Inheriting a Lost Bloodline, My First Task is to have heirs?!

Chapter 644: Chapter 644 - Arriving at the Astrantia Dukedom (Part 1)

The carriage ride was smooth and it was thanks to the high end specifications of the the one that my in-laws have sent for the two of us to ride in. It took us about an hour of nonstop traveling from the border town of Qazhad to enter the outskirts of the Astrantia territory.

As I looked around the structures and places that we passed by while we are in the carriage, I can see the very systematic way they have set up the security at the gates of the territory. Soldiers were stationed every few meters showing the military might of the current duke and his son who is currently a general of the northern camps.

It took another 30 minutes for us to get to the heart of the territory surrounded by a medium sized military barracks and then finally a mansion that seemed to be a cross between a small palace and a fortress. I couldn’t deny that it fit the overall vibe of the territory perfectly well.

As the carriage passed through the gates of the mansion, there was a row of soldiers on each side, standing in attention. There was a grand looking set of bifurcated stairs in front of the mansion leading to the main door. I can already see from afar that Caius’ parents, my soon-to-be in-laws are pacing back and forth at the main landing of the staircase, obviously excited for our arrival. They were standing together with about a dozen maids and two butlers.

They were part of nobility and quite influential alright. When I met them at the northern camps though, they were just a couple obviously in love with each other, both equally worried about their son’s health and love life and just doing their best to be as lowkey as possible by dressing up simply.

His father was definitely a henpecked husband through and through but he was strict and cold towards everybody else except for his wife and only son. His mother looked strict but she likes to tease both her husband and her son by pretending to be angry or pitiful at times to get what she wanted.

As the carriage glided to a stop in front of the staircase, the couple couldn’t wait and started walking down the flight of stairs and towards our carriage in a hurry. They were definitely the down-to-earth type of family and did not care for much formalities. I saw the older butler furrow his brows in exasperation at his masters’ actions but he still followed them down the stairs to make sure they arrive alright at the foot of the stairs.

They hurriedly urged the butlers and the maids to open the carriage door so that they can see me and Caius immediately. As the door of the carriage was opened, I was the first one to alight the carriage followed by Caius who almost tripped down the few steps down the carriage. I saw his eyes widen in surprise but I held him in place to avoid any accidents. In other people’s eyes, we were kind of intimate and hugging though.

Instead of a thank you, I got another glare from him but it was still followed by a squeak-like ”Thanks” in my ear. When I turned back to face my in-laws, they were looking at me and then their son in confusion. I saw my mother-in-law eventually looking down to Caius legs then back to me. They must be wondering if he got sick because how in the world can his legs can be so wobbly or maybe they thought he got injured on the leg on the way?

Fortunately, they did not ask any questions in front of their tons of maids and guards since I do not plan to lie about it. At the same time, I still want to keep my future husband’s good image at least in front of his own staff and subordinates.

We were immediately escorted inside the mansion with my mother-in-law’s arms linked around mine. My father-in-law’s arm was around Caius’ neck and his hand was resting on Caius’ shoulder. I looked at my man and he looked like he hated the act with all his being but he did not want to disrespect his father in front of everybody.

I am sure that if it was just the four of us, he would have swatted his father’s hands and pulled me away from his mother. I felt him flinch when his parents held on to me and him, his hand holding mine tightened and then he shivered as if trying to keep his anger in. He just looked straight forward with a cold face.

I think I am the only one he is comfortable with when it comes to skin contact and maybe his mother but just a tiny bit. His mother happily kissed Caius on the cheek earlier when we alighted the carriage by the way. He looked distracted so he wasn’t able to avoid it in time. He looked like he was about to freeze the whole place over with how gloomy he looked after it happened amidst his mother’s chuckles.

That kiss was actually what gave my father-in-law the courage to put his arm around Caius shoulder as if wanting to compete for intimacy that he can get from his son. Well, I just don’t know what will happen in a bit once it was just the four of us in the waiting room.

As if understanding what is bound to happen, my parents-in-law prolonged Caius’ torture and gave me a tour of their mansion in the same position we were in when we came inside the main door. I just have a knowing smile on my face and just nodded once in a while to acknowledge the information they were giving me. I also asked questions once in a while to show interest and looked to the areas that my in-laws pointed to during the tour.

As for Caius, it was as if he turned mute. His body turned rigid from everything that is happening and his face was blank while looking forward at nothing. When my in-laws saw this, they hurried with the tour and within 5 more minutes, we are already seated inside the cushioned seats inside the waiting room.