“Alright, everyone, let’s wrap this up,” Jerome said, clapping his hands as he made his way through the crowd.
“Didn’t Miss say she needs to return to the ducal estate in three days? She’ll be busy transferring her responsibilities and packing.”
“That’s why we came to see her now!”
“What’s the rush? It takes two days just to get to the duchy. That’s four days round trip!”
“Is there anything we can help with?”
“The best way to help Miss is to give her space to work,” Jerome added with a grin, Even though Jerome’s practical suggestion was good, everyone moved slowly and hesitantly, like unsure puppies, dragging their feet.
“If you’re all that sad, why not throw her a farewell party?”
At Jerome’s suggestion, everyone’s ear perked up.
“Oh? That’s a great idea!”
“Should we invite more people?”
“Tsk tsk, you all think too small. This is a chance to show off Byron’s strength!” one of the artisans shouted, grabbing everyone’s attention.
“Let’s have a festival!”
Cheers erupted as they excitedly agreed.
“Drinks are on me!”
“Let’s put up notices across Byron!”
“It’s the perfect weather for a festival too!”
“We can celebrate Miss becoming the young lord’s guardian and throw her a tearful farewell!”
As the plans quickly turned into a full-on celebration, Hestia, the guest of honor, looked completely confused.
“Miss! Look forward to it!”
“We’ll finally repay you for everything you’ve done for us!”
“…I wasn’t exactly hoping to be repaid like this.”
But in their excitement, Hestia’s words went unheard as the artisans rushed off to prepare for the festival. She turned to Jerome with a glare.
“You just had to mention a farewell party…”
“I didn’t expect things to get this big either,”
“They’re probably just using the farewell as an excuse to throw a festival. You know how they are.”
“This is going to cost me more money than I planned.”
“But you don’t mind, do you?”
“Shut up, Jerome.”
Hestia grumbled, but Jerome only chuckled softly as they entered her office.
“When I heard the news that you’d become the guardian, I was shocked. What happened?”
“I don’t know. It just sort of… happened.”
“Doesn’t seem like it’s something you wanted.”
“Well, it’s done now, so I’ll do my best. But that means I won’t be able to handle the foundation’s work for the next seven years or so. I need to find someone to take over….”
Hestia’s gaze rested on Jerome, and he immediately waved his hands in refusal.
“You know how busy I am. The foundation is too much for me.”
“Yeah, I figured.”
“Why don’t you just wrap up the current affairs and leave the rest to your father? He can find someone else to take over.”
“…You’re right. I won’t be able to find someone new in just three days. I’ll leave it to him.”
“Is there anything else you need to do before you leave?”
“Not much, aside from packing. Once I get to the ducal estate, I’ll have to dive straight into managing the estate.”
Albert had told her that there were many pending matters at the ducal estate, even before Icarus’ death. The head butler’s use of the word “many” suggested it would be overwhelming.
Watching Hestia bury her head on the desk, Jerome thought for a moment before asking, “Are you going to the duchy alone?”
“Who else would go with me? I can’t take my family with me.”
“I meant someone to assist you— a servant or an aide.”
Hestia paused, considering his words.
“Hmm… I don’t really have anyone.”
Though the Frost family had grown larger and their house had been expanded, they had only hired additional maids and servants, not personal attendants. There was Laura, the head maid, and a steward who assisted Derrick, but no one specifically for her.
‘There’s really no one for me.’
While the household staff had been loyal to the Frost family for many years, they weren’t Hestia’s personal aides. They were loyal to the family, not to her.
Well, there was one person she could consider: Jerome. He was the only one who had been with her since childhood, someone she could truly call her own.
‘But Jerome’s busy with the workshop.’
He had countless things to manage, including new product development, and she couldn’t ask him to follow her to the ducal estate.
“Wouldn’t it be more convenient to bring at least one person?”
“I’ll adapt soon enough. Just because I don’t have my own people doesn’t mean I’ll be intimidated by the ducal estate’s staff.”
“…No, not at all.”
Jerome chuckled at Hestia’s confident attitude, despite her petite frame.
“But if you ever need anything, just let me know. Everyone here is yours, and the artisans would drop everything to help at your word.”
“Haha, thanks for the thought.”
“Do you think I’m joking?”
