<Chapter 1>

It’s cold.

In the silence, Yurenia quietly clenched her fists. Her fingertips felt not just cold, but frozen stiff.

This was the office of Duke Chester Grayson Valerio, the head of the Valerio Duchy and the most powerful noble house in the Empire.

Just like the first time she came here four months ago, the room was immaculately tidy.

Logs crackled gently in the fireplace, and warm autumn sunlight poured through the tall windows.

So it should’ve felt warm.

Yet inexplicably, Yurenia felt the chill of midwinter settle over her.

“……”

Because of the man with the icy expression who had maintained a heavy silence from the start.

Not a strand of his jet-black hair was out of place, swept back neatly. His cold features betrayed no emotion.

‘Is he in a bad mood or something?’

Yurenia pursed her lips slightly and studied the duke’s face.

But he didn’t look angry. His sharp eyes, with their slightly upturned corners, were calm and still.

The only thing that moved was the deep blue gleam in his eyes.

‘Now that I really look at him… he really does look like a statue.’

Her gaze fell to his full, unmoving lips. She couldn’t help the thought.

A man so handsome, it was almost frightening.

The impression he gave then and now remained unchanged.

Still, Chester’s looks weren’t what concerned her. Chester Valerio was her employer.

An employer greater than even the gods.

One who paid her five times the going rate. Merciful. Generous. Truly divine—

“All A’s, huh.”

That deep, low voice reverberated through the silence.

As her benevolent employer finally opened his mouth, Yurenia straightened her posture.

So our lord has finished reviewing his nephew’s report card.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

She spoke gently, smiling warmly.

“Lord Kailas is far ahead of children his age in comprehension. I plan to switch his materials soon to Understanding Imperial History.”

“Understanding Imperial History? Isn’t that a children’s book?”

Chester’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly at the name of the textbook.

That steely gaze, sharp enough to make his assistant shrink back, landed squarely on Yurenia.

But she didn’t flinch.

If something like this could shake her, she would’ve never survived four whole months in this terrifying duke’s mansion.

“You’re absolutely right.”

Yurenia responded smoothly with a pre-prepared answer.

“It may seem that way to you, Your Grace. But Lord Kailas is only seven years old. And Understanding Imperial History is actually a textbook used by second-year students in the Academy’s middle division.”

“Second year, huh.”

“Yes. That means he’s four years ahead of the standard curriculum.”

“…Hmm.”

Chester set the report card down and traced the line of his sharp jaw with a finger.

Yurenia kept smiling. But inside, she was growing antsy at his indifferent reaction.

‘Would it kill you to give a little praise?’

To be so lukewarm over such outstanding results… If Kailas were here, he probably wouldn’t even get a glance, let alone a compliment.

Honestly, so heartless.

No wonder Kailas ends up growing into a twisted man.

‘Though, he’s already way better than in the original story.’

Yurenia smiled with satisfaction as she pictured her sweet student, Kailas.

Unlike the broken male lead in the novel, this boy was growing up bright and happy.

A very good thing.

If things had followed the original plot, Kailas would’ve ended up a total lunatic.

Chains of Obsession.

Even the title of the novel screamed drama. It was the high-heat romance fantasy Yurenia had reincarnated into.

The original story was infamous for its scorching angst, so intense it made even spicy food taste mild.

The male lead of the novel? None other than Duke Chester’s nephew, Kailas Valerio.

Yes, the very same Kailas Yurenia was currently tutoring.

According to the original, he was taken from his mother at the age of seven and handed off to his uncle, Duke Chester Valerio. There, he was raised in utter neglect and solitude.

Chester’s role in the story wasn’t even prominent. He was a cold, indifferent guardian.

He paid the child the bare minimum attention.

Even when Kailas threw fits and begged to have his tutor changed, Chester never once questioned why.

He simply replaced them.

Eventually, there was no tutor at all. Chester didn’t bother to hire another.

He completely forgot the boy existed.

And so, Kailas grew up alone. Uncared for.

