I Became a Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess

〈Episode 3〉 I Became Friends with Someone Important

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*Thump. Thump.*

Edgar’s heart pounded wildly.

If only he were old enough to articulate himself, to explain the situation directly, it might be a different story. But in his current state, there was no one who could speak on his behalf.

‘What do I do?’

Granted, this was a matter between children who could barely babble, so there was a chance that Helene might let it slide with some leniency.

But that was purely hypothetical.

An incident had occurred, and until he could be certain of what would follow, Edgar couldn’t afford to let his guard down.

‘At this rate, my heart might give out.’

Never mind his mental state, his physical body was still that of a two-year-old infant.

Without even hitting the milestones of puberty or mastering proper walking, his tiny heart was pounding so furiously that it was almost frightening.

Meanwhile, Helene approached, drawn by Ariel’s wails, and questioned the two maids standing nearby about what had happened.

Rune, Katria’s personal maid, hesitated, fumbling over her words and glancing nervously around.

She feared that even if she spoke up to defend Edgar, her words might inadvertently worsen the situation.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Helene’s personal maid, Sheffi, stepped forward with a gentle smile, her tone calm and reassuring.

“It’s nothing serious, Madam. Young Master Edgar was simply trying to assist the young lady, and a small mishap occurred in the process.”

“Assist her, you say?” 

What could a mere two-year-old really do to help a peer of the same age?

Blinking her eyes in mild disbelief, Helene questioned the intention behind Sheffi’s words, to which the maid responded with a soft, composed smile.

“Young Master Edgar offered the young lady his pendant as a gift, but when she tried to put it in her mouth, the young master quickly intervened and took it away to stop her.”

“…A two-year-old did that?”

“Yes, Madam.”

Though it seemed unbelievable, it was the truth.

Helene gazed into Sheffi’s eyes, searching for any sign of deception, but the maid’s expression remained entirely steady.

As her closest confidante apart from her husband, Helene knew that Sheffi would never lie to her. It didn’t take long for her to accept the account as fact.

“How curious. He’s only two, yet he seems to have some instinct to protect my daughter.”

Bending slightly at the waist, Helene calmly met Edgar’s gaze.

Though he was nominally two years old, by actual time since his birth, he hadn’t even reached the full span of two years.

Still, she couldn’t help but wonder, how had he managed to act with such decisiveness?

Even as someone he had only met today leaned in close and looked directly at him, the child showed no signs of fear or hesitation, meeting her gaze steadily.

Meanwhile, Katria stood in the background, watching the scene with a pounding heart.

If there was one solace, it was that her son hadn’t committed a grave mistake.

Even so, the fact that he had made the only daughter of the Grand Duke cry left an unavoidable feeling of unease.

“Katria.”

“Y-Yes, Madam.”

Forcing herself to calm her trembling voice, Katria responded, and Helene continued speaking.

“Have you decided on Young Master Edgar’s future path?”

Future path? What future path?

Katria’s eyes widened in surprise.

He was only two years old. Of course, as the eldest son, he would eventually inherit the family title, but no concrete plans had been made for his future just yet.

“He’s still a young child, so… my husband and I haven’t discussed it in detail.”

“I see.”

Helene fell silent, lost in thought.

It was common knowledge that the Bilhark family had served the Löweheim household for generations.

If three, five, or ten more years passed, the boy named Edgar would inevitably become Ariel’s attendant or loyal retainer. It was simply the natural course dictated by the history between their families.

‘But is that the right path?’

Helene was acutely aware of certain truths.

She could no longer bear children. It was an unchangeable reality.

The destiny of her family, passed down through generations, was inescapable.

Her one and only daughter would eventually be named the next head of the Löweheim household, ruler of the northern territories. Within that role, finding a true friend to share her heart with would be nearly impossible.

Instead, Ariel would likely acquire peers from other noble families under the guise of friendship, relationships rooted in mutual benefits rather than genuine connection.

Some might argue that this was the duty of someone carrying the blood of the Grand Duke.

Even her husband would likely echo such sentiments if asked.

But as a mother, that wasn’t the future Helene wished for her child.

‘Surely having at least one real friend wouldn’t be too much to ask.’

A friend is an irreplaceable bond, neither family, confidants, nor lovers can substitute it.

There are stories you can share with a friend that you might not reveal even to family, and favors you can ask of a friend that you wouldn’t entrust to even your closest confidants.

Helene wanted her daughter to have at least one such person by her side.

It might very well be the final gift she could give to the child destined to shoulder the immense responsibilities of the Löweheim family.

“Katria.”

“Y-yes, Madam.”

