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Chapter 04
It felt as if the true nature of everything that had long felt uneasy was finally being revealed.
Cheres unexpectedly blurted out something he himself had not anticipated. Even he felt slightly flustered by it.
He had never imagined he would end up asking about the nanny—of all people—and even less so to Roana, the daughter of House Hezest.
“…You must have met the nanny. What do you think of her?”
Roana blinked her clear eyes and parted her lips slightly.
“Hmm, honestly?”
Cheres nodded.
Unlike her brief hesitation, Roana quickly offered her thoughts on the nanny.
“Well… rather than a nanny, she felt more like a noble lady. She keeps her nails long with decorations on them—how is she even supposed to change diapers like that? A baby’s skin is so delicate. And she wears heavy makeup too. I don’t think that’s good for a child either. Her clothes were covered in all sorts of flashy decorations as well. It feels like she has no professional sense…”
Roana glanced at Cheres and smiled.
Then, after speaking so fluently, she paused for a moment and added softly,
“…I think.”
“The nanny says she can do anything for Hayden and Bereiden. That everything she does is for them.”
“There’s nothing easier to hide behind than that kind of statement. Saying ‘for someone’s sake’ is the perfect excuse to disguise oneself and control others. I think one must strip away such excuses and judge what’s really there underneath…”
Roana glanced at Cheres again and smiled.
Then again, she trailed off and added,
“…I think.”
Cheres rubbed the corner of his mouth.
He couldn’t tell what kind of strategy this was.
But what mattered was that it worked.
He gave a dry laugh. He felt oddly embarrassed for having spoken so coldly to Roana, who had only just arrived.
When faced with a baby he had never raised himself, he felt utterly powerless.
Cheres said bitterly,
“Thank you for the advice.”
* * *
Cheres summoned Lady Yurein and issued an order.
“Bring me the person in this household with the most experience caring for children.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Lady Yurein quickly selected someone and headed to the office. The situation was clearly unusual.
Sensing the tension, a maid cautiously entered the office.
Cheres looked her over.
“…I hear you have experience raising children.”
“Yes. I grew up caring for my younger siblings.”
“So you are familiar with childcare.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The maid answered nervously. Speaking directly with the Duke himself was overwhelming for someone of her status.
“…You must have at least observed how the nanny has been raising Hayden. Tell me your thoughts.”
The maid hesitated. Lady Yurein spoke softly.
“Speak honestly.”
The maid finally forced out her words.
“…I do not believe the nanny’s methods are correct.”
She squeezed her eyes shut as she spoke. Cold sweat ran down her back as she bowed deeply.
“…Then why has no one spoken of this until now? Not even to Oliver or Lady Yurein?”
“People like us are not allowed to have opinions unless given permission. We are not permitted to speak freely.”
The maid’s voice trembled.
Cheres let out a hollow laugh and ran a hand through his hair roughly.
So the nanny had likely exploited exactly that weakness. It was a perfect case of turning a blind eye to reality.
* * *
Cheres had believed that when it came to Hayden, he would never compromise on even the smallest matters.
But it seemed everything he had done had been meaningless.
A suffocating sense of guilt filled his chest with no way out.
Wasn’t Hayden the only child left behind by his late elder brother? Protecting him was Cheres’ duty.
My wife was a healer he met on the battlefield. She gave birth to the child there and died. Cheres, please take care of Hayden. You’re the only one I can ask.
Cheres could not ignore the faint, dying gaze of his brother as he lay on his deathbed. That was why he had decided to raise Hayden as his own child.
His much older brother had lived his entire life as the pillar of the ducal house, only to lose his wife in war and wander the battlefield afterward.
He had abandoned his burden in that way. Cheres, who had been on the frontlines, had to return in his place.
Though he unexpectedly inherited the duchy, he had no complaints. He was also a son of Bereiden.
But he had never imagined his brother would leave behind only a newborn child and disappear forever.
