Failed to Train the Beast Male Lead

[To my dear Miss Carol,

Before the joy of Kevin and Dylan becoming Royal Knights could fade, you surprise me with even more delightful news.

If you would invite me, I would be glad to capture their shining moments in person.

I’m excited at the thought of seeing you again after so long. I’d like to say more, but I’ll save that for when we meet.

Looking forward to the day we meet.

From Peter Elais.]

Though the content was simple, Carol read it over and over.

“So he’s coming…”

Although she had invited him, she hadn’t expected him to actually come, thinking it would be too much trouble.

She had so much to tell Lord Elais. Originally, she had planned to visit him on her way back to the North, but now they would meet earlier than expected.

Carol only managed to leave the letter spread out on the table when she realized she was running short on time to leave. So her siblings could see it as soon as they returned.

****

Recently, she had been spending most of her weekends meeting with the Duke. If she had had plans with the Duke today as usual, it would have been troublesome.

‘I’m glad we’re not meeting today.’

She hadn’t fully sorted out her thoughts yet, and her head wasn’t working properly due to fatigue. She had hoped her throat would be better, but it was still irritated.

This cold seemed to be lasting an unusually long time.

Throughout the carriage ride, Noah fidgeted anxiously, worried about Carol. She had even put on makeup to appear fine, but it seemed she looked worse than she thought.

“Carol, are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“You’re lying. You don’t look okay at all.”

Bianca, who had been quietly observing, suggested in a shy voice.

“Teacher, if you’re tired, you can rest comfortably in my hands.”

Thinking even the gaze might be uncomfortable, Carol politely declined.

“As I’ve said before, when we’re outside…”

Carol smiled, gesturing towards the coachman visible through the small window.

“…Then how about my hand?”

Noah asked shyly.

However, no matter who suggested it, Carol had no intention of transforming into her beast form outside.

“I appreciate the offer alone.”

Beside them, Bianca clicked her tongue in disappointment.

“If it’s alright with you, Teacher Carol, my hands are bigger after all.”

“Wouldn’t the hands of someone more familiar be better, even if they’re smaller?”

At Bianca’s proud words, Noah and Bianca’s gazes clashed in mid-air.

Carol rubbed her forehead and mediated between the two.

“But I haven’t transformed, and it’ll be the same on the way back.”

Fortunately, before the two could bicker further, the carriage arrived at their destination.

Having rushed out on an empty stomach, Carol seemed to be getting motion sickness as well.

As soon as she got off, her head spun. Bianca looked back, but Carol told her to go ahead since Benjamin would be waiting.

Today, without a priest guiding them in advance, they walked leisurely. It seemed the guidance was only provided for the first visit.

‘Well, it would be troublesome to guide us every time.’

However, instead of going ahead, Noah matched his pace with Carol.

“You’ve become quite the gentleman.”

At the words tinged with laughter, Noah quickly grasped Carol’s hand.

“Huh?”

Before she could say anything, a faint light spread between their joined hands. Though subtle, it was clearly stronger than Carol remembered.

With Bianca right in front of them? When Carol asked Benjamin with her eyes, he wrinkled his nose and whispered,

“Secret.”

Though not dramatically improved, Carol felt much better than before. If she had felt like fainting just moments ago, now she felt she could endure for a few more hours.

“What happened?”

“The Duke assigned a teacher for me.”

“You told the Duke?”

“Yeah. Somehow it happened.”

“It’s not just our secret anymore, then.”

Carol smiled softly. This must have been a big step for Noah. After all, Noah’s birth parents had been quick to curse him when he displayed his divine power.

“You’re not disappointed, are you?”

“Of course not.”

Rather, Carol felt proud that Noah had built enough trust with the Duke to not hide his abilities.

“I knew you’d say that, Carol.”

“I was a bit surprised though.”

“I wanted to tell you all along but never had the chance.”

“I see.”

“I want you to meet the teacher later too. They’re really great.”

Noah chattered on incessantly, saying he had so many things he couldn’t tell her until now.

“Alright, that sounds good.”

“Maybe today…”

Though his height had already reached Carol’s chest, his personality remained the same as before.

“What are you two whispering about? We’re here!”

Bianca, who had reached their destination, waved her hands widely, urging the two following behind.

Soon, the visiting room became visible through the dense trees.

“Noah, what did you just say?”

