Chapter 33
The real question is: with what — and how — can I earn money?
Aileen’s fingers played absently with the handle of her teacup, her expression serious.
She lifted the cup to take a sip, lost in thought, when she suddenly sensed someone’s presence nearby.
As she turned her head, a familiar, mischievous grin filled her view.
“Hynel.”
“Yo! Hello, Madam. Taking a break all by yourself?”
It was Hynel — as usual, appearing out of nowhere with his strange, overly cheerful greeting. Thankfully, Adrian hadn’t picked up his habits yet.
Pushing her thoughts aside for now, Aileen smiled at him.
“Adrian’s still in another class. You’re here early today.”
“Yeah, I realized that after I got here. If I’d known, I’d have just come at the right time.”
Grumbling playfully, Hynel plopped himself down across from her as if it were the most natural thing in the world. To an outsider, they might’ve looked like old friends catching up.
And in a way, they were on friendly terms — though Hynel had no sense of formality whatsoever. He treated everyone the same, regardless of rank.
Aileen admired that about him, but sometimes it worried her — especially when it led to him clashing with her bodyguard, Cain.
Just a few days ago, the two had almost blown up the entire training yard during a heated argument. If Aileen hadn’t stepped in, it might’ve turned into a real disaster.
Thinking back on that, she sighed quietly.
Both of them dislike each other too much for their own good.
Still, Hynel looked relaxed today — maybe he hadn’t run into Cain yet. Relieved, Aileen decided to ask casually,
“How are the lessons going? Is Adrian keeping up well?”
“He’s got a good head on his shoulders. And since he’s trying hard, we’re making steady progress.”
Hynel was the type who never lied, even to someone of higher rank. So when he said Adrian was doing well, Aileen believed it.
Her face brightened with relief. Adrian was doing better than she’d feared.
“That’s a relief.”
“Well, he does have an excellent teacher, after all,” Hynel said proudly, puffing out his chest.
Aileen chuckled and gestured toward one of the maids. Soon, a teacup was set in front of him.
He gave her a puzzled look, and Aileen smiled.
“Since you’re here early, keep me company for a while. Adrian’s class won’t finish for some time anyway.”
“Sure, why not.”
Hynel watched the maid pour his tea, then took a sip — and immediately grimaced.
“Ugh… it’s so bitter!”
“You’ll get used to it. It’s actually quite fragrant,” Aileen said, amused.
“This is fragrant?”
He pointed accusingly at his cup, his face full of disbelief.
Aileen found his reaction funny and slid over a small jar of sugar cubes.
“If it’s too bitter, add some sugar. That should help.”
Hynel looked suspiciously between the sugar jar and the tea — then began dropping cubes into the cup.
One, two, three…
By the time Aileen began to worry he was adding too many, he finally stopped and took another sip.
His face relaxed slightly — though there was still a trace of dissatisfaction.
“Okay, this is better.”
Of course it is, she thought. You’re basically drinking sugar water now.
Holding back her laugh, Aileen offered him a plate of cookies instead.
“Try these. They’re really good.”
Hynel grabbed one, took a bite, and his face instantly lit up.
“Oh! These are amazing.”
“Right?”
Apparently, he loved them — because before long, half the plate was gone.
Aileen smiled, then asked,
“How’s your magic tool research going these days?”
After all, that was the real reason he’d agreed to tutor Adrian — to fund and support his own experiments.
Hynel was, first and foremost, a magic tool researcher and craftsman.
He swallowed the last bite of his cookie and said confidently,
“Of course it’s going great! I am a genius magician, after all.”
Normally, such confidence should’ve been reassuring — but Aileen couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
He’s not still making those weird magic tools again, is he?
She remembered the bizarre invention he’d shown her when they first met.
It hadn’t been bad, exactly — just a little… excessive.
And if he was still pouring resources into that kind of thing, it worried her.
He probably uses tons of mana stones for experiments and doesn’t even make money from it.
She could already picture him being kicked out of another tower or workshop someday. The thought made her sigh inwardly.
Completely unaware of her concerns, Hynel grinned.
