Chapter 67

“Let’s depart.”

“Yes.”

When Reina knocked firmly on the carriage wall, the carriage began to move slowly. As she gently brushed and tidied the hair of Estelle, who was lying beside her asleep, Reina spoke softly.

“Her ladyship said she wants to start learning something new now.”

“…”

“Anything at all. She said she’s okay now. So I think you can feel at ease and invite a new tutor.”

“…”

“Oh, and Sir Dean said he’d teach Boni swordsmanship for a while. You can take your time finding a proper mentor for her. I was worried that my daughter might be taking up too much of your time when you’re already so busy.”

Reina calmly reported everything that had happened with Estelle.

She could have reported it in writing, but speaking directly felt different.

And throughout Reina’s report, Damian didn’t give a single response.

After finishing everything she had to say, Reina closed her mouth and looked out the window. The sun was setting, and people were heading home to spend their evenings.

Only after a long silence did Damian finally reply.

“Alright.”

“…”

“We’ll talk in more detail after we get off the carriage.”

* * *

“Haaahm.”

“Huaaahm.”

Estelle and Bonita yawned at the same time.

By the time the carriage arrived in front of the mansion, Damian helped the children down one by one.

Bonita wobbled as she landed, barely keeping her balance on both feet. One hand clutched Reina’s clothes while the other rubbed at her eyes.

“Boni, since you’re awake, you should greet the duke.”

“Uuung.”

Bonita opened her eyes halfway and looked up at Damian. Then she bowed.

“Your Grace, I’m sorry.”

“…”

“…”

They had told her to greet him, but instead she apologized. The two adults froze.

“Why are you apologizing?”

“Isn’t this when you say I’m sorry?”

“Who told you that?”

“Mom.”

Still half asleep, Bonita answered Damian’s questions one by one. Naturally, his gaze shifted to Reina.

“So that’s how it is.”

There was no way Damian’s voice properly reached Reina.

Reina looked shocked, as if she had just realized how much her words and actions had influenced Bonita.

Estelle was just as drowsy. After looking over both children, Damian called the head butler.

“Take each child to their room and put them back to bed.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“And Reina Botn, follow me.”

“…Yes.”

* * *

The place they headed to was, as expected, the office.

“I’m planning to have a light meal here. Is that fine?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“Then let’s start with what you mentioned about Estelle’s tutor.”

Damian pulled a thick file from the bottom drawer of his desk and handed it to her.

“Are these the candidates?”

“Yes. The ones I narrowed down.”

“May I ask why you’re showing this to me?”

“I want you to make the final decision.”

At Damian’s immediate answer, Reina spilled the documents all over the floor.

She froze, unable to even think about picking them up. Damian, looking unconcerned, bent down and gathered the papers himself.

“S-Such an important matter, m-Me?”

“Yes. You. Reina Botn.”

“Why me?”

“Because last time, the one Peter and I chose was Embron.”

After collecting everything, Damian began sorting the papers again in alphabetical order.

“Reina Botn, you’re good at reading other people’s malice.”

“What about Sofia?”

“…I mean danger or malice directed at Estelle or Bonita, not you.”

‘That’s because I remember the original story.’

But that truth had to be taken to the grave. Unable to explain it, she just opened and closed her mouth.

“I think it’s true that her ladyship later brought in another private tutor.”

“This is too important a matter to leave to my intuition.”

“It is important. But you’re also someone very important to Estelle, so you have the right to decide too.”

“But…”

Being able to deal with Count Embron, being able to ask Damian for help in the first place, all of that was thanks to recalling the original story.

‘Still, there was never any mention of private tutors in the original story.’

It wasn’t that nothing came to mind. There simply wasn’t any description of the next tutor at all.

“…Why is this person even included when I already said they’re no good.”

While Reina was lost in thought, Damian’s muttering reached her ears.

“Who are you referring to?”

“The daughter of the Rudbeckia Merchant Guild leader.”

“Who’s that?”

“She exists. Getting involved with her would bring nothing good.”

Damian, unusually, showed his dislike openly. He glanced at Reina, then pointed toward the sofa. Reina sat down, and he took the opposite seat and spread the documents out.

At the top of the file was the name Dalia Rocks.

‘Rocks. That surname sounds familiar.’

“…Can’t we check their appearance?”

“Appearance isn’t very important when hiring a tutor.”

Reina nodded, though a strange sense of déjà vu lingered.

“Why is it bad to get involved with the Rudbeckia Guild?”

“I told you before. There’s a way to receive investment from the imperial family.”

“Ah, so they’re backed by the imperial family?”

“Yes. They’ve only existed for about eight years. Their history is short, but they’re capable. For others, forming ties wouldn’t be bad. But that doesn’t apply to us.”

“Because of their connection to the imperial family.”

“Exactly. The reason they even submitted an application here is probably to gather information about Estelle and you.”

As Reina read about Dalia Rocks, she suddenly lifted her head.

“M-Me?”

“Yes. You.”

“Why me? What is there to learn about a commoner like me…”

“A commoner with nothing to her name asked the Duke Winternight household for a deal to protect her child. Then she stayed here, protecting and caring for Estelle. Not officially, but you’re practically her nanny.”

“…”

“We’re doing everything we can to keep things from leaking, but it’s impossible to be perfect. The major incidents may have already reached the capital.”

“I see now why you’re trying so hard to grant me a title…”

“At least you understand now. Anyway, that’s why the Rudbeckia Guild is out. Those people will stop at nothing to please the imperial family. Since many look down on the guild leader’s background, they cling even harder to bloodlines.”

“Is the guild leader originally a commoner?”

“Yes. Similar to you. A commoner who earned merit and became an honorary baron.”

“I see…”

Reina nodded.

She set aside Dalia Rocks’s file and read through the others.

“So we should hire someone unrelated to the imperial family or other noble factions.”

“Exactly.”

“Then what about hiring a commoner?”

“A commoner?”

“Yes. Teaching noble etiquette would be difficult, but knowledge is possible. There are academies for commoners too. Only wealthy people can attend them, though.”

“That would reduce the attention on you. When more people are involved, attention gets divided. They might think I’m just throwing money around for charity.”

“I didn’t mean it like that… but more or less.”

“As long as no one spreads nonsense rumors about Estelle, it’s a good idea.”

At Damian’s response, Reina blinked.

“Then we can just deal harshly with whoever starts the rumor.”

“…”

Damian was the one who looked troubled this time.

“Were you always like this?”

“…I guess not.”

Reina was surprised by her own words.

“There’s no need to actually punish anyone. We can just create a rumor. The rumors about you outside aren’t very good anyway, so adding a few words would make it snowball.”

It was better for those rumors to spread before Estelle went to the capital. That way, they could be handled quickly and were less likely to reach the child’s ears.

“For nobles, hiring someone usually involves more than money. But with a commoner, providing money and safety is enough.”

Damian lightly tapped his thigh.

“That cuts the resumes you need to read by half.”

“So you were already considering commoners.”

“Embron was the last from a family that showed loyalty since my grandfather’s time. Not everyone who looks good on paper actually is.”

Damian took the resumes back from Reina and quickly filtered through them.

After removing those from noble families, only about a third remained.

“This should be quick to read.”

“Did you memorize all of them?”

“I read them all.”

Normally, reading didn’t mean memorizing. Reina didn’t feel the need to question it and let it go.