CH 26

The Duchy of Valentine. Standing at the door of the Duke’s office, Jonathan the butler politely knocked.

“Come in.”

As always, after a while, Kaidel’s low, hard voice was heard. Jonathan entered the office, secretly holding something in his hand.

“The ‘thing’ that you quietly ordered me the other day has arrived and I brought it right away.”

“Good job. Give it to me.”

Kaidel stretched out his hand straight for Jonathan. Jonathan, who was about to hand it over, asked in a curious voice.

“Your Grace, with all due respect, why…”

Yet the words didn’t carry on to the end. It was because Kaidel was looking at him with a cold face. It meant he wanted him to shut up because he was noisy. Jonathan, who was immediately obedient to his employer, carefully set it down on the desk.

“I-It’s nothing. By the way, do you have any other plans today that I’m unaware of?”

Jonathan’s gaze swept Kaidel up and down lightly. It was a gaze filled with wonder. Kaidel, who was neatly fixing the cravat, replied bluntly.

“I have to drop Demian off.”

“Yes. And then?”

Kaidel stared at Jonathan. His eyes were asking why he kept asking him useless things. As Jonathan sulked, Kaidel let out a small sigh and opened his mouth.

“I obviously have to come back to work right away. There are so many things to do, so why do you keep asking useless things?”

But there was a good reason for Jonathan’s question. Kaidel was a perfectly grown figure from head to toe. He combed his hair neatly.

‘I don’t know what the hell he’s thinking.’

These days, Jonathan couldn’t understand his employer at all. Although strict and blunt, Kaidel was a fairly easy-going owner. If he did his job properly, he would never treat his subordinates harshly, and he always adhered to an undisturbed, upright attitude. The salary was generous compared to other families, so Jonathan served his employer with great care with the determination to bury his bones here.

Yet at some point, the Duke broke down.

He was Kaidel, who had a hard time seeing Demian’s face at dinner. Of course, Demian was avoiding him, but anyway, it’s not that it matters that he has to drop him off and bring him back and forth over a distance that would take nearly two hours round trip.

However, today, he was dressed perfectly as if he was attending an Imperial banquet. How else could Jonathan express it other than saying he’s broken down?

Of course, he could express it as ‘madness’, but that would be considered too disrespectful to use for a generous employer like Kaidel.

“Is your job as a butler free enough to stand there and ask useless questions?”

“To think that I’m free. Not at all!”

How can you say such terrifying words!

Jonathan jumped up and waved his hand. It’s true that Kaidel is an easy-going owner, but it was tiring to behave in accordance with his perfectionist tendencies.

Kaidel motioned for him to leave.

“Go out. Get Demian ready before it’s too late.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Clack, the door was closed. After examining himself in front of the mirror once more, Kaidel sat upright and picked ‘the thing’ up. Kaidel’s lips softened.

‘The thing’ was Eleanor’s study book.

Seeing Eleanor’s advertisement in the newspaper, Kaidel immediately sent an application. He also meticulously borrowed the name of the butler. It was an unnecessary act to buy again what Demian already had, but Kaidel was proud. Demian’s textbook is for his education, and this is for his own satisfaction, so it’s completely different.

Kaidel’s eyes widened as he flipped through each page. Thinking of Eleanor, who must have put her heart and soul into each problem, that book felt more precious than ever.

‘A business. How much more are you going to amaze me?’

He was worried that he might be overdoing it, but what was great was great. Kaidel pondered.

‘Should I buy a safe?’

So that it can be collected without damage… The newspaper with Eleanor’s interview should also be included.

***

Demian stared blankly at his older brother’s face, lost in thought. He glanced at him all the way the carriage drove, yet he never noticed.

Shiny outfit, neatly combed hair, slightly stronger scent than usual. Even when he was lost in thought, he smiled, making it clear what he was thinking.

‘I guess Brother really likes Teacher.’

Demian was surprised to see Kaidel revealing his feelings instead of hiding them. When he fell in love, he was so different from usual that he sometimes seemed like a completely different person.

And Demian liked the change in his brother.

“We have arrived. I’ll drop you off, so come here.”

As soon as the carriage stopped, Kaidel jumped up and gave Demian a hug. At first, it was awkward and stiffened, but now it felt quite familiar.

Eleanor, who had been sitting on the steps in front of the front door, got up and greeted them.

“Hi, Demi. Good day, Duke.”

Kaidel’s eyebrows twitched at Eleanor’s greeting.

“Duke?”

“…Kaidel.”

Eleanor called carefully. At that moment, Kaidel’s face melted and a faint smile appeared on his lips.

He greeted her in a low voice.

“Hello, Eleanor.”

At that moment, the atmosphere between the two of them strangely changed. Demian’s steps stopped as he left. Demian watched as Eleanor’s eyes widened in amazement, then curled up like crescent moons.

“Hmm.”

Demian’s eyes narrowed. Somehow it didn’t feel too bad. Demian’s steps as he ran into the mansion were as light as a bird.

