# 76
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“But if things continue like this, Elinor will still be treated like a woman who has given birth to an illegitimate child...”
“I don’t care. My sister’s honor is more important than mine. At least until the child meets my sister again, please.”
Eleanor was too kind, and that was the problem.
To consider her sister's honor more important than her own honor.
Cornelia wanted to restore Elinor's honor through this wedding.
Elinor was only temporarily caring for her sister's child.
You should not bear unnecessary stigma.
“If we don’t make this right, Elinor’s honor will continue to be tarnished.”
“But...”
"Besides, wouldn't it be better for the child to go back? He could live with his real parents. Or do you not want the child to meet his mother and father?"
Tidian could not answer Cornelia's question. Then his nose turned red. He bit his lips and hummed softly.
'I didn't intend to scold him.'
Cornelia twisted her mouth regretfully.
"I also feel sorry for being separated from the child. I loved him as much as you do."
“Can’t we… just stay together?”
“Teddy, where there is a meeting, there is also a parting.”
Cornelia calmed down quietly.
“It's not like we'll be apart forever. The baby is part of Elinor's family. You can see him whenever you want in the future.”
“We'll be having the kid's birthday party soon. Let's celebrate it big then, okay?”
Tidian nodded reluctantly, his eyes moist.
Maria patted his back to comfort him.
The rest resumed serious discussion about how to pair Elinor and Matthias.
* * *
The baby, who will soon turn one, is now walking steadily and speaking in different words.
Teddy, Hammy, Mama, Meow, Cory, and others.
Also understands well, nods or shakes his head in response to questions.
"The kid's a genius. He answered my question, I swear! I've been a nanny for over ten years, but I've never seen a kid this smart before."
In fact, Elinor thought people only said that because the baby was cute.
But,
“Baby, did you cry on purpose because I was uncomfortable?”
He nodded.
I smile.
“…What do you understand by nodding?”
Now, she was beginning to doubt that the child really understood.
The child was crying hard in the dining room, but he stopped crying as soon as he went out into the hallway.
He stopped quickly, embarrassingly for Matthias, who followed him.
Eleanor laughed embarrassedly and said:
“He seemed upset sitting there.”
“It seems so.”
“You can go back inside, Your Highness.”
Thanks to that, they can be together alone, so what are you talking about?
Matthias gave the child a thumbs up in his mind and said seriously.
“It's okay. Actually, I was feeling a little upset too.”
"But it's a rare family occasion. Shouldn't you be there?"
"I'll see their faces every day until I hope. Since we're out early, how about a walk?"
Matthias pointed to the garden outside the window and suggested.
“The weather is getting warm, it will be fine.”
“Then we should get dressed…”
Before Elinor could finish, the servants brought the fur coats for them.
And also a cute coat with round ears for the baby.
Matthias smiled contentedly.
“As expected, Hilliard served competently.”
The baby in his fur coat looked like a little teddy bear.
When the child tilted his head, the round bear ears on the hat moved.
If she had a magic camera, she would have captured this cute look.
Elinor held the child's fat hand with slight regret.
“Shall we go for a walk?”
"mama?"
“Yes. Let's see the dog and cat too.”
The child laughed merrily.
Elinor smiled as she moved.
But at that moment, the child extended his hand.
"What?"
"hand."
Matthias blinked slowly.
"hand!"
“You want me to hold your hand too?”
"mama!"
The child waved his little hand as if asking him to hurry up.
“Hmm.”
Matthias looked at Elinor warily.
He was sure he had gotten very close to Elinor during the three months on the border.
There, they had a lot of time alone, which allowed them to talk about different things.
Stories about Matthias after he became a duke, about his brothers when they were younger, or about Elinor's days at the academy.
Sharing time together helped a lot in building rapport.
Elinor was more comfortable with Matthias before, and sometimes she would joke with him first.
Therefore, Matthias was convinced that he was the man closest to Elinor in the world now, not someone like the Master of the Magic Tower.
'But Elinor is sensitive about the child.'
If Elinor showed any discomfort, he intended to restrain herf without greed.
He has now learned that this is the way to win Elinor's heart.
While Matthias was quietly waiting for Elinor's decision,
“Hold his hand quickly.”
"What?"
“The baby is waiting.”
Elinor shrugged.
Matthias asked in surprise.
“Can I really?”
"Of course. Didn't we decide to take a walk together? Or are you going back to the dining room?"
Elinor did not mind at all that Matthias should come between her and the child.
Matthias realized he was worrying unnecessarily and laughed.
“No, let's go for a walk.”
Matthias held the child's hand.
“Let's hold hands together.”
The child stumbles along, holding Elinor's hand in one hand and Matthias' hand in the other.
Since the child wanted to see the dog, they went to the stable in the backyard instead of the garden.
"mama!"
The Duchy of Hilliard kept several large hounds, tied with strong ropes near the stable.
They were not dogs that could be called puppies, but the child was not afraid and shouted excitedly.
“No, it's dangerous, so let's look from here.”
Elinor sat on her knees and held the child by the waist.
The dogs quickly wagged their tails happily at the cute little guest's visit.
As they watched the dogs peacefully, Elinor spoke.
“By the way, Your Highness, you're not really going to have a festival, are you?”
Matthias looked at her without thinking, almost bursting out laughing but biting the inside of his cheek.
Elinor's expression was more serious than he expected.
Was she thinking about this the whole time?
Matthias said slyly.
“Well, that sounds like a good plan.”
"Good? Do you seriously think so?"
Elinor was shocked.
"Are you really going to have a festival? For a kid's birthday party? Cut a cake in the street?"
“Don't you think it will be a special and fun memory?”
“Not fun at all!”
“I know, I was joking, of course. Calm down, Elinor.”
Matthias calmed Elinor, whose face turned yellow.
“We will hold it on a small scale inside the palace. Of course, if everyone knows it is the child’s birthday, they will want to celebrate.”
"truly?"
"naturally."
“Ha, thank God...”
Elinor sighed deeply.
Matthias laughed.
“Did you believe that? Cornelia was joking, of course.”
“The princess’s words always sound serious.”
“That girl is so cunning when you get to know her. She's just pretending to be nice to impress you now.”