The Duke doubted his ears for a moment. But after seeing the stern expression of Mrs. Wells, he asked in a hesitant voice.
Could there be a guest in the Duke’s Mansion that he doesn’t know about?
“…Whose?”
“Duke’s home tutor.”
“My home tutor?”
“Yes.”
The way she spoke as if it was obvious irritated him.
“What a novel nonsense.”
“Duke.”
“Do you think my intelligence has decreased because I’ve become a monster?”
The monster sitting in the chair by the window laughed coldly. When he showed his teeth, his ferocious fangs were revealed.
“It’s not something someone who leaves the room in a mess because they’ve become like that should say.”
“I clearly said I don’t like it.”
“For me, this place is home, and the Duke is the one I swore loyalty to.”
Mrs. Wells said, standing tall.
A change was needed. Having been a human for a long time, the Duke found it harder to endure his current state than others.
‘It’s to protect the Winternox Duchy.’
The House of Winternox.
The lord of the Cardiff region, where summer is short and winter is long enough to be distant, and the unique family that has existed since the founding of the Artheon Empire.
The guardian of the front line guarding the border line adjacent to the Kingdom of Bonakia.
The Winter Castle was on a high hill and could be seen anywhere in the territory.
It was also far enough from the village to feel a sense of distance.
But the Winter Castle was the pride of all the people of Cardiff.
The reason was very simple.
Because it was much easier to live compared to nearby territories.
The House of Winternox made people who had to lose their families in one harsh winter not afraid of winter.
Although they didn’t see the lord often, they clearly felt his presence through his rule, so none of the people in the territory cared about the closed part of the castle.
In this way, everything that the castle wanted to hide was never discovered, and it has come safely over time until now.
A profound curse falls on the duke loved by the people of the territory.
Anyone who continues the bloodline of Winternox, without exception.
“Even if you become a monster and lose your sight, the Duke is the owner of Winternox.”
There is a duty to protect this family so that it does not decay or fall.
As if not to forget that fact, Mrs. Wells’ voice was clear.
****
Edward Winternox, the 36th head of the family, unlike others, did not show a curse even after he was in his late twenties.
[Was it a sudden curse, but could it disappear at any time?]
People who are born with many things often have an unfounded belief that they will avoid any misfortune.
Edward Winternox was like that.
[Why do I need to be locked up continuously when I’m still fine even after my late twenties?]
The young head of the family who broke the unwritten rule that a duke should not appear in the capital’s social circle went to the capital.
The young and beautiful duke was arrogant, and his ability was outstanding enough to buy the recognition of the surroundings as much as he was proud.
If you were to name a prominent figure in the capital’s social circle, it was definitely Duke Winternox.
Within a year, the Duke Winternox had become an in-demand famous person in the capital.
[They say he’s known as the golden hand because he sweeps money into everything he touches.]
[I didn’t know because I didn’t come out in the capital’s social circle, but he’s the ruler of the north.]
Everyone knows the Winternox family, but those who did not know its greatness were amazed at the young duke’s cleverness.
Is that all? He defeated Jeremy Caster, who was hailed as a genius at the Sword Academy, with a sword, highlighting the superiority of the noble duke.
But he too could not avoid the curse.
[Ah!]
The curse came like a fever.
At first, he thought he had gone blind due to a terrible fever. Even that was hard for the duke to accept.
But that was just the beginning of the curse.
{—‘s bloodline will be cursed. You will lose one of your five senses, and the beast’s blood will drive out human blood. The curse will not change until the frozen beast’s blood melts and blooms winter flowers.}
Just as the characters written in the old scriptures, Edward Winternox became a monster.
The easy reality only made the pain worse.
[Madam, how hideous am I now?]
[You’re not hideous.]
There are times when imagination is the biggest enemy.
[Don’t lie!]
Clang-!
The Duke, who could only confirm his transformation through touch due to his blindness, felt the stiff fur, protruding nose, and horns that pierced his head with his fingertips, and then fainted.
[It’s too much to stay in the capital like this.]
[Let’s take advantage of the fainting and leave for the north quickly.]
