Chapter 32
Tedian tried his best to understand his respected older brother.
But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t guess why his brother was hiding Eleanor and the baby.
Eleanor was kind, beautiful, and even smart!
So why was his grandfather hiding her away in a separate building like some secret lover, behind grandmother’s back?
Even though adults have their reasons, Tedian still found it unacceptable.
Moreover, the baby had to have a name before turning one in order to receive the blessing ceremony.
“Could it be that Eleanor is a commoner?”
Since she never mentioned her family name, that was possible.
But Eleanor was smart enough that her social status shouldn’t matter. Her explanations were clear and easy to understand—so much so that Tedian almost wished she could be his teacher instead of Wyatt.
“My brother’s being too much.”
A real man should be able to take responsibility for his wife and child.
“This is cowardly.”
For the first time in his life, disappointment toward his brother began to take root in Tedian’s heart.
After packing his things, Tedian closed the door and walked down the corridor.
Then he saw a familiar figure in the distance.
‘Master Wyatt.’
Tedian hurriedly hid.
There was no reason to hide, yet his body moved before his mind did.
Recently, their lessons had been at their worst.
Wyatt would show annoyance whenever Tedian completed his homework perfectly.
Since he couldn’t scold Tedian for failing, he would find other reasons to lift his whip: criticizing his attitude toward the teacher, or claiming his clothes weren’t proper before lessons.
Most of the reasons were absurd.
“….”
Tedian clasped his legs together.
He didn’t want to meet his teacher. It seemed best to stay hidden until Wyatt passed by.
He listened carefully and heard an agitated voice.
“Damn Winston!”
Wyatt was angry.
“How in the world did that Eleanor woman notice I was here?”
‘Eleanor?’
Tedian’s eyes widened.
He had heard correctly. She had said Eleanor.
But how did Wyatt know Eleanor? She was trapped in the annex because of his brother.
Wyatt passed by the place where Tedian was hiding.
Now he could go on his way, too.
But for some reason, he couldn’t move his feet.
He felt uneasy knowing that his normally harsh teacher knew Eleanor. He didn’t know why, and he also knew Wyatt was angry.
“….”
After a moment of deliberation, Tedian decided not to head to the secret passage in the martial arts hall. Instead, he began to quietly follow Wyatt.
They arrived at Wyatt’s private office.
Tedian pressed himself against the door and peered through the keyhole.
“I need to leave before I’m discovered.”
He was packing his things.
The room was a mess.
Although it was always cluttered with various documents, today it was especially chaotic.
“What was I thinking, trying to scam the Grand Duke’s family?”
‘Scam?’
“Looking back, it was impossible not to get caught. If only that person hadn’t given me false hope.”
Tedian’s heart pounded.
Whatever was going on, he felt he couldn’t just pass by.
‘Should I call for help?’
But what if his teacher suddenly disappeared? He was packing as if he would vanish at any moment.
Tedian swallowed hard.
He was now an uncle to a cute little nephew.
As an uncle, he had to show a dependable side.
Tedian straightened his back and stood up.
He took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
“…!”
Wyatt, busy packing, flinched.
He threw a large travel bag under the desk and said,
“W-who is it?!”
“It’s me, Master.”
“Confucius?”
“I have a question about yesterday’s lesson. May I come in?”
Annoying timing—he had to come now.
Wyatt frowned while continuing to pack.
“I’m busy right now. Come back later.”
“When later? Will you even be around later?”
“What?”
“Master, where are you going?”
Wyatt flung open the door.
Tedian stood before him, hands tightly clasped.
Wyatt looked around, realizing that Tedian was alone in the corridor. He exhaled.
“How long have you been here?”
“I-I’m the one asking the questions.”
“Where are you going? Why are you packing all of a sudden?”
“…I have somewhere to go. I’ll be back soon.”
“Then I’ll call the servants to prepare a carriage.”
Does this kid know something? Wyatt glared at Tedian.
“I’ll manage. If you have free time, why not study?”
“Then can we study in your room?”
“Huh?”
“I told you I have something I don’t know. While we study together, I can leave with you when you go out.”
Wyatt ran his fingers through the hair falling over his forehead.
He was busy and annoyed by the child’s insistence.
‘He probably won’t believe a kid…but this is the Grand Duke’s favorite younger brother.’
Wyatt looked down at the trembling Tedian for a moment, then slowly spoke.
“Fine. Come in.”
Tedian’s eyes brightened.
Wyatt stepped aside to let him in.
“Uh….”
Tedian made a dumbfounded noise.
He seemed bewildered at being allowed in so easily.
Tedian slowly stepped into the room.
Wyatt followed him with his eyes and reached for a bookshelf.
“…Master, but really—ah?!”
Tedian quickly held his breath.
Wyatt had sprinkled some strange black powder on him.
He tried to cover his mouth, but it was too late—he inhaled the mysterious powder.
Tedian’s vision began to blur.
“Please rest for a moment.”
No! I need to protect my nephew…
Tedian fainted and collapsed.
Clicking his tongue, Wyatt closed the office door.
At that time, Eleanor, locked in the annex, was preparing to leave.
‘Today is my chance since Tedian isn’t coming.’
Everything was ready.
Tedian had diligently gathered everything she needed.
She knew the layout of the Grand Duke’s residence and where to catch a carriage outside.
Most importantly, she planned to create a distraction inside the Grand Duke’s house to ensure no one paid attention to her.
“Long time no see, Gilbert. I heard you’ve been working at the Hilliard Duke’s house recently. After being expelled for stealing a junior’s thesis, how dare you impersonate me?”
Eleanor had secretly written a message on the homework Tedian handed her every day.
‘I recognized your handwriting.’
The twisted letters looked oddly familiar.
The culprit was a senior who had once plagiarized Eleanor’s thesis.
‘A new student is supposed to learn by helping seniors. How do you plan to survive in society?’
When Eleanor caught him through handwriting verification, he tried to threaten her instead.
But Eleanor was no fool.
She reported him, and Gilbert was ultimately expelled.
It was the worst disgrace a student at the academy could receive.
‘He said he’d find me by tomorrow. He must try to escape today.’
But Hilliard was not a region with free passage.
Security was strict due to the domain’s contamination problems.
Even if he wanted to leave, he couldn’t go immediately. In his impatience, Gilbert would attempt a reckless escape.
Once he disappeared, the Hilliard knights would go on high alert and be busy responding.
