Chapter 26
Again.
Once more, with that signature flippant tone, he spoke nonchalantly.
“It’s a cruel joke, you know.”
“Does it sound like a joke to you?”
“…Excuse me?”
“I’m serious. I’ll teach you to read and write, teach you how to use people, too. Honestly, it’s like taking a beast and turning it into a person.”
“……”
“Well, I won’t hold you responsible for it, though.”
“……”
Sometimes, it was exhausting not knowing where Sir Aiden’s thoughts would leap next.
I stared at him, unable to read his true feelings or intentions.
He rested his chin on one hand and, catching my gaze, gave me a sly smile.
“What? You want to take responsibility?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Hmm. I thought you were a wise one, Teacher.”
“Sir Aiden, enough with the jokes.”
I drew a firm line, and Aiden gave a lazy chuckle as he shook his head.
“All right. Got it. Sophie, next!”
Despite his call, there was no response from outside.
He called again.
“Sophie! Bring in the next person!”
Still, there was no sign of movement. Frowning, Aiden went to check.
As he opened the door, a commotion erupted.
“Quick, fetch a doctor!”
“It might be contagious!”
The frantic shouting made it clear something serious had happened.
Aiden and I immediately rushed toward the source of the noise.
There, a crowd had gathered, surrounding someone.
Pushing through them, we found Mary, one of the kitchen maids, collapsed and coughing up blood.
“Oh no… Mary! Stay with us!”
“What on earth happened?”
“She collapsed while moving the food supplies!”
Someone hurriedly explained the situation. I wiped the blood from Mary’s face and tried to shake her awake.
“First, we need to move her inside. Alber, was it? Take Mary to the guest room. Second floor, third door on the left!”
I quickly glanced out the window.
Somehow, during the long interviews, time had slipped away, and now the sky was blushing with sunset hues.
Soon, night would fall.
We sent the remaining interviewees home and quickly assigned tasks to the newly hired maids and servants to regain order.
Then, I turned to a flustered Sophie and gave instructions.
“Sophie. You know where Mary’s house is, right?”
“Yes.”
“She mentioned she had a young grandson. We can’t leave him alone. Go and bring him here.”
“But… are you sure that’s allowed?”
Sophie hesitated, glancing at Sir Aiden.
He gave a small nod.
“Do as your teacher says.”
“Yes. I’ll go right away.”
Sophie hurriedly gathered her things and left. Meanwhile, the newly arrived doctor was guided to the guest room.
By the time the doctor confirmed that Mary’s time was running out, the night had deepened completely.
“Haa…”
Once things had calmed down somewhat, Sophie returned.
As I pressed my tired eyes and prepared to head back down, Sir Aiden spoke up.
“You could’ve just left it to Sophie. Why are you doing all this yourself?”
“……”
“There’s no need to go that far. Take care of yourself first, Teacher. You don’t look well.”
Back at the Count’s estate, I could afford to help others because I had the luxury to spare.
Now… not so much.
But still…
“It’s a matter of trust.”
“Trust?”
“Yes. Trust.”
Father, my brother, my friends, even my beloved fiancé—everyone had abandoned me.
Worse than being left alone in this entire vast world was the crushing realization that there was no one left I could trust.
That loneliness and fear, that searing, gnawing emptiness…
To soothe myself, I held onto small acts of kindness like this.
“Because I can’t trust anyone anymore.”
If I couldn’t trust, then maybe by offering goodwill, I could build a bridge—maybe someone would trust me back.
“Even me? Do you not trust me either?”
Sir Aiden met my gaze squarely as he asked.
Trust Aiden Calypso, the Duke?
An amusing question. The answer was easy.
“Sir Aiden and I…”
I parted my lips. His expectant gaze pierced right through me.
“We’re under contract.”
“A contract, huh…”
Honestly, I didn’t know.
Would the day ever come when I could trust someone again?
Strange how I was even having this conversation with Sir Aiden.
If he hadn’t shown that brief glimpse of sincerity earlier, I wouldn’t have opened up this much.
“That’s a little sad.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“No, no. I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant, I’m trying my best by your side… so maybe, just maybe, spare me a glance too.”
He gave a gentle, almost sheepish smile.
Despite the heavy scar across his face and the sharpness of his features, there was no malice in his expression—only a rough kind of warmth.
“Anyway, let’s go.”
Without waiting for a reply, he strode ahead.
Mary was lying in bed, but as we entered, she managed to sit up weakly.
“Stay lying down. I’m not in the habit of making dying people greet me.
More importantly…”
Sir Aiden’s gaze shifted to the small figure hovering awkwardly beside Mary.
The child was tiny and frail, not looking anywhere close to ten years old.
Clearly undernourished, neglected, with matted hair and ragged clothes.
“Hello there. My name is Selena.”
I bent down to the child’s level and offered a bright, reassuring smile.
“Introduce yourself, Will.”
Prompted by Mary, the boy—Will—gave a clumsy bow.
“I-I’m Will…”
“Nice to meet you, Will. It must’ve been scary coming here so suddenly, huh?”
“N-no… it’s okay…”
Will kept sneaking fearful glances at Sir Aiden, who, to be fair, had an imposing stature.
Seeing this, Mary gently patted Will’s back, despite her own pain. She spoke pleadingly.
“Please, my lord. Don’t turn him away. He can still work…”
I wanted to tell Mary she and Will could stay here as long as they needed.
If this were Estarion, I would’ve.
But now, I was no longer the Count’s daughter. I had nothing to my name.
I had to wait for Sir Aiden’s decision.
He seemed to ponder it deeply.
“You’re fired as of today.”
“W-what? Oh no, my lord, please—!”
“But, I’m not heartless enough to throw out a dying woman and a little boy.
You can both stay here for the time being.”
“Sir Aiden?”
Startled, I looked up and met his eyes.
“I can’t bring the dead back to life… but I can help shape the future of a living child.
We’ll figure the rest out starting tomorrow.”
“Th-thank you, my lord…!”
Will’s eyes welled up with tears as Sir Aiden ruffled his hair and stepped out of the room.
I quickly followed after him.
“What are you planning to do?”
“Well, honestly, I don’t care as long as they’re not sold into slavery.
As long as they have food, clothes, and shelter, isn’t that heaven enough?”
My gaze involuntarily fell to the scar cutting across his cheek.
It spoke volumes about the hardships he must’ve endured during his own days of slavery.
I found myself wondering about the story behind that scar.
“But that’s a crude thought, from someone like me who’s lived at the very bottom.
You’re the educated one. Your opinion matters more.”
“In that case…”
The home where Will would eventually be placed… it wasn’t really my place to interfere any further.
I had no right or need to.
“…Let’s think it over for a few days.”
“Sounds good.
Now, go get something to eat.
I’m going to rest.”
“Yes, Sir Aiden.”
