Chapter 53
“Céline, Ben! Timothy!”
Melanie came running, pushing her way through the crowd.
“Mother!”
“Are you all right? You’re not hurt, are you?”
Céline shook her head tightly while holding Ben close. More than anything, she looked afraid of being scolded by Melanie.
“…I’m sorry…”
“Me too…”
The siblings, knowing they had done wrong, lowered their heads. Melanie had intended to give them a stern talking-to, but seeing their faces made her change her mind.
They already knew their mistake and were reflecting on it, so there was no need to scold them further. Kneeling down, Melanie pulled them into her arms and let out a long sigh.
“Do you know how frightened I was? My heart nearly stopped, thinking something terrible had happened…”
“Waaah, Mother.”
Ben burst into tears first. Céline didn’t cry immediately, but her eyes were already red and swollen.
“You were really frightened, weren’t you, my angels?”
Céline gripped her skirt with both hands and nodded.
It wasn’t the threats from the adults that had scared them. If that had frightened them, they wouldn’t have picked a fight in the first place. The reason for their shock was something else entirely.
Céline and Ben had grown up surrounded by unconditional love from their parents and relatives. There were always adults around who put their safety first, and not once had they ever thought their safety might be in danger. That had always been a given.
So when “Teacher Agnes” was insulted unfairly, they got angry and openly criticized the adults for doing something they knew was wrong. After all, it was the adults who were in the wrong.
Even when threatened, they never thought those adults would truly harm them. They hadn’t even considered the possibility.
But Timothy had nearly been hit, and the adults—though ignorant of the full circumstances—had even gone so far as to insult his parents. Céline couldn’t forget Timothy’s expression when he heard that.
It was the first time I’d seen… that face.
His pale face was expressionless, but the deep wound was painfully obvious. The green eyes, usually cynical or mischievous, were utterly empty.
It was like a heavy stone had lodged in her chest, making her throat itch. She felt that crying might relieve the pressure, but no tears would come. It was painful. Sad.
When Timothy, not knowing what to do with all his pent-up anger and hurt, had thrown himself forward, Agnes had caught him.
Céline had seen it clearly—
The way his hands had hesitated, unable to fully wrap around the person holding him.
He really does like the teacher…
His small hands had looked like the most fragile, pitiable things in the world. Despite often finding Timothy annoying and irritating, Céline had wanted to run over and hold those hands tight.
But she had been too shocked to move.
That was what frustrated her.
Once the siblings had calmed down, Melanie went looking for Agnes.
Agnes was holding Timothy’s hand, speaking with someone—a doctor who had been called over. When Melanie approached, Agnes’s face brightened.
“Madam, I’m so sorry. I couldn’t win against the children’s stubbornness and brought them here, and that’s how all this happened…”
“You must have been startled, ma’am.”
“It’s my fault. If I hadn’t brought them, none of this would’ve happened. I heard you were hurt.”
Melanie grabbed the doctor and asked, “Is the teacher really all right? Westwick will cover all the medical costs…” Agnes quickly stopped her.
“No, no. I heard His Grace even approved it himself. How could this possibly be your fault?”
“But I promised to take good care of them.”
“How could anyone watch three children all at once by themselves? Thankfully it didn’t turn into anything worse.”
Agnes smiled brightly. Melanie looked at her for a moment, then turned her gaze to Timothy.
Timothy flinched slightly in guilt. Like the siblings, he knew he had done wrong. He remembered Melanie telling him to “wait quietly.”
In a small voice, he said,
“I’m sorry… for not listening.”
“I’m just glad you weren’t hurt, Timothy. But please, never do something so reckless again. You’ll wear my heart out with worry.”
“…I’m sorry.”
Melanie stroked his hair with approval. Timothy let out a shy grunt, but he didn’t seem to dislike it.
“Céline and Ben were really worried about you. Why don’t you go tell them you’re all right?”
“Yes.”
Timothy replied firmly, but before turning away, he glanced up at Agnes. Only when she nodded did he walk off.
When all three children were together again, Melanie asked,
“Are you sure you’re really okay? You’re not pushing yourself?”
“The doctor also said I’m fine. I told them from the start I was fine, but His Grace wouldn’t believe me and ended up troubling the doctor too.”
