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If it weren't for her, I wouldn't even be able to dream of moments like this.
Perhaps that's why.
That night, Felix couldn't easily fall asleep, his heart overflowing with emotion.
'As soon as I wake up tomorrow, I'll go see Duke Argenta. And ask him about the herb Ayla mentioned.'
The more precious this moment felt, the greater her presence seemed to become.
His feelings for her had grown so immense that he didn't know what to do with this overflowing emotion.
Around that point, he couldn't help but acknowledge his feelings.
'I was in love with Ayla.'
The moment that realization struck him, a deep sigh escaped his lips.
He wanted to run to her right away.
He wanted to see her face.
If she heard the news that he had found his father, wouldn't she be as happy as if it were her own news?
'And if I get the herb for her, she'll be even happier.'
Imagining that, a faint smile spread across Felix's lips.
Perhaps because his heart was so full of excitement, he couldn't fall asleep even when he closed his eyes. He tossed and turned all night and woke up at the crack of dawn.
He knew it was early, before sunrise, but he wanted to see the Duke right away.
As he clumsily tugged on the bell cord, the butler quickly knocked on the door.
It seemed he had been waiting in the next room all along.
Felix washed with the water he brought and changed his clothes, then carefully opened his mouth.
"It's quite early, but I'd like to see the Duke. Would that be alright?"
The butler was startled and replied.
"You can speak comfortably to me."
"I... understand."
"You can visit Duke Argenta anytime. He will probably be very pleased."
"Isn't he a busy man?"
"It's alright, nothing is more important in the mansion right now than Young Master."
Felix nodded with an awkward expression.
"Then please guide me to Duke Argenta."
Felix received the fervent gazes of the servants as he went to meet the Duke.
Some looked at him with hands clasped together, overcome with emotion, while others wiped away tears and sobbed.
The butler, worried that such an atmosphere might burden Felix, bowed deeply and said.
"I will caution them."
"Ah, it's alright. I might be a novelty to them."
Since the long-lost son had suddenly appeared, it was understandable that the servants would be surprised.
At Felix's words, the butler shook his head awkwardly.
"That's... not it."
"......?"
"It's not because you're a novelty, but because they're moved."
The butler bit his lip for a moment before continuing.
"Until now, the Argenta Noble house's time had practically stopped, but Young Master's appearance has breathed life back into it."
With the Heir of the Duke Argenta Noble house missing, the Duchess had lost her mind in grief.
Then, as her health deteriorated and she passed away, the warmth of the Duke's household completely disappeared.
Because Duke Argenta had lost his smile.
The servants, empathizing with the Duke's sorrow, had to work in an atmosphere as cold as ice.
After Felix returned, the Duke's household was once again swept up in an excited atmosphere.
The butler was deeply moved by this fact.
He spoke to Felix with sincerity.
"Thank you sincerely for returning to our side safely."
It was a bewildering situation for Felix.
He, who had always been treated as an unwanted burden, had suddenly become someone whose very existence was appreciated.
Strangely, his heart tingled.
It was an unfamiliar but not unpleasant sensation.
That he had become a precious existence to someone.
Soon, the two arrived in front of the Duke's door.
The butler knocked briefly, and a voice immediately called out to come in.
It seemed the Duke was already awake.
Opening the door, they saw Duke Argenta sitting by the window, wearing a gown.
As soon as he saw Felix, a kind light appeared in his eyes.
"I hope you slept comfortably."
At the Duke's words, Felix bowed politely and replied.
"I was comfortable. Did Duke Argenta sleep well?"
"Yes, I had a deep sleep for the first time in a long time."
A faint smile appeared on Duke Argenta's face.
The butler, seeing that, seemed to be choked up again, taking out a handkerchief to dab at his eyes.
Felix could once again understand why he was tearful.
The fact that Duke Argenta had been suffering from insomnia for a long time was quite famous in social circles.
Having lost his young son and then being widowed, he had been unable to sleep soundly at night.
"There must be a reason why you came to see me so early in the morning."
"I have something to tell you, Duke Argenta."
Felix hesitated.
When he actually tried to ask the Duke for a favor, the words didn't come out easily.
'What if he thinks I'm already trying to take advantage of the Duke's Noble house?'
As if understanding Felix's nervousness, the Duke rose from his seat and approached him.
"I don't know what you want to talk about, but feel free to speak."
With those words, the Duke placed his hand on Felix's shoulder.
"Have you had breakfast?"
"Not yet."
"Then let's have a meal together and talk."
The Duke gestured and led Felix to a small room.
Servants had already prepared breakfast there.
Warm bread, fresh fruit, egg dishes, and even meat soup were neatly arranged.
It was quite excessive for breakfast.
Felix awkwardly looked around.
The servants of the Duke's Noble house were staring at him with sparkling eyes.
'It feels like I have to eat really deliciously.'
The Duke offered Felix a seat and handed him bread himself.
"Eat up. And feel free to say whatever you want. I will listen to whatever you say."
"......Anything?"
"Yes. You are the rightful Heir of the Duke's Noble house. If there is anything you want, the Argenta Noble house will do everything in its power to help you."
Felix hesitated for a moment before picking up the bread.
He wasn't used to having a meal side by side with the Duke, but he was happy that he was taking such good care of him.
He was also slightly embarrassed by the warm gaze that followed him throughout the meal.
Felix slowly gathered his thoughts as he ate the soup.
And when he was somewhat full, he cautiously brought up the main topic.
"Do you perhaps know about an herb called 'Footsteps of the Gods'?"
At Felix's words, Duke Argenta blinked blankly, as if surprised.
'How does Felix know about that?'
'Footsteps of the Gods' was a precious herb bestowed upon the Argenta Noble house, which had made great contributions when the Empire was founded long ago.
It was grown in a secret location to prevent theft, so not many people knew about it.
'The herb is filled with divine power, so it was given the grandiose name of Footsteps of the Gods.'
It was an herb that was difficult to cultivate in ordinary soil, so the Noble house's ancestor deliberately planted its bulbs in the Forest of Darkness.
So that it could grow by feeding on the Mana flowing from there.
As they had hoped, the herb grew rapidly, and now the number of individual plants had increased considerably.
Still, the number was not large enough, so it was rarely used within the Duke's Noble house unless it was a special case.
'The last time I used it was when my wife was ill.'
As such, Footsteps of the Gods was mostly unknown to those who were not particularly interested in herbs.
He smiled gently and said.
"Do you need it? I can give you as much of the herb as you want, but I'm curious how you found out about it."
At those words, Felix hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth.
He decided that there was no need to hide the truth from Duke Argenta.
"Actually... my Mana insensitivity is not completely cured yet."
"What?"
At the sudden words, Duke Argenta's mouth fell open.
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