“Why are you apologizing, Your Grace?”
If anyone should apologize, it should be Kate who rashly accused her of being the culprit.
“Since it happened within the Duke’s Mansion, it’s my responsibility.”
“But it all worked out fine in the end, so that’s fortunate. We were just lucky.”
Carol, unaware that the “good luck” was artificially manufactured, heaved a sigh of relief at how fortunate it was.
“I’m grateful you can think of it so lightheartedly, Teacher.”
It was fortunate the Duke brought up yesterday first. Carol cleared her throat.
“Not at all. I’m the one who should apologize for not speaking up sooner despite knowing. When I thought about it yesterday, I realized I didn’t apologize.”
“There’s no need for you to apologize, Teacher. You were asked to keep it a secret, so you did.”
“That may be true…but I still deceived you nonetheless.”
“I didn’t realize you were worrying about it so much.”
“How could I not worry?”
“Then let’s put it as me forgiving you.”
“Thank you for your magnanimous gesture.”
Having naturally broached yesterday’s topic, the important part was next.
According to Mrs. Wells, Noah would be staying at the castle for a while.
Yesterday, Noah had even been slapped by Kate. Gossip about Noah must have spread widely among the servants.
Since Mrs. Wells and Norman couldn’t keep an eye on him every moment, he would be kept at the castle for a while.
[To prevent him from hearing more unpleasant remarks, or being treated carelessly by someone.]
A deep concern had flashed across the elderly lady’s face. The Duke finding out about Noah also meant he knew Mrs. Wells had hidden it.
For a while, Mrs. Wells likely wouldn’t easily bring up Noah in front of the Duke.
“Do you have any intentions at all of meeting Noah, Your Grace?”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“…I haven’t really thought about it yet. As you know, I only just found out yesterday.”
Seeing the Duke’s flustered reaction, Carol scratched her nape. She had expected he wouldn’t answer right away, but not that he’d be this flustered.
“Did I speak too rashly?”
“Well, yes somewhat.”
The Duke was curious about the child too.
But it was obvious Mrs. Wells and Norman would refrain from mentioning the child for a while, so the Duke had planned to leave it be for now as well.
“Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”
“No, I was curious.”
“Really? I’m truly relieved then.”
“I heard you’ve met the child occasionally. What did you think of him?”
While the question about meeting Noah had flustered him, Carol bringing it up first allowed the Duke to naturally inquire about Noah.
She couldn’t speak only positively, as the intense first encounter still lingered vividly.
“Hmm, he seems rather reckless.”
“Reckless?”
“He secretly snuck into the castle because he was worried about you, Your Grace.”
Carol didn’t explain the full context of how talk of a tempress had come up at the annex and the child overheard it, leading him to come find them.
The Duke paused, unsure whether to be amazed that the child had secretly snuck into the castle, or surprised that he was worried about the Duke himself.
“…Worried about me?”
“Yes.”
“He should have been more worried about his own situation.”
“He said he was greatly indebted to you for taking him in.”
“Now he knows that’s not the case.”
“He said he was happy just to have come here.”
“Even though he couldn’t have received such good treatment.”
The Duke clicked his tongue in a mutter. The child had hidden his existence in the annex – how well could he have been living?
“Actually, I mistakenly told him you didn’t know he existed. I apologize.”
“…So what did the child say then? Did he resent me?”
“No.”
“Then?”
“Even so…Noah wished to meet you, Your Grace.”
The Duke fell into deep thought at Carol’s words. She did not urge him, but waited for his response.
The two could be natural together even without conversation now.
He would have flatly refused in the past, but things were a bit different now.
With the existence of Carol, who could be at ease with his monstrous self, the Duke no longer automatically felt aversion to meeting new people.
“I think it would be better if he doesn’t meet me.”
However, his long-held beliefs did not bend so easily.
“…..”
A failure? Carol parted her lips. His words were not something she could confidently contradict.
“What do you think, Teacher?”
Thus, instead of ruling out the possibility entirely, the Duke asked for Carol’s opinion.
“I can’t say for sure if the child could accept it.”
“I see…”
“But it may not be bad to take that risk.”
