The morning lesson drew to a close, and Margaret, the nanny, stepped forward, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "Come, Young Lord. It is time for your afternoon rest and a change of clothes."

But unlike usual, Lucius didn’t move.

He’d usually nod, go to her side, and let her drape his coat over his shoulder before leaving, but he didn’t want to go with the nanny this time.

Instead, his small hands reached out and firmly gripped the hem of Julian’s coat. He looked up at Julian, his intent clear: he wasn’t going anywhere without his teacher.

The nanny, seeing this, had her face twisted like she had been smacked with a shit hand, her teeth gritting so audibly that Julian was surprised they didn’t crack. Her -1% affection hovered like a dark cloud over her head, but Julian ignored her.

"You want to go with me?" He asked and Lucius nodded. "Are you sure?" Once again, Lucius nodded.

He guessed it was because his affection level had risen so much that he had grown dependent on him.

Since that was the case, he guessed he could use this opportunity to get to know Lucius better... Outside class schedules.

"Alright then," he said and smiled at the young Lord. "Let us go."

As they stepped out of the study room, and into the open space of the garden, the crisp air of the Northern gardens bit at their cheeks with familiarity.

Julian looked at Lucius, holding his hand and walking beside him, all bundled up like a snowball. A little laugh escaped his lips and Lucius looked up at him, wondering what made his teacher laugh.

Behind them, Margaret walked, her eyes boring a hole into Julian’s back head.

’God, will anything change if she keeps glaring at me like this?’ Julian wondered.

And just then, the system chimed with a light, melodic ring, displaying its translucent window in front of Julian’s eyes.

> [HIDDEN QUEST COMPLETE: A Walk in the Garden]

> Objective: Take a leisurely stroll in the garden with the Young Lord.

> Reward: 100 SP.

> Current Survival Points: 105

Julian looked at this notification, his eyes wide in disbelief and the corner of his lips tugging up.

He hadn’t expected this to be a hidden quest. Well, that’s the whole point of it being hidden.

He let out a silent sigh of relief. The crushing weight of his 5 SP balance finally lifted from his shoulders and he didn’t need to worry much about an emergency coming up during their trip.

He looked down at Lucius, who was carefully stepping in the shallow snow, and felt a genuine warmth spread through his chest. He reached down with his second hand and gently patted the boy’s head.

"You did well today, Lucius," Julian whispered. "The Merchant King of the North would be proud."

Lucius beamed, his blue eyes sparkling as he leaned into Julian’s touch.

And just like that, the three days passed, without any sudden emergencies.

Julian was focused on packing and tense preparations, taking notes from the Nanny about what this and that was since she hadn’t been permitted to go on the trip with them.

Her -1 affection level grew into -2, her hate for Julian increasing by the day.

This made Julian act more cautiously around her because she was a very unpredictable character.

It looked like Julian was trying to steal her place as Lucius’s guardian, and she would no longer have that role, but in honesty, she just wanted to be the sole caregiver of the child and have him at the palm of her hand.

Before the departure, Julian spent his nights quietly organizing his new [Advanced Alchemy Set] and checking the fit of his [Veil of the Commoner].

It wasn’t like the veil was an actual veil, or a mask of sorts. It was just an effect of the system and he hadn’t even noticed anything when he looked at himself in the mirror.

’Maybe it doesn’t work on me,’ he thought, and decided to just trust the system.

...

On the morning of their departure, the courtyard was a crowd of clashing armor of knights Julian had never seen until this day, servants filling the carriage with their luggage, and neighing horses. The Duke’s iron-oak carriage stood ready, having the magnificent emblem of the Alaric household etched on the doors.

The knights in front held flags with the same emblem; a white tiger head with a black snake dead in its mouth.

Julian and Lucius stood in front of the carriage, waiting for the Duke. It was especially cold today, and Julian wondered if they couldn’t postpone the trip to a day later, fearing a snowstorm.

He was sure the Duke might’ve already guessed the weather forecast but he still didn’t postpone, so his opinion wouldn’t matter.

He looked at the young Lord, the thick tunic over his shoulders, cute mittens covering his hands, and the hat to keep him warm did not stop the chill from turning the tanned child’s nose red.

He was freezing.

"Young Lord," he called and Lucius raised his head, his face beaming. "Are you excited?"

Lucius nodded, his eyes glittering and Julian chuckled.

This was his first time leaving the North, and it was his first trip with his father, there was no way he wouldn’t be excited.

"Are you cold?" Julian asked, even though it was obvious, but the little boy denied it, shaking his head.

He must be worried they might leave him behind if he can’t handle the cold.

There was nothing they could do about his excitement and fear of being abandoned right now. So, Julian helped him in his own way.

He took out his winterizing balm, slid a bit on his thumb, and brushed it on the young lord’s face.

He pulled his adorable soft cheeks and then rubbed his thumb over his forehead. Lastly, he rubbed his nose.

"There. Do you feel warmer?"

Lucius paused, blinking as he realized the cold had suddenly disappeared. His face lit up and Julian smiled.

"If you’re cold, don’t hide it. I’ll help you get rid of it just like I did just now."

Lucius nodded and then a large figure appeared behind them.

"Get in," the Duke rumbled, and Julian turned his head to find the Duke looking as loosely dressed as he did in the manor.

How was it that he could wear such thin clothing and not look red in the face?

He had his heavy mantle draped over his shoulders, but that wasn’t an excuse to leave his collar and upper chest exposed.

Julian looked at his chest for a brief second and then back at the Duke’s face.

"What?" The Duke asked, noticing Julian’s gaze. "Is there something you want to say?"

Julian simply shook his head, finding it useless to tell the Duke that he was dressed too thinly. It was his body so he knew best what made him comfortable.

"Let’s go, Young Lord,"

Julian ushered Lucius into the carriage and took a seat opposite the boy. Then, the Duke climbed in. The carriage groaned under his weight and balanced when he sat down next to Julian.

Julian looked at the Duke, his mouth open as he tried to speak but he kept his words for a bit.

Why was the Duke sitting next to him?