TMWLCP 06

Chapter 6

Eleanor had boldly eliminated all lessons related to social etiquette and feminine refinement.

There were three reasons for this. First, because Cindy had absolutely no interest in Olivia’s education and likely wouldn’t even notice. Second, because Olivia herself would likely find them entirely uninteresting.

And lastly… because she wanted to help Olivia build a foundation as a human being and discover what she was truly interested in.

“What’s that?”

Olivia’s gaze landed on the items in Eleanor’s hands—paper and colored pencils that had been purchased with Cindy’s permission.

When Olivia asked, Eleanor placed the paper and colored pencils on the large table and sat down.

“These are paper and colored pencils. Come, have a seat.”

Like a cautious but curious kitten, Olivia crept over with a curious expression and sat down. Eleanor opened the box of colored pencils, revealing an array of vibrant colors. The moment she saw them, Olivia was so excited that she couldn’t sit still.

“So many!”

Her eyes darted back and forth between Eleanor and the colored pencils. Though they weren’t expensive enough to burden a duke’s household, Olivia looked at them as if she were seeing such things for the first time, her eyes sparkling.

“Can you count how many colored pencils there are?”

At Eleanor’s question, Olivia blinked. Her blue eyes, the same color as her brother’s, gleamed like glass marbles in the light, then quickly dimmed with disappointment.

“I don’t know…”

Her voice was subdued and somewhat anxious. Olivia was eight years old, but her development lagged behind other children her age. However, it seemed less like a disability and more like the result of never having been taught.

Considering that she had once wet herself in fear when her mother screamed at her, it was hardly surprising. Cindy scolded Olivia for not understanding even basic instructions, and Olivia would shrink in fear before her mother until she was overcome with terror. That likely led to punishment.

“How about just this one?”

“One.”

Eleanor was very familiar with situations like this. That’s why she wasn’t shocked by Olivia’s underdeveloped abilities.

“That’s good enough. Since we’re drawing today, let’s start learning numbers slowly.”

Olivia looked at her with a puzzled expression. Based on her short experience, she thought the next step would definitely be learning numbers. The unfamiliar situation naturally made her tilt her head in confusion.

But Olivia quickly became excited. Drawing freely on paper was far more fun than memorizing numbers.

“Look at this!”

Olivia pulled out the colored pencils and scattered them on the table, then began to draw whatever came to mind. The subject changed from the sky, to the garden, to flowers, and finally to a cat curled up by the wall.

“Is this the mansion?”

Eleanor asked, and Olivia nodded. She smiled brightly and nodded in confirmation.

“Nice colors.”

The smudged drawing was closer to abstract art than a still life. Eleanor wasn’t particularly well-versed in art, but the color combinations were quite pleasing.

“The house is pretty.”

“Yeah, the garden is beautiful too.”

“Olive likes this.”

Olivia pointed to a part of the drawing. It was a red rose.

“So that’s why you were in the garden that day?”

At Eleanor’s question, Olivia nodded. Cindy, who always craved attention, wasn’t around, and none of the mansion staff paid attention to Olivia. Lonely and bored, she had gone to the garden and suddenly missed Logan, who always hugged her gently. That made her cry.

Then she noticed Eleanor moving around, as if looking for something. That’s when she remembered Cindy had told her to stay in her room. She had snuck out and would get scolded again. The fear of that made her cry even more.

“I see.”

Fortunately, she’d met Logan afterward and hadn’t been scolded by Cindy. Eleanor had protected her from Cindy and was now letting her do what she wanted. Olivia suddenly realized that ever since she met Eleanor, only good things had happened.

Maybe Eleanor was an angel.

“Olive’s not a bad girl.”

Logan had said so. That if she lived kindly, she would go to heaven someday. And since angels came from heaven, meeting Eleanor meant Olivia was never a bad child.

“That’s right. Olivia is not a bad girl.”

When Eleanor agreed, Olivia’s face lit up with a bright smile. It had only been a few days, but Eleanor had never seen that expression before. It meant Olivia had so few people on her side that she already wanted to rely on someone she’d just met.

Plants that grow in poor soil without proper nourishment often grow deformed and wither away. Eleanor didn’t want to witness that kind of situation ever again.

“I want to tell Logan!”