Jerome nodded toward the window, where the artisans were already bustling around, preparing for the festival.
“Wait… they’re really doing this?”
What she had initially dismissed as a joke was now becoming serious. Hestia rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
‘Note to myself: I’d better not send any letters unless it’s absolutely necessary.’
Just imagining the chaos gave her a headache.
***
The day after returning to Byron, Hestia dove into packing.
Thanks to her experience as a maid, she moved quickly, and before she knew it, most of her things were already packed.
“Phew, this is quite the task.”
Stretching her shoulders, Hestia stepped outside.
“Hooray! We’re done!”
“Eric! I told you to greet the teacher properly! I’m sorry, Teacher.”
“Haha, it’s alright. Eric’s always been like this.”
Eric came charging out of the study, likely having just finished lessons, with Annie chasing after him, scolding him. Melvin, who had been watching the energetic children, stroked his well-groomed beard when he noticed Hestia.
“It’s been a while, Hestia. Have you been well?”
“It’s good to see you, teacher. I’ve been fine, as usual. How about you?”
Melvin Waynes, a renowned scholar, had been Hestia’s tutor until three years ago and now taught her younger siblings.
“Hoho, I’ve heard the news. Congratulations on becoming a guardian. I also heard the entire city is buzzing about your farewell.”
“Oh, it’s just nonsense. It’s not like I’m leaving forever. I’ll still visit Byron when I can.”
“Still, it will be difficult to come back for a while, won’t it?”
“That’s true. Have you finished the children’s lessons for today?”
“Yes, we’re done for the day.”
“Then how about spending some time with me? I’ll brew your favorite tea.”
Hestia winked and playfully linked arms with Melvin, who laughed warmly.
Together, they headed toward the newly built glass greenhouse.
Hestia personally brewed the tea and served it to Melvin, who smiled at the fragrant aroma.
“Your tea is always a work of art.”
“You flatter me.”
“Honestly, the thought of not being able to drink the tea you make anymore is a bit disappointing.”
“Is that really all you’re going to miss? Then I’ll be disappointed.”
“Hahaha, of course, I’m sad about everything. My favorate student is leaving, after all. But I know that the road ahead of you will be tough, but it will help you grow and give you a wealth of experience.”
Melvin sipped his tea and glanced at Hestia.
This was the same bold child who had approached him with the offer to become her tutor, during his early retirement when he was enjoying a leisurely but somewhat uneventful life.
Of course, many people had approached him with offers to become a tutor.
Even the Imperial Family and the Eastern Duke’s household had offered him immense wealth and power.
But he’d already earned more money than he could ever spend and had no desire to serve under anyone anymore.
Especially not someone who might one day become emperor or a powerful duke.
Some might see it as an honorable position, but where there’s power, there’s always bloodshed.
If the person you’re teaching comes out on top in the power struggle, that’s fantastic, but if they lose, everyone linked to them usually ends up getting executed.
Then one day, this 10-year-old girl came to him with an unusual offer.
“I’ll build you a cabin.”
“…What? Weren’t you trying to hire me as a tutor?”
“Yes, that’s right. But it seemed to me that you’re not interested in money or fame.”
“Heh…”
“Please become my tutor. You only need to teach me until I reach adulthood, so for eight years. It would be great if you could teach my three younger siblings too. That would make it about eighteen years in total.”
“Are you saying you want to work me for 18 years?”
“If that’s too much, it’s okay to stop midway. But if you agree to be our family’s tutor, then for those 18 years, no other noble family will be able to approach you.”
Typically, a tutor would only work for one family at a time, so as she said, if he took on the Frost children, he wouldn’t have to deal with the constant calls from other nobles.
But that didn’t mean they’d stop trying.
They could still come to him with better offers, asking him to join their household.
“You’ll receive a high salary every month, and I’ll build you a cabin with the best view in Byron.”
“Why do you keep bringing up this cabin?”
“I heard your dream was to retire in a cozy cabin. Isn’t this place also a comfortable cabin?”
She was right.
Having enjoyed wealth, fame, and everything at a young age, his final dream was to leave it all behind and live a simple life in a cozy cabin.
“And if there’s anything else you want, feel free to ask.”
“So, why are you so eager to hire me?”
“I want to receive lessons at the same level as the academy. I could attend the academy, but I’d rather stay with my family.”
