CH 27

“Un!ㅡcle!”

As soon as class was over, Sienna headed straight to the Marquis’ residence and pounded on Adrian’s door with her small, dainty fist.

Adrian opened the door, took Sienna in a hug, and lightly kissed her chubby cheek.

“Come on. Did you come to see Uncle right after class?”

“Mm.”

“Have you told your parents?”

“No, but I’ll be there soon.”

Adrian, who sat Sienna in a soft chair, sat down slightly on the desk. To Sienna, the chair seemed too big. Adrian asked with a soft smile.

“So what does our princess have to say to Uncle?”

Sienna said in a clear voice.

“Teacher says, the Duke is the teacher for our physical education class.”

“His Grace the Duke himself?”

That goddamn Duke of Valentine again.

Adrian’s friendly face was subtly broken. He struggles to raise the corners of his lips, but his eyes have sunk even darker.

Sienna looked up at Adrian with earnest eyes and handed over her request.

“Uncle plays the piano well, so can’t you be the art teacher?”

Adrian made a puzzled face. Of course that would give him more time to be with Eleanor, which was nice, but teaching the kids was something he’d never done before. Just imagining it made him choke on the pressure.

“We can go to art galleries and concerts together. Hm?”

I’ll let you two sit separately. Cozily.

Sienna, who had hidden her cheeky inner self, leaned over and begged again.

“Uncle wants to help, but teaching someone…”

“You can’t?”

Even like this? Is this really not possible?

Sienna asked in a trembling voice. The big, clear eyes were shining brightly. Adrian’s eyes began to shake rapidly as if an earthquake had struck.

Eventually, he took a step back. In fact, it was Sienna’s victory.

“…I’ll talk to Ellen first.”

“Great.”

Sienna smiled at Adrian and jumped down from the chair.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Mm.”

“Are you just saying what you want to say?”

Adrian looked at Sienna, unable to hide his bewildered eyes. It was a step without regret, as if her work to be done was over.

“Hehe, yes.”

Sienna lifted her tiptoe and lightly kissed Adrian’s cheek as he bent his back.

“Then see you in class, Uncle.”

Mission cleared.

***

Knock, knock.

He knocked properly this time. Lucas confidently straightened his shoulders and waited for Izmel’s permission. He had to be especially calm and dignified because he had something to ask of him today.

“Come in.”

“Brother!”

“Luke, you knocked properly today. Wonderfully.”

Izmel’s face, which he hadn’t seen in a few days, somehow looked a little awkward. Lucas, who was about to rob Izmel of all the refreshments as usual, hesitated when he saw Izmel.

“You want to eat too…?”

Feeling apologetic for some reason, Lucas held out a cookie to Izmel. Izmel smiled and took a bite of the cookie Lucas gave him.

“So, what did you come for today?”

“You know. Demian’s older brother…”

Shit. It’s Kaidel again.

Izmel’s face hardened visibly. Lucas, who had his eyes on what he was eating, continued as if he didn’t care about Izmel’s expression.

“I heard he’s going to be our physical education teacher.”

At Lucas’s words, Izmel asked without hiding his surprise.

“Kaidel is teaching you directly?”

That kind of guy, who doesn’t like to step out?

Izmel’s disgruntled lips curled up. It turns out that his second cousin was a player, not a tree-like man.

‘I think he intends to earn favor by doing favors like that…’

His stomach twisted.

“Mm. So, Brother, wouldn’t there be one thing that you’re good at?”

“What?”

“Think carefully. There must be something Brother can do.”

Izmel burst into laughter at Lucas’ erratic and disrespectful comment. Izmel, who had suddenly become an idiot who wasn’t good at anything, put on an unfair expression.

he’s not good at anything there’s nothing i can’t do

Izmel crossed his arms tightly, feeling a bit of annoyance at Lucas’s prolongation of trouble. Lucas, who had been thinking for a while, clapped his hands as if he remembered.

“Dance! How about dance?”

“Dance? Are you talking about social etiquette?”

“Mm.”

Dance… It would be sad if my dancing skills were second in Bellium.

Izmel’s brain turned tight.

Thinking of watching children dance in person, if someone hears it, it will be a shame. At first, I didn’t have much time to spare.

But…

“Alright. If that’s the case, maybe I can help.”

“Really?”

Is there any better way to make contact with Eleanor? Izmel nodded his head half impulsively. Lucas’s face lit up like the sun.

“Let’s talk to your teacher first.”

