***
“That’s it for today’s lesson.”
“Whoa.”
Vincent’s body slumped backwards as the class ended.
But when I put a snack on his desk, he snapped back into place like he always did.
After morning classes, we had lunch, and after afternoon classes, it was snack time.
It was our routine, just Vincent and me.
Crunch, crunch.
I watched Vincent, who had a cookie the size of his palm in both hands, munching on it wholeheartedly.
Normally, I would have encouraged him to ask questions if he didn’t understand something during the class, but today, that thought didn’t even cross my mind.
‘How do I bring it up?’
That was the only thing on my mind.
How could I phrase it so that Vincent wouldn’t feel resistant?
Lost in thought about how to phrase it to make Vincent less resistant, suddenly I realized that he was looking at me with an intense gaze.
“Tutor Via.”
“Mmh?”
“By any chance…”
Gulp.
I nervously looked at Vincent, wondering what he was going to say.
Soon, Vincent asked with a serious expression.
“Do you not like the taste of the cookie?”
“……Huh?”
“I’ll ask them to replace it with something else right now!”
“Wa-wait!!”
As if he was about to run to the kitchen right away, I hurriedly grabbed Vincent’s arm.
Vincent looked back at me with a puzzled expression.
“It’s not that, um.”
Yeah, just say it. I had to bring it up anyway. Don’t hesitate too much.
With a serious expression, I addressed Vincent.
“I have something I’d like to tell you. Can you sit down for a moment?”
“Sure.”
While tilting his, Vincent approached me and took a seat next to me.
Until that moment, I had been contemplating how to say it, but I decided to be honest and just let it out.
“Vincent, it’s about this. Recently, I received an invitation from the academy.”
“Invitation…?”
Even though I only mentioned the word ‘academy’, Vincent’s pupils began to tremble.
I nodded.
“They’re preparing a gathering and party for the graduates to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the academy’s establishment. It’s a great opportunity. I’m planning to attend, and I thought I’d bring you along.”
“You too, Tutor?”
Vincent’s eyes widened.
I quickly nodded.
“Yeah, as a guardian.”
“You too…….”
Vincent mumbled, lost in thought.
Worried that I might be putting too much pressure on Vincent, I added hastily.
“If you’re not comfortable with it…”
However, before I could finish my sentence, Vincent raised his head abruptly and said.
“I’ll go.”
“Really?”
He made the decision so quickly?
I looked at Vincent with a surprised expression.
“Are you forcing yourself to do that by any chance…?”
“No.”.
Vincent shook his head, and his fluffy silver hair swayed with him like a puppy.
“Of course, I don’t like the academy, but…….”
“…….”
“If I’m going with Teacher Via, it’s okay! And I’ve made up my mind. I won’t run away now.”
Oh, my goodness…
I closed my mouth with a moved expression.
‘My Vincent, you’re all grown up!’
Is this what it feels like for parents to see their grown children?
Admirable yet slightly regretful, as if he’s already preparing for independence…..
‘What are you talking about, Livia Pellington!’
I´m not even Vincent’s mother, what’s there to be regretful about!
Anyway, it was clearly impressive.
In the end, I couldn’t help it and pulled Vincent into a tight embrace.
“You’re so admirable, Vincent!”
My child, you’re the best!
“Hehe… but Tutor has to be by my side. You mustn’t be even a little far away, okay?”
“Of course! I’ll never be apart, and I’ll stay right by your side.”
I assured loudly and linked our fingers together to seal the deal.
That’s how confident I was.
‘There’s no way anything will separate us.’
By the way……
‘It’s been a long time since I’ve been there.’
Thinking of the Imperial Academy, I became lost in my thoughts.
Usually, other graduates often visit even after graduation, but I didn’t have the time as I started working right after graduating.
‘I wonder if I can see that person too.’
Thinking of him, I smiled softly.
‘That person’ was my only friend during my time at the academy.
* * *
Leaving Vincent’s room, I walked briskly through the corridor.