“You should come visit the Magic Tower sometime! I’ll show you my lab and all my latest inventions.”
“The Magic Tower? I’d like to, but… am I even allowed to go there?”
“Well… yeah, technically they don’t like letting in non-mages,” he admitted.
Aileen laughed awkwardly. “Right, that’s what I thought—”
But before she could finish, he grinned and said,
“But you’ll be fine.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see when you get there.”
Aileen tilted her head in confusion, but Hynel didn’t explain. He just went back to finishing the cookies, pretending not to notice her puzzled look.
They chatted idly for a while after that. It was easy to relax around Hynel — conversations with him were always lively and comfortable.
Eventually, Aileen thought to check the time — but she didn’t need to. A maid approached them first.
“Madam, the young count’s morning class will be ending soon.”
“Oh, already?”
Aileen turned toward Hynel. He was already standing up.
“Guess I’d better get going.”
“I’ll come with you. I want to see Adrian too.”
Leaving the cleanup to the servants, Aileen walked with Hynel toward the study where the lessons were held.
It was none other than Richard’s office.
He had decided that since the duke’s office was where all the administrative work of the territory was handled, it would make the perfect learning environment for Adrian.
Standing outside the door, Aileen lifted her hand to knock — but before she could, Richard’s voice came from inside.
“It would be wise for you to study the geography and specialties of each region. That’s your assignment. Organize the details of every territory in the Empire by next week.”
Aileen froze mid-motion.
That sounded like a lot of work — maybe too much.
And Adrian already had several other tutors besides Richard.
Her brow furrowed slightly in concern.
Then she heard a familiar voice — but the tone was completely different from what she was used to.
“Do I really need to know about other territories? Isn’t it enough to just learn about the one I’ll be managing?”
It was Adrian. But instead of the gentle, polite boy she knew, his voice was cold and sharp.
The tone startled her — she had never heard him speak like that before.
Richard, however, didn’t seem fazed at all.
“Of course you do. That’s how you find trade opportunities for what your own land lacks. And information — that’s power. You should also get in the habit of reading the newspaper every day.”
“This is too much! I’m already busy enough as it is!”
“You can do it.”
Richard’s firm tone left no room for argument. Adrian went silent.
A moment later, footsteps approached the door.
Aileen quickly stepped aside — and the door swung open.
Adrian came out, his face scrunched up with frustration — but the instant he saw his sister, his expression softened.
“S-Sis?”
“Did you finish your lesson?” she asked gently.
“Uh… yeah, sort of…”
He glanced up nervously to see if she’d overheard his earlier outburst. Thankfully, she just smiled warmly, as if nothing had happened.
Relieved, Adrian threw his arms around her. Aileen hugged him back.
But inwardly, she was thinking,
So Adrian has this side to him too.
She had always thought of him as soft-hearted and gentle — but clearly, there was a sharp, determined side hidden underneath.
It surprised her… but also reassured her.
He wasn’t weak. One day, he’d become a lord who could make clear, independent decisions — someone who couldn’t be swayed easily.
No matter what kind of person he became, to her, he would always be the little brother she adored.
The siblings stayed embraced for a while until Hynel stepped forward, arms crossed.
“Alright, kiddo, time for my lesson.”
“But I just finished my morning class! Can’t I rest for a bit?”
Adrian looked up at him with pleading eyes.
Hynel gave him an exasperated look, clearly remembering the earlier conversation.
He crouched down to eye level and flicked Adrian lightly on the forehead.
“Listen, kid. I’m a busy man too, you know. And don’t think I don’t know you spend your ‘breaks’ studying anyway.”
Adrian rubbed his forehead, cheeks puffing in protest — but Hynel remained firm.
In the end, Adrian gave up and turned to Aileen.
“Then I’ll see you later, Sis.”
“Alright. Study hard. I know you’ll do great,” she said, ruffling his hair affectionately.
He grinned, all irritation forgotten.
Aileen watched as he and Hynel headed off toward the next room.
Just then, someone approached her quietly.
“So,” came a familiar deep voice, “what did you think of the young count’s other side?”
