Chapter 52

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Translator and Editor: Effe and Nabi

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Chapter 52

“As a result of continuing to teach Elliot, it doesn’t seem that he is very interested in swordsmanship itself.”

“…It was like that.”

“Yes. Talent itself is outstanding, but it is not that a person can develop only with talent.”

As if she knew what Alexei was thinking about, Anriche silently nodded her head.

Elliott was the child who would later become the head of Valois. So, it’s only natural that he should inherit Valois’ house swordsmanship.

However…

‘But, we had no choice but to consider the aptitude of the child.

Because Alexei was also a father who loved his son very much before he was the head of the family.

“On the other hand, Liliana tries to win somehow.”

“That means that Liliana has the spirit to win… Does it mean that?”

“That’s right. Even while training this time, the kid tried to finish somehow.”

Alexei remembered Liliana, who was training with him. Although she was driven to defeat, Liliana never gave up.

He had a faint smile on his lips.

Anriche gazed carefully at her.

‘The Duke, he looks happy.’

Well, because Alexei was a master in the field of swordsmanship. There was a child with great talent, if that child would become Elliot’s companion…

‘…I think I’ll be in a good mood, too.’

Above all, if Liliana grows up properly, she could be a big help to Elliot.

At the same time, Alexei secretly looked into Anriche’s eyes.

“So… Can I take charge of Liliana and teach her myself?”“Yes. If I tell her this, Liliana will be very pleased.”

Saying so, she smiled and nodded her head.

***

And so, Liliana was trained in swordsmanship with Elliot.

As soon as she entered the training, Lilian showed a surprisingly overwhelming achievement. Liliana, who was holding the wooden sword, couldn’t find her usual gentle gaze. She lurked like a young beast, and she was desperate to win victory somehow.

Alexei did not spare praise for Liliana.

“That’s great, Liliana.”

“Oh, thank you!”

Elliot looked at the brightly smiling Liliana.

‘Liliana is really… She must be a genius.’

Liliana has found a job that suits her aptitude, and she even has a great talent for it.

It’s definitely something to be happy about.

‘By the way, why am I….’

Elliot bit his lip.

She does what Elliot could only do after a few days of training, and Liliana does it casually.

Is there such a difference between a genius and a mediocre?

He was the one who will become the next head of Valois. From generation to generation, the Heads of Valois were excellent knights….

“….”

As though swallowing a large piece of ice, the corners of his heart grew cold.

Elliot turned his head away from his delighted father and Liliana.

***

Anriche leaned against the window, and she watched the children train with a happy expression on their face.

It was cute to see the little children running around like that.

Meanwhile.

Knock, knock.

At the sound of a brief knock, Anriche raised her head.

“Come in.”

When the permission was granted, a middle-aged man walked into the parlor. He was the painting teacher for Elliot.

“Greetings Duchess of Valois.”

“Welcome, teacher. Please take a seat.”

Anriche suggested a seat in a soft tone. Though there was still tension on the teacher’s face.

‘The Duchess… want to talk to me?’

That arrogant Duchess, at best, summons him, the Young Master’s teacher, directly?

However, Anriche also recommended tea.

“I prepared tea, I don’t know if it will fit in your mouth.”“Oh, yes. Thank you.”

The teacher glanced at Anriche secretly.

It was rumored that the Duchess said wouldn’t even eat with anyone of lower rank than her. Nevertheless, Anriche’s expression was just calm.

‘The Duchess has changed a bit, is it real…’

Come to think of it, Young Master Elliot has been getting along well with the Duchess these days.

The teacher, who had been thinking about this and that, finally shook his head.

‘No, didn’t she make Viscountess Ivan herself kneel?’

Judging by the elegant and good-looking appearance alone, he might get seriously hurt. The teacher immediately hardened his heart.

At the same time, Anriche opened her lips.

“Perhaps the teacher had a schedule, too, and I’m sorry to call the teacher in so suddenly.”

“…Sorry?”

The teacher doubted his ears.

‘The Duchess, is she apologizing to a mere teacher…?’

Anriche spoke calmly.

“For the time I stole, I’m going to compensate you at double the hourly rate of Elliott’s class.”

“Do, double?”

“Yes. Or, do you have any other desired rewards?”

“No, that’s enough.”

The teacher, who had a bewildered expression on his face, shook his head hurriedly. In fact, most of the high-ranking nobles treated their employees as subordinates. And, the Duchess of Valois was the epitome of such ‘high nobles.’

It’s not enough for the Duchess to apologize first for the time she stole, and to say that she’ll compensate financially…

“I wanted to hear about Elliot’s drawing skills in general, so I made this disrespect.”

Anriche set down the teacup with a graceful gesture.

“Actually, I happened to see Elliot’s drawings, and he seemed to be quite good at it.”

With those words, the teacher tried his best not to show a surprised expression.

Did the Duchess say she looked directly at the Young Master’s paintings?

But until now, she didn’t care what kind of education the Young Master had…

“However, since I am the mother of the child, I may be overestimating Elliot’s skills…”

Anriche’s eyes, as she said that, were filled with affection for Elliot.

“First of all, I am not a person who is very versed in drawing, so I wanted to hear the opinions of the teacher who taught the children.”

The teacher, who swallowed a gulp, carefully asked a question. “Can I… be honest with you?”

“Sure.”

“Master Elliot has a great talent for paintings.”

At that affirmation, Anriche’s eyes widened. It seems that her eyes weren’t wrong either.

“Besides, the Young Master is quite happy when he draws.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. He was always active in class. He never complained about not wanting to attend class or getting bored.”

He wets his lips with tea, and the teacher added one more word.

“Usually, the masters of that age have a hard time sitting still.”

Come to think of it, Elliot doesn’t seem to have had a single problem when he was taking the painting classes.

On the other hand, when he was training in swordsmanship…

‘There were a lot of cases where the knights raised both hands and feet because of the fuss.’

Fortunately, she was told that it was only after Alexei came on his own that he began to focus a little more on the class.

“I see. I thought Elliot would have a hobby in painting… I thought I should have paid more attention.”

“Well, I don’t think you need to blame yourself that much.”

“Yes? What do you mean by that?”

Hearing that, Anriche’s eyes widened.

After the teacher had chosen his words for a long time, he opened his mouth in a cautious tone.

“Actually, Young Master Elliot said that he was interested in painting. He doesn’t want to reveal the facts so much.”

“Why?”

“Actually, a gentleman would know how to draw even if they stopped learning it.”

A bitterness crept over the teacher’s face. “At least, for a small business owner who will inherit a family, it’s not a very important subject.”

“…That, but—”

“Because the Young Master has always remembered his position as the Young Lord of Valois.”

…The Young Lord of Valois.

Elliot was always living with his position in mind.

It’s not that the responsibility itself is wrong.

However…

‘Elliot is still, at most, a seven-year-old child.’

Because of such a sense of responsibility already, there is no need to suppress his own tastes. He must’ve been burdened…

She bit her lips and listened to the teacher’s next words.

“Actually, I once suggested to the Young Master, how about going out to the Imperial Contest.”

“So, what was Elliot’s answer?”

“…He refused.”

The teacher finished his words with a sigh.

“He told me that if he wants to become a good head in the future, he shouldn’t focus too much on his hobbies.”

“Ah…”

Anriche felt speechless.

As if swallowing a large stone, the depths of her chest grew heavy.

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