ITCEHE 80

Chapter 80

“How does my brother-in-law know Mr. Reynold?”

“How do you think? You meet people, go to parties, and naturally get to know them. He’s not as well-connected as you, but these days, people in high society talk a lot about him. Like I said, he’s young, handsome, and… friendly.”

Cecilia winked.

“Because he’s rich.”

“…How do you know that?”

“It’s Reynold. The Marquis is still young, and Mr. Reynold handles all the family affairs. The new Marquis may have his personal fortune, but the family assets are managed by him.”

“That’s not exactly his personal fortune, though.”

Agnes suppressed her unease and replied casually. Of course, Timothy wasn’t yet capable of managing the Marquisate or the Reynold family.

It made sense that a proxy would manage things, but Cecilia’s tone, speaking as if Jayden were the new Marquis Reynold, left Agnes feeling uneasy.

Cecilia likely had no ill intentions.

“Well, that’s true, but it’s basically the same, right? Why get hung up on it?”

“I wasn’t getting hung up. So… is my brother-in-law really close with him?”

“Probably. He only brought him home once, but lately, they’ve been spending a lot of time together. There are a few people he hangs out with unusually often, but it’s not like he knows everyone.”

“Is that so…?”

“He seems like a kind person who takes care of his people. He spends money generously. Every time your brother-in-law comes home, he brings gifts in both hands.”

Agnes wondered if that money was all Jayden’s personal funds. She felt selfish even suspecting it. She had started saving for her old age on her own, but she was still ignorant about managing money. Her income was small, and most of it had gone to supporting her parents, so there wasn’t much left.

She had to save every penny to prepare for the future, so she never learned about investments or trusts. It wasn’t even a topic to discuss with children or parents, so she had no knowledge.

Her suspicion was purely speculation.

But there was one thing she knew for certain: spending money lavishly always had a purpose, and gifts weren’t free.

“Mr. Reynold participates in society a lot?”

“I’ve heard so. There isn’t a party he doesn’t attend. Well, your brother-in-law seems to like him a lot…”

Cecilia shrugged.

“Mothers with daughters don’t seem to be greedy about him.”

“Why not? He’s handsome, friendly, and rich.”

“Even though he’s the proxy for the Marquis, he’s still a proxy, not the actual Marquis. Who’d want to entrust their daughter to someone who could end up losing everything after working tirelessly until old age?”

“….”

“Anyway, right now, there’s probably no one in society who doesn’t know Mr. Reynold…”

He was an extraordinary man, and popular too. Cecilia went on to praise Jayden even more. Though she claimed it was her husband missing out, it seemed she herself had fallen for Jayden’s charm.

Agnes found it suspicious that Jayden, carrying the name ‘Reynold,’ was stirring high society as if he owned it. He looked calm, even when pleading desperately to take Timothy along.

He seemed remarkably relaxed. The resemblance to the future Marquis Reynold, who had never been calm, made the subtle difference more striking.

Suddenly, she realized the vague sense of awkward resistance she had felt.

It was greed.

Greed she had never seen in the eyes of the future Marquis Reynold or in Timothy.

The two-day holiday was the worst.

Beatrice, watching her mother’s reactions, fidgeted, Linda was restless, and Cecilia was uncomfortable in the middle, making it impossible to eat even a single slice of bread.

Her father’s doctor demanded more money for the insufficient medication, and after scraping together the remaining funds to pay, he left, warning that the patient’s condition had worsened and they should prepare themselves.

Cecilia might have told Agnes to live her life freely, but even in past days when she had a strong desire to escape, she could never abandon her parents.

So it would be the same this time.

“I acted all high and mighty, claiming I’d change the future…”

Yet, she was powerless to change her reality.

On Sunday, Agnes fled her family home before the morning had fully passed.

“Teacher! You’re hurt, right?”

“How far has that rumor spread, butler…?”

Timothy burst in, almost in tears, and Agnes glared reproachfully at Carlo.

“Teacher, you were hurt, right?”

Ethan barged in behind Timothy, making a loud noise. Agnes momentarily froze, seeing her uncle and nephew running side by side. They seemed to be spending the holiday together, even without being asked.

Their gaze immediately fell on Agnes’ ankle.

“As you can see, it’s fine.”

“….”

“I just twisted it slightly getting off the carriage.”

“….”

“The butler made such a fuss that the rumor spread strangely.”

“It’s not a rumor. I sent people to inform you two.”

Agnes was speechless, staring at Carlo, who looked confidently at Ethan and Timothy.

Though it wasn’t meant for an old man, Carlo’s expression was like a loyal dog hoping for praise.

“Well done, Carlo.”

“Good job, sir.”

They looked as if they had the whole world in their hands.

“Sir, isn’t the bandage too thin? Shouldn’t you splint it?”

“Don’t overdo it, Tim…”

“Let’s just cast it. Bring plaster.”

“Tim, are you just trying to trouble me?”

Agnes pinched Timothy’s cheek, stretching it. Despite his cheek being pulled, Timothy maintained an elegant expression, as if nothing had happened, and continued speaking.

“It’s a minor injury, meant to help. Right, uncle?”

“You fall too often. Aren’t your leg muscles weak?”

“…That comment might be a bit… extreme…”

“The dangerous thing is your ankle.”

She would have found it hard to sound so composed discussing leg muscles, yet the gaze felt no hint of ill intent or flirtation—like a trainee knight being carefully observed.

The danger really was in her ankle, and his words were resolutely clear.

“Teacher, how did you follow me before?”

“….”

“Teacher, let’s train together with me and uncle.”

“Training?”

Agnes’ eyes widened.

Looking closer, Timothy’s outfit seemed prepared for movement, with a shirt and pants, dirt smeared in places.

Ethan, in contrast, looked unchanged, dry, cool, and unsweaty. Understandably, a 7-year-old wouldn’t sweat even during training.

“You were training?”

“Yes. Just physical training for now, but uncle is going to teach me swordsmanship…”

“Still a long way to go.”

“I’ll catch up soon. Who do you think I am, anyway?”

At least 10, maybe 15… or even 30 years might be needed. Agnes knew the future Ethan would only grow stronger, making it hard to respond optimistically.

He came running while training. He thought I was hurt…

Her nose tingled.

“Excuse me a moment.”

“Yes, uh?”

Ethan suddenly grabbed her bandaged ankle, frowning.

“Is this really human bone?”

“…If you see me as human, it is.”

“It’s too thin. Carlo, do normal women’s bones look like this?”

“I don’t know in detail either.”

“Me neither. Still, isn’t this extreme? Teacher, how do you walk on this?”

If his expression weren’t serious, Agnes would have snapped.

She naturally didn’t gain much weight, had a small appetite, and eating more didn’t help. Linda and her sisters were the same—apparently a family trait.

Already stressed about her thin frame, and with such genuine concern, she couldn’t lash out.

“No wonder you keep falling.”

“…I need to feed Neva well from now on…”

Timothy muttered. Agnes snatched her ankle back from Ethan impatiently.

“I can walk just fine! Let go!”

“How can I not worry?”

“You can let me worry.”

“…Useless…”

“I’ll decide whether it’s useless or not.”

It was unclear whether he respected her or not. Though it was unrequited love, how could he be so confident and bold?

“Teacher, does it hurt?”

Ethan twisted her ankle gently. Even if the bone were broken, it seemed he wouldn’t let it hurt.