🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 28
“Are you going somewhere today?”
“No, I’m here to pick up Shuknen.”
“…Really?”
After classes ended, Erne saw Ash and Selene off.
The only one left was Shuknen—and as always, Windsor had come to pick him up.
When Windsor stepped out of the carriage, Erne tilted her head.
He was unusually well-dressed—nothing like his usual appearance.
He looked like he was heading straight to a party, and Erne assumed he had plans afterward.
‘If the second male lead looks like that, just how handsome is the main one supposed to be?’
Erne found herself staring blankly at his face—a suspiciously handsome man who, despite his dark background, was always gentle with her child.
“I couldn’t observe Shuknen’s class today due to work. It’s a shame.”
Actually, Erne found it easier when Windsor wasn’t around.
“Hanter’s tonic is ready, so I brought it with me.”
“Ah… the quack’s tonic…”
Erne glanced disinterestedly at the bundle of herbs Windsor had set down.
Who knows what that quack put in it. And besides, she was perfectly healthy!
Still, it was a kind gesture from a parent, so Erne gave him a professional smile with her thanks.
“Thank you for your concern, Windsor.”
And just from those simple words, Windsor’s ears turned red.
“Ah, right. There are a few things I’ve been meaning to ask you, Princess.”
“Me?”
There were things Windsor had wanted to ask when she first woke up, but hadn’t had the chance—what with all the glaring eyes after the “juice incident.”
Erne glanced at the time while looking at his determined expression.
It looked like she’d be stuck in another hour-long parent meeting today.
“I’ll go wait in the carriage.”
Shuknen gave Erne a goodbye kiss on the cheek and ran off bravely.
Seeing his perceptive son, Windsor felt a surge of pride. He must’ve gotten that from him.
“Would you like some tea?”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Just as Erne had gotten used to Windsor, Windsor had also become brazen in his actions.
Erne tilted her head, feeling something off, but she still began steeping some tea with warm water.
“You had something to ask me?”
“Yes. It’s about the check-up Hanter did the other day.”
Again? Erne couldn’t help but let her expression slip.
Windsor crossed his legs, pulled his hands over his knees, and with an arrogant expression that looked just like Shuknen’s, he asked seriously,
“What happened in the royal family?”
The royal family? What’s that got to do with the quack’s check-up?
Erne had assumed he was going to nag her again about her health, but Windsor’s unexpected words made her pause.
“Why do you ask that all of a sudden?”
Unease crept into her.
Windsor had kept quiet about her identity as the princess hiding in Cheonghakdong.
Not once had he made her uncomfortable by bringing up the royal family.
Did he change his mind and want to drag me back to the palace?
No, if that were the case, he would’ve already forced her back.
Wait… is it because Derek came by yesterday? Does that jerk really spill everything? Mom didn’t even know!
Erne’s beautiful face twisted into a grimace at the thought.
Windsor carefully observed her expression, then spoke again—with a tone that sounded like he already knew something had happened.
“What did those bastards in the royal family do to you?”
“Bastards”?
Plenty. Too many to count on both hands.
Erne slowly withdrew her smile.
Just the thought of the royal family made her nauseous.
“I want to know what they did to you that made you leave the palace.”
She didn’t know why Windsor was suddenly so curious, but she had no reason to hide it.
“They did a lot.”
A brief answer packed with meaning. Windsor’s eyes trembled.
“My fiancé had an affair with my friend and even plotted to kill me. My mother, the queen, used to casually execute my maids.”
Frankly, Erne found herself amazed she’d stayed sane in that hell.
She savored her tea with quiet pride.
The royal family was a mess. As much as it hurt to give up her secured future, living in Cheonghakdong felt far more peaceful and refreshing.
She smiled with contentment, proud of the decision to leave and build her own world.
But across from her, Windsor’s shoulders trembled.
Hm?
Just as she began to feel puzzled, Windsor finally spoke with a tearful voice and a pained expression.
“What kind of life have you lived…?”
Pity. Sympathy. And a touch of deep obsession.
Erne was taken aback by the unexpected reaction.
Wait, I’m the one who should be crying. Why is he getting emotional?
A villain this kind and this empathetic? It felt strange.
“If you’re asking what kind of life I’ve lived…”
She nodded and gave a short but meaningful answer.