[That would be best.]
[You won’t say you want to go back to the capital when you come to your senses.]
The faithful servants of the Duke quickly sorted out their lives in the capital using his health as an excuse and returned to the sturdy and closed castle with the Duke.
And the Duke’s Mansion continued on, excluding the head of the family.
The head of the Duke’s family was thoroughly isolated and left only one duty.
[It’s no different from a beast like this.]
Leaving a posthumous work.
He spoke harshly, but it wasn’t wrong.
Things like rational, talented, and beautiful, and won everyone’s favor, collapsed like a sand castle.
He had to live as if he was trapped in a bedroom deep inside the Duke’s Mansion.
The castle fulfilled its purpose. The Duke was forgotten in an instant.
The awe-inspiring gaze of people.
Sweet words that flattered to get business advice.
People who admired his power.
Everything slipped through his fingers in an instant like sand.
It was more unusual not to go crazy. The Duke Winternox, who had lived as a human longer than other heads of the family, could not easily accept the reality of becoming a monster.
Thanks to the sound of people walking outside during the day and various signs of life, it was rather okay.
But when the night became so indifferent as to be cruel, he had to endure the emptiness like a bottomless pit alone, feeling his sanity slowly wearing away.
‘Even if a new servant comes in, nothing will change.’
But why is Mrs. Wells trying to use that servant despite his disapproval?
“She’ll run away soon anyway.”
“She says she’s desperate for this job.”
The Duke clicked his tongue low. It was clear that she hadn’t explained the job yet.
“Even so, seeing a monster in person might change things.”
“This time, I chose someone from another region, not a local.”
“If you hire more within Cardiff, secrets will leak out or suspicions will arise.”
The reason was obvious. Mrs. Wells bit her lower lip at the accurate point.
“And to avoid overlapping with other servants, it was decided she would come at night, not during the day.”
It meant isolating her from people who didn’t know the Duke’s identity. When night comes, all the servants in the main building go back to the annex.
“…Why a home tutor, not a servant?”
“Pushing for a posthumous work is not something that can be done by force, so I judged that getting used to the current life is the first priority.”
“You’re merciful.”
“Don’t be sarcastic.”
“You’re good at doing useless things. Even if you worry, I have no intention of continuing this damned bloodline.”
The Duke sneered bitterly.
Getting used to this horrific life?
No way.
Admit that he’s a monster, adapt to that life, and live?
He would rather go to hell.
****
Today was the first day of work.
The day in Cardiff was short. It was only about 6 o’clock, but the sky was already dark.
“You came a bit early.”
“I left early in case it snowed on the way.”
This time, since it didn’t snow, it was fortunate that she could easily get to the front door of the Duke’s Mansion by carriage. She walked down the long, dark corridor as Mrs. Wells guided her, exchanging small talk.
Mrs. Wells stopped in front of a huge door deep inside. In front of the intricately carved door, Mrs. Wells warned Caroline in a low voice.
“Miss.”
“Yes?”
“You haven’t asked anything yet, even though I haven’t explained anything.”
She couldn’t say she already knew what she was doing.
“What I do is determined no matter who the other person is.”
“A true teacher.”
“You flatter me.”
“But let me warn you a few things before you go in.”
“Yes.”
“It’s better not to show that you’re surprised. You may not understand this right now.”
At Mrs. Wells’ meaningful words, Caroline swallowed dryly. She knew why she was saying this.
‘It was written that the Duke Winternox did not receive anyone’s understanding before meeting the heroine.’
She had seen his appearance, but it didn’t seem hideous enough to be surprised.
Remembering, Caroline answered a little late, “Yes.”
Knock, knock.
As soon as the answer ended, Mrs. Wells opened the door with a knock. As the door opened, a chilly air contrasting with the warm air of the corridor touched her skin.
Knock, knock.
“Duke. The home tutor I mentioned before has arrived.”
“…”
A cold silence returned instead of an answer. Mrs. Wells whispered to Caroline, unfazed.
“Greet him.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Caroline Langston who just came in…”
Crash!
A cup with a luxurious pattern shattered against the wall.
