Chapter 16
"Well… Count."
The officer called Kentrail, who was sitting at his desk and looking at the papers.
"Help him settle in the Capital."
It was about giving Derek a house in the corner of the Capital.
"Alright…"
Kentrail told the officer to go and picked something from the drawer. It was his brother's diary, which always filled him up with happiness.
[ Today, Brielle was born. What can I say other than how grateful I am to heaven, to my wife for giving birth to such a pretty child, and also love to the family who prayed for Brielle. ]
On the day Brielle was born, his brother's feelings were written intact in the diary.
He wondered how Kranteil felt when he closed his eyes, leaving the young son behind. Two couples died side by side.
Kentrail couldn't calm down, so he got up from his seat and looked out the window. There, Brielle and the nanny were walking closely together, with a big smile on their faces.
Perhaps, he should take a walk after lunch.
He covered the diary he was looking at and quickly stepped toward the direction they were in.
"Uncle!"
Brielle found the Count. It has been a long time since he visited during the day like this, so he caught a smile on Brielle's face.
For his older brother, Brielle should have come first before work. Suddenly, feelings of guilt came over Kentrail.
"Aren't you wearing too thin?"
Marie asked as she saw what he wore when hurrying out, only a thin coat was placed on his top in the middle of winter.
"It's all right."
Even in his words, she had an unbelieving face.
Marie, who had been contemplating for a long time, eventually removed her shawl and wrapped it around the neck of the Count.
"It's okay. You're cold, too. Just keep it."
"It's fine because I wear thick clothes. Whom someone gave to me because it's really warm."
It was the coat that the Count made the butler brought to her room.
She felt it was too much, so she wanted to refuse, but Marie reluctantly accepted with the thought that she needed at least one of these clothes to go out with the young master.
When she gave Kentrail her shawl, he thought about how it would somehow smell her scent, causing his heart to flutter and his ears heating up.
'I guess it's because he's cold.'
Marie looked at the Count's red ears and didn't think too much about it. Then, she checked Brielle's clothes again.
The three went round the garden side by side. In the meantime, Brielle's smile didn't disappear from his face.
"I want to hold hands with Marie and uncle."
When Brielle held their hands in the middle, it felt like the three were connected.
At the store where he followed Marie, Brielle was staring at the family members who were walking around holding hands, and he was so happy that he was able to do it as well.
If Marie had known what was in Brielle's heart, her face would have blushed.
Brielle was terrified because he was sitting on high ground.
It was just that, the horse riding class began.
"Ma~rie…"
Brielle, who called her in tears, was stiff as a stone, not knowing what to do. He was scared of the horses that were much bigger than him, and it was challenging to balance.
It was obvious that the child was terrified, but he didn't know why the nanny's mouth had a smile.
"Young master, fighting!"
Marie shook her head, looking at the Count, who deliberately brought the big horse first.
Therefore, Brielle will be less scared when he rides a little horse. It seemed to be his idea of shock therapy. The knights next to him said it would be better to ride small horses, but it seemed inaudible to the Count.
"Uncle! Drop me off!"
The problem was that he cried with his arms and feet hardened. Eventually, the Count sighed and climbed behind his nephew. Only then Brielle was relieved and released his strength and leaned on him.
"Now, let's go around."
Kentrail left the stables with the child hoping that Brielle will get to know the horse better and adjust to the height.
"Wow!"
As the cool air passed through him, Brielle began to get excited. He waved his hand at Marie and even had the courage to look back.
Kentrail sighed when he saw it.
'I know it's better to ride small horses, but…' However, since his brother did this when teaching him, he acted in the spirit of wanting to share his memories with his brother to Brielle.
And, fortunately, Brielle seemed to have adapted well.
Marie watched the two of them happily, and she looked at her side, surprised by the sudden sensation.
A horse was snorting and sniffing, sticking its face right next to her.
"This…this."
Then, the stablekeeper said with a smile.
"Oh, I guess this guy likes the nanny. It's a kid who doesn't like getting ridden by humans."
Marie looked into the eyes of the white horse.
'It's pretty. It reminds me of the first time I met the young master's eyes.' Unknowingly, she raised her hand and stroked the mane of the horse. Marie felt the texture of the mane was excellent and different from what she thought.
"If you know how to ride a horse, try riding it."
She was taken aback at the horse, but, unfortunately, she had never ridden a horse. 'I haven't ridden one in Jeju Island once.' The schedule of riding horses was canceled due to rain during her only trip to Jeju Island.
[ T/N: Jeju Island is an island popular for holiday destination in Korea. ]
"Oh… I've never learned horse riding."
As she replied with a lingering voice with regret, Taylor, Brielle's sword teacher, who was listening to the conversation between the two, spoke to her.
Originally, he was supposed to teach Briel's horseback riding, but the Count came to observe his nephew's horseback riding class. Though, he picked up Brielle and went away.
"Then, can I give you a ride?"
"Yes?"
"Actually, the name of this horse is Den, but I haven't been able to ride it once because it didn't want to be ridden by people. Although seeing that it likes the nanny so much, I might have a chance to ride this guy if you ride it with me as well…"
Den is a good-lineage horse, so all the knights hope to ride it at least once. Taylor was also looking for a chance to get a ride, too.