‘I should quickly leave the class materials and inform Winston.’
Just thinking of Winston’s happy expression made me feel proud for no reason.
After all, it was Vincent himself who decided to go to the academy.
‘Though the condition was that I stay close.’
The act of mustering the courage itself held a significant meaning.
I arrived at the room and opened the door.
Thunk.
“Huh?”
As I opened the door, something lodged between the door frame fell to the ground.
“What’s this?”
It was a dull, light-blue letter.
On the front, written in neat handwriting, it only said, “To Livia Pellington.”
It seemed like the work of a servant who delivers letters.
But…
‘How could they know I’m at the Duchy of Mercedes?’
I hadn’t told anyone I was here.
Puzzled, I picked up the letter and walked into the room.
I put down my lesson materials and tore open the sealed opening with a paper knife.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
Just by reading the first line, I could tell who had sent this letter.
[To Livia Pellington.
First of all, let me apologize for the surprise of this letter.
You probably opened it with the obvious suspicion: ‘How did they even know I was here?
And as soon as you read the first line, you must have figured out my identity. Because I am the only one who addresses you as ‘Livia’. ]
Up to this point, I couldn’t hide my astonishment.
As he had said, during our academy days, when everyone would call me either “Class Leader” or “Pellington,” he was the only one who would address me as “Livia.”
But how did this man know I was at the Duchy of Mercedes and sent it to me?
The mystery was solved in the next paragraph.
[Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t do a background check on you. It was through Anna Lever that I heard you were at the Mercedes residence.
I assume you’re aware of that? You know what the Levers have done……. I was included as an advisor on the case.
How bittersweet it is to be reunited with a former student behind bars. Then Anna Lever told me.
You’ve been working as a home tutor at the Duchy of Mercedes.]
The name “Anna” made me pause.
Recently, I learned that three generations of the Lever family had been executed for plotting a rebellion.
‘It’s a case of reaping what one sows.’
I couldn’t find any joy in thinking about Anna’s last moments when she stubbornly resisted.
Anyway, if this person had met Anna and heard about my situation, it wouldn’t be unusual for them to send a letter here.
‘But surely, this person didn’t just send a letter to inquire about my well-being.’
As expected.
[I have a proposal for you.
Since this conversation might become lengthy, please come meet me on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Imperial Academy on October 26th.
It’s likely to be a story that will pique your interest as well.
I’ll see you then.
- I think the best time would be right after the meeting.
-Your only friend,
From Jeffrey Cuspert-]
Below the name, there was a written appointment time and place.
“Jeffrey Cuspert…”
I murmured the name written at the bottom.
Jeffrey Cuspert was my mentor.
He was someone who seemed carefree in demeanor and also lived in the library, making us closer.
I hadn’t made any friends throughout my time at the Academy, but Jeffrey and I dined and chatted occasionally, so it wasn’t a very lonely existence.
‘Although I did keep my distance when unsavory rumors began to circulate.’
There had been a rumor circulating that we were in a romantic relationship.
It was a ridiculous claim, but due to the stress from the rumors at the time, I eventually ended up distancing myself from him.
Looking back now, I realize that was unfair to him, but…
‘Perhaps Anna might have been the one who started that rumor.’
Anyway, because of that, it had always bothered me that I couldn’t find Jeffrey on the day I graduated from the academy.
It was difficult to ask about his well-being due to guilt, so when he contacted me first, I felt genuinely grateful.
I was also curious about what proposal he had.
The problem is…
‘That day is the day I promised to stay close to Vincent!’
Sure, I could meet Jeffrey with Vincent in tow, but it would be hard to focus solely on Vincent if the conversation dragged on.
Moreover, I don’t even know how long the conversation might last, and if I kept Vincent by my side, there would be no point in going to the academy.
‘Should I send a letter and suggest changing the date?’
But as far as I know, he’s never stuck in his room.
He roamed around the academy every day, and I often saw stacks of letters accumulating for a year at a time.
If that’s the case, the remaining option is…
I let out a deep sigh.
