Chapter 52
I wasn’t sure when it was drawn, but there were doodles on the orphanage wall made by the children.
‘Wait, is that… me?’
Among children with brown, black, pink, wheat-colored, and golden hair stood a woman with red hair.
Since I was the only one in the orphanage with red hair, that had to be me.
At the very edge, as if hastily added, there was also a figure with white hair. From the context, it seemed to be Hoyeon.
“I had no idea something like this was here.”
Lately, Hoyeon had been doing the cleaning, while I was too caught up in managing the orphanage to look around carefully.
If I had known earlier, it would have been nice. Realizing it only now left me with regret.
“The children look happy. As a benefactor, it makes me proud.”
I looked up at him, then opened my mouth.
“I did tell Rick, but I wanted to properly thank you for helping me at the banquet last time. I wanted to give you my gratitude in person.”
Back then, I was too flustered.
I bowed deeply, but the duke stopped me.
“No, it is I who should be saying thank you.”
“Pardon? For what, exactly?”
I tilted my head in puzzlement.
There was nothing I had done that deserved thanks from him.
As though he found it difficult to say, the duke pressed his lips shut for a while. I quietly waited for him to speak.
After a moment, he slowly opened his mouth.
“…Back at the banquet.”
The duke turned his head away from me.
But was it just my imagination?
His face looked a little red.
‘Has he been outside too long? Could he have a fever?’
Worried, I unconsciously reached out and placed my hand on his forehead. The duke’s eyes widened as he looked at me.
Our eyes met at a very close distance. Only then did I realize what I had done.
“Oh, I’m sorry…”
“Thank you… for listening to me.”
As I tried to pull my hand back, the duke gently caught my wrist—not painfully, but softly.
I blinked, and he spoke to me with an almost pained look in his eyes.
“For comforting me… I wanted to thank you, Ciela.”
The sincerity in his gaze was undeniable.
I stared at him, not knowing how to respond.
But then—why was this happening again?
‘This strange feeling…’
Just like when he said he would protect me, an inexplicable feeling welled up inside. It was like something was sprouting in me—ticklish and unfamiliar. My heart was beating fast.
‘…Maybe because he’s too close.’
His beautiful face was so clear in front of me. Had I unconsciously fallen victim to sheer charm?
Or maybe it was just the way he said my name, a sound I rarely heard from anyone else.
Either way, I couldn’t just keep staring blankly forever. I barely managed to part my lips.
“Y-yes…”
That was all I could say. The Duke of Creyman slowly released my wrist. His face drifted farther away.
Strangely, I felt a pang of disappointment.
‘Disappointed? About what?!’
Clearly, I was utterly bewitched by his looks. I shook my head vigorously.
Then, forcing the brightest smile I could manage, I said,
“Then it seems we’re both grateful to each other.”
“Indeed.”
The duke nodded and looked at me.
“And… I have a proposal.”
I had been fanning my flushed face, but at his words, I quickly turned to him.
“A month from now, during the festival, Count Seymour will host a masquerade ball at his estate. Attendance is by partner only. So… I would like you to be my partner.”
“A masquerade… partner?”
The unexpected proposal made me tilt my head. Quickly, I recalled the contents of the book.
‘Count Seymour… wasn’t she once the closest confidant of the former Empress?’
Yes, I remembered her name appearing in the story. She had been both lady-in-waiting and lifelong friend to the Empress, but just before the young Emperor staged his coup, she left the palace due to her husband’s failing health—thus saving her life.
‘So she’s holding a masquerade?’
Count Seymour and the former Empress had been extremely close. After the Empress’s death, Seymour fell into deep grief.
‘If it’s her, maybe I can find a clue about Jack.’
In the book, Count Seymour wasn’t very significant. She belonged to the past, and when Cloen later went to visit, she was already dead. The cause of her death was never revealed.
‘It might be worth going.’
When I didn’t answer for a long time, the duke spoke again, sounding uneasy.
“The masquerade is late at night. You’ll still have time to enjoy the festival with the children. So…”
“All right.”
At my reply, he closed his mouth. I repeated myself more firmly.
“I’ve never been to a masquerade before, but I’ll gladly accompany you.”
“…Just being by my side will be more than enough. You needn’t worry.”
His gentle words seemed meant to ease my concerns.
Smiling at him, I then let my expression grow serious.
“And there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What is it?”
He looked at me intently.
“Do you know about Prince Seid?”
“I do.”
I sighed and explained everything that had happened: how Seid had taken an interest in me, how he had come to the orphanage, and how I hadn’t been able to turn him away because of the children.
Then, worried, I added,
“According to Hoyeon, Prince Seid has a shadow following him. Do you think it’s safe?”
The duke listened carefully, then nodded.
“As long as a beastman remains here, even a shadow won’t be able to approach further. At most, they might keep track of who comes and goes from the orphanage.”
He met my eyes and continued,
“The shadow isn’t much to fear. But the prince himself—be cautious. He may report back to the Emperor every time he returns.”
Since Seid had seemed to be sneaking around, I doubted he would report to the Emperor. Still, I nodded.
“Thank you. I feel a little reassured now.”
“Think nothing of it. Your safety and the orphanage’s are my top priority. If anything troubles you, tell me. I’ll help however I can.”
Even if it was only words, they comforted me.
I smiled.
“Shall we head inside? I think they must be finished by now.”
“Let’s.”
He walked with me back into the orphanage.
Inside, we ran into Leonard coming out of the dining hall with Jack.
‘How did it go?’
I asked nervously, since I couldn’t read Leonard’s expression.
“Have you finished your talk?”
“Yes.”
I sent Jack upstairs first, then went with Leonard and the duke into the director’s office. But Leonard’s expression gave nothing away.
I waited silently, hoping he would speak first.
Truthfully, I wasn’t too worried. I knew how bright Jack was. Even if it hadn’t gone well, we could always find him another teacher.
What worried me was whether Jack might feel hurt if things didn’t work out.
At last, after a deep breath, Leonard spoke.
“I have something to ask, Director.”
His words made me tense, but I nodded.
“What is it?”
“Has Jack ever received any kind of education before? I mean, did he ever attend school or have a tutor?”
The question was nothing like what I’d expected. I shook my head.
“No, Jack has never received any formal education.”
“I see. In that case… that child is…”
Leonard murmured under his breath.
He looked unusually grave, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was on his mind.
Then he lifted his head, his expression firm.
“I will personally take charge of Jack Freet’s lessons.”
“Truly?”
I asked in delight. Leonard nodded with certainty.
“Three times a week, from morning until afternoon should be best. Will that be all right?”
“Of course!”
I nodded eagerly, unable to hide the smile tugging at my lips.
“And about the tuition fees…”
“Oh, well—”
Being the duke’s personal tutor, he would surely be far more expensive than any regular teacher. Still, I was willing to pay whatever it cost.
But his answer shocked me.
“I won’t accept any payment.”
“What?”
“I want to teach him of my own accord. So I won’t take money.”