“Animal kingdom?”
“Princess…”
Windsor bit his lip in sorrow.
How had such a fragile woman endured such a palace?
“Don’t worry. From now on, Douglas will be by your side. I told you before, didn’t I? To use me. I wasn’t saying that for nothing.”
He couldn’t even imagine what it must’ve been like—surviving that cruel place while hiding her illness.
Is that why she fled? Because she was sick? Or because she feared they’d try to kill her if they found out?
He planned to talk more with her about it in time.
“Even if the royal family tries to take you back, I’ll protect you.”
“Uhm.”
Erne smiled awkwardly.
Why did it feel like the villain kept crossing the line between teacher and parent?
“That’s okay. I’ll just take your concern.”
“No. Just yesterday, there was a strange man hanging around Ellen’s house.”
“…Excuse me?”
Erne blinked in confusion.
“Don’t worry. I handled it.”
Windsor gave a satisfied shrug, clearly expecting praise.
“Are you talking about Derek?”
“That guy’s name is Derek?”
“Yes. He’s my ex-fiancé.”
Windsor’s expression turned odd.
“Then I definitely should’ve gotten rid of him. Not even your fiancé, just ‘ex.’”
“Well, I wasn’t exactly thrilled he visited either.”
Erne nodded in agreement but suddenly had a terrible thought.
She quickly grabbed Windsor’s hand.
Windsor was still in a foul mood despite making a point to say “ex-fiancé.”
Hearing her mention another man didn’t sit well with him—more than he expected.
Then her small hands wrapped around his.
“Ahem. I didn’t take care of him expecting a reward, but…”
Windsor was flustered, blushing from the warmth of her soft, pale hands.
The bad mood melted away.
As he smiled bashfully, Erne shook her head firmly.
“That’s not it!”
“Then not my hand… a hug?”
His question was full of not-so-hidden intentions, but her response was immediate and loud.
“No! That’s not it either!”
Erne sighed at the dark-hearted man in front of her.
She had something important to ask.
The Duke of Douglas and the dumb Derek.
Windsor the villain and Derek the idiot…
There was only one thing on her mind.
“You… you didn’t kill him, right?”
No matter how kind Windsor acted toward her as Shuknen’s teacher, he was still a villain.
Erne remembered some of his cruel acts from the original story.
She didn’t feel bad for Derek—he could’ve been beaten more—but still…
He had to be alive.
“Murder is a no-go! Think of Shuknen! You’re his father!”
Erne clasped his hand firmly, full of conviction.
That was her true concern.
It wouldn’t be good for Shuknen to learn his father was a murderer.
Windsor looked deflated, as if expecting praise, and replied with drooping eyes.
“I didn’t kill him.”
“…”
“I swear.”
With Erne’s suspicious gaze locked on him, he finally confessed.
“He probably crawled away… can’t use his legs anymore.”
Erne finally relaxed.
Whether Derek lost his legs or became disabled didn’t matter—so long as he wasn’t dead.
Satisfied, she gently patted Windsor’s head like she did with the kids.
“Ah…”
Windsor, now blushing to his neck, rolled his eyes and stammered.
In front of Erne, even the mighty Duke Douglas was just a tame parent.
“El—Ellen…”
He shyly called her name, but Erne kept patting him like a well-behaved puppy.
“That’s right. As long as he’s breathing, it’s fine.”
She said it cheerfully, watching Windsor quietly accept her affection.
But her smile slowly faded.
“By the way, Duke…”
“Yes, Ellen.”
Windsor was completely disarmed, smiling uncontrollably.
It felt like just yesterday she was rejecting his juice, and now she was patting his head.
To think he’d feel proud for letting someone live…
Windsor even tilted his head closer, silently asking for more head pats.
As Erne stared at him in disbelief, her lips slowly parted.
“How… did you know that man came to my house last night?”
“…”
There it was—the moment he realized he was about to be labeled a stalker by the princess.
As Erne’s smile deepened, Windsor, a man who feared nothing in the world, felt a rare chill crawl up his spine.
Princess. Teacher. Ellen.
At the very moment he had solidified his feelings for her…
“You’d better answer me, Windsor.”
His one-sided love had just been reclassified as stalking.
Damn it.
