"Moreover," Amelie continued, emboldened by his attentiveness, "the young master exhibits great distress after visiting you. I must inquire, with all due respect, if anything transpires during these times that might account for his unease."
Amelie met his gaze, a silent acknowledgment of the unspoken challenge. "Nothing more than the assurance of the young master's well-being," she said, her thoughts flickering to the infant's cries that echoed in her ears long after leaving his father's room.
"His well-being..." The duke repeated the phrase, as if tasting the words for hidden flavors of insinuation.
"Yes, Your Grace." Amelie breathed easier, for the moment had passed, and she had survived the scrutiny of the duke—a man whose reputation was etched in strength and solitude. Please show
The duke's eyes drifted out the window before returning to her face. "Have you told anyone else of these...concerns?" he asked, his tone neutral but laced with an undercurrent of steel.
"No, Your Grace. I believed it my duty to bring this matter to your attention first." Amelie met his gaze, unflinching, her expression open and sincere. She would not be cowed from what she knew in her heart to be true: that protecting the young master's welfare was her highest priority.
The duke let out a sigh that seemed to originate from the depths of his very being and rubbed at his temples, as if massaging away a headache.
"Nothing out of the ordinary happens when my child is with me," Duke Ludwig finally claimed, though his voice betrayed no hint of warmth.
The conversation fell silent, and Amelie realized this was a crucial moment. She lowered her head respectfully, taking in his words and promising herself to be even more attentive from now on. "I understand, Your Grace. Could you describe step by step what happens, when Maggy brings the young mater to you?"
Filled with resentment and begrudgingly aware that the nurse would not relent, the Duke began to recount the routine. "Maggy typically places him in his crib and departs, while I make my way to him and gaze upon his tiny form for a time before returning to my duties." He failed to mention the tender moments when he delicately brushed over the child's face, making sure not to disturb his slumber. It was their little secret, and it never failed to soothe the Duke's heart.
Amelie pressed for more details, her curiosity insatiable. "And what do you do when the young master becomes agitated or begins to weep?" she inquired.
"I hurry to his crib and search for any signs of discomfort, but often find none. I assume he must be hungry or in need of a diaper change, so I summon Maggy to handle him," the duke elaborated further.
Amelie couldn't find a single flaw in the duke's demeanor, and she was at a loss as to why the young master was so agitated after visiting him. The conversation had already taken too long, so she decided to postpone it for another day. She breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that the duke had been cooperative and she could sense his genuine concern for the infant. But just as she was about to excuse herself, the baby began to cry again. Without hesitation, Amelie bent down and snatched up the child, thrusting him into the overwhelmed duke's arms before he even realized what was happening.
Based on the duke's awkward attempts to soothe the weeping child, Amelie concluded that he was inexperienced in such matters. With a calm and authoritative voice, she advised him, "Try gently rocking him, back and forth or up and down." But the child's cries only grew louder, and the duke appeared even more flustered. "Hold him closer to you as you rock, making sure to support his head," she guided him, placing his hands in the correct position. Gradually, the little one quieted down and eventually fell into a peaceful slumber. "And if all else fails, a soft whisper or lullaby can also do wonders. I often read him a story as well," Amelie suggested with a warm smile.
Unbeknownst to Amelie, this was the first moment the duke had held his child since its birth. He had been hesitant and distant before, but now he cradled the infant in his arms with tenderness. Amelie gently placed the baby in his embrace and guided him through calming it, as if it were second nature to her.It was almost as if their roles were reversed. It seemed that she would have instructed late wife with the same unwavering dedication.Both of them were only children, with no nearby relatives to guide them. As a result, they had very little experience with youngsters during their formative years.
Despite her strong-willed and conceited demeanor, the duke couldn't help but feel that Amelie was the perfect person to raise his child.
At last, Amelie's gaze shifted from theangelicinfant to the duke, whose countenance mirrored a sense of serenity. However, his posture appearedstiffand uncomfortable.
"I appreciate your time, Your Grace," Amelie whispered, bowing gracefully. As she made her way out, she couldn't help but sneak a quick glance at the duke, his arms cradling the slumbering young master in a protective embrace. With each step toward the door, Amelie felt the weight of the duke's gaze upon her, a silent sentinel that sent shivers down her spine despite the warm sunlight filtering through the windows. She paused at the threshold, hand resting on the polished brass doorknob, and cast a final glance over her shoulder.
"Is there anything else, Your Grace?" she asked, more out of decorum than expectation.
"Nothing," the duke answered, his attention already returning to the stack of correspondence on his desk. "You may leave."
"Should you detect any unpleasant odors or find yourself unable to soothe him, do not hesitate to summon Maggy or myself," she added before closing the door behind her.
For now, her mission was accomplished, the duke's word secured. But as she exited the room, stepping softly on the plush carpet that muffled her retreat, she knew that the true measure of their encounter would unfold in the days to come. In the eyes of society, they were worlds apart, yet bound by the fragile life of a child who held the future of the duchy in his tiny hands.