Marie looked into Den's eyes once again and said with determination.
"If it's okay for me to ride this horse, I would like to."
She thought it would be nice to run along with Brielle in the distance.
"Then… excuse me."
Taylor, who had been wondering for a moment how to put her on the horse, put his hand on Marie's waist and tried to seat her carefully.
From far away, the Count and Brielle were running.
"What are you two doing!"
Especially with Brielle yelling at them, Kentrail was looking with a grim expression.
Brielle was excited. The sense of speed he felt for the first time was making the child thrilled.
"Uncle, faster~"
Kentrail hugged him tightly as he speeded up, worrying the child would fall.
"Hehe…"
The smile didn't leave Brielle's face.
"I love uncle."
Until he sees that scene.
"It would be nice if Marie could ride together."
At the child's words, Kentrail thought it would be nice to teach horseback riding to the nanny as well.
He was strengthening the security of the mansion just in case and was secretly investigating his brother's death, but apart from him, if the nanny knew how to ride a horse, it would be helpful in any unexpected situation.
After thinking so, he turned the horse's head and tried to go to the place where Marie was. 'By the way… What are they doing now…'
He knew for the first time there was such a flame in his heart. It was a feeling that was erupting without him knowing what it was himself.
"What are you two doing!"
Before he opened his mouth, Brielle's voice was heard first.
"Young master."
Marie was startled by the sudden loud voice. It was the same with Taylor as he hurriedly took his hand off her waist. The two were confused and looked at each other.
Kentrail stopped his horse and held his nephew down.
"I'm trying to ride a horse."
She spontaneously noticed the two men. She didn't do anything wrong, but she didn't know why she had to explain herself like this.
"But why are you doing this with Taylor?"
"What?"
Brielle's sword teacher opened his mouth to the absurdity.
"The horse was too high to get on, so I was trying to help her."
"Still!"
Brielle's white, plump cheeks swelled as though it was about to burst. He had something to say, though it seemed like he didn't know exactly what to say.
Marie skillfully diverted Brielle's attention.
"You should give the horse a snack as a thank you for the ride."
"Snack?"
His curious eyes turned to her. Marie poked the child's swollen cheek.
"Yes."
Brielle, whose cheeks defeated by the poke, walked along with Marie.
And before following them, Kentrail looked at Taylor's hand with a cool glance. In that gaze, Taylor quickly pulled his hand back. He doesn't know why, but he thought he should.
"Kentrail."
In the hallway of the Royal Palace, the Count looked back at the sound of someone calling his name.
The queen was standing there. She wore a heavenly dress, though it wasn't cold though to wear thick layer.
"Queen."
"It's been a long time."
Kentrail frowned at her remarks and asked her to be careful.
"Oh my. There's no one here who doesn't know us."
She was his relative, though they weren't that close because they only see each other once a year. There was no resemblance. Unlike him, who was tall, the queen was on the smaller side. She was dwarfed compared to Kentrail, who had broad shoulders and a large physique.
"How's Brielle doing?"
She remembered the child she had seen only once and asked his regards.
"Yes, he's growing up."
"I haven't heard of the child yet…"
"You'll hear good news soon."
"Yes…That must be so. By the way, when are you going to tell me? Marriage. Somehow, there is no social scandal."
The queen shook her head and secretly talked to her friends, wondering if they would like to be introduced to him.
"My successor is Brielle."
Therefore, it meant for her not to make him tired by introducing useless people. At least, no one around the queen would be satisfied with the condition of acknowledging Brielle, the nephew, as the successor, rather than the child they would give birth to.
"Seriously… Anyway…Your brother's friendship was unusual."
Reminiscent of their childhood, she briefly immersed in her recollections, tapped once on the Count's shoulder, and walked away.
Kentrail followed her footsteps with fierce eyes, as though a lion preying at an enemy who invaded his territory.
And the queen's expression walking ahead of him was also cold.
Chapter 17
"Yes?"
Marie was about to visit the office after dinner time had passed, following the order of the Count who called her.
And there, she received an unexpected offer.
"I have to ask Berry as well, but I think your opinion would be important, too. If you disagree, you may put your word to it, so I'm asking you first."
'Academy…'
Could there be a greater opportunity for Barry, when the family almost fell? Due to the enormous tuition, the academy was a place where even ordinary families could only send the eldest son. But it was the Count's suggestion that he would send Barry.
"…I know it's a great opportunity, but…"
She lifted her head slightly and looked at him.
'I knew that Berry had a talent for swordsmanship, though…'
Barry ran little errands at the Knights, and he's growing his dreams there, so Marie thought he could become a knight if he hoped, but the knights who left the academy differ from the hospitality.
She doesn't mind, but it was something she had to accept when considering the child's future.
"Taylor said that. Barry has a lot of talent."
When Taylor's name came out, she thought that the Count was not making such an offer out of mere favor.
"If Berry says he's going, I want him to go to the academy."
It was a thing to be grateful that wherever he went, he was given the opportunity to learn.
"Then, call Barry and ask."
