CHAPTER 41…………………………………………………….
When I wore a troubled expression, Sylvia whined softly.
“This is really not okay, sir. Even if someone just comes close, he has seizures and throws things. He has no sense of dignity, and treats others carelessly.”
Logan joined in.
“They say he has a mild neurosis. On top of that, he knows how to use a sword. You know, sir, how dangerous that combination is.”
Sylvia hesitated for a moment, then added one more thing.
“…He’ll probably treat you roughly too. You won’t, right? Right?”
“Sylvia, Logan…”
I knew exactly what Sylvia was worried about.
She had worried about me for exactly the same reason with Enrique, and had tried to stop me.
Honestly, I was touched that I had students who cared about me this much. But…
“To be honest, he’s not exactly a student I want to teach. Yet… I can’t help thinking about it.”
I looked carefully from Sylvia to Logan and spoke.
“Maybe it’s because all of you, even before meeting me, were kids with ‘those kinds of rumors’.”
They might have forgotten, but they had been troublemakers too.
Sylvia was a rose with far too many thorns in high society. Logan was an arrogant grand duke-to-be.
“But Sylvia, after meeting you, you had the qualities to become a guild master. And Logan learned the imperial language and was able to solve his problems quickly, right?”
“…Yes.”
“That’s right.”
So…
“Perhaps that child also needs your help, sir.”
Moreover, if it was a case of mania, it could also be seen as a potential problem related to the Crown Prince’s sudden actions.
Yes. To be honest, he reminded me of Enrique, which made me even more concerned.
If I had to continue teaching to repay my debt, I wanted at least to decide who to teach and how in a way that I could feel no shame about.
Logan, who seemed to be pondering for a moment, nodded like an adult.
“Now that you mention it, that’s a fair point. I agree.”
“….”
But Sylvia’s expression remained sulky.
When Sylvia lowered her head, her luscious rose-colored hair flowed down along her small head. I could see her tiny hands fidgeting.
“…If you’ve decided that, sir… I know I can’t stop you any further. But I hope you won’t get hurt.”
Ah, geez.
Yes. I’m a liar.
Because I keep trying to look away when these students, craving my attention, are right in front of me.
I patted Sylvia gently, trying to soothe her relative gloom compared to Logan.
“If you really need help this time, I’ll definitely tell you. Sylvia. Don’t worry too much. And if things don’t work out, it’s possible I won’t teach him at all.”
“Hng…”
Sylvia pouted and smacked the folds of her voluminous dress.
“After saying that, you won’t call him again, right?! You’ve even been spending less time with me lately!”
Honestly… that was unfair.
“Sylvia. Last time, you came to the mansion without even contacting me first. And honestly, you don’t really have anything left to learn from me…”
“Please at least mark my stats problems wrong!”
“…Alright.”
The student clearly had no intention of becoming independent.
I imagined a scenario where grown-up Sylvia, much taller than me, would cling to me and never let go—and shook my head.
No way… could that really happen?
Then the request to hire a private tutor for the Foreign Minister could wait until I faced him again…
“……?”
As I patted Sylvia and thought this, my eyes met Logan’s.
He suddenly took something out from his arms.
“And sir, I have something to give you personally.”
“Hm? For me?”
Logan held an envelope in his hands.
He handed it to me respectfully with both hands.
“Since I’m meeting you today, His Highness the Grand Duke asked me to give this to you personally.”
“Ah.”
Previously, Logan had suggested by letter that he might leave the academy and join the royal knights immediately. This must be the reply.
I let go of Sylvia and took the letter, thinking:
‘He actually made Logan deliver it himself…’
I’d thought it was ignored since there was no reply for a long time.
‘…What if it says I should stop being Logan’s tutor?’
Before I could open it, Sylvia quickly handed me a letter opener, interpreting my hesitation.
“Here, sir.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Heh, I have to check…
Even if the headmaster of Disherno Academy is tough, I couldn’t ignore the parents of the student I was teaching.
With trembling hands, I carefully broke the seal of the envelope.
A piece of high-quality stationery fell out.
“…Hm?”
I opened it with some tension, but the contents were completely unexpected.
“As you suggested, I would like to meet directly to discuss the matter in detail. I will be staying at the Grand Duke’s residence for a while, so please feel free to visit on any date convenient for you. This concerns Logan. Thank you as always. That is all.”
He was allowing me to visit the Grand Duke’s residence anytime, without an appointment.
“…Hmm.”
And the tone was kind, not the harsh, icy manner the world said the Grand Duke had.
“….”
But I quickly shook my head.
‘…No. You can’t know a person just from the tone of a letter.’
I didn’t want to think ill of Logan’s parents, but the fact that they had sent a young child alone to a distant kingdom for years already made me look at the Grand Duke a little skeptically.
Still, for Logan’s future, I had to meet and talk to him.
I folded the letter and whispered to Logan, who was watching us, “The teacher, hmm? Hmm? Shaking my head… what could it mean?”
“Logan, would His Highness the Grand Duke be available tomorrow?”
“…Hah.”
I took a deep breath in front of the grand gates of the vast Eleanor Grand Duke’s residence.
This was the second time I had taken a deep breath in front of this mansion.
The first time was for Logan’s first meeting, and now…
“Welcome, Crimson, sir.”
The butler, now close at the gate, greeted me warmly.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
“Thanks to your concern, I’ve been well. The Grand Duke often mentioned you.”
After a light exchange of pleasantries, the butler spoke carefully.
“You are meeting His Highness the Grand Duke today, correct? I will guide you to the reception room.”
“Yes, thank you.”
I followed the butler.
I reminded myself not to be too nervous.
‘…He returned after a year, right?’
Even if he had to manage northern territories, leaving the Grand Duke alone in the capital for a year—what kind of person would he be?
Whenever Logan spoke of him, his expression brightened.
Even after so long apart, it should feel awkward.
Would he be an extremely kind person?
Or a cold-blooded one who could treat Logan harshly despite his devotion?
Even after reading the letter, I could not easily imagine the Grand Duke’s personality.
“This way, please.”
“Ah.”
While I was worrying, the butler stopped at a grand door. It was the reception room.
I nodded to him, and the door slowly opened. Warm light spilled out.
So I wait here, and the Grand Duke will come soon…
“…?”
Soon…?
“Oh, you’re here.”
A harsh voice came from inside.
Someone was already in the reception room. That was fast!
And it wasn’t just that which surprised me.
A woman with the same cool silver hair as Logan, draped to one side, rose slowly from the sofa.
She was so tall that I had to look up at her for a while.
Instinctively, I knew. This woman…
The Eleanor Grand Duke extended a large hand to me with a stern expression.
“Pleased to meet you. I am the Eleanor Grand Duke.”
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