🔊 TTS Settings
chapter 22
Hans wore a proud smile.
“Wait a minute, Hans. Even if his exile ends, he’s still a criminal, right? Do you really want to entrust Irene and Erhi to someone like that?”
“He’s the most brilliant criminal in the Empire. And the subjects he will teach are history, mathematics, geography, and astronomy—not ethics or morals.”
From start to finish, his argument was unshakably firm. Before I could even find a word to reply, he continued.
“And more importantly, he is blind—he cannot see ahead.”
What?
“There is no one better suited to be the tutor for Lord and Lady Gong than him.”
I got caught up in Hans’s momentum and asked without thinking.
“Has Killian agreed to this?”
Hans answered with the confidence of someone who found the question unnecessary.
“All educational matters have been left entirely to Madam.”
For the next several days, I was consumed with the problem of bringing Pavel Yotrika here.
The monastery where he stayed was said to be a full three days away by carriage.
‘Three days? That’s “close”?’
I realized that the standard for “close” in this world differed greatly from my own sense of distance.
‘If it takes at least a week for a round trip, the children might get anxious…’
Honestly, just thinking about being stuck with Gabriel for a whole week made me uneasy.
‘And I have to keep an eye on the goddess statue while I’m at it.’
After much thought, I came up with an idea.
‘What if I send a formal invitation letter in both Killian’s and my name? He must have been lonely at the monastery for so long. Perhaps a courteous gesture will move him.’
However, Hans firmly shook his head at my suggestion.
‘He is a prominent figure who was personally recruited by the Emperor in the past. A letter could insult his pride instead.’
He also pointed out that while Pavel was still in exile, there was no guarantee the letter would even reach him.
‘Wouldn’t it be better for Madam to go meet him directly? You’ll need to see for yourself if the rumor about him being blind is true…’
Reluctantly, I gave in to his persistent persuasion.
‘Alright, I’ll go. I just have to go.’
That was two days ago.
Since I had to leave today to avoid crossing paths with Pavel before his exile ended, we decided today would be the departure date.
“Madam, all the luggage has been loaded onto the carriage.”
“Thank you.”
The servants had been busy since early morning.
After finishing preparations and taking a brief rest, Anna knocked on the door.
“Madam, the craftsman from the workshop has brought the bag you ordered. Would you like to see it now?”
The guest I had been waiting for.
“Yes, let him in.”
Following Anna, a white-haired old man exuding the aura of a master craftsman entered.
“Lady of the Duke’s estate, I am Yaul Schmidt from Mano Workshop.”
“Welcome. Did you craft the item well?”
At my urging, he presented the bag he had carried in the box.
“You requested it to be slightly smaller, like a quiver, and as light as possible.”
I examined the bag from every angle.
‘A bag stitched by a master is different in every way.’
The practical, cylindrical bag had no decorations on purpose, and it looked flawless.
“Do you like it?”
I smiled in satisfaction.
“Anna, pay Yaul three times the agreed sum and give him a jar of honey.”
“Understood.”
Yaul bowed deeply, as if performing a grand salute, then left.
I locked the door and carefully placed the goddess statue inside the bag.
“Perfect.”
With one worry lifted, it was time to greet the children.
The children were sitting on the fence outside the annex.
“Cielina!”
“Cielina!”
They ran over in a rush, each grabbing one of my hands.
“Can Irene come with us?”
“Do we have to go?”
Ugh, they were so cute my heart ached.
“Irene, Erhi.”
I crouched down in front of the two children to meet their eyes.
“How many nights did I say before I return?”
The children let go of my hands and solemnly wiggled all ten fingers.
“Ten nights.”
“Nine… ten nights.”
I wanted to return within a week, but to account for any unexpected delays, I had told them ten nights.
“That’s right, ten nights.”
Their little faces sagged in disappointment, perhaps secretly hoping I’d be wrong.
‘At this rate, I’ll be the one crying first.’
Ten nights, after all.
Watching the children look like the world was ending, I even regretted leaving.
‘No, the children’s future depends on this. I mustn’t falter.’
I steeled myself and stood up.
“Listen to Royena, don’t leave the annex in the daytime, and when flying at night, fly high enough to avoid being seen. Got it?”
My storm of instructions ended in a flood of tears.
“Let’s go, Gabriel.”
Only after some time was I able to soothe the children and turn away.
“Once we reach the main house, you should depart immediately.”
Returning to the main house with Gabriel, who had been waiting outside, I saw Killian, the servants, and the commander of the knights standing by the carriage.
“Madam, why are you so late?”
Lily ran up, whispering into my ear in a flustered tone.
“His Excellency has been waiting for you… something about the atmosphere feels tense, Madam.”
Lily’s words weren’t exaggerated. Everyone had been in serious conversation, not even realizing I had arrived.
“Killian.”
I approached and spoke to him.
The scattered servants jumped back in surprise.
“Sorry I’m late. The children were more reluctant than I expected.”
“Oh, really?”
Unlike usual, Hans’ response felt perfunctory, and Remfrina and Anna didn’t react at all.
‘They’re all elsewhere in their minds.’
Could I really leave the house feeling at ease?
“Is something wrong?”
Those who had been watching me flinched and avoided my gaze.
“Well, it’s just that…”
“Some idle old folks came to sightsee,” Killian interrupted Anna’s hesitant explanation, his tone slightly mocking.
Hans hurriedly explained the situation.
“Ahem, the elders of the Cyprid family said they would visit the Duke’s estate soon, so we were discussing countermeasures. We already sent a polite refusal, but…”
Trailing off, he glanced at Killian nervously.
“Apparently, Countess Fontin’s intentions are quite firm, so we’re concerned.”
Fontin… Fontin…
I recalled the list of Cyprid family members I had memorized under Lily’s pressure.
“Countess Fontin… she’s the wife of Uncle Adler, the head of the council, isn’t she?”
If I remembered correctly, Count Adler was the only one who knew the children’s identities.
“They’re coming to check on the children’s condition? Or do they want to see me? Likely both.”
Killian looked rather surprised.
“How do you know that?”
I recalled the incident in the office recently, and his words did not sound polite.
‘There are limits even to disrespecting someone.’
Ignoring Killian subtly, I asked Anna and Hans:
“Wouldn’t it be troublesome if the elders arrive and I’m not here?”
Killian interrupted my question.
“It’s nothing unusual, so don’t worry. You could take this opportunity to explore the estate and return at a leisurely pace.”
Even when speaking, he had to be so irritating…
Hans, noticing my frustration, wiped sweat from his brow as a mediator.
“What His Excellency means is that Madam need not worry and should travel comfortably… ha ha…”
Seeing no further progress in the conversation, I made up my mind.
“Then I’ll depart now.”
I called Lily, who had been waiting, and climbed into the carriage.
“Please travel safely, Madam.”
The servants, lined up, bowed politely at Anna’s signal.
“Depart!”
The coachman cracked the whip.
Just as I lowered my waving hand and moved to draw the curtain…
“Wait.”
A small face appeared suddenly at the window.
“Oh! You startled me… Killian? Did you forget something?”
I hoped he wasn’t about to mock me again.
He frowned slightly at my wary expression, then unexpectedly extended his hand toward me.
“Give me your hand.”
