Chapter 33
Why do I feel so anxious these days?
Erne was sprawled out weakly, nursing a mild cold.
The children were quietly coloring. It was a peaceful, tranquil afternoon.
Of course, it would have been completely serene—if not for Windsor, who was once again seated in his usual spot, observing.
‘No, he’s not just observing anymore.’
He was participating.
“Hey, mister! You’re supposed to color this black!”
“Sel, Selene. You can’t call the duke ‘mister.’”
“He said I could, okay? Ashclen, you dummy.”
“Father, this is a leaf—why are you coloring it black? Selene said to color the tree, not…”
Windsor coloring with the children looked awkward yet somehow fitting.
Watching him sitting there holding colored pencils and crayons, Erne had a vague expression on her face.
“Selene, what color should I use for this one—”
“Oh, come on! I told you to use blue, and you went and used yellow again!”
“D-Duke, can you color this too? On Ash’s drawing as well.”
“Father, don’t touch mine. You always mess it up.”
The thought of the Duke Douglas getting scolded by children was absurd—and strangely charming.
Erne, chin in hand, blinked slowly as she watched.
Nothing had really changed since Windsor confessed his feelings for her a few days ago.
Everything seemed the same. He still came to observe like a parent… though now it was less observation and more participation.
Erne, who had once thought Windsor was just a dark and shady parent, now simply viewed him as someone who was good at playing with the kids.
Still, his confession hadn’t been entirely without effect. Her eyes would always start with the children, but they inevitably landed on Windsor.
He had been completely excluded from her romantic considerations… but now that he said he liked her, even if she didn’t feel the same way, it was hard not to notice him. It was an ironic situation.
“Are you feeling alright?”
Windsor, having narrowly escaped from the children, dragged over a chair to sit beside her.
“Yes. I’m just a little sleepy.”
“That’s not good. I hope the cold goes away quickly.”
“I’ll be fine after a good night’s sleep.”
“Is that guy not coming around anymore? It’s too dangerous for you to be alone. I think it’s best if the Douglas estate assigns some knights to guard you.”
‘That guy’—ah, he means Derrick.
Erne shook her head at Windsor’s suggestion.
“He’s not the brightest, so he might show up again.”
“……”
“But don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
Despite her usual firm wall, Windsor silently scooted his chair even closer to her.
Even though Erne said it was fine, Windsor had already stationed knights near the area.
He chose silence over admitting it—knowing she’d dislike it if she found out.
Unaware of all this, Erne chuckled silently at the sight of Windsor—whose body was much too big for the kids’ chair—sitting there like it was normal.
She thought she’d gotten used to seeing it by now, but it was still amusing and kind of cute.
“Is that chair uncomfortable?”
“Pardon?”
“The chair.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I’ve gotten used to it.”
“I should’ve been more thoughtful. I should’ve prepared a proper chair for you.”
Windsor shook his head at her words.
A quiet pause followed between them. On the surface, not much had changed since his confession, but moments like this—filled with silence—felt a little awkward.
“……”
“……”
They both avoided each other’s gaze.
“Would you like to take a short nap?”
“Pardon? Oh, no. I’m not that irresponsible as a teacher.”
Unable to bear the awkwardness, Windsor had spoken first, trying to be considerate since she wasn’t feeling well.
“I’ve learned a lot just by watching Ellen. I know how to educate the children properly.”
Erne, doubtful of his confident tone, asked a question.
“Adultery?”
“Despicable.”
“And the consequences?”
“Ruin.”
What the—he’s just plucking out all the keywords and giving perfect answers. Erne was taken aback.
He felt strangely unfamiliar today.
“Then, cheating?”
“My predecessor helped me. It was before I got married.”
A perfect answer. She felt challenged now.
“Hitting someone?”
“Not good, of course.”
Hmm? That one sounded a little lukewarm.
Erne brushed it off and asked again.
“…Killing someone?”
“Also, something that should never be done.”
“Oh my god. Windsor!”
A flawless moral compass.
Erne’s heart skipped a beat at Windsor’s textbook-perfect answers.
‘Did I… did I actually rehabilitate the villain? Just like that?’
A proud smile bloomed on her face.
Was this the effect of Lake Vanessa’s spell? Could a wish tossed with a pebble actually come true?
She had meant this lesson for Shuknen, the “villain’s son.” How did she end up reforming Windsor, too?
