"Why do you want to take a walk, Your Grace?" Luren asked teasingly.
"I just want to see how the manor has changed over the past few months under my duchess's care," Craige replied with a warm smile, glancing around.
The manor was now alive with color and warmth, despite the gentle layer of snow blanketing the ground. Vibrant winter blooms peeked through the frost, delicate snowdrops and resilient hellebores lining the
pathways. Tall evergreen trees stood proudly, their branches dusted in white,
while vines with tiny blossoms curled along the stone walls like living lace. The once cold and empty estate, which had felt more like a fortress than a home, now brimmed with life. Laughter echoed from the courtyards, the aroma of fresh herbs and burning firewood drifted in the crisp air. It finally felt like
a home, welcoming, warm, and full of hope.
"It's beautiful now," Craige said softly, his breath forming small clouds in the cold air. "Whenever I arrived, this place felt… cold.
Empty. But now… it feels like it breathes."
Luren nodded. "That's what I wanted. A place that feels like home for you, for everyone who lives here"
"I never realized how lifeless it had become until you changed it baby"
He gently squeezed Luren's hand and brought it up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to the back of it.
As they walked past the Glass Greenhouse, its roof blanketed in snow, the inside glowed with life, colorful flowers bloomed in every corner, and a table with elegant chairs was set as if waiting for a warm gathering.
"I want to hold a tea party there... to celebrate us having babies," Luren said with a tender smile, his eyes filled with quiet joy. "Just something small, with our closest family and your most loyal subordinates."
But then his expression shifted, a hint of worry clouding his face. "Because of the rumors... I might have to delay it," he added softly, sadness creeping into his voice. "I just don't want this happiness to be overshadowed."
"Just do it, baby. Continue with your plan, no one can stop you in my domain," Craige said firmly, his voice filled with unwavering
support.
"But… Yael is helping me with the preparations. Why do you want to meet Yael and Axel?" Luren asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
Craige gently took Luren's hand and guided him toward the greenhouse. As they stepped inside, a wave of comforting warmth greeted them, the forge heating keeping the air cozy despite the snow outside.
"I was planning to send them to Borg tribe until he gave birth," Craige confessed, his voice low and thoughtful. "But now that I think about it… it's not a good idea."
What if Luren starts to show his pregnancy? I can't send him away like that Craige thought
"It's okay… You just want them safe," Luren said softly, his eyes filled with sadness. "But we can't hide this forever… Do you want to hide me?"
"What? No!" Craige replied immediately, his voice trembling with anger and love. "I'd kill them all if they dared to harm you! I want to
show the world that my duchess is the most beautiful man of all!"
Luren's lips curved into a warm smile, his heart swelling at Craige's words. "Thank you, my love," he said, his voice full of emotion.
"I love you, Luren," Craige said, gazing deeply into his eyes as if Luren was the only thing that existed in the world.
"I love you too, so much," Luren whispered back.
Craige leaned in, brushing his lips gently against Luren's, sharing a tender and warm kiss filled with all the emotions they couldn't put into words.
After a moment, Craige pulled back slightly, eyes twinkling. "I have an idea," he said excitedly. "Let's head back, it's getting dark andcolder."
Luren looked at him, a little confused, but trusted him completely. Without question, he followed Craige as they made their way back to the Manor, the winter wind swirling around them, but their hearts warmer than ever.
As they headed back, a group of soldiers stood waiting outside.
"Greetings, Your Grace," the soldiers said in unison, bowing respectfully.
"Reporting back, Your Grace," Commander Hale stepped forward, his expression calm but proud.
"Welcome back, Night Watchers," Craige said warmly, his voice steady with appreciation. "Let your soldiers rest for the night, Hale. They've done well."
"Yes, Your Grace," Hale replied firmly. He turned to his men with a commanding tone, "You heard him, men. Return to your quarters and rest."
The soldiers gave one final bow, the weariness in their bodies softened by the Duke's acknowledgment, then quietly made their way to their quarters.
Luren noticed a beautiful woman standing beside the commander, her eyes fixed intently on him, then slowly drifting down to his and Craige's intertwined hands.
"Greetings, Your Grace," Fiona said with a graceful bow, though her voice carried a hint of strain.
"Welcome back, Fiona," Craige replied politely. "Follow me to my office, Hale."
"Yes, Your Grace," Hale responded with a firm nod. He glanced at the woman beside him. "You may rest now, Fiona."
