Chapter 50
“I want to escort Mommy too!”
Thump, thump.
Duren jumped in place to make himself noticed.
People who were already shocked seeing Lennox touch Estelle now turned to look at Duren.
Round, chubby cheeks.
Gentle eyes.
Even a cute little bow tie.
Duren looked like a tiny gentleman.
“Do you want to try?”
Estelle took his hand.
Because of the height difference, Duren couldn’t copy Lennox’s posture perfectly.
“You have to hold your arm like this.”
Lennox, who had been watching quietly, corrected Duren’s pose with his usual serious face.
“Like this?”
“Yes. Just like that. Very handsome.”
Duren grinned proudly.
They looked just like a real family.
Even though the most talked-about couple in the Empire was right in front of them, no one dared to come near—until Estelle and Lennox walked over to a small group.
“Hello.”
“Oh? Ah, hello.”
The person she greeted didn’t have a high title, nor were they especially beautiful,
but this group was the youngest in the room—because it was full of children.
“Duren, say hello.”
“Hi.”
The children looked one or two years older than Duren.
It was the first time he’d been surrounded by kids his own age, and he seemed shy, clutching Estelle’s clothes.
When Estelle urged him, he finally bowed.
“I’m Dudu.”
“What’s your other name?”
“Duren Winterlen! I’m Duren!”
“My, what a smart boy.”
“Yes, just like the Duke.”
The viscount couple guarding the children praised him politely.
To be honest, it was nerve-wracking for them to speak with such high nobility,
but having children gave them common ground.
“You’re so pretty,” one child whispered.
“She’s like a queen.”
Children are always honest. They stared at Estelle with sparkling eyes—
until they suddenly locked eyes with Lennox.
Gasp!
They knew he was handsome,
but what they felt first wasn’t admiration—it was fear.
Just before they could start crying—
“Dad!”
Duren stepped in front of the kids like he was protecting them and called Lennox.
“Go over there!”
“…Alright.”
If his son told him to go, he’d go.
Lennox started to leave with Estelle, but—
“Mom has to stay here!”
“You mean only I should go?”
“Yeah!”
It was a confident demand.
Lennox didn’t argue and walked away, looking a little lonely.
Wow!
The children’s eyes suddenly changed as they looked at Duren—
he had just driven away the “scary” man.
A tiny hero.
“You’re Duren?”
“Yeah!”
“I’m Aurora!”
“I’m Dylan! This is my sister Ayla!”
The kids eagerly introduced themselves.
Soon, they were already playing together like old friends.
“Mom! Mom!”
“Yes?”
“I’m going to play with my friends.”
Laughing and having fun, Duren gently pushed Estelle’s back.
“You go play with Dad.”
“Can’t I just stay here and watch you?”
“No! Then Dad will be lonely.”
He was clearly thinking about Lennox’s feelings.
Such a considerate child.
As Duren walked away without looking back, Estelle felt both proud and a little sad.
The viscount’s wife said, “We’ll keep an eye on him. Don’t worry.”
“But I can’t trouble someone I just met.”
“Not at all. We take turns watching the children during events like this.”
Estelle smiled. “Then I owe you.”
“Please, no need to say that.”
The rumors painted Estelle as spoiled and vain,
but in reality, she treated even lower nobility with respect.
Still, the viscountess kept glancing behind her.
When Estelle turned around, she met Lennox’s eyes—he looked a bit sulky.
“Thank you,” she said quickly, and walked over to him.
“Duren was really worried about you. He kept telling me to go to you quickly.”
Lennox’s mood lightened.
“He just needed friends.”
“Of course. At his age, parents are his whole world,
but friends are the bridge to a bigger world.”
Estelle leaned closer and whispered,
“I think it was good to follow your advice.”
“My advice?”
“It really has an impact.”
From the moment they arrived, people had been whispering:
“The Duke of Winterlen touched his wife!”
Even the Emperor would be convinced by now.
“…But there’s still one person who isn’t fooled,” Lennox said.
The Imperial Princess was staring at them with open hostility, ready to catch the slightest mistake.
“Dance with me,” Lennox said, offering his hand politely.
Estelle hesitated.
“I can’t dance. I never learned.”
As a former commoner, she had no debutante training.
“That’s fine.”
His large hand reached out.
“I’m good at anything physical.”
So many eyes were watching them—Estelle agreed, pretending to be confident.
“What if I mess up? Step on your foot? Or fall?”
“Don’t worry. That’s nothing in life.”
He held her trembling hand firmly and led her to the floor.
As the music played, Estelle tried to follow him,
remembering the etiquette lessons she once envied others for having.
“You’re very tense,” Lennox said.
“Sorry.”
“I should be the one apologizing. Excuse me a moment.”
His hand touched her back.
Until now, he’d only pretended to touch her—this time, it was real.
“Just trust me completely. Think of it like riding a horse.”
“I’ve never ridden one.”
“Then imagine a carriage—you rode one today.”
“I’m so nervous, I think I’ve forgotten how that feels too.”
He chuckled softly and guided her.
At first, she forgot even how to breathe.
But by the middle of the dance, she understood—just let him lead.
Her body relaxed—maybe a little too much.
“Ah!”
Her ankle twisted and she started to fall—
but Lennox caught her and pulled her close.
Too close—their faces were inches apart.
“…Uh.”
“….”
The music stopped right then, making it seem like the perfect ending.
Clap, clap, clap—applause filled the room.
Meanwhile—
Duren was now extremely popular.
“Duren’s playing with me!”
“No, me!”
The kids argued, each holding one of his arms.
“Duren likes me more!”
“No, me!”
Finally, they asked,
“Duren, who do you like best here?”
Popular little prince Dudu