If I Can’t Be Your Wife - Chapter 112

“Let’s end the greetings here and eat.”

Peter said and sat down first.

“Yes.”

Luci quickly sat down as he said those words. It was completely different from when he used to run around because he didn’t want to eat. Alexis and Kathleen’s gaze met, perhaps feeling something strange, but since the dinner had begun, the two of them sat down.

Luci’s strange behavior continued.

In the past, he would keep picking out beans every time he ate, saying that he didn’t want to eat them. Kathleen would then have to persuade him several times, but now he ate very well. He even asked for more carrots although no one asked him to, then after eating them his eyes twinkled as if he wanted praise.

“It seems that His Majesty gave you special etiquette training for the last ten days.”

Alexis spoke with a satisfied but somewhat uncomfortable expression, Luci responded with a smile.

“Right? I’m really following etiquette well, right Dad?”

“Yes.”

“Your Majesty! Look. Dad complimented me.”

As soon as Alexis affirmed, Luci exclaimed in joy. Peter sighed as if he had lost.

“I really didn’t know that brother would approve of it so easily.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Actually, I made a promise. If he observes etiquette during his ten days in the imperial palace, I will grant his wish.”

So, are you saying that the reason why he uncharacteristically pampered and hugged his father and wasn’t picky about food was all because of that promise?

Kathleen met Peter’s eyes and he nodded his head apologetically.

“Actually, I was doubtful, but I didn’t know that Luci would adhere to it so well. As the emperor, I can’t break my promise.”

Luci waved his fork and exclaimed excitedly.

“He said that if Dad praises me for good manners first, His Majesty would take me to the hunting competition!”

“The hunting competition?”

Kathleen said, startled.

“Luci, it’s too dangerous for you to go there. You’re only seven years old.”

“I’ll just watch. I won’t enter the hunting grounds.”

Luci begged earnestly.

“I heard that this hunting competition is going to be really fun. Right? Just once. I want to see Dad’s cool riding skills at the hunting grounds.”

This year, not only did they reap an unprecedented bountiful harvest, but most of the damages caused by the war in the south were sorted out.

The hunting competition was an event that opened the beginning of the Founding Festival, but since the western hunting grounds belonged to the Walten family, it must have been an object of envy in the eyes of Luci, who had seen Alexis go out in person several times.

“How about it? He can just walk along the promenade and enjoy tea time lightly without entering the hunting grounds before going back. Even though Luci is young, he has learned etiquette well, so it wouldn’t be bad to take him with you once in a while.”

Peter persuaded cautiously.

“As the heir to the Walten Grand Duchy and the emperor’s nephew, it’s time that he learned how to stand in front of nobles.”

Luci looked at his mom and dad alternately, holding his hands together with great anticipation.

‘What should I do?’

Kathleen was taken aback and checked Alexis’ expression. She had actually asked Alexis why not teach swordsmanship to the already curious and active Luci but he said he’d wait a little longer and see.

“I’ve never been happy since I started using a sword. One day, Luci will have to face reality, but I want my son to play without worries for as long as possible.”

Kathleen sympathized with him, so they planned to only have him take horseback riding lessons for physical training until he was 10 years old.

But Luci must have been dissatisfied with that. Seeing that he wants to watch a hunting competition.

‘Because a child can be different from his parents.’

Luci liking the imperial palace must be in the same vein. For Alexis, the imperial palace was a place where he had no good memories, but to Luci, contrary to their home, it was a place where he could do whatever he wanted.

Anyway, Kathleen, thinking that it would be better to say yes to her son this once, was about to convince Alexis.

“I think it’ll be fine as long as you don’t join the hunt.”

Alexis turned to her, showing his consent.

“What shall we do, Kathleen? Luci’s education is entirely up to you, so I want to hear your opinion.”

“As long as you don’t mind, I’m in favor.”

Though surprised, Kathleen answered softly.

“I think it would be good for Luci to attend the event at least once.”

“Waa!”

Luci let out a roar of joy. He wildly shook the fork in his hand without realizing it, but quickly set it down on the table when he received Peter’s glance.

