Chapter 40
Victoria, not wanting to miss the rare chance for a break, tried to follow along, but was stopped again by Hannibal.
It wasn’t Ann who was in urgent need, but the main star of the upcoming party.
“Miss, while I’m gone, please review what you learned today. Understood?”
Leaving Victoria behind, Hannibal began walking and asked,
“Is that your only pair of shoes?”
“Yes.”
For someone who ties her hair so neatly without a single strand out of place to wear shoes so worn at the soles—it was obvious she had no others.
“Tsk. Submit a separate budget request for the servants’ attire maintenance. I’ll inform the butler to raise the funding.”
“Thank you.”
She just wanted to run a quick errand alone.
But no matter how Ann glanced at him, Hannibal said nothing and simply strode ahead.
Only when he entered his office did Ann finally let out a breath of relief.
“Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness, Viscount. I know you must be busy, so I’ll just—”
Tap.
Donning his coat with a valet’s help, Hannibal gestured at her.
“Let’s go, then.”
Ah, no way out—he was coming with her.
Barely managing to hide her dismay, Ann boarded the carriage alongside him.
The nearby shopping district, which had felt close when with Victoria, now seemed frustratingly far.
Just when the air inside the carriage felt suffocatingly tense, it came to a stop.
“Get out.”
“Yes!”
Ann leapt out as if making her escape. Hannibal, rising awkwardly, reached out as if to assist her but then withdrew his hand.
“Wait—aren’t the shoe stores a block behind?”
The district where Ann’s usual shoes and clothes were sold to commoners was separated from the fancy avenues frequented by nobles.
Had Hannibal gotten off at the wrong place?
“I know. Since we’re here, I thought I’d look around.”
Climbing down after her, Hannibal scanned the surrounding alleyways.
It was then Ann realized this area was also part of his inspection rounds, and she kept her mouth shut, silently trailing after him.
“Oh my—it’s the lord himself!”
A merchant at the entrance recognized Hannibal and bowed deeply with joy.
“Is business going well?”
“Yes, thanks to your increasing the security patrols last time, there’s been no robbery or theft since!”
“That’s good to hear.”
One after another, shopkeepers came out to greet him. It wasn’t mere courtesy just because he was the lord.
They genuinely welcomed him, and Hannibal responded warmly, more so than ever before.
One merchant even brought over their baby, and Hannibal gave a bright smile to the child wrapped in cloth.
He knows how to smile?
At the lord’s estate, Hannibal never smiled.
While he treated employees fairly, he always had an intimidating sharpness, making him difficult to approach.
Yet here, despite his dazzling looks, noble attire, and broad frame, Hannibal Clayde looked perfectly at ease surrounded by commoners.
In fact, he looked completely natural standing in the bustling marketplace.
Only then did Ann truly realize—Hannibal was in his early twenties.
Not a viscount or lord, but a twenty-two-year-old young man.
A man who could smile at a baby, chat with people openly, and offer kind words in return. He did have a gentle side to him.
“Ann, let’s go.”
Lost in thought while following him, she found herself standing in front of a shoe store.
“Yes!”
Swallowing dryly, she hurried inside as Hannibal opened the way.
“A pair of shoes with sturdy soles, please.”
Black in color, simple design—just something that would last long.
The shopkeeper, familiar with such orders, promptly brought out a pair.
“These won’t hurt your feet even if you walk all day.”
“They’re really comfortable.”
Trying them on, Ann lightly hopped in place and walked around the store several times.
“I’ll take these.”
“Just the one pair?”
As they were about to pay, Hannibal asked.
Ann nodded.
“You plan to wear just that one pair for both work and dancing?”
Frowning, Hannibal added, and Ann replied immediately.
“Most maids manage with just one pair for a whole year.”
Hannibal let out a deep sigh at that.
“Bring two more identical pairs.”
“Yes, sir!”
The shopkeeper, who had been watching from a step away, quickly produced the extra pairs. Hannibal pulled out a single gold coin and turned to leave.
Ann called out in a hurry.
“What about the change?”
Hannibal glanced back at her and sighed.
“Just come.”
“You gave Miss Victoria three gold coins for shopping, and now you’re spending a whole gold coin on these shoes?”
So stingy with your sister, yet so generous with strangers?