“Nothing, it’s nothing. Let’s hurry and go see Benjamin.”

Noah grabbed Carol’s hand and quickened his pace. As before, Benjamin was waiting outside.

Even though only a few weeks had passed, Benjamin’s cheeks had filled out and were tinged with a rosy color.

“Benjamin, did you wait long?”

“Teacher Bianca! No, I haven’t been waiting long.”

Noah, who arrived soon after, strode towards Benjamin and hugged him tightly.

“I’m here too!”

“Big brother Noah!”

“How have you been, Benjamin?”

“Teacher Carol!”

Benjamin greeted the three enthusiastically, his face beaming. The three smiled gently at his obvious joy.

Carol felt her fatigue washing away a bit more.

“Shall we go inside and talk more?”

****

Elisha Chesworth had been swamped with work recently. Even passing priests asked about her well-being upon seeing her gaunt face, yet the man before her seemed completely unconcerned.

“You don’t think I’m some kind of divine power street vendor, do you?”

She was already working at her limit, staying at the temple and squeezing out divine power due to the regular tasks assigned by the royal family, unable to even go home.

At Elisha’s question, the Duke crossed his legs and shrugged.

“Of course not.”

“…”

Despite his words, he urged her with a nod of his chin as if she should just get on with the task.

Yesterday, when she said she was too busy, he had demanded a blessing without even giving her time to sit. Today was somewhat better in comparison.

“If I thought you were a street vendor, I wouldn’t have come personally.”

“You’re not here to check if I might ask another priest, are you?”

“Of course not. I just want to witness with my own eyes how the effect increases exponentially when you bless divine water more than ten times.”

His words were so plausible that she couldn’t even object.

“I’m really exhausted today.”

“Take your time, then.”

“…”

“I’ll wait comfortably.”

The Duke sat naturally as if it were his own space, despite being inside the temple.

“…I’m telling you, I’m really tired?”

“I’m just here to receive what was promised.”

“I’m so busy I can’t even oversee Noah’s lessons.”

“That’s why I removed those lessons from your schedule, didn’t I?”

The Duke had made a donation to the temple and specifically requested Elisha. She wanted to refuse due to the tight schedule, but the amount was too substantial to decline.

Elisha Chesworth was recently one of the most promising talents in the temple. Due to the high quality of her divine power, there were even rumors that she might become the disciple of the current High Priest.

‘I’m the fool for agreeing to the High Priest’s request.’

In any case, she had agreed to the Duke’s request because her sister was involved in the work, and she had been rude at the banquet where they had met.

She thought it would be just blessing the Duke’s townhouse.

[…Bless the perfume?]

[Yes.]

At first, she was amazed at the Duke’s wealth, using divine water instead of alcohol in perfume.

Usually, it’s more difficult to stack multiple blessings on one object than to give a single blessing.

[It might take quite some time. I have my own work too.]

[I’ll give you two weeks.]

[…Pardon?]

But the more she met him, the more she was amazed by the Duke’s persistence rather than his wealth.

The Duke persistently sought Elisha, saying he needed to complete the gift before the birthday.

Finally, today was the last day, and Elisha began to squeeze out her last bit of strength.

‘I wonder who it is, I’d like to see their face at least.’

She was curious about who could make the Duke go to such lengths.

But such worries soon disappeared. Divine power, more concentrated than others’, began to emanate from her hands.

****

“How’s life here?”

“Everyone is kind to me.”

“Is that so?”

Carol thought that Benjamin seemed to like life here so much that he might change his mind.

“But I still want to go.”

The answer came back without a hint of hesitation.

Even after perfectly adapting to life here, Benjamin’s resolve remained firm.

If he was this determined, it was right to follow the child’s opinion rather than telling him how cold and difficult the North could be.

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

“…Is it really okay?”

“Of course.”

Benjamin smiled brightly at Carol’s words.

“We’ll be able to see each other often from now on.”

At that, Noah, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, suddenly stood up and hugged Benjamin tightly.

“Are you going too, big brother?”

“I originally lived in the North!”

Benjamin, apparently not knowing this fact, opened his mouth wide.

Bianca, who was listening beside them, whispered in Benjamin’s ear.

“Actually, the teacher decided to go too.”

“Teacher Bianca too? Oh my. We’ll all be able to see each other often!”

Benjamin, who was startled at first, soon held both his cheeks, not knowing what to do with himself.