“Thank you so much for your permission. Mom and Dad!”

“In exchange, you should listen to your mother carefully. You must never snoop around the hunting grounds.”

“Yes! I will never go. I’ll wait quietly with Mom until His Majesty and Dad return.”

Luci hastily promised Alexis several times. Looking at him, Kathleen’s heart overflowed with warmth, and a smile appeared on her lips. She looked at Peter and saw that he was the same. There was love in his eyes as he looked at his nephew with delight.

The dinner ended in a harmonious atmosphere, truly befitting of a family dinner.

Luci was not picky and ate just about anything, and even while the adults were talking, he sat quietly and waited, looking all  dignified. He didn’t even insist on staying in the palace. He was a perfect gentleman.

“There are only fifteen days left.”

Luci, who was watching the starry night sky with his cheek resting against the window of the carriage returning to Grand Duke Walten’s palace, muttered in a voice as if lost in a dream.

“No. I’ll be sleeping in a little while, so there are fourteen nights left.”

“Yes. Until then, if you behave like a gentleman like today, you’ll have a wonderful day at the hunting grounds.”

Alexis said as he straightened Luci who had been sitting on his lap on the couch in the carriage.

“I will.”

Luci sighed and clenched his fists tightly. He looked so cute that Kathleen burst out laughing.

“Right, Mom. I have a question for you.”

Luci asked her as if he had suddenly remembered her.

“How did you come up with my name?”

“Your name? Why all of a sudden?”

“I learned history from His Majesty this morning. When Trivellian started as a dynasty, he said that it was blessed by a saint named Luciano. The same name as me.”

“That’s right.”

“I asked His Majesty why we had the same name, but he smiled and said he would tell me if I asked mother, but he didn’t say anything.”

Alexis, who had been listening to his son, also seemed curious.

‘Come to think of it, I never told Alec.’

After leaving him several times and meeting him again after many twists and turns, Alexis seemed to have forgotten about it without even asking. Kathleen said carefully.

“Your name was given to you by His Majesty the Emperor.”

“His Majesty? Not Mom?”

“Yes. But you can say that we came up with it together. Luci is like a light, so I thought it would be appropriate to call you that. His Majesty said that the birth of our Luci was a happy event, like the beginning of the empire.”

“I see… Then what about Dad?”

“Huh?”

Luci, who was retracing Kathleen’s words with emotion, suddenly asked.

“What name did Dad try to give me?”

Alexis’ face hardened slightly. Under the dim light, it was so subtle that the child didn’t notice, but Kathleen could tell.

“Dad thought the same thing.”

Kathleen quickly responded. Luckily, Luci didn’t seem to have any doubts. After satisfying his curiosity, Luci chattered in anticipation of the hunting competition, and soon began to doze off.

Alexis quickly embraced his son and held him in his arms before his head fell backwards, then made sure he was asleep before he said.

“I didn’t know Peter named Luci. I thought you did.”

“I named him that after consulting with him. Of course, it is true that His Majesty proposed it first.”

“I guess you didn’t want to stick with the names you originally thought of.”

The man with a bitter smile seemed lonely, so she was about to say something in a hurry, but Alexis continued.

“If I had known, I would have said Leopold or Viviana.”

“What?”

“After meeting Luci, I thought a few times what I would have named him had I known he was in your stomach.”

It was surprising to her that Grand Duke Walten even thought of baby names.

Besides, it was curious, as the name Viviana was also one of the names she thought of giving to her daughter.

Her chest tickled. She never thought that her husband would have a side to him like this.

Kathleen said with a laugh.

“I’ll give you another chance next time.”

“When’s next time?”

“Who knows. Whenever?”

“It might come sooner than you think, that chance.”

Then the carriage stopped. He asked as they got off the carriage, holding their son in one arm and Kathleen’s waist with the other.

“Which one do you like better?”

“What?”

“Between Leopold and Viviana.”

Alexis leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, laughing grumpily.

“We should decide in advance. You never know when it will come. In the meantime, we…

“Alec!”

Feeling her cheeks flush, Kathleen scolded her husband.

Luci’s still by your side yet you’re talking like that!