Lina tried to free herself from his grip, but Caelis held her firmly. "What are you doing?!" Lina hissed angrily.
"If you keep covering him, the cold energy inside his body will become even more uncontrollable," Caelis replied calmly. "Leave him to me."
"No…"
"I'm worried about him, too. I'll let you kill me if it's proven that I have harmed him." His gaze remained steady and sincere.
Despite her panic, Lina still noticed a glimmer of worry flickering in those golden eyes. She was certain that the Northern ruler, who had threatened her only moments earlier, was now genuinely concerned about her son's safety.
She finally said through clenched teeth. "Alright. But remember. If you hurt even his single hair, I will detonate my magic core and destroy this entire place."
Caelis's eyes softened slightly as he looked at Lina, showing an expression she had never seen from him since arriving in the North.
Without wasting another moment, Caelis approached Claude, who was still crying in pain. He held the child carefully in his arms, whispering soothing words while resting his palms gently on Claude's small back and channeling his essence into the boy.
"Don't be afraid. Don't resist it," he whispered softly. "It is part of you. Remember—you are not alone. Your mother, I, and everyone here will protect you."
His voice was calm, gentle, and comforting. Even Lina was surprised to see this side of him. From the beginning, he had never shown the slightest hint of tenderness toward her.
Caelis's affectionate gaze toward Claude did not escape Lina's notice.
Did I misjudge him? Could it be… that he does not see Claude as a mere tool?
At that moment, Lina suddenly felt as though she was no longer needed. For a brief instant, it felt as if the Grand Duke were Claude's real father, while she was merely an outsider.
Slowly, Claude's fever began to subside until the small body relaxed and drifted into peaceful sleep. Lina stood there in silence as Caelis gently laid the child down on the bed with extraordinary care, as if Claude were made of delicate glass.
After covering the sleeping boy with a blanket, Caelis stepped closer to Lina.
"You see? I did not hurt him."
How strange, Lina thought. Why is this man suddenly acting so friendly?
"Thank you. All this time, I could only watch him suffer for three days before his fever would finally break. Yet you were able to calm it in the blink of an eye… I am truly grateful."
"He will become my heir. It is only natural that I help him."
"Even so, I cannot simply hand him over to you," Lina replied firmly. "What if he does not wish to become your successor?"
"Then I won't force him."
Caelis had learned from experience. His brother, Klaude, was the perfect example.
From the very beginning, he had known that his brother was a free-spirited individual who hated being bound by obligations. Even when Klaude accepted the position of Grand Duke, he had done so reluctantly.
If Caelis forced his will upon Claude, would the boy not follow his father's path and abandon his responsibilities one day?
When Klaude was still alive, such matters would not have concerned him. But now Caelis had yet to discover who was responsible for his brother's death. He refused to lose the only family he had left.
"But you cannot stop me from winning him over. Who knows? He might inherit my sense of responsibility." He paused for a moment before continuing. "Besides… he is my son."
If Lina had been carrying her observation notebook, she would have added a new entry describing this man.
Thick-skinned.
"Fine," Lina said after taking a deep breath. "I will accept this contractual marriage on two conditions."
"Go on."
"First, never force your will upon Claude, and never punish him excessively for any wrongdoing. Second, you must never investigate my past or attempt to interrogate me about it. In return, when we divorce, you will not need to compensate me for anything."
Caelis might have refused those terms if she had proposed them before today's incident. "Consider it done. Is there anything else?"
"I also hope you will keep your promise."
"Which promise?"
"You said you would not touch me."
Caelis was about to answer when Edgar suddenly cleared his throat softly. "Forgive my boldness, Your Grace, my lady," the old butler said. "However, in public, you must display the affection of a devoted couple. Otherwise, the rumors that have already spread will not be convincing."
Lina frowned slightly, preparing to protest, but Caelis spoke first.
"Is that truly necessary?"
"Your Grace, it will be far more convincing to the noble families."
"I can simply give her expensive jewelry and public attention," Caelis replied. "That should be enough to demonstrate my affection."
"That is exactly why Your Grace has never been able to find a partner," Edgar said dryly. "At the very least, you should hold hands or go on occasional dates."
Before Caelis could argue further, Lina spoke first.
"It's fine with me. If it's only holding hands or going on a few dates, I have no objection."
Caelis sighed in resignation as he looked at the satisfied smile of the old man who had served him since childhood. "Very well. Get some rest. We will discuss the details of the contract tomorrow."
Lina nodded in agreement.
Once she was alone in her room, she immediately climbed onto the bed and placed her palm against Claude's forehead. After confirming that his temperature had returned to normal, she finally released a long breath of relief.
"The important thing is that you are safe…"
Lina gently hugged her son, kissed his forehead, and soon drifted into sleep beside him.
Meanwhile, inside the Grand Duke's private chamber, Caelis glared at Edgar with a dark and oppressive aura, as though he wanted to devour the old butler alive. Edgar could almost feel the looming presence of a massive ice dragon watching him like prey.
Yet Edgar remained standing calmly, completely unfazed by his master's anger.
"Edgar, what exactly is going through your head?" Caelis's voice was sharp with irritation. "I cannot possibly touch my brother's mate!"
"Your Grace, Lord Klaude is gone. No one would blame you if you claim her as your spouse."
"Edgar." That single word carried overwhelming authority. The pressure in Caelis's voice forced the old butler to fall to his knees immediately.
"Your Grace… can you not feel it?" Edgar said carefully. "Her cold energy is perfectly compatible with yours. It could help you break through your limits and become a true Dragon God."
"…" Caelis had indeed felt it.
Even earlier, when Lina had tried to break free from his grip.
Unconsciously, she had strengthened her body with magic. Although it could not match a dragon's physical strength, the purity of her cold energy had been unmistakable.
Was that why Klaude chose her? Because Lina possessed the rare cold energy capable of elevating an ice dragon to godhood?
Caelis slowly shook his head. "If Klaude approached her for that reason… then that woman is truly unfortunate," he said quietly. "Why should she be destined to be exploited by a beast clan?"
Edgar remained silent, unable to answer for a moment. "I understand," he finally said. "I will not attempt to persuade you any further."
"Leave. I wish to be alone."
After Edgar left, Caelis closed his eyes.
The image of Lina's face—strong, determined, and unwavering—filled his thoughts.
"She was even willing to detonate her magic core to protect her child. For a mage, that is the same as committing suicide."
When Caelis opened his eyes again, exhaustion was clearly visible within his golden gaze.
"Lina… you have changed the way I think about mage."