Kentrail caught her trying to bring Barry and turn her body.
"You…"
Marie looked at him as he called in a hesitant tone.
"Isn't it hard to take care of Brielle?"
Kentrail called her unknowingly because he didn't like seeing her turning her back.
"Yes. Though for me, it's fortunate enough to be able to take care of him."
Her clear eyes were telling him that the words were sincere.
"All right."
Kentrail has been very grateful to Marie recently. The day he first went on a picnic with Brielle, the nanny wrapped him around her and was on the lookout for someone, even though she didn't know what was going on.
It was she who first suggested that he post an escort for Brielle.
From the moment he knew that there might be a force that killed his brother, there was a time when he thought about these moments, and his heart would flutter.
'If it weren't for the nanny…'
"Don't push yourself too hard. Talk to me anytime if there's something on your mind."
Laughing at his words, Marie remembered he looked a little loose, on Brielle's birthday. Kentrail began to tease her, sometimes getting so close then quickly distancing himself.
All of Marie's family was in the best mood right now. As Barry's academy admission was confirmed, everyone at the mansion gave their congratulations. Except for only one person.
It was none other than Brielle, whose mouth was slightly protruding and reminiscent of a carp.
Barry has been wandering here and there for days in search of a place to stay, and he finally found Brielle sitting in the bushes of the garden.
"Young master."
However, Brielle didn't even answer his words, and he was pouting.
Barry sat next to him casually.
"Have you been here for a while?"
"…"
"Are you not going to say anything to me?"
Instead of answering, Brielle looked down.
"Why is our young master doing this?"
Barry, who was complaining to Ellie, said tenderly to Brielle. Maybe it's because he's much younger than Ellie. In Barry's eyes, the young master was still like a baby.
"Brother…"
In addition, he was so grateful that Brielle sometimes called him an older brother.
Maybe because he felt the warm gaze from Barry, Brielle finally raised his head. Tears were streaming down his cheeks.
Barry reached out his arms and hugged the young master. His warm body went into his arms. The appearance of the master he saw the day he first entered the mansion remained with Barry as time passed.
"Do you feel disappointed for me to go to the academy?"
Brielle just hugged Berry. He wanted to stop him from going, but he couldn't because Brielle knew how great of an opportunity it was from his tutor.
He was just sad. It was sad that he had no choice but to complain about his brother's departure.
"Young master…"
Now, he will have to take swordsmanship class alone, and the person who will fight with him wouldn't be there unless it is Jayden, and the person who returned to the garden every time he struggled in the mansion will disappear.
Barry's clothes got wet from Brielle's tears. For Brielle, who was still young, a brief separation was so painful.
As he looked straight into Brielle's eyes, Barry said.
"I'll come back as a great knight. Then, will you be my master?"
"…"
But Brielle had no answer to that.
"Do you not like that?"
The young master shook his head.
"Not that… I'm not good enough…to become a master."
At that, he hugged Brielle again.
"What do you mean by that? You're such a friendly and warm person. That's enough to be my master."
In front of someone like Barry, Brielle knew what it was like to be ashamed as an incomplete person for the first time in his life. He also felt the feeling of wanting to become a great person. Still young, Brielle doesn't know the criteria for being good, but he decided to be like his uncle. Then, he would not be ashamed of becoming Barry's master.
"I will definitely be a person who is worthy of brother."
So, little Brielle got his first Knight. It happened at the Count's house, where there was still warm energy.
Even today, the Count worked at the Royal Palace until late at night, and only left work at night. After the long vacation, he was still busy.
As he entered the mansion where the darkness fell, his heart sank. However, there was a person who waited for him other than the butler.
It was the nanny, Marie.
"You haven't slept yet?"
It's been a long time since she's been awake until this time, so he asks abruptly. No matter how much he saw, it looked like she was waiting for him.
"You just got home?"
"Yes, what's going on?"
"No, I just couldn't sleep, so I was talking to the butler because he would be awake."
He didn't know why he was feeling this way. Kentrail regretted the fact that she was not waiting for him. 'This is ridiculous.'
He knows that wasn't her intention, but he was more than happy that one more person welcomed him.
Marie is relieved that the lights in the mansion are mostly turned off, making her own face difficult to see. She must have blushed her face at the excuse that she came up with.
Recently, she had been told by the butler that the Count had come into the mansion late at night. So, when she couldn't fall asleep today. Marie went down to the first floor and saw the butler, so she talked to him. Therefore, what she said wasn't exactly wrong, but it seemed like a whisper in the corner of her mind, asking if that was just an excuse. In fact, in her heart, she was hoping to meet the Count.
"What about Brielle?"
"Asleep. Would you like to see him?"
"Sure."
Even these days, when he returned from the Royal Palace, Kentrail would gently open the door and went to see Brielle.
"He's sleeping with his stomach up."
His skin became visible. It was impressive that Brielle's stomach, which had been slimmer before, became plump again.
His face, reflected in the moonlight, carried a smile that seemed happy about whatever good dreams he was having.
And because of his cute appearance, the Count's mouth rose up to his ear.