Still, it was a proud moment for her—proof her teachings weren’t in vain.
‘Yes, this is a good thing. Maybe I can even stop Nesheld’s downfall!’
Overcome with emotion, Erne praised Windsor generously.
“You’re amazing.”
Looking flustered, Windsor scratched the back of his neck, his skin red up to the collar.
“It’s not that great, really. I’ve always been good at picking things up quickly.”
Windsor smiled uncontrollably at her praise.
“Ellen deserves more credit. She’s the one teaching the kids proper values.”
It was a heartwarming exchange of compliments.
Who trained him so well? Erne nodded proudly, basking in the moment.
“My teaching style is a little unconventional, but I didn’t expect to see such real results. I’m proud, as an educator.”
Erne believed she deserved credit too.
Her earlier drowsiness had vanished.
Now, she was wide awake—her eyes gleaming as she looked at her enthusiastic student, Windsor.
Windsor tilted his head slightly, as if he had something to say.
“…Aren’t you going to pat me?”
“…Sorry?”
“Last time, you patted my head when you praised me.”
He looked disappointed—like he was waiting for the reward.
His eyes clung to her unmoving hand.
‘…Like this?’
Feeling a little awkward, Erne slowly placed her hand on his head.
Only then did Windsor’s expression brighten in a way that made it clear this was exactly what he’d been hoping for.
Was he just simple? Or was this another classic trope, where the villain is completely tamed?
Erne kept patting his head with a slightly bitter expression.
‘If he had a tail, it’d be wagging right now.’
He looked like he might flip over on his back any moment.
Is this really okay? She didn’t know. But seeing his genuinely happy expression, she couldn’t bring herself to pull her hand away.
Her hand only dropped when the children came up to show off their finished drawings.
“Tomorrow’s the weekend.”
“Yes.”
Finally, a two-day break.
The kids were healing to be around, but alone time was just as essential.
Thinking about relaxing, Erne smiled brightly.
“Perhaps tomorrow—”
“I already have plans.”
“Then the day after—”
“Ah, sorry. I’m already booked that day too.”
Shot down again, Windsor bit his lip with a crushed expression.
They were getting along just fine until now—damn it.
Erne was somewhat open when the kids were around, but she always avoided being alone with Windsor.
Feeling frustrated, Windsor smiled dangerously and clenched his fist.
“Then… how about now?”
Erne, caught off guard, darted her eyes left and right in a panic.
Then her face suddenly lit up as she clapped her hands.
“I’m about to have plans?”
Her bright answer made Windsor’s face contort in pure despair.
“Teacher, teacher.”
“Shuknen, did you need something?”
Erne blinked at the unexpected interruption as she watched the Douglas family’s carriage.
Having been rejected at every turn, Windsor had sulked and climbed into the carriage ahead of his son.
With narrowed eyes and a sullen mouth, he practically screamed “I’m pouting.”
Erne felt a bit bad, but Windsor still made her nervous—being both a parent and a villain.
After Windsor boarded first, Shuknen climbed down again.
As Erne stood to see the carriage off, she looked puzzled as Shuknen approached her.
The boy ran up and clung to her knees, looking up at her.
“My dad… he’s kind of lacking, but he’s not a weirdo.”
“Huh?”
What was this all of a sudden?
“I met that guy the other day when I was delivering medicine,” Shuknen explained.
Only then did Erne go, “Ah,” realizing he meant Derrick.
“You should’ve just said that earlier.”
She’d been worried for nothing, thinking Windsor might be a stalker.
She pouted but still patted Shuknen’s head.
Just like his father, Shuknen seemed to love being patted by Erne.
Unbeknownst to Erne, Shuknen had stepped in because he felt bad for his father, who had been rejected so thoroughly.
But Erne didn’t know that. She simply smiled at the heartwarming sight of father and son.
“You seem to really like your father, huh?”
“Huh? No.”
“……”
“I was already embarrassed, but then my dad got mistaken for a stalker—so I was just more embarrassed.”
A firm, unwavering answer. The moment Erne spoke, Shuknen’s face had gone stiff.
Maybe… she hadn’t taught him well enough about filial duty?
“My dad is… nice… just kind of dumb.”
Even while calling his father nice, he had hesitated.
Hearing that, Erne’s hand froze mid-pat.