And the result…?

‘Kail ended up becoming a total trashmouth.’

The original male lead, Kailas, earned the nickname “Trashmouth” among readers.

Every time he hurt the heroine Emilia with his cruel words, the comment section would explode with fury, accusing him of needing his mouth scrubbed out.

└ Male lead, just shut up already.
└ You two, please talk. No wait, don’t. Please don’t.

Every chapter was followed by comments like that, without fail.

But now!

‘As long as I’m here, that kind of tragedy will never happen again.’

Yurenia’s eyes sparkled with conviction.

She had always been frustrated when people trashed the male lead.

Kailas just didn’t know how to express himself. He had a kind face and an even kinder heart.

If the problem was his neglected childhood, the solution was simple: don’t neglect him.

Just give him a little care.

So Yurenia became his tutor. And she showered the boy with warmth and affection.

Thanks to her efforts, Kailas was growing up just fine. It was only a matter of time before he became a kind and loving male lead.

That is, if this man didn’t get in the way.

“There seems to be some misunderstanding. I didn’t summon you over something as trivial as a report card.”

“Then what for?”

Yurenia blinked, flustered, as the duke casually tossed aside the report.

What else would a guardian call a tutor in for, if not to talk about grades?

“You seriously don’t know?”

Chester’s gaze bored into her as the corner of his mouth curved up slightly. When Yurenia blinked, confused, he let out a faint sigh.

“I forgot. You only ever pay attention to your student.”

He spoke lazily as he rose from his seat.

As the tall man stood to his full height, Yurenia instinctively looked up, way up.

They were at least two hand spans apart in height. This was the only way to see him properly.

His polished shoes sunk slightly into the rug as his long legs slowly moved toward her.

“I called you here because I want an answer.”

Yurenia.

His low voice, soft like a whisper, tickled her ear.

They were close enough to hear each other breathe. Chester Valerio lowered his gaze, staring down at the delicate tutor.

Her hair was the soft brown of milk tea, loosely tied back with a plain band. Thick curls flowed gently beneath it.

Chester’s eyes flicked subtly. Like a predator sizing up his prey, the sharp gleam in his blue eyes intensified.

“So tell me, teacher. Have you made your decision?”

“Oh, if that’s what this is about…”

Yurenia’s skin, pale like milk, flushed pink beneath his heated stare.

Just as Chester was lost in admiration of her delicate features—

“I’m sorry.”

A clear voice snapped his attention back.

“My decision hasn’t changed.”

“……”

“I’m honored, and I apologize deeply… but I must refuse your offer, Your Grace.”

Refuse?

At her polite yet firm answer, Chester’s dark brows twitched slightly.

His broad chest rose slowly with a breath, and his gaze on the tutor grew sharper.

“You seem to misunderstand. What I said last time wasn’t a simple offer.”

Chester stepped in even closer. Then, he lowered his head, his lips brushing near her ear.

“What I meant was—”

BANG!

“Uncle!”

Just as Yurenia inhaled sharply in panic, the heavy office door burst open and a boy entered, looking exactly like Chester.

He was like a smaller version of the duke, only far more lovable and cute, with bright green eyes that sparkled with fire.

“I knew it! I knew this would happen!”

“…Tch.”

Chester clicked his tongue as his nephew entered and turned away.

Kailas stomped in, his little body planting itself firmly between the two adults. He glared up at his uncle, who was easily twice his size.

“Uncle, did you propose to my teacher again?!”

“Kailas!”

Yurenia gasped in horror at the scandalous word that left the boy’s mouth. But Kailas stood firm and shouted again.

“You can’t have her! Dream on!”

He even crossed his arms into a giant X in front of his chest and glared daggers at Chester.

I oppose this marriage, his entire body screamed.

Yurenia groaned internally.

How had it come to this?

All she wanted was to raise the original male lead, Kailas, properly.

But somehow… she’d gotten tangled up with the male lead’s uncle.

And in the worst way possible!

<To be continued>

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