Putting aside their worries, the two headed to the parsonage.
The parsonage was located behind the church in the center of town. It was quite a walk from the Violet House which was located at the edge of town.
The path down to the village had few passersby, so it was okay. However, as they entered the village, Lyla’s concerns became a reality.
“Good afternoon, Lyla. Going to teach the kids?”
An elderly lady hanging laundry in the yard noticed Lyla. She was the parent of one of the kids Lyla taught, and they often chatted.
“Yes. Did Jodie leave already ?”
“She left as soon as the sun rose. She seemed so excited about today’s class. She used to run away when it came to studying in the past. I guess Lyla teaches well.”
“Jodie’s smart, so she absorbed what I was teaching her quickly. I think it’s because she’s so excited to learn.”
“Oh, our Jodie?”
The woman, pleased with Lyla’s praise, noticed Aslan belatedly.
“By the way, who is the person next to you?”
The presence of a tall and handsome man like Aslan was impossible to conceal no matter how hard she tried.
Swallowing a sigh, Lyla calmly introduced him.
“He’s a guest staying at my house.”
“Guest? Who could be this distinguished visitor?”
The lady cast glances alternately at Lyla and Aslan, her eyes gleaming mysteriously.
“He’s an important guest, but not in the way you’re thinking.”
It was true, but…
“Really? No matter how I look at it, hmm, he seems like a guest for you, Lyla.”
“No, he’s not.”
No matter how many times she said no, the woman wasn’t convinced. She commented about how well they looked together.
“Come on, let’s go.”
Lyla whispered.
Aslan, who had been watching Lyla interestingly dealing with the elderly lady, obediently followed.
After that, Lyla was stopped two more times. Village residents who chatted with Lyla were all curious about Aslan’s identity.
Lyla desperately hid Aslan’s identity, portraying him simply as a guest staying temporarily. However, even though he wore Luke’s shabby work clothes, people still thought of Aslan as some aristocrat.
Everyone was curious about why a high-ranking nobleman was at Violet House, and they tried to dig into it.
‘As expected, clothes can’t hide everything.’
The short road to the parsonage, felt farther today.
“Let’s take a break for a moment.”
Lyla stopped in the middle and sat on a bench in front of the fountain in the square.
“Phew.”
Due to occasionally walking briskly, she was out of breath. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and the area under her throat was already damp.
Continuously exposed to the scorching summer sun, her overheated head felt throbbing. Wearing a hat helped a bit; otherwise, she might have already collapsed.
‘It’s so hot…’
Lyla tried to cool off by fanning herself with her hands, which didn’t really help, but it did make her feel a little cooler.
Closing her eyes and fanning herself, Lyla suddenly felt the wind pick up a bit.
“……?”
Opening her eyes at the oddity, she turned her head in the direction of the wind and saw Aslan fanning her with his hat.
“What are you doing?”
Perplexed, she asked, and Aslan replied casually.
“I thought I’d offer at least a little help. Does it feel cooler?”
“….”
Though it was just fanning with a hat, it did make her feel a bit cooler.
“…Yes.”
Unable to lie, Lyla answered honestly, her face turning red.
“Didn’t I say I could be of help? So, you did well by bringing me here.”
Aslan said with a proud expression.
Lyla looked at Aslan with a strange expression.
To her, Aslan was like a big tree; she always breathed in his shade.
Sometimes she wondered if it was hard for him, too, but as sturdy as an old tree, he never showed the slightest sign of vulnerability.
Though he was only a few years older than her, she often thought of him as a man who had experienced the highs and lows of life.
To Lyla, he was a man who could be really considered an adult.
So it was strange to see him acting like a child.
However, if asked if she disliked it, well… no, she didn’t.
Lyla sneakily glanced at Aslan and quickly turned her head when their eyes met.
Sitting side by side, the two enjoyed the refreshing breeze blowing in. Despite the heat, the wind made it feel cooler as they sat still.
They remained silent until it was almost time for class.
The walk to the parsonage was not difficult. The shade provided by the village buildings kept the heat at bay.
As they entered the parsonage, the children who had been waiting outside came running.
“Teacher!”
The energetic children surrounded Lyla.
“How have you been?”
“Great! I finished my homework!”
“Me too!”
The children, chirping like baby birds, noticed Aslan behind Lyla.
“Who are you?”
“This is my first time seeing you!”
The children chattered with curiosity, circling around Aslan.
On the other hand, perhaps out of shyness or fear, some children hid behind Lyla, avoiding Aslan.
“He’s from outside. I wonder where he’s from.”
“I don’t know. But since he came with Teacher Lyla, he can’t be a scary person.”
Behind Lyla’s skirt, the children exchanged whispers, glancing at Aslan.
“He’s a guest of the teacher, may he join our class?”
Lyla’s words prompted the children to exchange glances among themselves. It didn’t take long.
“Yes!”
“Sure!”
Lyla smiled brightly.
“Thank you for being considerate.”
As she subtly stepped back, she gave Aslan a nod. In response, Aslan smoothly greeted them.
“I’m Aslan. I’m delighted to be here.”
“Wow.”
Even with a simple greeting, the children admired Aslan. Despite wearing worn-out clothes, Aslan looked sophisticated and seemed like someone from a completely different world.
“Now, let’s start the class. Everyone, take your seats.”
Standing in front of a small desk made to fit the children’s tiny bodies, Lyla unpacked what she had brought.
Aslan stood behind her and watched her work.
Lyla, teaching the children mathematics and Polish, seemed skilled as if she had been a teacher for a long time.
It was the exact opposite of what she had been saying the whole time.
She told him that she doesn’t have much of a talent for teaching, and that the kids just follow her because they’re nice and smart.
She wasn’t being modest, she genuinely believed it.
Despite her inherently modest and humble nature, once someone ascends to the position of a Duchess with wealth and power, change is inevitable. However, Lyla did not seem accustomed to standing above others. She lacked the natural arrogance typical of high-ranking nobility.
Aslan observed his wife, Lyla Violet, who had belittled herself. It didn’t strike him as odd. It was as if she was used to it.
Aslan was momentarily lost in thought. The more he pondered, the more buried thoughts began to surface.
During a short break in the middle of the class, while Lyla was busy taking care of children playing around, a child approached Aslan.
“Excuse me…”
The child cautiously spoke, glancing at Aslan. When Aslan bent down, the child brought their face close to Aslan’s ear and whispered.
“What’s your relationship with the teacher?”
Aslan paused. The child’s eyes sparkled, looking at Aslan with anticipation for an answer.
Aslan looked down at the child wordlessly, his gaze drifted to Lyla not far away.
Lyla, who was playing with the other children, glanced over and ducked her head as their eyes met.
One moment she looked like a skilled teacher, the next like a shy little girl.
With a small smile, Aslan turned his attention back to the child.
“I’ll tell you if you keep it a secret.”
“A secret?”
The child’s voice rose. She was a child, and secrets thrilled her.
“From now on, promise me that you won’t tell anyone what I say.”
“I promise!”
The child nodded eagerly.
Aslan extended his hand to the child, who raised their tiny finger to intertwine it with Aslan’s.
“It’ll be our secret, promise!”
The vow to keep the secret was sealed with a pinky promise. Now it was Aslan’s turn to keep the promise.
“I…”
His lips itched. He wanted to say right away that she was his wife.
However, he held back. Because Lyla didn’t want it. Patience was his greatest asset, making it not too difficult to keep silent.
But Aslan didn’t want to endure it. Even though he heeded Lyla’s plea, a part of his heart wanted to reveal the truth. Perhaps it was due to the memory he had just recalled.
