Chapter 74
Of course that was impossible. The duke confessing to me? He probably didn’t want to lose me as an ally.
There was something I needed to make clear first.
“First… I understand how important I am to Your Grace. But I won’t be leaving this place from now on. At least not until the children are all independent. Above all else…”
I looked at him with a serious face as he stared back with a wavering gaze.
“You’re indispensable to me as well.”
If anything happened, the duke would have to protect our children.
“Oh.”
He fell silent at my words. I thought for a moment about what he might be thinking, and then he burst out laughing.
“I almost misunderstood you.”
“Huh?”
“It’s nothing. His Highness is waiting, so I should be going. It’s chilly — you should get inside as well.”
“Ah, yes. Goodbye.”
I bowed my head and the duke turned away.
As I watched his retreating back I tilted my head.
Was it just my imagination?
‘He seemed disappointed for some reason.’
Hmm. It nagged at me, but I didn’t make a big deal of it and turned to leave.
‘How pathetic.’
The Duke of Creyman covered his face.
“‘You’re indispensable to me as well.’”
For a moment he almost misread her words.
‘To her I’m merely a patron. What was I expecting?’
The hope he had briefly felt and the disappointment after realizing the truth were so large he nearly let those feelings show.
‘What was I expecting in the first place?’
Even though he knew they could never be together, he sometimes forgot. Repressed desire would sometimes press down on his reason and rise up.
The duke lowered his eyes to his hands. They were ordinary hands, but to him they looked like the hands of a terrible monster.
“About Baron Feirunt.”
At that voice the duke looked up. The crown prince was watching him and spoke.
“You two seem very close.”
“…Is that how it looks?”
“Yes. I could feel the mutual trust between you.”
The crown prince twisted the corner of his eye as though envious.
The duke turned his gaze to the window. Her bright smiling face came to mind.
‘Yes, that should be enough.’
Don’t be greedy.
Be satisfied with this.
He murmured the words to himself again and again.
In the end, I met with Lenard after class.
“Really? Did you really say Jack will participate in the competition?”
When I relayed Jack’s intention, Lenard asked, delighted, and I nodded several times.
“He said he wants to test the achievements he’s built up so far.”
“That’s a very good attitude!”
Lenard exclaimed with satisfaction.
I smiled at him and, with a thought that arose suddenly, asked.
“But can Jack enter such a big competition?”
Jack is from an orphanage, after all.
I didn’t add the rest, but Lenard understood and nodded.
“It will be difficult without a family affiliation, since it’s where noble children participate.”
“Then isn’t participation impossible?”
When I asked anxiously, Lenard smiled as if to reassure me.
“There is a way.”
“What way?”
“Compete under the name of House Creyman.”
“Under House Creyman’s name?”
Taken aback, I asked again and he nodded.
“Yes. Actually, His Majesty ordered all central noble houses to participate. Houses without heirs are allowed to field a child from another house as their representative. House Creyman has no successor, so they must present a child from another house — but instead they could put forward Jack, whom they sponsor.”
Oh ho. Such a clever plan.
When I responded positively Lenard grew even more excited.
“If Jack, who is sponsored by the duke’s house, achieves good results in this competition, it will reflect positively on the house.”
“But if he doesn’t do well, wouldn’t that hurt the house?”
When I asked, concerned, Lenard shook his head so fast I almost couldn’t see his breath. He spoke passionately.
“Among the children I’ve taught, Jack is one of the most intelligent. I was worried he might not try his best, but judging by Jack’s current attitude, there’s no need to worry. I guarantee Jack will achieve excellent results!”
To me it seemed Lenard was more enthusiastic than Jack.
Well, to be honest I hadn’t been worried either — it was just something I said.
I knew better than anyone that Jack was a clever child.
“When is the competition?”
“In a month and a half.”
“There’s still plenty of time.”
“Since it’s the first time this competition is being held, they’ve scheduled it with a good margin. That makes this competition all the more valuable. The first time is always the most important.”
True. The first time is always the most important.
“Then let’s do that. Is there anything I should prepare?”
“No. The recommendation letter will come from the duke’s household, and since he will be participating under the house’s name, they will provide all necessary support. The headmaster only needs to care for Jack’s condition. Especially, there’s a bad flu going around these days. Once you get it, it lasts a month, so please be careful about that.”
“I will.”
I nodded confidently and Lenard smiled, rising from his seat.
“I should go. I need to prepare expected test questions for the competition.”
“You’re working hard. Please take care of him.”
“I’m counting on you too.”
I walked Lenard to the door and returned inside.
‘Now that I think of it, a terrible flu does go around this time of year.’
I had read a passage that in that year the winter was especially harsh and the headmaster didn’t light the stove, so the children huddled together to sleep. At the same time a terrible flu circulated and Rody’s illness had nearly taken him before.
‘I should ask Hoyeon to burn more firewood.’
I was attentive about heating so such a thing wouldn’t happen, but it would still be better to be cautious.
‘Well, this should be fine.’
Feeling the warm atmosphere in the room, I nodded.
I was thinking lightly.
Unaware of what might happen to me.
I feel like I’m dying.
And very violently, too.
“Heeugh…”
I’m experiencing firsthand how, when a person is very sick, nothing else matters.
The ceiling in front of me was spinning. I felt dizzy…
‘I never expected I’d catch the flu…!’
Because in the original story Rody caught a fever, I had checked the stove multiple times on the off chance — and ended up catching the flu myself.
‘At least the children didn’t catch it.’
I’d rather not be sick too. Does there always have to be at least one person who gets it?
knock knock.
“Master, the physician has arrived.”
Hoyeon’s voice came from beyond the door. Knowing I had no energy to answer, she immediately entered with the physician.
For a brief moment, I saw the kids’ worried faces through the door.
“Hmm, this is… the influenza that’s been going around recently.”
The physician shook his head as if regretful.
“What should be done?”
“There’s no cure for this. I’ll prescribe antipyretics; take the medicine and sleep, and you’ll get better on your own.”
The physician answered coldly, but I couldn’t blame him. I knew better than anyone that there wasn’t an answer for this illness.
Hoyeon looked as if she thought the physician was irresponsible. Seeing her bare her teeth, I quickly called to Hoyeon.
“Hoyeon… I’m… a—” cough! cough!
As soon as I opened my mouth a coughing fit as though I might cough up blood seized me. Hoyeon, startled, rushed to my side.
“Master!”
“Oh my, tsk tsk. Your throat is swollen, so I recommend not speaking if you can. I’ll prescribe medicine — guardian, please accompany me.”
Unaware that she had just been in danger, the physician looked at me with pitying eyes and left the room.
“Master…”
Hoyeon watched the physician with resentment, then turned to me with a distraught face.
I waved my hand to show I was okay.
“More importantly, keep the children out… absolutely no one must enter the room.”
If the flu spreads it would be terrible.
At my words Hoyeon nodded resolutely. Seeing that reassured me.
I slowly closed my eyes. My head felt like it would split. Sleeping would be better.
“…I’ll sleep now.”
“All right. Get plenty of rest.”
Hoyeon spoke quietly and left the room. From beyond the door I heard the children asking after me through Hoyeon.
Hearing their worried voices made me feel sorry but somehow also made me smile.
‘I was alone in my previous life.’