He lowered his shirt with a careful hand and covered him with a blanket. Kentrail could see him nodding and talking in his sleep. He then raised his hand and patted Briell's chest. He also naturally learned how to treat him.
When the Count came out of Brielle's room, Marie handed him a cup of hot tea.
"It's a tea that relieves fatigue. Eujes said that."
"Who?"
"Tutor Eujes."
He made an expression after not drinking tea for four weeks.
"Let's sleep."
"Okay, good night."
The Count simply looked back and glanced at Marie as she was going.
Finally, Berry left for the academy.
Ellie sent his brother off, hugging, and Marie was sad not to see the child for a while.
Brielle clearly changed his attitude in class. In the meantime, he was looking for Marie and joked occasionally, but now he focuses on his class and enthusiastically asks questions.
The Count was watching Brielle's swordsmanship class from a distance happily.
The butler sighed from the side. No matter how much he looked at it, the master' treatment was excessive.
'Even if Barry has a talent for swordsmanship, you're sending him to the Academy instead.'
There might be a reason for it, but the butler thought so since he doesn't know.
Kentrail wasn't ignorant of the butler's thoughts, but his thoughts were firm. Although Barry had a talent for swordsmanship, he had to learn swordsmanship a little more systematically to protect his family.
'It's better since most civilians couldn't afford it. So, he can learn in a good environment.'
That was what he felt.
"Uncle!"
Brielle, turning his head as he felt the gaze, found Kentrail and shook his arm. He approached him slowly, and he quickly looked around to see if Marie was around. He saw her glancing at them in the shade of a tree in the far distance.
The Count's head turned back towards his oncoming nephew.
"You have improved a lot."
"Hehe."
Seeing that Brielle waved his arm shyly, he seemed to have no help in complimenting. The white cheeks were colored red from the heat of the sun. Then, the nanny came to them with a cold towel.
"Young master, cool your cheeks."
"Hmm."
A quick greeting to the Count, and she wiped Brielle's cheek with the towel. Kentrail watched Brielle's class until late that evening.
Another emergency was caught in the County.
This time, it was not because the only young master was sick, but because the master had a cold. Watching Brielle's class wearing a thin shirt, he started coughing unusually. Though he just dismissed it. Although he was the one who repeatedly worked overtime in the royal palace for the last few days, so it was natural that he would catch a fever along with his accumulated fatigue.
"You've been overdoing it…"
Marie was nagging at the Count, clicking her tongue, after seeing the young master looking at his uncle with an anxious expression.
"To a sick person…now…"
He had no energy to answer, and Kentrail laid back his body that had been raised halfway.
"Marie… What's wrong with uncle?"
As she sat down toward Brielle, looking at his teary eyes, she gently wiped the tears away so as not to hurt his eyes and said.
"It's all right. The physician said that if he takes a break for about three days, everything will be better."
"Really?"
"Of course."
Marie was the first to discover Kentrail, who was covered in a cold sweat. She came to see him and asked if he wanted to take a morning walk with Brielle. She was worried and thought something terrible had happened.
However, after she realized that it was just a cold and flu, Marie recommended the Count to take this opportunity to cut down on his workload. She was more concerned about Brielle seeing her anxious, so she was deliberately showing a bright attitude.
The maids next to them glanced at the nanny. 'What if he told her to get away because of his tough personality?'
Contrary to the words, it was Marie who stayed with Kentrail until the end.
She only sent Brielle up to the Count's room once the cold had passed while constantly changing his towel and sitting next to him.
Then, when she heard a groan, she checked his fever once more before changing his sweaty shirt.
No matter how familiar she looked at the idols' abdominal muscles on TV, Marie tried to look away from Kentrail as her face slowly turned red. However, the heat on her face did not go away, so she was looking at her fingertips.
Perhaps thanks to her nursing, the next day, Kentrail's fever subsided a lot.
Upon hearing the news, Marie shook her head when she saw the Court Officials coming to see the Count.
'How much do I have to restrain myself from eating a person?'
Since she was just a nanny, it was disappointing that she had no authority to block the official.
Chapter 18
"Thank you."
The Count spoke as he took the porridge Marie handed and ate it.
"Yes?"
"I heard from the butler that you were always here."
"Ah… because the young master was so worried."
The reasons weren't all, but Marie said that because she herself couldn't figure her feelings yet right now.
"Still…"
"If you know now, then cut down on your work. You've been cutting back on work before because you can't see the young master growing up properly, and now you're doing this again."
"Yes, there is no end to it."
Having confirmed that he had eaten all of the porridge, she handed over the medicine that the physician provided.
"It's bitter."
'Does he always have such a childlike side?'
Marie thought it was a little funny and bit her mouth firmly. 'You can't laugh in front of a patient.'
"Just laugh. Don't mind me."
"These days, I'm not a good judge for the count."
She laughed freely when Brielle was a baby, but after he became a child, she was the one who had to keep the courtesy in front of the Count.
"That's right… I dislike that."
"…"
Marie was lost a moment, not knowing what to say.
"Be comfortable. Aren't we in the same family? Was I the only one thinking so?"
He was the first to express this directly. She thought that the relationship between Count and Brielle and herself was a little close, though she thought it would be for only a moment. Or it might be just her illusion.
