Chapter 47
‘Should I talk to him about it?’
Maybe it would be better than agonizing over it alone.
Should I say it or not?
Noticing my hesitation, Rick smiled warmly. Trusting that smile, I carefully opened my mouth.
“Actually, I’m trying to find a tutor for Jack Freet, the eldest at the orphanage, but I don’t know where to start. He’s a very bright child, so I’d like to provide him with a good teacher, but it hasn’t been easy.”
Once I said it, a pang of frustration welled up. Normally, he would have received the finest education, but being unjustly cast out, he had no help at all.
“I see,” Rick murmured, looking thoughtful. His expression made me nervous, so I studied his face.
After a moment, Rick lifted his head and said,
“If you don’t mind, I could recommend someone I know.”
“Recommend…?”
“Yes. The Creyman family’s exclusive tutor currently has no student and is available. I can tell him about this Jack Freet.”
“Really? You can do that?”
I couldn’t hide my surprise at such unexpected news.
Good heavens—Creyman’s personal tutor!
It was far beyond what I had hoped for. My heart pounded with sudden hope.
“Of course, the final decision will be up to the teacher himself. He’s a rather particular person, so I’d suggest not getting your hopes too high.”
“Even so, I’m grateful for just the recommendation.”
My joy was impossible to conceal, and it must have shown clearly on my face.
Rick, staring at me, murmured softly,
“Sir Feyrunt, you really do seem to care deeply for children.”
At that, I hesitated, then nodded.
“They’ve already suffered enough. All I want is to keep them from being hurt any further.”
Hearing my earnest reply, Rick smiled lightly.
“I think I understand your charm now.”
“…What?”
“Nothing. I should be going. But before I leave, may I meet this boy Jack?”
“Ah, yes. Around this time, he should be studying in the dining hall.”
I rose and guided him there. As expected, Jack was teaching the younger children.
I called the children away, giving Rick and Jack time to speak privately.
For a moment, I worried Jack might be intimidated by a nobleman like Rick, but he remained calm.
Since I waited outside, I couldn’t hear what they said. Soon Rick emerged, and I glanced inside to see Jack quietly reading again.
“He’s even brighter than I imagined. The teacher should be here before long,” Rick said.
“Yes. Please travel safely.”
I saw him off to his carriage.
“Thank you also for the tea. I’ll enjoy it. Oh, and the tutor’s name is Leonard Blast.”
With that, Rick left the orphanage. Left alone, I repeated the name to myself—Leonard Blast—and froze.
Leonard Blast. As far as I knew…
“He’s the man who educates the heir of House Creyman!”
It seemed I had called forth someone far more formidable than expected.
And a few days later, a guest arrived at the orphanage.
A week passed after Rick’s visit. In that time, Hoyeon blended seamlessly among the children.
As the weather began to turn colder, I started preparing for winter.
‘We’ll need to buy winter clothes for the kids, and food supplies are nearly out. Firewood for the hearth, too.’
There was quite a lot to do. Deciding to handle it today, I went to find Hoyeon.
He was cleaning the yard, where autumn leaves had piled up.
“Hoyeon, you’re working hard.”
He bowed his head politely.
“It’s only natural for me to do this.”
“Actually, I was thinking of going to the market today, so could you watch the kids—”
Then I noticed the clothes he was wearing.
‘Come to think of it, he’s been wearing only my clothes all this time.’
Neither of us had paid much attention, but ever since arriving here, Hoyeon had worn nothing but my spare clothes.
A pang of guilt struck me.
‘Doesn’t that make me a terrible employer?’
Not just clothes—though I gave him a room, he had no belongings of his own. I should have provided basic necessities, even something for leisure, but I’d been too busy.
Changing my plan, I said,
“I’m going to the market today. Would you like to come too?”
“The market…?”
“Yes, partly as an outing for the children, but also to buy clothes and supplies for you.”
“These clothes are enough for me.”
“But they’re for autumn, and soon it’ll get colder. You can’t wear the same thing forever.”
When I didn’t back down, Hoyeon gave a reluctant nod.
Satisfied, I gathered the children and headed to the dining hall.