If Noah remained by his side after she left, he could be of great help.
However, the Duke seemed to have a different perspective on taking the risk, realizing something as he spoke.
“…It would be easy to gag the child.”
“…That too, I suppose.”
The Duke drummed his fingers on the armrest. She did have a point.
“In truth, I have little attachment to my family lineage.”
“Hm?”
The sudden bombshell made Carol gasp audibly, causing the Duke to chuckle softly.
“I mean it may be good to let the child know beforehand and give him the choice to run away.”
It may be better to flee the family lineage and the curse. Having power and wealth is a life emptier than death if that’s how one must live.
Though it felt burdensome, the Duke forced a smile.
If he had pondered longer, the answer would have been negative. He had boldly agreed, but was inwardly surprised by his own answer.
At the same time, he wondered how surprised the teacher would be, and what her reaction would be.
Belatedly understanding the Duke’s response, Carol’s mouth slowly widened open.
She had thought it would take more persuasion.
Carol was overwhelmed by the Duke’s answer. A warm, fuzzy feeling seemed to spread through her chest.
“Did you just say you understand?”
“Yes.”
“You’re being unexpectedly amenable!”
Even with Carol’s excited tone, the Duke did not lose his composure.
“Don’t forget the child’s opinion matters more than mine.”
“…Yes!”
Carol took a deep breath, trying to calm her exhilarated heart.
The theft incident being resolved without major conflict was a good sign.
If things progressed steadily from the present, it may not be too far in the future when she could bring Elisha Chesworth to the Duke’s Mansion.
The most difficult part would be arranging for Elisha to meet the Duke, and after that it should go smoothly.
And Carol had no doubts that the meeting with Noah would lay a good foundation.
****
The reception room with lit candles and a blazing fireplace was bright even before dawn.
Noah shifted his eyes around with an anxious expression. Though not his first time at the castle, he had only come under unpleasant circumstances, leaving him unnecessarily uneasy.
Mrs. Wells, who had left him here, said someone else would come soon…
‘Could it be they plan to kick me out?’
Perhaps the person coming was from the Duke’s Mansion to take him away.
Noah shook his head vigorously. Then he glanced out the window for no reason.
‘It would be nice if it started snowing heavily.’
Then he would be trapped inside this Duke’s Mansion with no way to leave.
Thud thud.
The sound of footsteps came from the hallway. As the noise grew louder, Noah gripped the armrest and glared at the door.
Click.
Seeing the soft brown hair and kind teal eyes when the door opened, Noah broke into a bright smile.
“Carol!”
“You seem delighted to see me.”
“I didn’t know you were coming.”
He had initially glared coldly, but now rushed over like reuniting with family after a long separation.
“Wait a moment!”
Despite Carol’s words, Noah didn’t let go. Instead of telling him to back off again, Carol moved towards the sofa while Noah clung to her.
After setting the drinks she had been holding on the table, Carol patted Noah’s back soothingly.
“Let me see your face. It looked like it would swell up after yesterday.”
“…I’m fine.”
“Still, I should take a look.”
Instead of showing his face to Carol, Noah started speaking in a whimpering voice about the thoughts he had earlier.
Had she seen wrong?
She was sure one of his cheeks would be swollen by today. Was that all? There had been a vivid scratch mark too.
But contrary to Carol’s concern, Noah’s milky cheeks looked perfectly normal, as if he had never been injured.
As if his injury was no big deal, Noah grabbed Carol’s wrist and began pouring out how worried he had been.
“I thought you might get mad at me and never see me again.”
“Suddenly?”
“You could get angry upon further thought later on.”
“Having too much imagination can be bad sometimes, haha.”
“Don’t laugh.”
“Okay, okay. Instead of that, come sit next to me.”
Carol patted the spot beside her.
“I brought some chocolate melted in milk, want to try it?”
“What’s that?”
“This.”
Noah lifted his face from Carol’s dress hem and looked at the table.
His expression instantly turned sullen again.
“Why that look?”
“Isn’t that just muddy water? You actually hate me now, don’t you?”
At Noah’s misunderstanding, Carol ended up laughing while leaning against the sofa backrest.
LMAO this kid is so cute