How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 348

“You’ll get frostbite like that, my lady.”

 

“I won’t……”

 

“It’s not winter yet, that’s why.”

 

As he pulled the blanket down to cover her exposed toes, Raenel let out a small, pouty sound and pushed her feet out from under the blanket again.

 

He covered them again, and then she stuck them out again.

 

After repeating that a few times, Raenel seemed to grow tired, and without even mumbling in her sleep, she began to breathe softly.

 

Leonhard swallowed a quiet laugh and held back the urge to crush his wife in his arms.

 

He wished this night could stretch on for about a week. To keep watching her sleeping face, dozing off without realizing it, then waking again just to stare at her endlessly.

 

He wished the night wouldn’t pass—yet at the same time, he eagerly awaited tomorrow morning.

 

Who would wake up first? Since Raenel had been sleeping more ever since becoming pregnant, he would probably wake first again.

 

But maybe, just maybe, Raenel would wake first. And then she would quietly stay in his arms until he woke.

 

And the moment he opened his eyes, she would look at him as if she had been waiting, with those lovely eyes like spring flowers.

 

As he imagined the way the corners of her eyes would curve gently, Leonhard couldn’t help but lean down and press a kiss to her pale cheek.

 

He should go to sleep now. Watching his sleeping wife was nice, but he was looking forward even more to talking with her while she was awake.

 

“Have a good dream, my lady.”

 

Just like Raenel had come to this bedroom today, he would go to her in her dreams.

 

The thought that even if he appeared in her dream, it would still remain a good dream for her made Leonhardt’s heart flutter.

 

What would they talk about first tomorrow morning?

 

Right—he should ask if the tea suited her taste.

 

What would she say? Imagining her response, Leonhard quietly fell into a deep sleep.

 

* * *

 

The first day of the new year.

 

After the marquis couple’s wedding, a grand banquet was held at Ajas Castle for the first time.

 

The reception held on the wedding day had been closer to a gathering where the vassals and retainers of Ajas paid their respects to the new marchioness from the capital. So it wouldn’t be wrong to say that this was the first true grand banquet since the passing of the previous marquis couple.

 

Because of that, the Crystal Hall had been decorated lavishly and elegantly—so much so that even the most critical guest couldn’t find fault.

 

Those who entered couldn’t hide their admiration.

 

“It’s the first grand banquet in almost 20 years. I thought I might be disappointed because my expectations were so high… but it’s amazing!”

 

“I’m already over thirty, and this is my first time attending a banquet at Ajas Castle.”

 

“Well, the previous marchioness was……”

 

Given the setting, the words that might have turned into criticism of the former lady were swallowed back.

 

As they said, it had been nearly twenty years. And just as the Crystal Hall was magnificently decorated, the gentlemen and ladies invited were also dressed perfectly from head to toe.

 

If they were to be thrown out before the banquet even began, how regretful it would be to return home like that.

 

“Starting from the central chandelier… the decorations are truly beautiful. I can see why this place is called the Crystal Hall.”

 

“The windows are all closed, right? But it feels like they’re wide open with how the light pours in.”

 

“Oh! About that—every window in this hall is enchanted. They say it won’t even break from Hyella’s sigh.”

 

“Even the flowers in the table vases are all different. Don’t you feel how much care the marchioness put into this?”

 

In lands under the marquisate, especially near the Hyella Mountains, windows were always boarded up in winter.

 

Because of that, people relied on lamps and candles even during the day, so winter was often thought of as a dark season.

 

Perhaps because of that, today’s Crystal Hall was decorated overall with a bright, pure white atmosphere.

 

The crystals and white silk decorations, along with white tables and chairs, made the golden ornaments and fragrant fresh flowers stand out beautifully.

 

Truly, there was probably no other family in the north capable of hosting such a splendid banquet. Surrounded by such grandeur, people were reminded of that once more.

 

“Ah… I really missed this atmosphere.”

 

“Honestly, I was worried. I heard she took in the young lady of House Cloud as her maid, but after that there wasn’t much news…”

 

It wasn’t that there was no news at all. But the news they heard was that the marchioness had gone down to the capital—so they couldn’t help but worry.

 

She was already from the capital, so people wondered if she would adapt to the north. And then, before even a year had passed, she returned to the capital.

 

Just as people waited anxiously for her return, good news finally arrived last autumn.

 

Not only had the marchioness returned to the north, she was also pregnant!

 

There was a big difference between simply returning and returning while pregnant.

 

If she had conceived in the capital and came back north, it meant she intended to raise the child there.

 

In other words, she would put down roots in the north.

 

And as if to prove it, invitations were soon sent out to all the vassals and retainers under the marquis.

 

To officially announce the pregnancy, and to celebrate the passing year while wishing for peace and happiness in the coming new year.

 

An invitation to the banquet held on New Year’s Day.

 

“It’s not just anyone—taking in the young lady of House Cloud as a maid shows she had interest in northern society. I never doubted she’d return.”

 

“I heard she only went to the capital to attend her older sister’s wedding, not because she didn’t want to stay in the north.”

 

“Speaking of which, did you hear? Something big happened in the capital this time…”

 

“They say the spirit of Rayenbert manifested! My goodness—I serve that house, yet I had no idea a spirit resided in Laienbert.”

 

“Did anyone know? Rayenbert itself is a family heirloom of Ajas. Of course such things would be kept secret.”

 

“I also heard the young lord received a medal this time…”

 

As people chatted about the Ajas family’s trip to the capital last summer,

 

At last, the horn announcing the start of the banquet sounded.

 

“His Excellency the Marquis of Ajas, the Marquise, and the Young Lord are entering!”

 

Curious and expectant gazes turned toward the entrance.

 

A moment later, the marchioness entered slowly, escorted by the marquis holding her right hand and the young lord holding her left.

 

It was only natural for the marquis to escort her—but people hadn’t expected even six-year-old Noah to attend such a grand banquet. Still, they suppressed their curiosity and welcomed them with applause.

 

‘It’s not even a banquet centered on the young lord… so why bring him?’

 

‘Isn’t this to announce Marquise’s pregnancy? Maybe they brought him along in case someone gets any strange ideas.’

 

Those who remembered the fates of Viscount Hieren and Count Lamberton let out quiet sounds of realization.

 

‘His Excellency already made a strong warning—no one would dare try anything now…’

 

‘You never know with people. Perhaps they want to firmly establish the young lord’s position as well.’

 

As whispers spread among the crowd, the marquis, standing at the head, wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist and looked over everyone before speaking calmly.

 

“Many of you may already know, but I have gathered you here to share the joyful news that my wife is expecting our second child.”

 

No one was tactless enough to point out—even in a whisper—that this was not her first pregnancy.

 

As everyone offered their congratulations and blessings, the Marquise began to speak next.

 

“I know I should have arranged a gathering like this sooner. But last year, the marquis was occupied with subjugating the barbarians, and I was busy adjusting to the north, where I would build my new life. That is why I am only now able to greet you all properly.”

 

Strictly speaking, her official introduction had already taken place at their wedding and the reception that followed.

 

But that day, Raenel had simply become the lady of the north.

 

No one knew what kind of path she would take as its mistress.

 

And since then, she has not appeared at any official events in the north.

 

* * *