Chapter 51
I wasn’t sure why, but before setting out I suddenly felt the urge to pay my respects.
Since I was going to meet someone who had helped him, it seemed only right to say something first.
I had made up my mind, but it still wasn’t easy to move my feet.
After much hesitation, Leonard finally arrived at the office door and took a deep breath.
Just as he was about to knock—
Bang.
“Lord Leonard?”
The door opened without warning, and Rick looked at him with a puzzled expression.
“What—shouldn’t you at least give some warning before bursting out like that! Nearly scared me to death!”
“Eh? Ah, my apologies.”
Rick didn’t understand why he was being scolded, but he apologized anyway.
Leonard let out a deep sigh.
“So, what brings you all the way here? Were you looking for me?”
“No, not quite… it’s about the child you mentioned last time.”
“You mean Jack Freet of the Ciela Orphanage.”
“Yes. That boy… I heard he’d been greatly helped by the orphanage director, so I thought I ought to report before going there myself.”
“I see. His Grace is inside, so please go on in.”
“No, since I’ve told you, there’s no need to—”
“Your Grace, Lord Leonard is here.”
“Send him in.”
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Before Leonard could stop him, Rick had already made the report inside and walked away briskly.
Muttering curses under his breath, Leonard carefully stepped into the room.
Dietrich looked up from his work, and Leonard felt the chill in those golden eyes behind his spectacles.
“…It has been a long time, Your Grace.”
“Sir Leonard Blest. Indeed, a long time.”
As he spoke, Dietrich gave a faint, mocking smile.
Was “a long time” really the right phrase? They had never formally exchanged greetings before; “the first time” felt more accurate.
That same thought seemed to be conveyed to Leonard as well.
“The truth is, on Sir Rick Henamun’s recommendation, I was about to visit the Ciela Orphanage, and thought I should report it first.”
At the mention of Ciela Orphanage, Dietrich’s shoulders flinched slightly, but Leonard, with his head bowed, didn’t notice.
By the time he raised his head, the duke’s expression was once again cold and composed.
“I see. I’ve heard the boy is quite clever.”
“Yes, the director there asked me to give him some instruction.”
“The director, hmm…”
“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
Leonard bowed and began to retreat, knowing that lingering would only make the duke uncomfortable.
But he couldn’t move—Dietrich had stopped him.
“Wait. I’ll come with you.”
Leonard looked up in surprise, but Dietrich was already on his feet, putting on his coat.
“Your Grace as well?”
“Yes. As it happens, I also have business there. We’ll go together. Ah, before we arrive, we should stop in the city to buy some gifts for the children.”
With that, he strode ahead.
Leonard followed, unable to hide his bewilderment.
When Hoyeon told me a guest had come, I stepped outside and couldn’t hide my shock.
“Your Grace?”
The guest was none other than Duke Dietrich Kreyman. And beside him…
“This is…”
“Good day, I am Leonard Blest.”
“Ah!”
At the sound of his name, I immediately knew who he was.
When I stared at him in surprise, Leonard offered a faint smile.
I had expected him to come eventually, but his sudden appearance still left me flustered. Quickly regaining composure, I led the two of them into the director’s office.
“The children are in the dining hall.”
It was study time after lunch, so they were all gathered there.
Though I told them they didn’t have to study if it was difficult, the children all enjoyed their lessons.
“Hoyeon, would you prepare some refreshments?”
“Of course.”
After offering seats, I made the request, and once Hoyeon left, I sat across from the two men.
Leonard watched the closed door for a moment before speaking.
“To think I’d meet a beastkin in a place like this.”
The duke, too, looked quite taken aback.
As expected, no matter how well I hid my ears under a hood, it wasn’t easy to fool the eyes of someone familiar with beastkin.
A little later, Hoyeon brought in refreshments and left again. Leonard sipped the tea and murmured quietly,
“The flavor is faint.”
“It’s made with tea bags.”
“Tea bags… the very ones the ducal house was said to be exporting?”
Leonard looked at me with surprise. He had heard about the tea bag venture, but hadn’t realized I was the business partner involved.
“You must be far more remarkable than I thought.”
“Oh, not at all, haha.”
I waved my hand awkwardly, then sneaked a glance at the duke. He was silently savoring the tea.
It feels like I haven’t seen him in ages.
Not entirely wrong—our last meeting had been a full month ago.
They said he’d been on business… he looks tired.
I found my gaze drawn to him.
“Ahem!”
Leonard’s cough snapped me out of it, and I quickly turned to him.
“I believe you already know why I came today. On Sir Rick Henamun’s recommendation, I’m here to see a boy named Jack Freet.”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
As we moved to the main point, nerves made me clench and unclench my fists beneath the table.
“But I should say beforehand—I can’t guarantee a hundred percent that I’ll tutor him.”
“Of course…”
“Well then, shall we go see the boy?”
“Let’s.”
I rose with Leonard, then glanced at the duke. Rising a moment later, he addressed me.
“I’ll wait outside. When you’ve finished speaking, come to me—I have something to tell you.”
“You could wait inside.”
“No. I need to gather my thoughts.”
“Then I’ll do that.”
I was terribly curious what he wanted to say, but Jack came first.
As he said, Duke Kreyman stepped outside, and I guided Leonard toward the dining hall.
On the way, I asked Hoyeon,
“Please take a blanket out to the guest. It may be daytime, but it’s chilly.”
“Right away.”
As we continued toward the dining hall, Leonard spoke up.
“You’re very considerate.”
“Thank you. We’re here.”
At the door, I knocked and quietly opened it.
“Sorry to interrupt. Jack, you have a visitor.”
Jack stood up. After glancing at Leonard, he calmly guided the other children.
“That’s all for today’s lesson. Remember to finish the homework by tonight.”
“Aw, come on, Jack. That’s too strict.”
“You can start right away and finish early.”
“Che.”
Though Cloen grumbled, he clutched the workbook Jack had made and trudged obediently upstairs.
Once all the other children had left, Jack approached us.
“Hello.”
“So you’re Jack. A pleasure to meet you.”
Leonard gave a warm smile, then turned to me.
“Would it be alright if I spoke with Jack alone?”
At his request, I looked at Jack. He nodded reassuringly, so I stepped out of the dining hall.
Pacing before the closed door, I let out a heavy sigh.
Worrying like this won’t change anything.
Jack was a smart boy; surely things would go well. Besides, I had something else to attend to.
Determined, I walked outside.
Soon I spotted Duke Kreyman sitting on a bench, the blanket I’d asked for draped over his broad shoulders.
I stopped, watching him.
The cold breeze tousled his dark hair. He hadn’t yet noticed me, his golden eyes fixed on some distant point.
The sight was so strikingly beautiful that I found myself staring, entranced.
At last, sensing my gaze, he turned to look at me. When our eyes met, I flinched slightly. He gave a faint smile, then rose and came toward me.
I watched him approach, dazed. When he reached me, he removed the blanket from his shoulders and draped it around mine.
“You look colder than I.”
“Ah…”
It was true—I had rushed out without putting on anything warm.
“I’m fine. I could just go back inside and fetch a coat—”
“No need. I’m not cold.”
“Still…”
“Better to sit. The view here is pleasant.”
He took hold of my wrist. The sudden contact startled me, but I forced my face to remain calm.
He seated me on the bench and sat beside me.
Wondering what view he meant, I turned my head—and soon understood.
“That’s…”
