CHAPTER 48……………………………………………
“Is that really true?”
Yurenia’s face scrunched up as she listened to Chester’s account of his visit to House Elberin.
Kylus was asleep with his head resting on her lap.
After his emotional reunion with Lillian, he had practically lived in his sister’s room.
Today was no exception.
He had so much he wanted to say that the moment he finished breakfast, he ran straight to Lillian and chatted nonstop until Yurenia’s lesson time.
Perhaps from exhaustion, Kylus drifted into a nap as soon as the lesson ended.
Yurenia was giving him a lap pillow while tidying up the lesson materials.
“It’s true. That little one just kept repeating he was fine. Like a parrot.”
Chester approached Yurenia and cradled Kylus’ head. Lifting him up, he carried him to the bed.
“What did the Marquis of Elberin say to him, I wonder?”
As Kylus lay down, Yurenia pulled the blanket up to his chest, tidied his messy black hair, and got up. Chester followed her.
“He probably threatened him. Told him to only say he was fine.”
The two quietly stepped out of the nursery. Maeve had come looking for Yurenia.
“He’s a more petty person than I expected.”
Yurenia’s expression darkened as she walked down the corridor with Chester guiding her. She wanted to rescue Ellie but could think of no other way.
“Do you think he’d further torment Ellie under the guise of a household investigation?”
“If he did, he’d have been expelled from the nobility already.”
Chester scoffed, hands on his hips, speaking cynically.
“It’s only a matter of time. Once she’s marked for investigation, they’ll check again without warning. Just wait until they get caught.”
“I hope it all works out well.”
“It will. I’ll keep watching, so don’t worry.”
“Truly, thank you, Your Grace.”
Yurenia stopped and bowed slightly to Chester. He brushed the bridge of his nose casually.
“It’s nothing.”
“You even offered to become Ellie’s patron. I know it’s not an easy thing.”
“Oh, that.”
Chester shrugged, rubbed the back of his neck, and spoke nonchalantly.
“Seeing that little one reminded me of Kylus and Lilli. I could understand why the teacher cared about him. And supporting one tiny child is something I can handle. That’s all it is.”
“Even if it’s something you can do, most people would ignore it. You’re incredible, Your Grace.”
Chester cleared his throat at the praise.
As they neared Maeve’s sitting room, he hesitated, pausing a little.
“By the way… Teacher, how long are you going to keep calling me ‘Your Grace’…”
“Yurenia!”
Before Yurenia could respond to Chester, the sitting room door swung wide open. Maeve strode over and grabbed Yurenia’s hand.
“Why are you only coming now? We’ve been waiting!”
“Huh?”
Yurenia was dumbfounded. Without asking more, she was led into the sitting room.
Chester, left alone in the corridor, gaped in disbelief.
A short while later.
Yurenia found herself buried beneath mountains of fabric and piles of dresses.
On either side of her sat Maeve and Madame Prudence.
They both flipped through catalogs, showing Yurenia the selections as if in competition.
“How about this? It’s a style that’s popular at the palace right now. It really accentuates your slim waist.”
“I’m not sure, madam, I…”
“Not your taste? Then how about this one? They say multiple layers are out; it’s better to have a dress that’s easy to move in.”
“Of course! Your taste is impeccable, Marquis!”
Maeve’s compliment made Madame Prudence clap her hands and gesture busily to her assistants.
They placed a new catalog on the table, and Madame Prudence spoke warmly.
“This is a design based on this fall’s trends. Would you like to take a look?”
“…Yes.”
Yurenia forced a smile and leafed through the catalog, but closed it after just a few pages.
Madame Prudence’s designs were all beautiful and fantastic, but far too extravagant for a tutor to wear.
“Thank you, but I have plenty of clothes already. The Marquis recently provided me with several dresses.”
Yurenia glanced at Madame Prudence for agreement, but the woman shook her head firmly.
“Those are from last season. Now the season has changed. You need fall and winter outfits.”
“Exactly, Yurenia. How long are you going to keep wearing short-sleeved dresses? You’ll catch a cold.”
“I do have fall clothes too.”
Yurenia quickly sought her ally’s support and noticed Chester standing near the door. She spoke toward him.
“Right, Your Grace? I brought fall clothes too.”
“Oh, that’s right.”
Chester replied lazily, leaning against the doorway. For some reason, he looked displeased.
“Don’t worry, I remember. I brought the fall clothes as well.”
He smiled coldly, though his eyes glinted sharply at Yurenia. She noticed the odd look, as if he were a child annoyed at losing his favorite toy.
“Since when did you start calling me ‘Yurenia’ so casually?”
“When did that happen?”
Maeve, busy flipping through catalogs, looked up and waved her hand dismissively.
“Really, what does it matter?”
“It matters to me. Teacher, do you call her by her name?”
“Not at all, of course not.”
Yurenia quickly shook her hands side to side. Chester’s previously sharp gaze softened noticeably.
“Really?”
“You may call her casually too. As a parent, you can choose whichever way you feel comfortable.”
“…A parent, huh.”
Chester mulled over Yurenia’s words, then approached her, asking,
“If she can call you by name, am I the only parent who has to say ‘Teacher’?”
“Seems that way, yes.”
“Not bad at all.”
Finally seeming satisfied, Chester smiled and walked into the staff area of the dressing room to examine the catalogs.
Standing behind Maeve, he scrutinized the dresses seriously and muttered with mock disappointment,
“I was planning to get your clothes myself, even if you didn’t intervene.”
“I was about to scold you anyway.”
Maeve turned to Chester, frowning.
“You didn’t just give Yurenia dresses, did you, Chet?”
“Eh? What do you mean?”
“Literally. But judging by your reaction, it looks like you did.”
Maeve sighed, shaking her head and clicking her tongue.
“You really have no sense. You’re nothing like Lucien, even if you’re siblings.”
“What did I do?”
Chester, suddenly labeled clueless, protested indignantly.
Maeve pointed to her diamond earrings and necklace in turn.
“These and these were gifts from Lucien. Dresses are obvious, but a man should at least have the sense to give jewelry as a gift.”
At her words, Chester’s face immediately hardened.
Seeing Yurenia’s bare ears and neck, he clenched his fists tightly.
“Enzo. Where is Enzo?”
Flustered, Yurenia tried to hide her neck, but Chester glared fiercely and shouted.