“I have a favor to ask. Will you grant it?”

“Whatever you wish, please command it.”

Even if Helene were to demand her to draw a blade and strike herself down on the spot, Katria would obey without hesitation.

The bond between the Löweheim family and the Bilhark family was not merely a matter of power disparity but one dictated by the rules and duties of a vassal household.

“I want Edgar to remain by my daughter’s side.”

“Are you saying you wish to raise him as her attendant……?”

It wasn’t a particularly unusual request. In fact, it aligned well with the norm.

Attendants or maids serving in a Grand Duke’s household were often chosen from among the children of other noble families, selected for their virtues, knowledge, and character.

For lower-ranking noble families, this arrangement was seen as an opportunity to establish ties with higher-ranking families, making it mutually beneficial.

However, Helene’s response to Katria’s query was entirely unexpected.

“No. Not as an attendant, I want him to be her friend.”

“A-a friend…?”

A friend? Katria doubted her own ears.

It was true that, in childhood, noble children were sometimes allowed to form friendships across class boundaries to preserve their innocence, as long as it was mutually agreed upon by the families.

But even such allowances had their limits.

To pair the child of a barony, one of the weakest in terms of influence, almost at the bottom of the hierarchy, with the heir of a grand ducal house, one of the three most powerful in the empire, as friends?

“M-Madam… While I appreciate your favor toward my child, I’m afraid he is unworthy of being the young lady’s friend…….”

As a mother, it was humiliating to belittle her own child. However, she felt there was no other way to navigate this situation.

Had Helene proposed Edgar as an attendant, she would have immediately agreed, but suggesting they be friends was a leap too far.

One day, when they were older, the children would inevitably understand the vast gap in their statuses. As a mother, Katria couldn’t ignore the potential emotional toll this would take on Edgar.

“It’s fine, Katria. I’m not expecting anything from your child.”

Helene’s gaze remained fixed on the small boy in front of her, who still hadn’t averted his eyes from her.

She didn’t see the makings of a brave warrior in him, nor the potential of a great scholar.

But she felt, deep in her heart, that this boy might be the one to stay by her daughter’s side no matter what. It was an intuition she couldn’t ignore.

“Edgar, please take care of my child. She might grow up to be stoic and inattentive to her surroundings, much like her father, but… I hope you’ll watch over her.”

The mistress of the grand ducal house, addressing a mere two-year-old, bowed her head and made a heartfelt request.

Katria, standing nearby, instinctively tried to intervene, but Sheffi gently shook her head and signaled with her eyes to let it be.

“Daaa!”

“Haha, thank you.”

In response to Helene’s words, Edgar lifted the pendant in his hand high into the air and let out an energetic reply. Helene, seeing this, finally let a smile of relief spread across her lips.

Helene prided herself on her ability to read people. It was one of the few strengths she had relied on to rise to her current position, despite being born with frail health and no extraordinary talents.

Edgar, who had just given a confident reply, now sat staring intently at Ariel across from him.

Jet-black hair and crimson eyes.

Even at just two years old, her distinct features hinted at the extraordinary beauty she would grow into.

‘That this little one is destined for an early death…….’

That was all he knew about Ariel Löweheim.

Why she would die, who might be involved in her death, whether she was guilty of any crime, or whether she was unjustly accused, he knew none of it.

Edgar reached out and placed his hand on Ariel’s cheek.

Warmth radiated from her tiny face to his small hand. As if wondering what he was doing, Ariel tilted her head slightly to the side in an endearing motion.

‘It wouldn’t hurt to try.’

At the very least, this girl didn’t seem like someone who deserved to fade away like dust.

He thought perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to spend this new life watching over someone’s future.

Not that it was a brag, but Edgar considered himself quite childish in temperament. Playing with babies was something he was confident in.

‘I might even get too into it myself.’

In any case, this was a fortunate turn of events for Edgar.

As the future head of the Bilhark family, he had managed to make a positive impression on the Löweheim family, whom he was destined to serve.

Not to mention, he had become friends with the only daughter of the Grand Duke’s family. That alone seemed like a happy ending in itself.

“Oh my, he’s fallen asleep.”

Perhaps it was the result of pouring too much tension into his little body.

Edgar, who had been squishing and playing with Ariel’s cheeks, had succumbed to drowsiness and drifted off to sleep.

A moment ago, he had seemed so dependable and mature, but in the end, he was still just a child.

Helene chuckled softly and carefully lifted Edgar, handing him back to his mother, Katria.

All she wished for, as a mother, was for this boy to become a good friend to her daughter.

That was all.

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