The Past Life of the Arrogant Archduke - Chapter 40 - (The End)

‘I’m going to be a father.’

In the distance, he saw a vision of a small child crawling toward him, calling out, “Papa!”

‘My child.’

The fierce aura around Raymond began to soften and turn as gentle and sweet as cotton candy.

The light faded, and Raymond’s feet touched the ground. The commander of the knights stepped forward and made eye contact with Raymond.

“Could it be…”

As Raymond nodded at the commander’s words, the commander immediately dropped to one knee.

“Congratulations on becoming a Grand Master!”

“Congratulations!”

The shouts of the knights, all kneeling at once, echoed throughout the grand ducal residence.

Before he knew it, Raymond was holding the wide-eyed Yulia in his arms. He placed a hand gently on Yulia’s belly and whispered softly,

“Thank you.”

Yulia placed her hand over his and smiled.

Those who had been late to grasp the situation now offered their congratulations. Sophie the nanny muttered, choking up, that this was truly wonderful, and the butler, beaming, gave instructions to the attendants to tidy up.

The elders and priests also became frantic, calling this a blessing from the Goddess and crowding around the grand ducal couple like fanatics, unwilling to leave their side until the butler intervened.

“You should rest, so please return for today.”

“But—”

“The Grand Duchess is feeling tired.”

Pressed by the butler’s firm attitude, the Grand Duke’s open glare, and the disapproving looks from the knights and servants, the priests and elders had no choice but to leave in disappointment.

***

Yulia Generosus Arrogance the Second.

Having inherited the name of her respected grandmother, she also inherited the talent of her grandfather, the Grand Master, and became a Sword Master at the age of twenty-two.

Today, in accordance with the tradition of the grand ducal family, she became the Grand Duchess immediately after her wedding.

She was a natural knight, far more accustomed to the sword than to books. As she planned to leave estate management to her husband, a civil official, it was not a problem as a lord that she avoided books.

“It was hard to win you over, you know…”

Her husband was a rare beauty among northern men. Though only the second son of a vassal family and thus of low status, he was a very attractive man with a beauty mark under his eye, and many ladies coveted him.

The reason she had stopped by the study instead of the bridal chamber on her wedding night was because her calming remedy was in the study.

She had found it as a child when she sneaked into her grandmother’s treasure room—a box full of letters, all written by her grandfather to her grandmother, adorned with jewels.

At first, she wondered if she was allowed to read them, but once she started, she couldn’t stop. She ended up hiding away in the treasure room for several days, reading every single letter.

Among them, she secretly took two letters she liked the most. Reading those letters always calmed her heart.

Remembering the two who had left for another journey right after attending her wedding, Yulia II stroked the letters.

Even as they grew older, her grandfather and grandmother always looked at each other so dearly—the kind of couple she wished to emulate.

Her parents got along well too, but were a bit… over the top. She couldn’t understand how such a cheerful father could come from a dignified and solid grandfather and a wise, sensible grandmother.

And yet he met a wife who was exactly like him, so when the two of them were together, Yulia II was sorry to say it, but it was a bit overwhelming.

Even at the wedding earlier, the two of them cried so much. If her grandparents hadn’t comforted them, they probably would still be crying now.

Shaking her head at the memory of her parents’ tear and snot-stained faces, she carefully unfolded the letters.

One was an old letter on rose-patterned paper.

– My lady, Yulia.

I want to worship and protect you forever. Please become my lady.

Your Ray. –

The other was the last letter her grandparents sent before leaving on their trip.

– My lady, Yulia.

Thank you for staying by my side, unchanged, through all the years when beautiful frost has fallen on your hair.

These days, I pray to the Goddess. I pray that we may be together again in our next lives. The Goddess is so merciful that I’m sure she’ll grant my wish. –

– My beloved woman, my wife, my Yulia.

In my past life, today, tomorrow, and in the distant future, I love you. I love you and love you again.

Your Ray. –

The letters the only Grand Master on the continent sent to his wife were so beautiful.

Yulia II knew her husband worried about their difference in status. But she took courage from the fact that her grandmother, too, had a vast difference in status with her grandfather, and yet they had been so happy together.

Like her grandparents, she would cherish and love her spouse. She would become a couple so happy, just looking at each other brought joy.

With that determination, Yulia II carefully placed the letter back into its envelope. Then she walked energetically to the bridal chamber, where her husband was waiting.

—Side Story, End.