'No. He was thinking the same as well.'
Marie felt like her tears would fall at any moment, so she quickly turned her head to the side.
'If I knew it would be like this, I'd be less insulting to the Count while reading this novel.'
She pretty much cursed the Count role.
So do the fans of the main characters, and one of them was her.
But now she knew. If anyone harmed Brielle at this moment, he wouldn't change that way anymore.
'I even know to some extent what will happen in the future.'
It was impulsive to say this. Though the one who tried to kill Brielle, perhaps has a high probability of having a grudge against Kentrail.
"Count… By any chance, does someone have a grudge on you?"
"Grudge?"
"Yes…"
As he looked puzzled, Marie added a quick comment.
"For example, an official who was banished by the Count, a subordinate who threw a resignation letter one day, or one of the employees…"
"Is my image like that usually?"
Marie glanced at him in a sudden, cold atmosphere eloped between the two.
"No…not that… Maybe…"
"It's all right"
'It doesn't seem like an objective answer…'
Marie couldn't answer that, and she thought she'd have to ask the secretary later.
"Really."
Kentrail emphasized again that she might not believe it.
'A strong negative is positive.'
After eating all the porridge and medicine, Marie said she would go out and exit the room. She went to tell Brielle about the Count's condition. Kentrail, who watched her back as she leaves her room, stares at the window and sinks into his thoughts.
'A grudge.'
Although he responded that way to her, in fact, a lot of people had a grudge against him. However, those were the grudges that took place after he became the chancellor. When his brother was in an accident, most of the people didn't know him.
'If so, does it mean it's a grudge against my brother?'
Though his brother was a person with a good reputation, unlike himself.
'Rather, perhaps it was the resentment towards my parents who got caught in the corruption case.' His thoughts moved to his parents.
'But… they weren't such a person.'
Suddenly goosebumps rose from the tip of his head.
'No way…'
It seemed that the case between his brother and his parents was completely unrelated. He opened his eyes in a hurry and started looking for a piece of paper to write a letter on.
'Right Now…'
He hurriedly wrote the letter to Derek and thought about possible clues that could be there.
"Uncle!"
When Brielle heard that Kentrail's condition had improved, he ran to visit him right away.
"Are you okay? It doesn't hurt anymore?"
"Yes…"
Kentrail stroked his nephew's head, looking at Brielle as he hung on the bed.
"Did you worry a lot?"
"Of course!"
"You didn't know how much he insisted on sleeping next to the Count last night."
At the words Marie added, the Count's mouth slipped up.
"Now that the fever has gone down, I'll be able to shake it off by tomorrow."
"Shake it off?"
Brielle didn't seem to understand Kentrail's words. He tilted his head curiously.
"I would get better."
"Ah~ Hehe."
The child was happy after hearing that his uncle was going to get better and pulled something out from his pocket.
"Uncle, I'll give you this."
"What is it?"
"It's my favorite chocolate."
"Chocolate?"
Kentrail took the chocolate from his nephew with his right hand and put it in his mouth.
"Yes, Marie said that uncle doesn't like taking medicine. This is sweet, so you'll eat well, right?"
Marie nodded, turning her gaze at the young master's question.
She avoided the Count's gaze that seemed to confirm if she said so.
The king's birthday came a week after Kentrail recovered from getting sick.
Flowers were arranged as celebrations in the kingdom's stores, musicians came out every night to orchestrate, and everyone danced to the music regardless of their titles, nobles or commoners.
It is a sight that can only be seen at this time of year.
"Sister should go out and do a song, too."
After seeing Brielle falling asleep and getting permission from the Count, Marie came out to enjoy the night with Ellie and felt shy from her suggestion. She tried to refrain from going out like this, as it felt like someone was watching her, but Marie thought it would be better to come with Ellie, who was about to go out alone.
She didn't like to go to clubs, but she didn't hate dancing, so Marie was all right to folk dancing like this.
As she watched people's movements closely, when the popular song came out, she dragged Ellie and stepped into the circle. Her skirt fluttered lightly along with the movements. As the music accelerated in rhythm,laughters began to bloom more and more.
Ellie was also swaying her body with excitement. Since she was a child, she danced to Marie's humming, so it was like a fish that met water.
Again, the tune changed, and more people stepped into the dance circle.
"Huh?"
Marie turned her head towards a gaze. Eujes, who she hasn't seen in a long time, was there with a number of people. He waved his hand as he found Marie.
"Teacher."
Today, when Brielle was taking classes from Eujes, oddly enough, there was something for her to do. So, it had been a month since Marie saw him.
"I didn't expect to see you here."
"I know, right?"
The two smiled and stood next to each other. It was Ellie, Marie, and Eujes in that order.
"Did you not have a party?"
"As you can see, they're all couples here, but I'm the only one single."
Looking in the direction he was pointing, only the couples holding hands side by side were dancing on the other side. Fortunately, there were many family members, like Marie, here as well.
"Sister, who is this?"
Ellie asked, while looking at the person talking to Marie.