When Melanie had first heard there was a commotion, she’d nearly screamed. She kept blaming herself for leaving the children alone for so long, no matter who had tried to stop her earlier.
She’d heard that the siblings had gotten into an argument with two gentlemen, Timothy had nearly been struck, and Agnes had stepped in.
Looking around, Melanie saw Agnes sitting on a sofa near where the disturbance had happened, while the doctor who had examined her was speaking with the Duke of Batenberg.
Agnes, saying the doctor hadn’t been necessary, covered her mouth and lowered her gaze in embarrassment, a faint blush on her cheeks. She had always been a pretty woman, but thinking that she had thrown herself in harm’s way to protect the children made her look even lovelier.
So many people around, yet no one stepped in?
The realization shocked Melanie anew.
Even now, people were whispering and watching them as if it were entertainment. She felt a mix of resignation and emptiness.
“Madam, are you taking the siblings straight home?” Agnes asked.
“I should. Céline seems very shaken. Timothy too, right?”
“He’s pretending to be brave, but I’m sure he is. If you don’t mind, could you spare just a little time before taking them home?”
“Time?”
“Just a moment. It’d be a shame if they only had this memory when they dressed up so nicely today…”
“Oh.”
“Think of it as a special lesson. How about we each dance just one song before we leave?”
Melanie hadn’t thought of that. She was about to agree when she remembered—
“You’re not hurt? You can still hold a lesson?”
“I’m really fine, madam. I don’t lie, do I? His Grace was just being overly dramatic. I think he’s simply the type to fuss over his people.”
“Really…? The Duke of Batenberg…?”
“Yes. He said that while I’m in his employ, I’m his responsibility.”
Melanie blinked in surprise. The Duke of Batenberg, who was said to care about no one but the Crown Prince? A man who lived only for the sword, duty, and his lord?
Well… not much is known about his private life, so maybe…
Still, was it normal to urgently summon the Imperial physician just because a tutor he’d hired for his nephew had fallen?
Now that she thought about it, Agnes and the Duke’s outfits were so similar they looked like a matching set—obviously custom-made from the same tailor.
“I’m fine, so you’ll allow it?”
“Yes, of course. I’m only grateful you’re so considerate.”
“Then I’ll get His Grace’s permission and find a place where the children can dance.”
Looking toward where the Duke stood, Agnes added,
“And it looks like His Highness the Crown Prince is here too. Even better.”
“…Yes, it seems so…”
Was she planning to have the Crown Prince arrange a dance space for the children? Melanie stammered, unable to hide her surprise. Agnes, oblivious to her hesitation, jumped to her feet.
Fortunately, her knees really did seem fine—her steps were strong and confident.
Such a waste of talent. She’s too capable to be a tutor forever…
From the moment she had first met her, Melanie had thought Agnes was too good to remain just a governess. Intelligent, kind, and quick-witted.
It was a pity she had to work because of her family’s circumstances.
Not that working was bad in itself—but knowing Agnes sent all her earnings home made it all the more regrettable. She lived too earnestly, never sparing any care for herself.
The siblings and Timothy ran to Agnes. Watching with a smile, Melanie was approached by other onlookers whose eyes were full of curiosity.
“Madam, do you know that lady? I heard she’s a governess!”
The speaker was a woman with children the same age as the siblings.
“Yes, that’s right. She used to teach my children before she was recently employed by House Batenberg.”
“Oh my, I see. So now she only works for them?”
“My children adore her, so we still have her give them group lessons once a week.”
“Oh, really? My goodness… she must be an excellent teacher.”
“She’s the best I’ve ever seen.”
“I agree. She must have been frightened, yet she threw herself in front to protect the children. I was so moved. If possible, I’d love to entrust my children to her too…”
Their intentions were obvious, and Melanie smiled inwardly.
Not only was Agnes dedicated and virtuous, she also had ties to the Duke of Batenberg and the Crown Prince—making her an ideal teacher in the eyes of any parent. In truth, the latter mattered more than the former.
“Madam, could you introduce her to us?”
“To us as well.”
“If it’s all right, me too…”
Melanie thought that perhaps this would be a good opportunity to raise Agnes’s value even higher.