Just as Cheres himself had grown up under his brother’s protection, he had vowed to do the same for Hayden. He had worked toward that goal.
That was why he had personally arranged for a nanny recommended by a trustworthy vassal family.
She had been introduced by the Countess Yotley. The late Count Yotley had been from a branch family of Bereiden.
The Yotley Countess also came from an old vassal lineage. Her father, the previous Count Yotley, had once been the head butler of the household—a man who would have given his life for Bereiden.
Her husband, who had married into the family, had also served Bereiden faithfully, though he had died young.
With such loyalty running through her family, it was assumed she too would be devoted to Bereiden. That was why she had been recommended, and why Diane had been thoroughly investigated afterward.
And yet—this situation had still arisen.
Where exactly did the conspiracy begin? Who else was involved?
The accusations from a newcomer who had only just entered the estate stung deeply.
And once again, Cheres felt a renewed sense of urgency.
He stared coldly at the nanny standing before him, rambling on excitedly.
“I’m thinking of ordering a new baby blanket for young master Hayden, Your Grace. His skin is so delicate, after all. Oh, he’s so sensitive. And that’s not all—we’ll need new clothes for him, and perhaps custom educational toys as well. We need to match the standards of the capital, so there are quite a few necessities. I would like to request an increase in the budget. Of course, all of this is for young master Hayden and the honor of House Bereiden.”
Her cheeks were flushed with excitement.
She looked almost giddy, as if expecting praise.
In Cheres’ eyes, however, flashed the morning image of Roana’s observations.
The nanny’s heavily styled hair, elaborate accessories, excessive makeup, and overly ornate dress that looked more suited for a banquet than childcare.
At this point, even Roana—who had appeared earlier that morning plain-faced and understated—seemed far more appropriate for the role of a nanny.
“Hah.”
“And one more request. I have been using only a minimal allowance for personal maintenance until now. However, as young master Hayden grows, I will need to attend parenting gatherings and various social circles. Interaction with children of similar age is essential for his development. Therefore, I request an increase in my personal expenses as well. I trust you will consider this for the sake of Bereiden’s reputation.”
Cheres rubbed his face.
He had thought it best to trust the person he had hired, but now she was shamelessly asking for more.
The nanny blinked innocently.
If I want that new dress, shoes, and necklace, I’ll need more money. Honestly, it’s Bereiden—how could they be stingy? If it weren’t for that aunt, I’d never have gotten this far. Just babysitting one brat and I’m paid this much? What a joke. Forget blankets—I’ll buy a new ring.
That was her true inner thought.
After all, she had entered the position with falsified credentials.
“Listen carefully from now on, Diane. I heard Bereiden is looking for a nanny. You’re going there. Once you build experience there, it’ll be easier to move elsewhere. And do you know how rich Bereiden is? This could be your chance to grab a gold mine!”
Just as Diane was about to speak again—
“I will consider it. You may leave now.”
Cheres’ voice was now far colder than before.
Diane cheerfully bowed and left.
Watching her back disappear, Cheres called for his aide.
“Prepare a detailed record of all expenditures made by the nanny. I need to know exactly who she has met and what she has been doing.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Also investigate the Countess Yotley who recommended her, and re-examine Diane’s entire employment history. Use different sources and methods this time. Thoroughly.”
Bogus lowered his head.
“Yes, Your Grace!”
The Yotley family had been loyal for generations. Without solid evidence, carelessly probing them could turn the southern vassals against the duchy.
They could not risk such instability before the looming war.
At the same time, blindly trusting Hezest’s recommendation and discarding Yotley would also be dangerous. Verification was necessary.
Cheres did not stop at ordering his aide. He also summoned the head maid and instructed her to assign someone to monitor Diane’s movements closely.
“And ensure Hayden is looked after more carefully. Everything—what he eats, wears, and how he lives.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After issuing all his orders, Cheres clenched his fist tightly.
He would uncover everything the so-called nanny had been doing behind that mask.
Every last detail.
