Eugene and Kaizer took a leisurely stroll for a few minutes before Kaizer led Eugene to a clothing shop, where he convinced Eugene to try on some clothes.
"Everything looks great on you," Kaizer remarked with satisfaction.
Kaizer then turned to the shopkeeper, saying, "I'll buy all the clothes he tried on."
Eugene handed the last piece of clothing to the shopkeeper and asked Kaizer, "There are so many clothes. Do you really expect me to get rid of my old ones? They won't fit in my wardrobe, and where would I store them?"
Kaizer pulled Eugene close, wrapped his arm around his waist, and kissed his forehead.
"I'll have a servant clean up the room next to yours and turn it into your wardrobe. That should be enough space for more clothes, and I'll keep buying you new ones every season,"
Eugene hummed in response.
Kaizer handed a check to the shopkeeper, saying, "Send it to the grand dukedom.,"
The shopkeeper beamed, replying, "Of course, Your Highness. We'll take care of it promptly and ensure the clothes arrive at the grand dukedom on time."
Next, Kaizer took Eugene to a jewelry shop where Eugene picked out some brooches, tie clips, and cufflinks adorned with gemstones. He also considered getting a necktie for Kaizer, who seemed delighted by the gesture.
The shopkeeper gladly assisted the noble pair. Kaizer purchased all the neckties Eugene touched and every piece of jewelry that caught his eye. Eugene relaxed on a nearby couch, observing Kaizer as he signed the check from his coat pocket.
After concluding their shopping spree, they returned to the dukedom.
Eugene went straight to his room to rest on the bed, while Kaizer went back to the office to finish his pending paperwork.
Eugene chuckled to himself and said, "Work hard. I still need a brooch with a painite gem for my clothes."
Kaizer leaned in for a kiss and replied, "I'll buy it for you. I don't mind using the castle's budget as long as it makes you happy."
Eugene playfully pushed Kaizer's face away.
During dinner, Eugene was surprised to see the grand duchess and grand duke present. Keerto greeted his soon-to-be daughter-in-law and asked about their day. They must have heard that Kaizer took Eugene shopping, leaving his workload behind, so the grand duke entered the main castle to handle the urgent matters requiring approval.
Kaizer wore a displeased expression and asked, "Is Khalil still in Catharis dukedom?"
"Yes. We'll bring him back tomorrow," the grand duke replied.
Eugene raised an eyebrow, "Khalil went to the Catharis dukedom?"
Keerto explained, "His cousins can escort him to the academy and back, so he prefers staying there. Besides, with our eldest son about to become the grand duke, he is occupied and unable to spare time for his younger brother."
Kaizer snorted, "He's already ten years old. Why can't he go to the academy alone? Or simply just accommodate a dorm so he won't have a hard time traveling."
The grand duke replied sternly, "Your brother's condition is still unpredictable, and he needs supervision. It would be risky if he were to lose control suddenly. Unlike you, he hasn't yet fully adapted after returning."
Kaizer shrugged nonchalantly.
After dinner, Eugene went back to his room to rest, but Kaizer once again bothered him, wanting to sleep together. Annoyed, Eugene kicked Kaizer with surprising force, and the nearby servants were astonished to see the young duke fly out of the room and hit the wall.
The servants exclaimed, "!!!"
"Your Highness?!"
Eugene stood with crossed arms and said, "Leave." Then he slammed the door shut.
Kaizer held his stomach and coughed, calling out weakly, "H-Honey..."
The servants rushed to help the young duke in a panic, wanting to call a doctor, but Kaizer waved them off, saying, "This pain is love."
The servants were baffled as they watched the young duke walk away, enduring the pain from Eugene's unexpected attack. He thought that he really went too far with the carriage incident so Eugene had enough and finally beat him up.
Indeed, Eugene felt like he had tolerated Kaizer's behavior for too long, allowing him to cross certain boundaries.
Clicking his tongue, Eugene covered himself with a blanket and fell asleep.
The next morning, Kaizer, Raphael, and Eugene prepared to visit the Shradinza Household.
Today was the day to confirm his brother's decision, and also the day to wake Timber from the geas spell. He allowed Kaizer to accompany him so that Kaizer could also look out for the process and help him if something goes wrong.
Raphael had already packed his belongings.
He never expected to return to the Shradinza Household, but fate seemed to have other plans. Nonetheless, he no longer harbored any feelings for Simon, and any interactions between them would likely be awkward.
During the journey, Kaizer leaned on Eugene to make up for his lack of sleep, and Eugene comforted him with a gentle pat on the head.
Raphael sat across them watching his young master and his highness. He feels like it's been a long time and finally, young Master Eugene is free from the shackles of his family. No one nobles dare to gossip about his young master because it was equivalent to insulting the prestigious house of Dela Vallier Karsten. He's happy that after all those struggle his young master could finally live his life without being concerned and bothered by what people say.
Soon, they reached the Shradinza residence.
Raphael excused himself to return to his former room to drop off his luggage, knowing that young Master Eugene had already informed Young Master Euric about him taking care of Timber, the future Marchioness.
As Raphael walked through the hallways, he encountered Simon, who blocked his path. Even without looking, Raphael recognized Simon's presence.
"What?"
Simon stared at Raphael and questioned, "You come back? Why?"
Raphael raised an eyebrow and replied, "I came back. Naturally, I'll be the personal attendant of the future Marchioness."
Simon inquired, "What about Young Master Eugene?"
Raphael frown, "I just arrive, what are you doing blocking me?"
Raphael rolled his eyes as he walked past Simon, brushing his shoulder. He still needs to go to young Master Eugene to report and finally meet young Master Timber. Simon who become the head butler of the Shradinza Household wouldn't understand his ethic in this kind of profession. So annoying.
