Chapter 13
Whitey lightly licked Eleanor’s cheek, and she burst into bright laughter.
Then she wrapped both arms around his thick neck and clung to him happily.
“They seem… extremely close.”
“They’re big, but they’re gentle. As long as someone isn’t a threat, they’re kind. Children like Ellie are ‘protected’ targets in their eyes.”
“My goodness…”
Lady Hermann finally managed to calm her startled heart.
Just as Aylesia said, even though Eleanor tugged and pulled at Whitey rather roughly, he remained perfectly still and patient.
Meanwhile, Blanky was wagging his tail softly with a pleased, almost parental expression—
as if watching over his own pup.
“Whitey, can you give Ellie a ride and follow us? Take your time and have fun on the way.”
“Woof!”
Leaving the wolves to trail behind, Aylesia walked beside Lady Hermann toward the west wing.
“This works out well. There were a few things I wanted to ask.”
“If it’s something I can answer.”
“The young lady calls you ‘Teacher.’ Is there a special reason?”
“Not really. I just picked the most appropriate title.”
“And you lived in the Chernil Forest before meeting the young lady?”
“Yes.”
So this was basically a simple background check.
These questions were easy enough to answer.
“If… it isn’t rude to ask, how skilled are you in magic…?”
“Well… I doubt anyone around my age is stronger than me.”
Not a lie.
There wasn’t a single human mage remotely close to her age who could compare.
Lady Hermann looked a bit taken aback, but Aylesia only shrugged casually.
I mean, I can even handle two unhinged dragons. But I probably shouldn’t say that out loud.
Perhaps interpreting her shrug differently, Lady Hermann moved on.
“In truth, simply having the young lady trust you this much is enough qualification in itself.”
“Oh? How so?”
Lady Hermann’s opinion seemed different from the retainers who opposed Aylesia earlier.
“For a child, having an adult they can rely on is a tremendous blessing.
If that adult also has good character and ability, then even more so.”
“You think I’d be a good teacher for Eleanor?”
Lady Hermann nodded with a gentle expression.
“In the young lady’s current state, I doubt we could find a better teacher than you.”
“Hm.”
She pretended to think it over, but Aylesia couldn’t hide her smile.
She knows exactly what to say. Very kind woman.
In the novel, Lady Hermann had been described as warm-hearted.
Seeing her in person, she was even more thoughtful than expected.
Every word she spoke showed genuine concern for Eleanor.
“The rest of our conversation will have to wait.”
Aylesia closed her mouth mid-sentence—they had reached the west wing.
“I have many amusing stories left, so it’s a pity.
I shall personally invite you for tea soon.”
At that, Aylesia’s eyes sparkled.
So she wants to ride the same boat as me from now on?
Good. I need a lot more information anyway.
“Young lady, you should walk from here.”
“Yes!”
Lady Hermann gently lifted Eleanor off Whitey’s back and set her down.
She even reached out to stroke Whitey’s snout lightly.
Wow… She’s brave.
Outside, the commotion must have spread—
Servants rushed out and immediately lined up in two neat rows, bowing deeply the moment they saw Eleanor.
“We greet the young lady.”
Lady Hermann quickly straightened Eleanor’s clothes and began issuing crisp orders.
“Reni, Sera—bathe the young lady and help her change.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Mark—go to the kitchen and have them prepare sixty servings of steak immediately. Only the best-quality cuts. No salt, use only mild herbs. They are for the wolves.”
“S-sixty servings?!”
Mark squeaked in shock.
Lady Hermann simply stared at him.
“…I’ll go right away!”
He sprinted toward the kitchen.
“This lady is Lady Aylesia Milenoff. As per His Grace’s orders, she will be treated as our highest guest. Her room will be the one next to the young lady’s. Lucy.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Prepare it thoroughly so she can rest well tonight. Bring as many helpers as needed and use any furnishings you require.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“And Hilda.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Prepare tea and refreshments for the young lady’s room. Take your time and make it perfect.”
“I will do my best.”
After giving all the orders, Lady Hermann knelt slightly to look Eleanor in the eyes.
“Young lady, please come to your room after your bath and a change of clothes.”
“What about Teacher?”
“She will be escorted to your room.”
Aylesia crouched down and wrapped Eleanor in a warm hug.
“Wash up squeaky clean, become even prettier, and then come see Teacher again, okay?”
“Yes!”
“Good girl.”
Aylesia pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
Eleanor giggled and covered her head with both hands.
“Then see you soon, Teacher!”
After waving enthusiastically and heading inside, Eleanor disappeared with the maids.
Aylesia walked over to Whitey and Blanky and stroked their necks.
“Your food will be ready soon. You can wander a little if you get bored, but lots of people here don’t know you yet. Don’t go more than thirty meters from this building, alright?”
“Woof!”
“I know it’s uncomfortable, but just for today. I’ll make sure you can relax soon. If anything happens, come get me immediately.”
“Woof woof!”
Whitey flopped down in a comfortable-looking spot.
Blanky yawned lazily and curled up beside him.
“Then, please lead the way, Madam.”
“Right this way.”
Still stealing glances at the wolves, Lady Hermann guided Aylesia into the west wing.
As they walked toward the central staircase, she said softly,
“The young lady truly seems to adore you.”
“Oh, that? I did a lot of volunteer work at an orphanage.”
“An orphanage?”
“Yes. So I’m used to taking care of children.”
She said it so casually that Lady Hermann gave her a thoughtful look.
But that alone isn’t enough.
Other than the late duchess herself…
No one has ever seen the young lady connect with someone this deeply.
Lady Hermann suddenly recalled Eleanor as a baby.
Even back then, she wasn’t particularly shy around strangers.
But she was always sensitive to touch—
She panicked if anyone other than her parents bathed her or changed her diaper.
She would cry silent tears, big drops rolling down her cheeks.
“Is this the place?”
Hearing Aylesia’s voice snapped Lady Hermann out of her thoughts.
Thankfully, her body had remembered the way even while her mind wandered.
They stood before Eleanor’s room.
“Please wait inside for a bit. I’ll bring tea and refreshments shortly.”
“That’s fine by me.”
Lady Hermann gave a polite bow and opened the door.
“Please rest comfortably.”
“Thank you.”
Aylesia stepped inside and let her eyes drift over everything.
“…So this is it.”
Eleanor’s room—the one barely mentioned in passing in the novel.
It was decorated like a child’s room, full of cute ornaments.
And yet, an unmistakable loneliness lingered in the air.
…This feeling.
A void that furniture and decorations couldn’t fill.
The absence of a parent’s warmth.
She remembered feeling the exact same emptiness before she was taken in by her aunt.
A memory she’d buried long ago quietly resurfaced.
… My aunt used to dote on me so much. And my teacher, too…