She looked at him, frowning, wondering where she saw him before, but nothing came to her mind. It should be so because when the young master would be in class, Ellie was always in her room or went out to play, so she rarely encountered the tutor.
"Young Master's teacher."
"Ah!"
Only then could she remember that he was the person the Young Master had asked her secretly about.
Ellie looked up close to him.
"Hi, little lady."
"Hello."
As Ellie danced naturally and greeted him, he exclaimed a laugh. Her score for him was added from the reaction.
Two more songs went by, and they pulled away from the dancing crowd.
"What would you like to drink?"
They were all thirsty, so they followed Eujes' suggestion of resting and finding something to drink. The three sat in the open-roof cafe and ordered their drinks.
"I want orange juice!"
"Why don't we have a drink as well?"
At Euges' suggestion, Marie recently drank at a time, so her drinking increased, so she said yes.
'It was the Count who was next to me when I first came here and when I had my first drink. Is he working late again today?'
He promised to cut back on work, but it was impossible to do it at once.
Even when she came to the festival, it was funny that her mind was focused only on the Count. Marie caught a glimpse of the cool droplets that were around the beer glass.
"Cheers."
Following Euges' words, they shouted while raising the cups they were holding. Then Ellie, who was next to Maie, grabbed her cup of juice and interrupted them.
"Cheers!"
Among them, the most excited person was Ellie.
It's been a long time since she had a date with her sister and such a nice gentleman.
The child glanced at Marie, and Eujes side by side laughed slyly. It was a laugh that a child of her age, supposedly did not think about.
'Even though the Count is cooler, he's someone beyond reach.'
Ellie left her place for a while, claiming that she was going to the bathroom. Based on the love story she heard from the local elder sisters, she had a plan of somehow giving them some time alone. However, contrary to Ellie's wishes, Marie's nerves were tense since she was anxious about the child who went to the bathroom alone.
"Well, you have a lively younger sister."
She heard a voice that diverted her attention. Marie replied to Eujes with her eyes looking towards the direction where Ellie had disappeared.
"That's right. Unlike me, she's a kid full of life and energy."
At first glance, he could see how much Marie loved her younger sister. Love was oozing from her voice.
"Do you have a younger sibling?"
"No, I'm an only child. So, I'm just envious when I see a good sibling relationship like this."
As she said that, she was still looking at a boy standing on the side of the road.
"Looking at how you are with the young master, I think you would get along with him too…"
"That's right. No matter if I failed on the management test, I wouldn't have accepted becoming a tutor if I didn't like the child. Of course, he's particularly cute."
Marie giggled when she thought of the young master who sometimes grumbled and said, 'No, you can't do that to Eujes, Marie.'
At first, she wondered what Brielle meant, but it seemed that the tutor misunderstood that Marie liked him.
Though, it's really just a misunderstanding.
The two people laughed, facing one another until Ellie returned. Then went on separate ways in the dark of the night.
Chapter 19
Marie and Ellie lay side by side in their room. They had just come back after watching Brielle sleeping.
Thanks to the Count's care, the room that belonged to them was a pretty good room in the mansion. It may be because it was a room with a light brown nuance, so it looked very cozy and warm. The window was also wide, so the garden was visible at a glance.
"Really, this feels good."
Ellie often went outside the mansion but was excited to know that she and her older sister had a night date alone.
"I think it's better to lie side by side with my sister."
The two changed into comfortable clothes from a market stall while they were out and lied on the wide bed together. Marie quickly became broken-hearted. She felt as though she should have paid more attention to Ellie and patted the hair of the favorite child.
Marie promised to do better for Ellie and Barry every day, but there was something odd about this.
'She has a more mature side than her peers. She doesn't show up unless asked, and she looks after herself.'
It was only when she was with Brielle that Ellie acted her age.
"Do you want to sleep with me?"
"Yes!"
Excited by her sister's warm words, Ellie quickly clung to her side, grabbed Marie's hand tightly, and took it to her cheek. Marie continued to look at the child's appearance in the darkness. A round forehead, long eyelashes, and a cute nose.
If there was a television here, she could have been a child actor.
"Sister."
"Why?"
Even with her eyes closed halfway, Ellie, who wants to keep this moment for a long time, said, barely awakening.
"Are you doing well with Mr. Yuses?"
"Why do you have such a misunderstanding? We're not really in a relationship."
It seemed that even Ellie had sympathized with the young master's wrong idea. She saw him in the market earlier, but his actions were plain. So, she doesn't think she likes him.
"But…you…"
"Huh?"
Ellie fell asleep without saying anything else. It seemed that she was lost in the pouring drowsiness.
After Marie looked at the child a little more, she put the blanket well over her neck, and she took a good night's sleep herself.
The Count's breakfast table was lined with one more person.
"Ellie. Sit next to me."
Marie said she was okay and would eat separately, but Kentrail insisted, saying it would make Brielle disappointed. It was because a few days ago, Brielle's words about why Ellie was eating alone were stuck in his heart.
She would be lonely after her brother left, so she had to pay more attention to Ellie.
"Good morning."
Ellie said her greeting to the Count and Brielle, who were sitting in the seat first, then she sat in what appeared to be her seat.