"Yes, Commander," she answered quietly, her voice tinged with disappointment.
So the rumors were true… Fiona thought bitterly as she turned and walked toward her quarters.
"I'll go check on Claren," Luren said softly as they stepped into the house, his tone gentle but his eyes flickering briefly toward Fiona.
Craige gave a small nod, his expression unreadable, and continued to his office with Hale.
Once inside, the Duke sat behind his desk, his gaze sharp. "Speak, Hale," Craige said, his voice low and commanding, heavy with
expectation.
"Everything is normal, aside from the number of people entering the North steadily increasing as the Frostmere Festival approaches. Merchants and nobles have already booked most of the inns until the end of the celebration," Hale reported.
He paused for a moment, visibly uneasy.
"Also… uhm…" he hesitated, shifting uncomfortably.
"Go on," Craige urged, his tone firm but curious.
Hale scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "The rumors about you… having a man for a duchess… they seem to be true."
Craige didn't flinch. Instead, he met Hale's eyes with quie confidence.
"Yeah, it's true," he said, his voice calm but full of pride.
Then, a more serious edge entered his tone. "Do you have any idea who might've started spreading those rumors?"
"I'm not certain, but I heard it all started at a pub. A man from the port began spreading the rumor, he even tried to bribe the
children," Hale reported, his tone uneasy. "But they refused, saying they wouldn't do anything to tarnish the Duke's reputation. When the pub owner overheard, he threw the man out. No one's seen him since."
Craige's expression darkened, his gaze sharp and unwavering as he leaned forward slightly.
"I have a question," he said, voice low and grave. "Did you… see Fiona leaving my room at the border when I was in rut?"
Hale swallowed hard, a cold sweat forming at the back of his neck. He knew exactly how serious the Duke was now
"I didn't see it with my own eyes, but some of the soldiers did. I mean, Fiona likes you, and after that day, the two of you seemed very
close. So… we thought the rumors were true, that you slept together," Hale said cautiously
Craige's eyes darkened, the memory of Fiona constantly reporting to him flashing through his mind.
"What's the problem?" Hale continued, attempting a teasing tone. "You've slept with other women whenever you're in rut. Just think of her as one of them."
Hale was one of his most trusted shadows, just like Venn and Borg. But unlike them, Craige had made him the Commander of the Night Watcher, a position of great responsibility meant to oversee his domain in his absence.
"Don't worry, I heard Fiona is seeing someone in the Capital," Hale said with a small, reassuring smile. "She goes there on her days off."
Craige's expression softened slightly, though a shadow still lingered in his eyes. "Alright… you can rest now," he said, his voice low and
thoughtful.
"Yes, Your Grace," Hale replied, bowing respectfully before quietly leaving the room.
Craige entered their room, spotting Luren already lying in bed, sleepily skimming through some documents.
"Is Claren asleep?" he asked, removing his cloak and beginning to unbutton his clothes.
"Yes," Luren mumbled, stifling a yawn. "He's sleeping in Prince Karin's bedroom tonight."
Craige smiled softly. "Why don't you lie down and rest properly? I'll take a quick shower," he said, leaning down to kiss Luren's
forehead before heading to the bathroom.
A few minutes later, Craige returned, his hair slightly damp as he slid under the fur blanket beside Luren. Without a word, he wrapped an arm around Luren's waist and gently pulled him close, their bodies warming each
other in the quiet night.
Luren's voice was low, tinged with concern. "I haven't seen Roan… What punishment did you give him?" He paused before adding with a sigh, "You know… it was my fault too."
"He's helping at the market. Don't worry about him," Craige said, his voice low and teasing as he leaned in and bit Luren's shoulder, pulling down his robe to reveal his pale skin.
"But as for your punishment… we haven't done it yet," he added with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"You know we can't, not yet. The doctor advised against it," Luren said softly, cupping Craige's face with both hands, his touch gentle and full of affection.
Craige chuckled, his smirk widening. "We can still play without penetration. But don't be too disappointed, baby, not tonight.
We'll leave early tomorrow. I want to take you somewhere"
Luren blinked in confusion, about to speak. "Where are we—"
But before he could finish, Craige silenced him with a kiss, warm and lingering.
"To the market," Craige whispered against his lips. He then pulled Luren into a tight embrace. "Good night."
"Good night," Luren murmured, his voice sleepy and content as he nestled into Craige's chest.