'Huh? Why is everyone encouraging me to cheat on Celine?' Was it normal for nobles to have affairs behind their spouses' backs? That's when Lucian realized that most people marry for political reasons, and once they got what they wanted from the marriage, it would become nothing more than an inconvenience.
Lucian didn't comment on it; instead, he focused on the deal presented to him by the Duke. What troublesome pests were they, exactly? He had enough on his plate with the Marindale coast.
It's not like he cared if Celine killed his mistresses or lovers, since he had none of those to worry about. But a small practice round of pest removal wasn't going to hurt him or anyone. Especially with backing from the powerful duke himself.
"Faa~ather! You lied about coming home in the evening!" Celine burst into the carriage, and her dress flowed around her like water. "You are six hours early! I demand that you apologize to me by granting me any wish that I desire from you. No. Two wishes, you deserve the second one as a punishment. How dare you lie to your sweet daughter?" she demanded.
The Duke's face changed drastically, softening up at the sight of his daughter. Gone was the stoic expression and the icy gaze. Only pure joy remained, "My little dove! Of course, I will grant you anything your heart desires. Just ask."
"A hug!" Celine said and leaped at her father, who gladly opened his arms to receive his daughter, "You are forgiven...for now." She hugged him tightly, and the Duke kissed the top of her head, patting it gently.
"Your fiance is present; you are not supposed to display affection toward me in public anymore," The Duke said, looking at her sternly. He clearly had no problems with the affections shown to him in public, as long as they were coming from his beloved daughter.
"What is this nonsense?! Am I supposed to ignore you after I get married?! Are you saying I shouldn't love my father anymore?" Celine exclaimed, offended, "No. This is ridiculous. I reject your suggestion, completely."
The Duke chuckled and turned to Lucian, "Is she not the most precious gem in all the land?" he asked, his eyes glimmering with pride. Celine preened under his father's words.
"Certainly, Your Grace," Lucian replied and stood up to leave, "And on that note, if you excuse me, I will take my leave and allow you to bond with your daughter for the rest of your trip to the estate."
Lucian bowed his head in farewell to the Duke of Rochefort and then Celine, who still held onto her father, and made his way out of the carriage, closing the door behind him.
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"They have a good relationship with each other," Lucian said, joining the commander and his men.
"The Duke dotes on her excessively," the Commander agreed, "A rare thing for a man of such high status to care for his daughter as much as he does."
Celine rarely spoke about her father, aside from the fact that he hated her for being a woman. It looked like they had a much closer relationship than she described. Spoiled kids rarely saw their parents' sacrifice for their well-being. If they got punished, it was because their parents were mean. If they didn't get what they wanted, it was because their parents were evil and selfish. She probably saw all the luxuries and riches in her life as her rightful dues, and anything less was just cruel treatment.
Lucian glanced over his shoulder towards the window. 'Did I just hear a slap?' He looked around, and everyone's expressions mirrored his thoughts. Nobody commented on it though, but everyone agreed with it. The Duke needed a certain image to keep his men's respect, and that image included being strict and unforgiving even towards his own family.
They arrived shortly, and the Commander mounted his horse, nodding at Lucian, "We'll be seeing each other at the dinner table tonight," he said, "Until then, take care, My Lord. It's not often you find a nobleman with common sense."
"You honor me, Commander," Lucian said, bowing his head again. It sounded like a genuine compliment, coming from a man with a military background, "I'll be looking forward to sharing some insights with you."
"Likewise, My Lord." The Commander tipped his helmet and led his soldiers ahead.
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Nobody expected the Duke to arrive earlier, so the whole estate was in a frenzy to welcome him properly. All the maids and servants lined up along the courtyard, dressed in their best attire, bowing their heads respectfully. Not a hair out of place or a wrinkle in their uniforms.
"Holy mother of..." AL breathed out before Sir Claude elbowed his arm to remind him of his place, "...sir," he finished. The Duke invited his group inside. While they would normally eat in the servant's quarters, today, they would be attending the dinner together.
Celine walked side by side with the Duke, her hands entwined with her father's. The pair seemed happy with each other as if nothing had happened in the carriage. Not a trace of unhappiness lingered between them.
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A short break for resting, cleaning, and bathing followed.
Lucian took the chance to return to his guest room. He closed the door and then faced the scowling Celine, who crawled from under the bed and attacked him in one swoop.
Her hand hit him square in the chest and pinned him against the door. She crumbled his shirt in her fist and yanked him down to her level.
"I don't like the look you showed him when you left the carriage. Not him...not my father..." Celine whispered, and Lucian's lips crashed onto hers like two worlds colliding.
"Mmpf─?!"
He pushed his tongue past her lips and made his way into her mouth, catching her lower lip between his teeth. "A happy family is a family that cares for each other," he told her, "Do I look like someone who would ruin such a beautiful relationship?"