Chapter 27 - Isolation and Growth

Amelie Huber adjusted the folds of her simple yet neat gown. The early morning light filtered through the ornate window, casting a golden gleam over the room where the young master slumbered. She watched him breathe evenly, a testament to his restored health that filled her heart with quiet satisfaction.

In the month since the Duke had taken her in as a wet nurse, life for Amelie had settled into a predictable pattern. Each day was a repetition of the one before: rising through the night, tending to the young master, ensuring he was washed, fed, and activated according to the doctor. And each day, she would steal away moments to pen letters to her family, their responses a treasured connection to a life beyond these opulent walls.

"Young master," she cooed softly to the boy, who stirred at the sound of her voice. "It's time to greet the day." Sadness washed over her as she remembered that the duke still hadn't announced the child's name.

His eyes fluttered open, revealing the bright chubby face that now seemed to spark even brighter after his recent illness. The physician had marveled at his progress, noting that the baby had not only caught up with his peers but surpassed them in both size and wit. Amelie felt a swell of pride; the hours spent walking with him and talking to him had worked wonders.

After a soft knock the door creaked open, and Friedrich appeared, his presence now a familiar part of the daily routine. He offered Amelie a warm smile, which she returned with a nod of recognition. The Duke's friend had become a constant figure, dividing his time between conferring with the withdrawn nobleman and seeking solace among the leather-bound hard-backs in the library and her.

"Good afternoon, Heinrich," she greeted him. "The young master is ready for our walk."

"Indeed," Heinrich replied, approaching the bed where the boy sat up, eager to start the day. "And how does our young master fare this today?"

"Ready to conquer the world, I daresay," Amelie said, her tone light and playful as she watched the baby droll on his bed.

While Maggy dressed the young master, she found her thoughts drifting to the Duke, the enigmatic man who remained a shadow within his own home. He roamed from bedroom to study, a specter of grief and isolation, untouched by the vibrancy of life that flourished under his very roof. It pained Amelie to think of the little boy growing up hungry for paternal affection, a hunger she knew all too well from her own childhood, spent more in the company of brothers and fields than in the embrace of parental love.

"Come along," Friedrich urged gently, leading Amelie with the baby in her arms from the room.

Amelie followed, her mind returning to the task at hand. After nursing the young master, she would always take him for his daily walk, a chance for fresh air and exploration.

Amelie had gathered all the necessary items for their short outing—a hat for the baby, a shawl for herself—but it was still warm outside. They were once again met with the splendor of the estate's grounds, manicured lawns stretching toward the horizon, dotted with colorful flower beds and ornate statues.

The size of the estate puzzled Amelie every day.

When she walked by herself or with Maggy, she always stuck to her usual path during their walks. But Friedrich's adventurous spirit encouraged her to venture around the estate. With him by her side, she felt protected and free to explore since he had grown up on the same estate as the duke, his mother being the duke's trusted nurse.

"Look, Friedrich!" the Amelie exclaimed, pointing toward a huge bird strutting along the garden path, its tail feathers a vibrant fan of iridescence. "Isn't he magnificent?"

"Indeed, he is. It's called a peacock," Friedrich agreed, his gaze following the her pointed finger. "Nature has a way of creating such wonders. This bird is native to the lush lands of Naria, where the noble lineage of the Duke can be traced back for generations. As long as it is not provoked, it poses no threat to its surroundings."

"You and the Duke seem to be full of stories," Amelie remarked, glancing at Friedrich with a mixture of curiosity and admiration.

As they continued their walk, Amelie couldn't help but notice the young master's attempts to engage with Friedrich, lighting up at each glance and cooing and gurgling enthusiastically at Friedrichs sight. It pained her to witness the boy's affection for Friedrich while he can't get any from his absent father, and she resolved to fill that void as much as her station allowed.

The remaining walk was uneventful and heartwarming. Amelie remained mostly silent, grateful for Friedrich'scompanionship and his care for the Duke's heir.

"Thank you, Friedrich, for joining us," Amelie said as they concluded their stroll. "Your dedication to the young master does not go unnoticed."

"It is my duty," he replied, with a smirk oh his face. "And my privilege."

However, unbeknownst to Amelie, the duke was constantly watching their every move. Whether from his opulent office or secluded chambers, he never failed to steal glances at them while they were on their walks. Just as it had become her routine to walk, it had become his ritual to keep a close eye on them. So it was no secret that Friedrich was always in their midst as of lately.As he watched Friedrich interact with Amelie throughout the day, a sense of unease grew within him. The small gestures - adjusting her shawl as it was falling off and running his fingers through her hair in the process - seemed innocent enough at first, but upon closer observation, he couldn't shake the feeling that Friedrich was interested in her. It was time to have a serious talk with his friend about his intentions towards his wet nurse.

Retiring to her quarters, Amelie sat down to write another letter to her family. She recounted the young master's progress, the peacock and the tranquility of the estate, careful to omit the uncertainty and longing that crept into her heart with each passing day. As she sealed the envelope, she whispered a silent prayer that her words would bring comfort to her loved ones, just as their replies brought her a semblance of home amidst the grandeur that surrounded her.

Her duties called once more, and Amelie tucked the letter away, ready to face the rest of the day with the same steadfast resolve that had carried her through the last month. For now, it was enough to know that the children thrived and that, in some small way, she contributed to the warmth and life of the Duke's son otherwise cold and distant estate.