Chapter 16
When Theodore responded in a calm tone, the Duke of Delphinium’s heart grew heavy. He looked at his eldest son with pity in his eyes and confessed as if repenting.
“I’m sorry to you too. I made such an important decision—adoption—entirely on my own.”
“Well… I think I was angry at first. Rose’s disappearance was a big shock to me even when I was young.”
“……”
“It felt strange, you know? Getting a new sibling before I had fully let go of Rose.”
The Duke of Delphinium moved his lips but couldn’t speak, overwhelmed by the guilt washing over him.
“I thought perhaps God sent this child as a way for me to atone for losing Rose. But someone told me that would be cruel to both of them. That’s when I came to my senses.”
Theodore let out a self-deprecating smile.
“I know you’re trying, Father.”
Theodore’s gaze drifted to the book lying next to the duke.
“You said you couldn’t leave her behind because she lingered in your thoughts. I understood once I met her. I don’t know if it’s because I like her or if some strange force is at work… but I want to get along with her, too.”
With that, Theodore placed both hands on the sofa, seemingly ready to rise now that his business was concluded.
The Duke silently observed his son and noticed the untouched teacup. The sweets on the table remained just as untouched.
“If you’re not too busy, why don’t you finish your tea?”
Theodore paused mid-motion at the duke’s suggestion. He glanced sideways at the duke’s seat, then sat back down on the sofa.
“The tea smells nice today.”
The Duke gently slid the plate of sweets closer to Theodore as he spoke.
Theodore, who secretly liked sweets, couldn’t take his eyes off the cookies. He had restrained himself from snacking since childhood due to the expectations placed on him as the eldest son of a ducal family.
Still, perhaps out of pride, he hesitated to actually reach for one.
The Duke, who knew his son well, added a line on purpose.
“If you leave the sweets untouched, the maid who brought them will be disappointed.”
Despite the duke’s gentle coaxing disguised as concern, Theodore still only fidgeted with his fingers.
“There’s far too much here for just me. If you help, I’d be very grateful.”
This time, the duke used an exaggerated tone to playfully nudge his son.
“I’ll help you this time, but next time you’ll have to manage on your own. I can’t help forever.”
Theodore replied with a serious look. The duke couldn’t help but find his overly mature eldest son endearing.
Eventually, the Duke broke into hearty laughter.
“Haha. Alright. Thank you.”
As Theodore, looking puzzled at the sudden laughter, reached for a cookie, the duke gave his head a gentle pat.
He couldn’t waste this rare chance to have an open conversation with his son.
“How was your outing with Lassetia?”
Theodore paused mid-bite and looked up at the duke. The duke patiently waited for Theodore to finish chewing. Sensing his father’s intent, Theodore chewed diligently, swallowed, and took a sip of tea before replying.
“It was pleasant. Even though she’s wandered around a lot, she kept looking around like it was all new to her. She seems… pure.”
“But she went out shopping and only spent 1,000 gold. Was that your limit?”
Theodore bristled slightly at the question and responded quickly.
“Not at all. I think she’s still uncomfortable with spending money, probably because she hasn’t developed a sense for it yet.”
“Tsk. She’s been adopted into a ducal house but still feels burdened by spending. Clearly, there’s much left to teach her. You should take care of it. She’ll be more comfortable learning from someone her age than an older adult.”
“Yes, I was planning to take her out more frequently—not just shopping but to explore and learn different things.”
The Duke smiled and raised his teacup.
“I heard she didn’t like anything at the jeweler’s. The spending at the dress shop was drastically different.”
“Actually, I meant to bring that up.”
Theodore’s tone sharpened, and the Duke’s eyebrows rose.
“What is it?”
“There seemed to have been some sort of conflict between the jeweler and Lassetia. I’ve sent a servant to look into it, so we should know the details soon.”
“I’ll investigate on my end too.”
The Duke stood with a stiff expression. Theodore hesitated, unsure if he should leave as well. The Duke, noticing, spoke.
“Take your time and finish eating. I have paperwork to catch up on.”
At his words, Theodore swallowed the cookie in his mouth and nodded.