"Yes. Was it fun yesterday?" He asked after allowing them to go out yesterday.
"Yes."
As Ellie spoke in a loud voice from the morning, the maids behind her laughed.
"Young Master, Count."
Marie, who followed, clasped Ellie's mouth, then greeted Kentrail and Brielle. However, Brielle, who usually greeted energetically, had an uncomfortable expression.
"Did you have a nightmare, young master?"
"I thought I had a pleasant dream, but it wasn't."
"What kind of dream did you have?"
Ellie turned her body toward him and asked. The Count was also curious, so he drew his ears and focused on him.
"I went to the market with Marie and bought donuts, juice… But yesterday, Marie and Ellie went to the market together."
Marie looked at Ellie as if she understood the young master. Then, Ellie quickly pointed to the Count with her eyes. When Marie was in trouble, Ellie asked Brielle.
"How about me? Was I in your dream, too?"
Brielle, who can't lie, turned his head, avoiding Ellie's eyes, but this time, he met his uncle's eyes. His mouth, which had popped out a little, went in. Even at a glance, they could see that Brielle is now embarrassed and doesn't know where to put his eyes.
"Tsk. I bought a donut yesterday."
Staring at Ellie, blowing her cheeks, Kentrail opened his mouth.
"Then, let's go to the market together next time."
"Really?"
Brielle asked, opening his eyes wide. Ellie usually told him how gorgeous the market was and how excited the people were on the day of the King's birthday. She said that they all got together and danced. However, the more people there were, the more dangerous it would be, so he never went outside during this period.
"Yes. Let's go to the palace this time."
Brielle and Ellie were already excited, talking about what to see and what to do when they go out.
"Count, are you not busy?"
"Someone tells me to cut down on my work, so I'm trying to do that."
Brielle and Ellie quietly ate the soup that the maid had prepared.
"Do I look all right?"
"You look great."
Marie said as Brielle put on a new suit a moment ago.
Today is the first day that he will enter the palace, so she prepared more carefully. From the fabric to each button attached, a shirt was tailored with great effort, and even a tie for a child was made to match the color with Kentrail.
"Among the men who attend today, you will look the best."
"More than my uncle?"
"Of course, it can't be compared."
As she rubbed Brielle's fluffy cheeks, she heard her throat coughing somewhere.
"I didn't know I couldn't be compared."
She felt the glow from the appearance of his slicked hair that was neatly raised and the buttons.
Marie admired the Count for his masculine appearance, even though he was somewhat similar to Brielle and was a supporting character in the book. 'The writer also praised and wrote down the Count's appearance.'
Marie was embarrassed to say that the award can go to the writer's taste.
"Is it that much uncomparable?"
She raised her body while briefly arranging her thoughts, the Count suddenly approached and glanced at her, bowing his body.
'Why. What's wrong with you…'
She has always seen and talked to a lot of people on the street, but Marie wonders why she can't make eye contact with him today.
After Marie secured her distance on the excuse of Brielle, she replied.
"That's true compared to you."
"A very tough evaluation."
Brielle's mood was rising in inverse proportion to his uncle. He was very nervous when he said he would enter the Imperial Palace, but when Marie said he was the coolest, he felt a little less anxious now.
"What do you think, uncle?"
When his nephew turned around and asked, he lifted the child.
"Let's look in the mirror together."
The reflections of the two in the full-length mirror next to each other resembled the relationship of a father and son.
When he was younger, though, the difference in the two's appearance was noticeable, but now they looked almost identical, except for the hair colors.
"What do you think?"
"Good."
Brielle was excited to see his resemblance to the best-looking uncle, in his eyes.
"Can you do well today?"
"Yes."
The child had practiced a little for today. The nobility's etiquette was so tricky that Marie was sticking her tongue out. In addition, there was another example to go meet the king, so he had to learn the etiquette from the beginning.
It seemed that there could not be a lazy nobility here.
Marie stood, waving her hand until the carriage disappeared.
"Count Charant and his successor."
Their entrance rang out in the banquet hall.
The officials working with the Count looked rotten and some even hid because they couldn't finish their work yesterday, avoiding eye contact with him.
"Him, too…"
"No way."
The nobles who visited the balcony together were discussing how they had to finish their work no matter what happened until the chancellor would go to work tomorrow morning. Other nobles who didn't work with him were no different. There were only a few youngsters still looking at Kentrail's face and blushing their cheeks.
"Be mindful. The family has no intention of sending you to his house anyway."
The noble ladies went to crack down on their daughters. They seemed to be nagging in case a scandal would occur.
Brielle, who has an entirely different expression and appearance after sensing the atmosphere of this banquet hall, grabbed his uncle's hand tightly and took a deep breath before stepping into the door.
"Are you nervous?"
"A little…"
When he was with Marie, Brielle had been a little loose. Now, he looked at the door several times and seemed to be overwhelmed by it already.
It was a different size from his birthday party, so the Count thought the child would be nervous. If he knew this would happen, he would've allowed him to participate in a socialite party at least once. It seemed that Kentrail must have set too big of a stage for his debut.
"Don't worry, you have uncle."
"Huh."
Holding his firm hand, Brielle had nothing to fear in the world.