Meanwhile, Eleanor noticed that Kaidel’s outfit was different from usual.

“Where are you going today?”

“Uh? Ah…”

Eleanor’s question made Kaidel’s face visibly puzzled. There was nothing like the cold stare he had shown when Jonathan, the butler, asked the same question.

He nodded his head slightly. Because he couldn’t bear to admit that he had been busily preparing from the morning for this short time to share a few words with her.

“You look really nice today.”

The nape of Kaidel’s neck burned red at Eleanor’s admiring praise.

“Thank you. You look very nice today too.”

Eleanor burst into laughter at Kaidel’s reply, which jumped out immediately. It was also because she was wearing glasses and her hair was roughly tied up. Eleanor thought he had said something out of bewilderment at the sudden compliment.

“Thank you for your words.”

“I mean it, Eleanor.”

Kaidel added urgently. The eyes of the two met in midair. His neck moved sharply up and down, and he cautiously removed his lips.

“You are always, impeccably gorgeous.”

***

Class went on as usual. It was completed a little earlier than expected, that’s why Eleanor gave the children self-study time.

Demian solved the problems given to him as homework, Sienna eagerly asked questions, and Lucas also asked questions…

“Teacher.”

“Hm?”

He did, but none of them were related to the class. Lucas, who rested his chin like a calyx, seemed to be stuck in a slightly strange place.

“Teacher, what flavor of ice cream do you like best?”

“Me? Vanilla.”

“My brother also likes vanilla ice cream the most.”

“Umm, I see…”

Yes, children often do things people don’t understand, so I, as an adult, have to understand

“Teacher, what color do you like best?”

“Me? Green and white.”

“Green and white… I still don’t know what color Brother likes, so I’ll ask him and tell you.”

No, you don’t have to. I don’t think I need to know what color His Highness likes…

Eleanor’s answer didn’t seem to be heard by Lucas at all. She wondered what strange plans were unfolding in his tiny head.

‘You should have asked when you were alone, you fool!’

Sienna, who looked at Lucas with pitiful eyes for a moment, raised her hand and asked.

“Then may I ask a question?”

“Yeah, of course. Ask me anything.”

You would ask normal questions. I believe you, Enna.

“Teacher, what is your ideal type?”

I really only believed in you, though.

Eleanor’s expectations were shattered in an instant. But originally, when she didn’t want to study, she wanted to hear about her teacher’s first love, ideal type, and ex-boyfriend.

‘Ideal type…’

Young and rich. Tall and handsome. And then…

Hmm. Eleanor, seeking a softened expression for the children’s age, opened her mouth slowly.

“I surely like a good-looking, rich, and kind person.”

As soon as Eleanor finished speaking, Sienna quickly replied.

“Good for you. So does my uncle.”

“Ha, is my brother like that too, you know?”

“My brother too…”

Obviously Lucas, and even Demian, who had been calm, immediately intervened as if to retort. Seeing the three children arguing, Eleanor burst out laughing.

‘Yeah, whatever. Your brothers and uncle all aren’t normal people.’

An announcement to be delivered flashed through Eleanor’s mind. She called the children’s attention with a clap.

“Now, by the way, there’s something you all need to know.”

My uncle is better. My brother is better than your uncle. My brother is no joke, too…

The eyes of the children, who had been arguing childishly, all turned to Eleanor. A grinning Eleanor continued her words.

“Isn’t it boring and tiring because everyone just sits and studies?”

“Yes!”

Lucas replied vigorously without a moment’s hesitation. Eleanor gave a small laugh.

“So I thought about it, how about taking a martial arts class outdoors once every two weeks? You can get ready for the practical exam, and even a breath of fresh air.”

The children’s eyes widened as if it was an unexpected suggestion.

Anyway, it’s kind of embarrassing to say that it’s a ‘class’, but it’s good to run around outside… They were subtle expressions of those.

Sienna asked, tilting her head.

“But, does Teacher teach martial arts?”

“No. I can’t do it because I don’t have stamina.”

It’s hard to stand still in front of you right now. Can you believe it?

“Then who do we have a class with?”

“Hmm, Duke Valentine will take care of it.”

“The Duke? Demi’s brother?”

Demian’s eyes widened as if he hadn’t heard that beforehand. Lucas and Sienna jerked their heads towards Demian, and Demian’s cheeks flushed red.

‘How smart. You’re mean. I envy you.’

Sparks flew in Sienna and Lucas’ eyes. At the same time, his head started spinning rapidly.

‘Then Uncle can’t lose either!’

‘Brother must have something to teach!’

Eleanor, not knowing what the two children were thinking, continued her words with a bright smile.

“So next time, bring active clothes to wear outside. Things you should prepare for. Did everyone understand?”

“Yes!”

As always, the answer really showed how good the children were.

‘Huft, I feel a bit uneasy…’

Eleanor shuddered slightly at the premonition.