Chapter 68

The confrontation lasted for quite a while.

But compared to the anger that had built up and hardened in Sir Jenkins’ heart over the years, it was but a fleeting moment.

In the midst of the tension, Sir Jenkins snorted briefly.

He took the scarf that the Duke held in his hand.

“This is not something a guy like you could own.”

“I know.”

The Duke bowed his head obediently.

The Duke was also a father of two children.

Knowing how it felt to have children, he believed all of Sir Jenkins’s cold behaviour to be justified.

The Duke would likely have behaved in the same manner.

Any parent with children would.

“Take your time . . . I hope you stay longer.”

The Duke decided to leave the place in order for Sir Jenkins to be at more ease.

After bidding a rather hasty farewell, he passed him by.

But, surprisingly . . .

“The sick kid?”

Sir Jenkins asked him a question.

For a moment, the Duke wondered if his ears had heard wrong.

Sir Jenkins had spoken first, for the first time in years upon years.

The Duke looked back at him, suppressing the various emotions that surged up.

“She is still sick.”

If he had told Sir Jenkins that Rieta was in good health, would his mood have improved a little bit?

The Sir’s face contorted.

“I knew it. The Duke has never been good at caring for the sickly.”

That must have been about Victoria. The Duke’s heart was about to burst when he heard those words.

So the Duke bowed his head once more.

“I’m sorry.”

“That’s enough.”

“And . . .”

“What else?”

“Darrell and Noel also have a cold.”

“What a good job you’re doing in the family.”

“. . . I’m sorry.”

“Never mind, kids usually catch colds. Even if they do, they’re full of energy and keep running around.”

Sir Jenkins briefly glanced at Victoria’s portrait.

Perhaps he was reminiscing about her childhood.

“But you know.”

He still had his gaze fixed on her portrait.

“Parents should not be sick no matter what.”

Was that a word of concern for the Duke?

“Stay healthy and stay fine.”

Or was it a promise to himself?

“As a parent, should you cause your children to worry?”

For a moment, his eyes fell on the Duke.

It was a gaze that held a slight warmth.

“That’s . . . why.”

The Duke vaguely understood why Sir Jenkins was still on active duty, when he was well past the age of retirement.

Perhaps he wanted to display a consistent side to Victoria.

So that she wouldn’t worry about her father who was left alone.

Clenching his teeth, he cared for his devastated and crumbling mind.

He managed to revive his everyday life.

“Thank you for your teaching. Sir.”

Sir Jenkins turned his gaze back to Victoria.

“If you understand, leave quickly. I don’t want to be disturbed.”

The Duke bid him a polite farewell.

Again, there was no answer.

Instead, a small mumble was heard.

“How come the pictures aren’t as real as the real thing? At least it’s still pretty . . .”

I think so too, Sir Jenkins.

The Duke quietly left the family room.

* * *

It was only a few days later that all the illnesses that had occupied the Duchy retreated.

Doctor declared, “All three are cured.”

The Duke had a meal together with his family for the first time after a long while.

Although they were just gathering together and eating like they had before, it was as fun as having a party.

And by the time dinner is over . . .

“Cough.”

Duke Mayer let out a dry cough. He covered his mouth with his sleeve.

Rieta, Noel, and Darrell immediately had a terrible, intuitive thought.

They jumped up from their seats, looking as though they were about to faint.

“Fa, Father!”

“Duke!”

The children gave up on the dessert fruit. The three of them joined forces to drag the Duke to his bed.

The Duke calmed the children solemnly by saying, “It’s no big deal,” but it didn’t work on the excited ones.

In the end, the Duke was forced to go to bed early with the ice packs the children had prepared for him.

He wasn’t even allowed to rise without ‘justifiable reason’.

The next day, it turned out that he didn’t really have a cold. It was a good thing, so that day’s meal also had a party-like atmosphere.

* * *