“Yes. Only children leave food behind.”
Trying to subtly assert he was no child anymore, Theodore made the Duke smile faintly before he walked over to his desk.
The once-cold parlor filled with the scratch of pen on paper, the rustle of documents, and the satisfying crunch of cookies.
While the misunderstanding between the father and son was resolved, a new one was brewing elsewhere.
“You want me to choose between a math class and an imperial history class?”
I asked, and the head butler nodded seriously.
“Yes, that is correct.”
At lunch earlier, the Duke mentioned he’d be assigning me a tutor. I hadn’t expected multiple tutors, though. Now that I was part of a ducal household, he said I couldn’t afford to be lacking in any area.
Just when I thought I’d escaped private education, another round of tutoring awaited me.
I can accept etiquette lessons. After all, I came from modern times and was a commoner here. Learning noble etiquette made sense, even to me.
But imperial history? What am I supposed to do with that?
They say a nation that forgets its history has no future, but to me, the history of this place is just a fictional setting.
Even when I studied abroad, I never saw the point of learning other countries’ histories. And now, after being forcibly transmigrated while doing an assignment, I had to study the history of a fantasy world.
The thought made my lunch feel like it was stuck in my chest. I rubbed the area above my stomach and asked again.
“And I have to visit the temple in three days?”
“Yes, my lady.”
I blankly repeated the schedule the butler had recited.
‘Is this some kind of punishment for being picked up off the street?’
The butler seemed unfazed by my reluctance and continued organizing my schedule.
“There are many more subjects remaining, but due to the rush, we couldn’t find suitable tutors for all of them. Only math and imperial history tutors are currently available.”
“……”
“Tutors for dance, science, embroidery, tea, horseback riding, music, arts, and foreign languages are still being arranged. If there are any other lessons you wish to take, feel free to let us know.”
‘As if I’d ask for more…!’
“And in three days, you’ll visit the temple for an introductory theology class and to receive your baptism. Have you been baptized before?”
I had no memories from before, so I couldn’t answer confidently. The butler, seeing my hesitation, nodded as if he understood and moved on.
“So, which lesson will you take today, my lady? Math or imperial history?”
He stood silently, waiting for my response. I clutched my dress and fell into deep thought.
Imperial history? Just thinking about it was boring. Math? I just hated it. But based on the romance fantasy novels I’d read, the math level for protagonists rarely went beyond linear equations.
Unless the subject mattered to the plot, the most I’d have to deal with was basic arithmetic.
‘If it’s just linear equations, I can handle it.’
After weighing my options, I spoke.
“I’ll go with math.”
“Very well. I’ll make the arrangements.”
The butler gave me a slight bow and left.
Looks like I’ll stick with the concept of a hidden genius adopted princess. These days, having a secret is all the rage.
In this world, a newcomer who’s either too outstanding or too dull is bound to cause trouble. Moderation is key.
Knock knock.
“My lady, your math tutor is waiting downstairs.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Following the maid, I headed to the room where my math tutor was waiting.
Inside was a man with lemon-colored hair, tied back in a low ponytail, and glasses perched on his nose. A young man.
“Hello, I’m Lassetia.”
He scanned me briefly and responded coldly.
“Call me Heas, or just ‘Teacher.’”
There was neither warmth nor hostility in his gaze. I wondered if he was wary of me for being a former commoner, but that didn’t seem to be it.
If I had to describe it, I’d say boredom. Apathy. Heas simply wasn’t interested in me. He was probably teaching today because he couldn’t refuse the duke’s order.
People like him are usually obsessed with studying, so I had to be careful not to reveal any talent. If he caught on, I might become his one and only student.
‘I’ll have to control myself.’
Heas took out a book from his bag and placed it on the table in front of me. I glanced at him briefly, then looked at the book.
On the cover, it said: “Math So Easy, Even a Fool Could Solve It With Their Eyes Closed.”
The title reassured me. I opened the book with a cheerful heart, humming to myself.
But within three seconds, my overconfidence vanished.
Calculus. What the hell are you doing here?!