“I’ll only trust you!”

After that, when Lucas, who had been talking for a long time, went back, silence fell in the office. Izmel calmed down and began to carefully plan his future.

The position of crown prince was just cumbersome at this moment. If Eleanor had been ambitious and greedy, it would have been nice, yet even hearing the word ‘crown princess’ made her startled face clear in his eyes.

Unlike Kaidel and Adrian, Izmel wasn’t free to go out of the Imperial Palace. Compared to the two who walked in and out until the threshold of the count’s residence was worn away, he was at a very disadvantage.

‘In that case, I have no choice but to create a situation where Eleanor can visit the Imperial Palace often.’

A social etiquette class would definitely be a good excuse.

Creating opportunities for them to bump into each other was the beginning. If there is a gap to dig in, he will never miss it. Izmel ignited a natural matchmaker’s temperament.

“And there’s always a way to get closer without having to go out.”

Classics always work.

Izmel laughed lightly.

***

[Dear the great businesswoman, Lady Eleanor Everett.]

Hello. It’s a beautiful day with a particularly beautiful evening sky. It would be nice if you, too, were looking at the same sky at this moment.

When I asked how you have been, there’s no one in the capital who doesn’t know about your news. That’s not a reason why it’s hidden from me, but it felt like a surprise gift. I was very surprised and amazed.

I applied in a hurry late, yet all of them have already gone out, what on earth is this. I tried to use the power of influence a little privately, but I barely held back. Isn’t it wonderful? I’m a good student who faithfully follows your teachings.

I heard that Kaidel was in charge of one of the kids’ practical classes. The way he thinks of Demian is really commendable. Thus, I also have a suggestion for you.

I want to be in charge of the kids’ dance class.

I’m not sure if you know it, but I’m a pretty good dancer. When it comes to social etiquette, no one has learned more at Bellium than me. If you don’t believe me, why don’t you try being my partner at the next banquet? You will understand right away that there wasn’t the slightest lie in my words.

I want to ask you if it’s fine to have a class at the Imperial Palace once a week. There are also many valuable artworks here, so it would be a perfect educational environment for nurturing children’s aesthetic sense.

As I was writing the letter, I thought about it, and now I wonder if it would be okay for me to call you Eleanor too. I think we’re close enough. The Lady’s opinion on this part may differ from mine. If that’s the case, I think it would be nice to be in that relationship now.

I hope for your wise decision, willing acceptance, and quick reply.

Waiting anxiously for the Lady’s reply,

Izmel Biden Pontius de Bellium.]

***

[Dear His Highness the Crown Prince, who must have been waiting anxiously for my reply.

With utmost sincerity,

Regards, Eleanor Everett.]

***

[Dear flawless Eleanor.

With longing,

Izmel Biden Pontius de Bellium.]

***

[Dear Your Highness the romantic Crown Prince.]

Then I’ll see you on Wednesday afternoon. The letter is too short to be numbered, so I’ll just write it.

Politely,

Eleanor Everett.]

***

[Dear slightly insolent Eleanor.

I welcome your disrespectful disrespect that completely ignored my words in four letters, ‘politely’.

(it’s four letters in korean)

Anyway, I think you didn’t answer number 1. I even put a number on it, yet you forgot it, it’s not like you.

I have a lot of questions about you. Whether you like rainy days, what season you like, what your favorite book is, what you do on your days off, and such.

You would call it a useless trivial curiosity. You’re right. But Eleanor, do you know? Getting to know those trivial moments of you is my greatest pleasure these days.

Thank you for your sincere reply even to the annoying letter.

Looking forward to the day we meet,

Izmel Biden Pontius de Bellium.]

***

[Dear Your Highness the Crown Prince, who loves letters.

* I like rainy days. Listening to the sound of rain calms my mind. Of course, I don’t like going out on such a day, it’s troublesome.

* Cold seasons are better than hot seasons. Autumn or winter. I don’t like the feeling of stretching my body when it’s hot. Still, I think the most beautiful season is summer. So, it would be correct to say that there is no season I dislike.

* My favorite book is Tyrke’s Poems. I read everything, but I especially like literature.

* On days off, I sleep all day long. Of course, I can’t take a day off these days. What can I do? My karma.

* Are stars more romantic than numbers? I hope you’re satisfied.

* I’m glad that I can bring even a small pleasure to Your Highness. And, replying is actually not that bothersome.

Unfamiliar with letters,

Eleanor Everett.]