By now, after breakfast, study time had become routine. Jack led the lessons, with Ren teaching Idi and Rody, while Jack worked with slower-learning Chloan.
At this hour, they were usually wrapping up.
Sure enough, when I entered, the children were tidying up.
“All done?”
“Yes!”
“Good work. How about coming to the market with me and Hoyeon?”
Their eyes went wide with surprise, then all at once they shouted joyfully and rushed upstairs to get ready.
Smiling at their excitement, I turned to Jack, who was still putting things away.
“Isn’t teaching hard for you?”
Helping him, I asked. He nodded.
“It’s nice because I can review while I teach.”
“I see.”
I hesitated a moment.
‘Should I tell him?’
I hadn’t mentioned Leonard Blast yet. I was afraid to raise false hopes if things didn’t work out.
‘It’s better to wait until it’s certain.’
Feeling powerless for not being able to reassure him, I found Jack’s quiet patience admirable.
I ruffled his hair gently. Startled, he looked up at me.
“If it ever feels too hard, come talk to me. You don’t have to carry everything alone.”
“…Yes, I will.”
Flustered, Jack lowered his head. Was it my imagination, or were his ears turning red?
“I’ll finish cleaning up. You go get ready.”
“Yes.”
Jack hurried upstairs.
Left alone, I glanced at the worksheets on the table. All the questions had been written by Jack.
I couldn’t hide the bittersweet look on my face.
Once ready, we headed into the bustling district. Since we had many things to buy, I’d arranged for a carriage. Hoyeon’s cat ears were hidden under a hood.
“Let’s buy clothes first.”
Since Clover’s fabric shop didn’t yet have winter stock, we entered a nearby clothing store.
“Welcome!”
The shopkeeper greeted us cheerfully, her gaze sweeping over me and the children.
It was the children’s first time in such a place, and they looked stiff with nerves.
The shopkeeper’s eyes, however, softened kindly.
“Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”
Thanks to our neat appearance, she seemed more than willing to assist.
“Winter clothes—for both children and adults.”
Her face brightened even more, already calculating sales.
‘This is why I like Clover’s shops.’
There, we could browse more comfortably—and the children were used to it, too.
“The adult clothes are displayed here, and the children’s clothes are inside. Would you like to come in?”
“Of course. Hoyeon, pick out what you like here.”
“…Yes, sir.”
He answered awkwardly, but I took the children inside.
Soon, I was smiling in satisfaction at the array of children’s clothing. I’d brought plenty of money just for this.
Still, I found myself glancing back, worried about Hoyeon left behind.
“Hoyeon?”
Instead of browsing, as I’d expected, he stood motionless, staring at the clothes.
Thinking something was wrong, I approached.
“Do you like that one?”
Startled, he turned quickly, and I couldn’t hide my puzzlement.
For someone of his sharp-eared kind not to notice me until I spoke—it was unusual.
“Is something bothering you?”
He shook his head quickly.
“No, it’s just…”
“Yes?”
“…I wonder if it’s right for me to be warm when my kin must be shivering in the cold.”
“Ah…”
His face twisted with anguish. Knowing how deeply he cared for his people, my heart sank as well.
‘He told them to move when he left the village… but now he doesn’t even know where they are.’
“Then… how about thinking of it this way?”
He looked at me as I spoke softly.
“All of this—eating well, wearing warm clothes, having a place to sleep—it’s all part of preparing to meet your people again safely.”
“Preparing…?”
“Yes. Every bit of comfort you gain now will help you when you reunite with them. And I’m sure your people would want you to be well.”
His eyes lowered. After a moment, he murmured,
“…That’s good advice.”
“I heard it from someone else, actually.”
“Then they must be a warmhearted person.”
Hoyeon gave a faint smile. I wanted to tell him—
Those words were his own, once said to comfort little Rody when he was sad about leaving the orphanage children.
He was now being consoled by his very own words, spoken back to him.
But since I couldn’t say it, I just smiled and raised my voice.
“Now then, go ahead and choose something you really like.”
“…Yes, master.”
His expression softened at last, and I too smiled lightly.
