!]

Having said that, Dante puffed out his chest confidently.

‘What kind of book did he read, and how?’

How much progress had been made in just ten days of education?

It was the education he should have received long ago as a dragonkin. Yet, according to the scholars, Dante was far more brilliant than his peers.

Not only did he keep up with lessons well, but he also showed incredible focus and speed in acquiring vocabulary and world history.

He was so engrossed that he practically fell asleep with his nose buried in a dictionary, so his knowledge must be growing like bamboo.

But to think he’d bring up something like sleeping together or marital relations.

‘It seems we need to censor the library a bit.’

She knew he had been frequently visiting the library lately, but she hadn’t thought to filter the books there.

And the fact that he knew she and Raymond hadn’t slept together…

It seemed he had overheard the maids gossiping about the ducal couple behind their backs.

The duchess had never once shared a bed with the duke since arriving at Growen Castle.

Though they appeared to be a harmonious couple, not having a marital relationship was perfect fodder for rumors.

But Raymond and she could never be an ordinary couple. Anyone who saw their contract would know that.

‘How do I explain this to Dante?’

Even though he had mastered most words, could a child understand the complexities of adult circumstances?

As Yerpi’s worries deepened, her gaze landed somewhere. It was Raymond’s face, his ears flushed red.

“What are you saying right now…?”

[Did I say something I shouldn’t have?]

Unlike Raymond, who glared as if scolding the child, Dante responded with the brazenness typical of a child.

While the two bickered, Yerpi couldn’t easily tear her eyes away from his face.

[Come on, hurry up and lie in bed together!]

“What?”

Dante, springing up from Yerpi’s arms, grabbed her sleeve and flapped his wings vigorously. Dragged along in a daze, she ended up at Raymond’s bed.

When she came to her senses, she was on an unfamiliar bed. But the scent emanating from it was familiar.

That made it feel even more foreign. The scent of the man she knew enveloped her so strongly.

While Yerpi sat on the bed in a daze, Dante’s antics didn’t stop.

[Uncle, hurry up!]

Flapping his wings again, Dante bit the back of Raymond’s neck. Too stunned to react, Raymond didn’t even register the first time Dante called him “uncle.”

In a daze, Raymond was dragged along and thrown onto the bed, just as Yerpi had been.

“Wait…!”

Coming to his senses belatedly, Raymond leaned over Yerpi. Worried he might crush her, he propped himself up on the bed and held her close.

Their eyes met. At such a close distance, where even their breaths mingled, both lost their words.

That fleeting moment brought much to both of them.

The trembling in each other’s eyes, the golden and lush green eyes that deepened with flustered emotions, the glint of light within them.

Observing gazes that had been unseen before was special. Her soft golden hair spilled over his bed.

The moment he realized this, his face began to flush bright red.

Yerpi’s face, witnessing his change, did too.

It was different from the moment they connected on the road to Growen Castle. Now, it was somehow more…

[Gasp, it’s done!]

Exhausted from dragging Raymond to the bed, Dante caught his breath.

But his effort was brief, and seeing the couple side by side on the bed, he beamed with joy.

As Raymond, now regaining his senses, moved to get off Yerpi, Dante didn’t miss the chance.

[Here we go!]

Jumping between Raymond and Yerpi, Dante busily burrowed into the blanket to make a cozy spot.

Seeming to like the blanket quite a bit, Dante wriggled for a while before smiling brightly at them.

[Now let’s sleep together!]

So, sleeping together meant everyone sleeping side by side?

Thankfully, it seemed the library didn’t have any books harmful to a child.

Rolling around happily, Dante locked eyes with Raymond. The young dragon, staring at him, soon turned away and nestled into Yerpi’s arms.

She thought he was just turning away with a huff, as usual. But his long, black tail gently wrapped around Raymond’s wrist.

Yet, as if embarrassed by his earlier actions, he quickly began acting spoiled with Yerpi.

[Yerpi, hug me.]

“Mmm.”

Yerpi instinctively stroked the young dragon’s back. The warmth unique to a dragonkin child eased her tension naturally.

Dante, who had caused all this, also fell asleep purring, lulled by the scent of spices.

About thirty minutes later, Dante was breathing evenly, fast asleep.

‘Is he asleep?’

‘Probably.’

Yerpi and Raymond exchanged glances, but letting their guard down was a mistake.

[Uncle… idiot! …If you do that, I’ll take Yerpi. Mumble.]

“!”

They nearly jumped out of bed. Barely calming themselves, the two steadied their breathing. Dante, muttering in his sleep, fell back into a deep slumber.

Yerpi checked on the child. He didn’t seem likely to wake from small noises anymore.

‘He must be tired.’

It was well past his bedtime, and he had lessons all morning and afternoon, so he must be exhausted. Coming all the way here likely added to it.

Dante was even snoring as he slept, but the adults’ night was just beginning.

Raymond’s gaze didn’t leave the sleeping Dante. He was mulling over the child’s sleep-talking. Soon, his face, turned toward Yerpi, was full of emotion.

“Did you hear? He called me uncle.”

“Yes, I heard.”

The two continued their conversation in hushed tones. He said it was the first time he’d been so close to Dante.

When Dante was very young, Raymond had been too busy with the previous duke’s affairs to properly look after his nephew, and when the former ducal couple passed, he was too swamped to even see him.

By the time he had a moment, Dante had already closed off his heart.

Raymond didn’t know how to handle a child who had lost his parents, and leaving him to others had only left deeper scars.

‘He’s genuinely happy.’

His heart was touched by his nephew calling him uncle.

Knowing his own mistakes with the child, Raymond was even more cautious with Dante.

But there was one thing that puzzled her.

“I thought Your Grace disliked Dante.”

“No, that’s not true.”

Who could dislike their only remaining kin? Raymond shook his head.

“But you’ve been glaring at him until recently.”

“That’s…”

Stung, Raymond closed his mouth.

Why had he been so harsh with Dante?

It was natural for Yerpi to wonder. Sighing in front of her questioning eyes, Raymond finally confessed the truth.

“It’s because of you.”

“Because of me…?”

Still confused, she watched as Raymond lowered his voice.

“Yes. I was jealous. Of my nephew being close to you.”

Jealous of a child. It was too pathetic to say aloud. Knowing this, Raymond rubbed his face.

He wouldn’t have said it if he didn’t mean it. That’s why he admitted it today. Thanks to his nephew’s honesty and innocence. But he didn’t know how she’d see him.

Raymond held his breath. For the first time, he didn’t know how to act with someone he wanted to impress.

The longer the silence, the more anxious he grew. But contrary to his feelings, his wife burst into laughter.

“Ha, haha.”

“…Yerpi?”

Even her stifled laughter was beautiful, but he didn’t know why.

The duchess, wiping tears from laughing, was like a cherry blossom blooming at night.

Raymond gazed at her, entranced.

As if time had stopped, he melted into the moment.