CH 91

When Oliven went to Ethan without even making a proper apology to Claude, Claude strangled Sarah with his arms wide open.

"Nanny, hug me."

Sarah smiled and hugged Claude and asked.

"I haven't been able to properly teach my foolish disciple how to apologize. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Nanny taught me well, but that uncle doesn't know because he's an idiot."

Claude's voice was very firm. Sarah said with a bitter smile because she couldn't deny it.

"I know."

Since he was a child who lived apart from humans and mixed with animals, would something have changed if he had grown up more among people? The animal world was a world of the strong preyed upon the weak, and there was no morality in the way they devoured and ate each other. She thought she educated him well, but Oliven's accident still broke Sarah’s heart as he didn't grow out of the way he had lived in the forest of the beasts.

"I have to teach him again. Even if I have to treat him more strictly."

"How?"

Sarah said, hugging Claude once more.

"Knowing how many people have suffered and hurt because of your actions can provide the conditions for an apology. An apology made without knowing it does not contain any sincerity."

Sarah knew but Oliven probably didn't know that. And she hoped that helping him know that would be the last thing she could do for the child as his master.

"What if you know that?"

"You have to apologize then. And you have to do your best to correct your mistakes."

Sarah was also in the process of doing that. The fate of those who should have lived in peace had changed because of the ‘Flower of Darkness’. She also wanted Oliven to be a person who could correct his mistakes.

"I'm smart, so I'll learn well from Nanny!"

"Heaven!"

Sarah smiled brightly at the sound of Claude's bragging. It was because Claude's intention of making Sarah laugh more had been conveyed to her, knowing that Sarah was uncomfortable. He was such a lovely kid. Sarah was happy with Claude, who returned as much affection as she gave him, holding her heart every time.

"Our Claude-nim is the best!"

Sarah praised Claude loudly, and the child smiled proudly. No matter who looked at it, it was clear that his nanny liked him more than her disciples.

'I won.'

A smile of victory formed on the child's lips. Claude clearly engraved the words of his father, who had come into his room before Oliven arrived earlier.

'Sarah is a kind person, so she must be kind to her disciples.'

'That's right.'

'Her beloved disciples caused an accident, so probably she'll have a headache and her feelings are hurt. At times like this, you have to touch Sarah's heart well.'

'How can I do that?'

'My son......, just do what you usually do. Then this Father will take care of the rest of the disciples.'

'Yes!'

Ethan stroked Claude's head and left the room. Claude was so proud and happy that he had a secret that only his father and himself shared. Did Nanny know that his father and he plan to kick all the disciples out? Claude stared at Sarah's face.

"......Hmm?"

Sarah tilted her head as if puzzled at the piercing gaze. Claude smiled bashfully and shook his head, thinking.

'I don't want to lose Nanny though.'

Claude wanted only himself to be his nanny's baby.

"Nanny, let's go to Father!"

"Right now? Duke-nim is probably with Oliven right now."

"I know, so let's go!"

Claude hurriedly stomped his feet. Earlier, Ethan had asked Claude. He told him to bring Sarah there if he met Sarah's disciple.

"Jeez, I got it."

So Sarah walked with Claude in her arms. She thought that Oliven should apologize well to Ethan. But she was betrayed by her wishes.

"......!"

It was because she just ran into Oliven, who was coming out of Ethan's room with his eyes wide open. Looking at his expression, it was clear that he had provoked him a lot, rather than apologizing. Sarah's face as she looked at Oliven hardened terribly.

"Oliven."

When Sarah called his name, his face distorted as if he were crying.

"I'm sorry, Master. I disappointed Master."

Sarah sighed quietly at the voice of resentment. Sarah thought she couldn't look after Oliven anymore.

"Yeah. You disappointed me. I can't see any reflection on your behavior."

"......"

"Don't look into my eyes until you reflect on everything that almost hurt many people, and all the things that you have done while ignoring my will."

"Master!"

"I hope you realize it before you go back to the magic tower."

It won't be easy, but Sarah passed by Oliven as it was. Even if she felt sorry for Oliven, who was staggering as if he was about to collapse, there was nothing she could do. If she turned around, she would make eye contact with Oliven, who was looking at her. But Sarah didn't do that.

"Nanny, that uncle is crying."

Claude, who was looking behind while hugging Sarah, whispered in a cautious voice. But she replied in a determined voice.

"He can cry. Even though he has done something, he hasn't been able to reflect on himself. I can't treat that child the way he wants me to in order to feel comfortable."

"I suppose."

Claude nodded as he listened to Sarah. Then he saw her in a new light. It was the first time he learned that Sarah, who was just nice and sweet to him, could be so cold-hearted.

"I won't disappoint Nanny."

Sarah's eyes widened at Claude's words.

"Claude-nim just needs to grow up like this. Healthy and strong."

"Yes, I will!"

"Then are you going to stop secretly swallowing carrots without chewing them?"

"Eurk, you knew?"

"Of course. But I just left it alone because you tried to close your eyes and eat it."

"......Okay. I'll try."

Hugging Claude, who bowed his head with a sullen look, Sarah calmed down her bitter heart. Then she decided to send the disciples to the magic tower as soon as possible. For now, she wanted to focus on Claude.

"Oh my, Claude-nim! Duke-nim has come!"

Sarah found Ethan looking this way from afar. For some reason, he was standing blankly with a pale face, and the atmosphere seemed strange.

"......?"

Sarah was puzzled and quickly walked towards him. He looked at Sarah and Claude approaching but didn't say anything.

"What's wrong with you? Is something wrong? Was Oliven too rude to Duke-nim?"

"......Sarah."

"Yes, go ahead."

He licked his lips for a moment, then shook his head and sighed nervously. No words came out, as if something was caught in his throat. The words he wanted to ask were piled up one after another, and he felt like they were about to rot at any moment. It was just a simple assumption, but that was enough to drive him crazy.

"Father......"

Looking at Ethan, who was in a strange state, Claude stretched his arms toward him. Recently, Ethan often hugged him, so he seemed to want to hold him in his arms. But looking at Claude, Ethan narrowed his brow for a moment, then checked the ring on his hand. He felt the power that Sarah had filled it with.

"......" 

Ethan took Claude from Sarah's arms and hugged him tightly. He was still small and soft. And that power was so strong that he couldn't even hug him before. If it hadn't been for Sarah, he wouldn't have known that feeling for the rest of his life. And he couldn't have hugged Claude like this.

"What happened? Duke-nim's expression......"

"It's nothing."

Ethan shook his head heavily. It was just an assumption that was not yet certain.

"I'm a little tired."

Ethan's voice came out like a sigh. He looked very exhausted today.

"I'm sorry, because of my disciples...... I'll try to send them out as quickly as possible."

"No, more than that. Except for Oliven, it is said that the other two are helping the servants."

"Benjamin and Belluna?"

"No one has asked for it, but they seem to be helping them with their work."

"......I guess they don't want to go back to the magic tower."

"It's an effort to make up for what they've done. While I'm at it, I'd like to ask you a few favors. Will it be okay?"

Sarah's head tilted at Ethan's words. She was puzzled that Ethan, who had never liked her disciples, suddenly had something to ask of her.

"If it's magic, I'm better at it!"

"I know, but that's not what I'm asking you to do this time."

"Um, then I'll ask Benjamin and Belluna first."

Sarah politely nodded her head. Then she reached out to Claude again and said.

"Claude-nim, it's time for Duke-nim to work. Play with me."

"Eung......"

Claude looked at his father, who was a little strange, and went back to Sarah and hugged her. It was as if his father's body had faintly trembled as he had held him in his arms just now.