Suddenly, Olivia jumped up and shouted.

“Olivia, maybe later…”

They didn’t even know if Logan was in the mansion right now. But before Eleanor could stop her, Olivia opened the door and darted out. Eleanor hurried after her, clutching her skirt.

“Logan!”

Call it luck or bad timing, Olivia, quick as a squirrel, rushed down the central staircase and ran right into Logan, who was just returning to the mansion. He easily picked up the child as she flung herself at him.

“Isn’t this class time?”

Logan asked George. Eleanor, still on the stairs, bit her lip in embarrassment.

“Yes, I believe it is…”

“Ellie said Olive’s not bad!”

Olivia cut George off, excited. George frowned faintly.

“You were never bad to begin with.”

Logan replied calmly instead of scolding her.

“So you need to participate in class nicely.”

“I’m sorry, Your Grace.”

Eleanor came down the stairs and apologized. After all, it was her responsibility for failing to control the child.

“I know she’s not a child who can be easily controlled. Don’t worry.”

Logan reassured her calmly. Olivia, clearly delighted to be in her brother’s arms, nuzzled against his neck like a purring cat.

“It’s nearly lunchtime. Why not resume class after eating?”

At times like this, Olivia wouldn’t leave Logan no matter what. Knowing that, Logan suggested Eleanor join them for lunch instead of trying to separate them.

“It would be an honor.”

“No need to be so formal every time.”

Logan tossed the words casually to Eleanor, who had bowed deeply, and walked past her. She followed him cautiously.

“Would you like a glass, Miss Hudson?”

Seated at the long dining table, Logan gestured toward the wine served before the meal. Even if there was another lesson afterward, one glass wouldn’t be a problem.

“Thank you. I’ll have one.”

Eleanor didn’t refuse. To be honest, she was more uncomfortable being fully sober around her employer. But Logan didn’t know that.

“Give Olive some too!”

“Kids can’t have this.”

Logan firmly declined Olivia’s request. At the same time, a maid brought a wine glass to Eleanor’s seat along with the soup. Before even touching her food, Eleanor took a sip of wine, trying to relax.

“Would you mind if I changed seats?”

Olivia, who had started eating quickly, asked. Eleanor observed her for a moment, then moved next to her with Logan’s permission.

“Olivia. You should hold your spoon like this.”

“But this way is easier!”

“But you’re spilling like this.”

Eleanor pointed to the stains on the table and floor. Olivia pouted unhappily.

“I’m not saying you’re doing it wrong.”

Eleanor gently reassured her.

“But if you spill, someone else has to clean it up. They’ll have to wash your clothes too.”

“…Okay.”

“If you don’t spill, they won’t have to.”

Cindy, in situations like this, would scold Olivia and call her a filthy beggar. Even when Olivia followed instructions, she was never praised—only scolded for not doing something else right. Her refusal to follow table manners came from that resentment.

“Olivia’s kind, so you don’t want to make things hard for others, right?”

Eleanor calmly took the spoon from Olivia’s hand and helped her grip it properly again.

“Is spilling bad?”

“Mistakes aren’t bad. But doing it on purpose when you know better is.”

Despite Olivia’s endless questions and failure to grasp obvious things, Eleanor remained patient.

Logan watched her intently. Eleanor’s cheeks were slightly flushed, likely from the wine, since she didn’t seem to be a strong drinker.

“Olivia’s not doing it on purpose!”

“Right. And you won’t do it again, will you?”

Olivia nodded her head up and down vigorously. Cindy would probably have scolded her for being improper again.

“If you rush, it’s easier to spill. Try going just a little slower.”

Olivia glanced between the soup and her spoon, then resolutely scooped up a spoonful. She was so nervous about spilling even a drop that the tip of the spoon trembled slightly.

Eleanor watched and smiled silently. While Olivia’s own mother found her unbearable and wanted to throw her away, Eleanor found her adorable and couldn’t help but be fond of her. Logan quietly observed the scene.

She was a curious woman.

“….”

Perhaps sensing his gaze, Eleanor looked up. Her ash-gray eyes wavered slightly in surprise as they met his directly.

Then, with her face lightly flushed, Eleanor gave him a slightly awkward smile. The bright midday sun streamed in through the wide windows, pouring radiantly over her head.