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chapter 25
“Miss Daniel is very intelligent. Teaching her is truly rewarding.”
“Of course! Isn’t she?”
I beamed at Miss Renold’s praise. At first, she seemed a bit taken aback when I mentioned that Daniel had only just started learning the alphabet. Apparently, children from noble families were educated rigorously from a very young age.
But Daniel, having grown up almost neglected, had received no education at all. Even her basic literacy had only been taught by me since I arrived here.
Despite the late start, contrary to both Miss Renold’s and my concerns, our clever Daniel absorbed knowledge like a sponge soaking up water.
Ah~ so beautiful, cute, and intelligent too! That’s our Daniel! Truly a promising young lady for the future!
“Her learning progress shows no difficulty at all, so I think it’s time to start teaching her cultural subjects as well.”
“Cultural subjects?”
“Ah! Perhaps the Countess may not be familiar with this. Nowadays, the educational enthusiasm of noblewomen has increased. Even at Daniel’s age, young ladies often begin studying the arts and physical activities.”
“Really? What do they usually teach?”
“That depends on what the child wants to do. Usually, physical activities like horseback riding or fencing are good, while artistic subjects like musical instruments or painting help cultivate sensitivity. Ah! These days, dance is also popular among young girls, since they can wear pretty dresses while learning it.”
“I see.”
I nodded at Miss Renold’s words. I worried that starting other lessons too soon might be too exhausting for Daniel, and half of me feared that my child might fall behind if she didn’t keep up.
“…That’s what our tutor, Miss Renold, suggests. But, Lord Winchester, what do you think?”
Lord Winchester returned home late again today. Thus, discussing Daniel’s learning progress and her future cultural path had to take place in the bedroom.
“What do you mean?”
Sitting at the table by the window with his long legs crossed, he asked while holding a teacup.
“I mean, we’d like to know your preference regarding what Daniel should learn in the future.”
“Am I the one who decides that?”
He asked me back, and I was the one caught off guard. Wasn’t that a little too indifferent?
“Well, you are Daniel’s father. If I don’t discuss it with you, who else should I consult?”
I couldn’t help but snap at him, feeling a little frustrated.
“With Daniel herself.”
However, Lord Winchester didn’t seem to mind my tone and calmly responded. I, on the other hand, was stunned by his answer.
“Shouldn’t we ask Daniel what she wants to do?”
So that’s what he meant? That her own wishes mattered more than anyone else’s?
“Yes, that’s right.”
Only then did I understand his intention and nodded. He really was a man of few words.
“I’ll discuss it with Daniel directly tomorrow.”
He slightly nodded at my words and then turned back to enjoy his leisurely nighttime tea. This late-night tea ritual had practically become part of his routine.
Since that day, the glasses from the cabinet had not been taken out again, and the alcohol level hadn’t decreased one bit from before.
Although the days were getting warmer, the nights were chilly enough that opening the window brought a cool breeze. Occasionally, this would ruffle Lord Winchester’s slightly damp hair.
Watching him quietly enjoy his tea, I couldn’t help but steal glances at his elegant profile.
Just like now.
“Huh?”
Did I just see something?
“Lord Winchester?”
He silently turned his head toward me, signaling that he was listening if I had something to say.
“Are you hurt?”
His hand moved to his forehead—the very injury I had noticed earlier. Hidden by his hair, it wasn’t easy to see, but the breeze revealed a clear wound.
“Have you applied any medicine?”
“It’s not that kind of wound.”
“Are there wounds that require medicine and ones that don’t? If you’re hurt, you treat it.”
I craned my neck to examine the wound more closely. It didn’t look like a simple scratch to me.
It didn’t seem serious enough to require a doctor or stitches, but still, some ointment would probably be better than leaving it untreated…
“Shall I fetch someone?”
“I’m fine.”
Perhaps out of pride, Lord Winchester refused treatment.
“Wounds will heal over time, but ointment makes them heal faster. You have such a handsome face; it’d be a shame for a scar to stay.”
“……”
He looked at me silently. Had I said something wrong?
“Why… why do you say that?”
“Is it because you like me for my looks?”
“Excuse me?”
“Did you fall for me at first sight because I’m handsome?”
It was such a brazen question, yet Lord Winchester’s expression was serious, and he didn’t seem awkward at all asking it.
“Yes. That’s basically it.”
I nodded naturally. Since I had already lied about first love at first sight, it was somehow reassuring that he guessed the reason correctly.
It was, in a way, something to be thankful for…
“Do I seem superficial?”
The question slipped out, and I instinctively lowered my gaze, feeling anxious that he might think of me as shallow, someone who judges by appearances.
“Not at all.”
His words fell to the floor lightly and rolled toward me, freeing my tightly pressed lips.
“It’s hard to know a person’s heart anyway.”
His next words lifted my chin. He spoke nonchalantly while holding his teacup, as if it were nothing, but his words carried a subtle depth.
‘Could he be hiding some kind of wound?’
For the first time, I wondered. I used to think he was just taciturn, but perhaps there was a story behind his reserved nature.
‘Something involving Daniel’s biological mother?’
It wasn’t mere gossip—I genuinely wanted to know.
‘Who exactly is Lord Winchester?’
Who my husband truly was.
‘I should get that kind of information from the mothers’ gatherings!’
When I sought advice about hiring a new housemaid and suitable cultural subjects for a child, Sophia had suggested that. When I subtly asked Aisha what she was learning, my niece replied that she was too lively to focus on such things yet.
In the end, I found myself attending the gathering of noblewomen with an interest in education once again.
“Of course, girls should learn needlework! It strengthens the fingers, patience, and perseverance.”
“That’s true, but wouldn’t needlework be too much for a six-year-old? The needles could be dangerous.”
“Teaching a musical instrument is ideal. Music is the best form of cultural education.”
“Physical activities are good for young children. They sleep better at night and develop stamina, which helps them succeed at anything later.”
As advice poured in, I nodded and diligently took notes in my prepared notebook.
“Could you be more specific about which instruments or physical activities would be suitable?”
“Piano is fundamental. Learning piano first makes it easier to handle other instruments.”
“I recommend the violin. My child loved it the most while learning. Ah! And it’s not too loud, so initial mistakes aren’t too disturbing.”
“The flute has a lovely sound, but it’s difficult to produce, so it might be tough for a young child.”
“Everyone’s talking about instruments, but ballet is extremely popular with young girls! They love wearing adorable tutus!”
“I think swimming is essential for everyone. Accidents can happen, and knowing how to swim is vital for survival.”
Ah, I see. So piano, violin, flute, ballet, and swimming.
Could Daniel learn all of this? No, of course not. It would be overwhelming. Maybe we could present several options and let her choose?
No, how could she choose if she doesn’t know anything yet? Trying them out a little first would be better… perhaps a trial or preview is necessary.
“Countess Winchester, you seem to have very high ambitions.”
While I pondered this, a twisted voice caught my attention. I looked up to see a strange woman glaring at me with a sour expression.
