His Home
765 Words
Chapter 22
The Valemont estate stirred restlessly at dawn.
Hoofbeats thundered up the path. Guards blinked in surprise. Maids froze mid-sweep. Cortis, who had been humming a victory song about defeating imaginary monsters, dropped his stick and gasped.
“He’s back! THE DUKE IS BACK!”
Before anyone could announce it formally, a tall, exhausted figure stormed through the main doors, cloak whipping behind him.
Adrian.
His hair was wind-tousled, his clothes were travel-worn, and his eyes—normally sharp, commanding—were filled with only one thing:
Desperate longing.
“Camila,” he breathed.
He didn’t walk to her.
He didn’t approach gracefully or noble composure.
He ran.
Camila, who had just descended the staircase, froze like a startled deer. Before she could utter a greeting, Adrian wrapped his arms around her, burying his face against her chest with a deep, shuddering exhale.
“I missed you,” he murmured, voice rough with fatigue. “More than I expected. More than I should.”
Camila stiffened, unsure what to do with a full-grown man collapsing into her embrace like a needy wolfhound.
“D-Duke Adrian—”
“No titles,” he muttered, tightening his hold. “Not when I’m home. Not when I’m with you.”His world now revolved around her,his home ,his comfort.
Her cheeks flushed scarlet. She hesitated… then gently placed a hand on his back.
“M-My lord, you must be exhausted.”
“Mm,” he hummed into her warmth. “Your scent should be considered medicine.”
Before Camila could react to that scandalous statement, a loud, dramatic wail echoed through the hall.
“WAHHHHHHH! HE STOLE LADY CAMILA FROM ME!!”
Cortis stood on the stairs, fists balled, tears gushing like fountains.
“You—YOU GREEDY GIANT!” he hiccupped. “That’s MY spot—MY Lady Camila—MY comfort place!”
The maids snorted. One slapped a hand over her mouth. The butler almost dropped the silver tray he was holding. Laughter rippled through the staff like barely-contained fireworks.
Adrian lifted his head and shot the boy a lazy glare.
“Your Lady Camila?” he scoffed. “Did you marry her while I was away?”
“I WILL WHEN I GROW UP!” Cortis declared bravely through his sniffles.
Camila, caught between embarrassment and amusement, gently untangled herself from her husband to kneel in front of Cortis. She wiped his tears like a true mother hen.
“There, there…” she whispered softly. “Don’t cry. You’re still my sweet baby.”
Cortis immediately latched onto her, clinging to her neck.
Adrian’s jaw dropped.
“Your—what?” he sputtered.
“My baby,” she repeated, patting the child’s back.
Adrian openly pouted, crossing his arms like a jealous adolescent.
“I travelled for days. Nearly died of boredom. Sprinted through my own estate… And I get outranked by a child half my height?”
Cortis peered over Camila’s shoulder and stuck out his tongue with childish triumph.
“Bleeeeh! Lady Camila loves ME~”
“She’s my wife!” Adrian snapped.
“She’s my LADY!” Cortis fought back.
“You have no idea what marriage even means!”
“I know it means hugging! And YOU stole it!”
A maid quietly whispered to another, “Should we… intervene?”
Her friend shook her head vigorously. “Never. This is the best entertainment we’ve had in years.”
Camila sighed softly, rubbing her temples.
“You two… honestly…”
Adrian huffed. “I leave for a week, and this becomes a circus.”
She gave him a gentle smile. “Welcome home.”
The words hit him harder than the embrace.she said home, and it made his heart flutter. Something warm flickered in his eyes, melting the last bit of exhaustion from his face.
He stepped toward her again, voice softer. “I really did miss you.”
Cortis clung tighter. “MINE.”
Adrian leaned down, glaring at him. “I will reclaim my wife’s affection, you little tyrant.”
“NEVER!”
The servants burst into laughter again, some wiping tears from their eyes.
But beneath the childish rivalry, everyone saw it clearly—the Duke, who once commanded fear, now stood with softened eyes, playful banter, and a heart finally capable of warmth.
Their once-gloomy master…
Was smiling.
Laughing.
Living.
And it brought joy to every corner of Valemont estate.
Camila, caught between the two “children,” could only exhale helplessly.
This was her life now—
chaotic, warm, ridiculous…
But somehow, beautifully hers.
- Writer