It was a lightly disgruntled protest.
Yet Hannibal couldn’t take the change back from the shopkeeper, nor could he appear too soft in front of Ann.
“Then use the change to make and deliver more shoes.”
At those words, both the shopkeeper—clutching the coin nervously—and Ann—who had been watching in frustration—visibly relaxed.
“Ninety-one silver—that’s about thirty pairs. With bulk orders, there should be a discount. What deal can you give us?”
Ann immediately approached the shopkeeper with a calculator in hand. As she began negotiating, Hannibal stepped outside to wait.
After a short while, she emerged from the shop.
“He agreed to make more shoes for the equivalent discount. We’ll need to confirm exact sizes and quantities with the butler and send someone over.”
Ann looked visibly satisfied now that the transaction was fair.
“I didn’t skimp on Victoria on purpose.”
Perhaps feeling awkward, Hannibal looked up at the sky as he spoke.
“Yes, I know.”
He probably hadn’t realized.
“I really didn’t know.”
As if reading her thoughts, Hannibal said,
“I looked into it—Victoria did eliminate Father’s women under her mother’s orders.”
“I see.”
“Father never really cared about us, so I should’ve paid more attention.”
His voice carried regret, and Ann felt a twinge of guilt.
“My lord.”
“Yes. I am the lord of Teganess. I acknowledge that Victoria’s wrongdoings are my responsibility too.”
The adults who should’ve taken responsibility were either dead or had fled.
It wasn’t right to leave only the children to carry the guilt.
Ann spoke firmly.
“This isn’t your fault, my lord.”
She wanted to say it was the fault of the Count and Countess, but even that might hurt Hannibal.
After all, it was through their recognition and support that he’d become the lord.
“You once said it was my fault.”
Hannibal muttered, and Ann shook her head.
Of course, she had resented him. Been angry too. But she hadn’t meant to blame only him.
“From now on, you can just look after the young lady.”
All she wanted was for Victoria’s position to be secure. As the current lord, Hannibal could fully take responsibility for her.
“I’ll do that.”
Perhaps it was the peaceful, ordinary air of the commoners’ district.
Facing the softened Hannibal, Ann also smiled.
They walked side by side until they reached the main road where the carriage waited.
“Get in.”
As the coachman opened the door, Hannibal offered his hand to Ann.
“I’m not a noblewoman, so there’s no need for such courtesy.”
When she offered to let him go first as the master, Hannibal took her hand.
“Still, you’re a lady. Don’t make me into a rude gentleman.”
With that gentle pull, she was led inside and took her seat.
Hannibal sat diagonally across and opened the small window to speak to the coachman.
“Take us to Seventh Avenue.”
She had expected to return to the estate, so the destination caught her off guard.
Seventh Avenue was the high-end district where nobles shopped. Wouldn’t it make more sense to go with a valet like Jack or Oliver?
“My lord?”
Ann looked at him with wide eyes, and Hannibal gave a dry chuckle at her total lack of expectation.
“I’ve failed to treat you properly as Victoria’s tutor. That’s also my responsibility, and I intend to make up for it today.”
“I already receive an increased salary.”
“This is separate. You don’t like it?”
“Then give it to me as a bonus.”
“Hah. That’s very you, Ann Ferro.”
The ride was short, and the carriage stopped as they spoke. As the door opened, Hannibal stepped out first and again held out his hand.
“I’ll consider it a reward for ensuring Victoria finishes the ball safely.”
If she didn’t act quickly, he’d end up taking her hand again, so Ann obediently placed hers in his.
Just enough to lightly touch.
“…Is there a reason you’re being so generous?”
Hannibal Clayde had always shown disdain toward women from the capital.
He had been distrustful of her, displeased by her candid advice.
So Ann tried not to overthink it.
Romance with nobles was something she’d sworn off in this life.
“This is simply a reward for your excellent work. And also, as Victoria’s brother, I felt it was only right to gift a proper pair of shoes to the teacher who wore out her feet educating her.”
Hannibal held her hand firmly, guiding her down the two steps of the carriage.
“Thank you.”
Deliberately polite, Ann quickly put distance between them and stood behind him.
“…Let’s go.”
Though he seemed reluctant, Hannibal said no more and walked on ahead.