Although being the personal attendant to the future grand duchess was a higher position than attending the future marchioness, Raphael couldn't refuse his young master's request.
He knew how much young Master Eugene valued young Master Timber, and he couldn't turn down such an offer. Despite his dislike for returning to the Shradinza Household because of Simon and Vincent, Raphael had no choice but to endure it because he needed the job to save money for his own marriage.
Meanwhile, the servants were forbidden from going upstairs to the second floor.
Euric entered the room where Timber was, finding Eugene standing by the bedside, with Kaizer standing behind him, observing the process of lifting the dark magic spell. The room was filled with abundant mana, creating a somewhat intimidating atmosphere. Euric managed to watch as golden particles appeared, slowly circling around.
Divine magic? How could his little brother possess divine magic?!
Euric frowned.
His little brother was skilled at concealing things.
Kaizer stood close to Eugene, guiding him to point out the location of the soul.
Eugene had initially thought that calling Timber's soul back would be a straightforward process, but he soon realized that Klius had detected the summoning and attempted to counter-attack to dispel the soul call. However, Kaizer's assistance thwarted Klius's efforts, and he could only watch in anger as Timber's soul was retrieved, throwing the glass jar that formerly contained Timber's soul.
"Argh! Eugene Shradinza!"
Startled, Eugene opened his eyes wide, leaning on Kaizer in amazement as he witnessed Klius's enraged state while managing to grasp Timber's soul.
"Interesting," Kaizer grinned, and Eugene lifted his head, asking curiously, "What do you mean by interesting?"
"That person, he's quite powerful," Kaizer replied.
Eugene furrowed his brow and ended the soul call. He turned to Kaizer, inquiring further, "What do you mean by powerful?"
Gently patting Eugene's head, Kaizer explained, "That man is studying dark magic. I saw some evidence during the soul call process. I suspect one of his ancestors might have been a necromancer, but since demons and necromancers are despised, he's likely concealing his dark heritage."
Euric stepped forward and asked about the situation. "Is it done? When will he wake up?"
Eugene glanced at Kaizer, wondering how long it would take for someone to awaken after their soul returned to their body. Kaizer simply hummed, embracing Eugene, and replied disdainfully, "He'll wake up on his own." He still couldn't forget how this person manage to step into the grand dukedom by relying on Eugene's grace.
Euric cleared his throat, noticing Kaizer's displeased expression, and explained, "I was just asking because I need him to agree to marry me."
Kaizer's face contorted, "Marriage?"
Kaizer was not pleased that this person not only seduced his fiancé but also his brother-in-law. He wondered what kind of tricks Timber used to make the two brothers of the Shradinza family fawn over him.
"Well, it's a long story," Euric said.
Eugene pinched Kaizer's waist, signaling him not to get involved. Eugene reassured his brother, "You don't need to explain to him."
Kaizer snorted.
Eugene informed his brother Euric that Raphael would take care of Timber, and Euric agreed. Eugene had already informed him in a letter, so Euric instructed Simon to free up Raphael's previous room. Since Raphael was sent back then Vincent could continue serving his little sister Eunice together with other maidservants.
Sami, now promoted to secretary, would no longer serve as an attendant.
Sami is now promoted to be his secretary as he doesn't need an attendant anymore.
Raphael's presence saves him an effort to hire another servant.
Kaizer remarked, "He's waking up."
Both Euric and Eugene turned their heads toward the bed as Timber's eyelashes trembled. After a few seconds, he finally opened his eyes, initially fixated in one direction before looking around, trying to grasp where he was, as the last thing he remembered was his brother casting a spell on him.
Hurrying to the bed, Eugene asked anxiously, "Are you feeling uncomfortable?"
Upon seeing Eugene, Timber's eyes welled up with tears, and he grieved, "You're late. I was so scared."
Feeling guilty, Eugene pulled Timber into a tight embrace.
Kaizer clenched his fist, ready to speak out, but Euric stepped forward and whispered to Eugene. Eugene glanced at Kaizer for a moment and then reluctantly exchanged positions with his brother, just in case Kaizer acted impulsively.
Euric sighed and comforted Timber, patting his back.
He's always observing Kaizer and he saw that Kaizer is someone who easily gets jealous so he hopes his little brother can read a room and remember he already had a fiance and can't hug someone casually. The previous incident is enough and mustn't repeat so he probably needs to remind Eugene more to avoid the two from creating another misunderstanding.
"Hic. B-Brother Euric?... Hic."
Euric replied soothingly, "Stop crying, you're safe now."
Timber buried his head in his brother Euric's chest and stammered, "M-My brother is so terrible. I thought I wouldn't be found, and my body would decay if left for long. F-Fortunately, I-I..."
"It's alright. It's alright."
Timber trembled, and Euric understood how frightened he had been for his life.
"Your brother won't be able to hurt you anymore."
Eugene sighed, blaming himself, ""Timber don't cry. It's my fault. If only I become more reckless and keep you then you wouldn't suffer. You won't probably be traumatized by your brother's madness."
Kaizer muttered, "What a crybaby."
Eugene pinched Kaizer's waist again, whispering, "Shut your damn mouth."
Kaizer pursed his lips.
Eugene knew that Kaizer is being childish again but he ignored the other party and coaxed Timber who just got over his scary experience.
Euric also comforts Timber.
Seeing Timber's tear-stained face reminded Euric of Eullian, and his heart softened as he comforted the person who was like a younger brother to him. Suddenly, he felt guilty about arranging the marriage, despite knowing it would benefit both parties. He hoped Timber would agree to avoid any trouble.
Eugene interjected, "Your body has only been receiving mana. Now that you're awake, you should eat to regain your strength." He then turned to his brother, saying, "Brother, take care of him, help him clean up, and change clothes. I'll go to the kitchen staff and order them to prepare a light meal."