The banquet hall's head security was guarding the entrance door, and some of the attendants were wide eyed at the Count. They even looked at each other as if confirming that they were seeing things right.
'He always walks around expressionless, or only has a cold atmosphere…'
It was a different side of him.
Kentrail and Brielle joined hands side by side and finally walked into the banquet hall decorated with dazzling crystals.
Brielle's mouth opened slightly while holding his uncle's hand and entering. It was the first time that he saw such a sparkly place like this. It flashed and shined whenever he glanced around. It was a contrasting reaction to Kentrail, who saw this and frowned.
'How much budget did they spend?'
[ T/N: Lol, Uncle's priorities XD ]
When he came up with a relief package for the famine-stricken people, he had to squeeze out everything for the budget plan. In his view, though he wasn't a very bad king, he wasn't a very good king either.
"Oh, that kid is the Count's…"
Everyone who wasn't invited to Brielle's birthday was admiring the child's appearance.
"Anyway, the Count's genes…"
They murmured and were looking forward to Brielle growing up already.
'Well, if not the Count, you can try to marry his successor.'
People quickly spread the family tree in their minds and began to compare which child was the right age for the Count's successor.
Kentrail took a closer look at the child that had sparkly eyes.
"Thank you all for coming."
The king's greetings began, and Brielle asked curiously to his uncle.
"That crown, I think his neck would hurt a lot?"
Kentrail laughed as he stared at the crown that contained all the precious stones in the world, which in the child's eyes seemed to be nothing more than just a heavy object.
As the king gave a speech, he glanced at the Count and was amazed.
'There are times when he laughs brightly.'
When he was young, he thought he saw the Count's wide smile occasionally. However, recently, he hasn't seen anything other than a slightly raised mouth, so he felt sorry from a friend's point-of-view.
If Kentrail knew what he was thinking, his friend would have been seven-colored embarrassed.
The queen's gaze, sitting next to the king, also turned towards Brielle. At that moment, Kentrail quickly hid his nephew from her gaze. It was a natural move, but his face turned stiff as he turned back.
"What's wrong, uncle?"
Seeing his expression, Brielle whispered. His uncle's sudden change seemed odd.
"No, just… because I'm thirsty. Brielle, should we go get a drink?"
While the king's speech was being continued, the shifting of seats was an obscene behavior, but Kentrail still moved away regardless. And it was more important now to keep the child away from her gaze.
"Yes, I want to drink juice."
"Okay."
He hastily grabbed the child's hand and moved away from where they were sitting.
Chapter 20
"You are here."
It was Jayden and his father, Baron Jake. They were wearing bright colored clothes as usual.
"I think you're late."
"Since I came in just before you entered, it was safe, to be honest."
Baron Jake, speaking with a smirk expression, was a target of nobles' shunning in a different sense than Kentrail.
When he announced the marriage, so many were surprised. It was because he, who was only a baron, took a descendant line from a Marquis. It was even speculated that Baron Jake had hidden a lot of wealth since there was no reason for the Marquis to marry his daughter to a Baron.
In their eyes, Baron Jake was just an ordinary man. Rather, in terms of his personality, he was a person they wanted to avoid and didn't want to be associated with because his clothes were outdated.
However, after breaking everyone's thoughts, Sailey, the Marquis' precious daughter, actually fell in love with him.
Kentrail also knew about these details because the Marquis had come to ask him to please stop Baron Jake. The thought of how much he agonized with it disappeared.
Eventually, he let go of his daughter.
Even though Jayden is a child of the Baron, the reason everyone was being careful was because they couldn't ignore the Marquis' background.
"What about your wife?"
Baron Jake, who was stabbed by Kentrail's question, avoided his gaze and drooled.
"Hello?"
During this conversation between the uncle and father, Jaden and Brielle stood side by side to talk about events that happened since they hadn't seen each other.
"…So, if my mother doesn't go to my father right away…"
These were subjects that would make Baron Jake faint if he heard it. He couldn't even imagine that his son would have witnessed the scene of the couple's fight.
"Two young master masters. Nice to meet you."
There were people who approached through this gap. Mostly, they were people who wanted to get acquainted with the Count or Baron, but they came to the children who seemed relatively gentle because of their uncomfortable personality.
Needless to say, Brielle's angelic appearance and Jayden's big eyes were slightly drooping down, giving off a feeling of a delicate little boy.
"Hi?"
The two treated the people with as much courtesy as possible while being wary of people they had never seen before. Before coming to the event, Brielle suffered through the hardships of learning manners.
"Ho-ho, my daughter also attended today. How about if you dance together after a while?"
"I'm…"
"Ah…"
Kentrail and Jake had already hinted to the children that they could slip away with their age as an excuse.
"Yes…"
Voices filled with regret came and went. A lady found her child who was playing and brought her to them.
"My daughter, Isla. Is it your first time seeing her?"
"It's nice to meet you."
"Hi."
The girl dressed in a light pink dress was dragged away while having fun, so she wasn't too pleased.
An hour went on. One by one, they began to introduce their own children to them. By now, Brielle and Jaden's greetings were about to run out.
"That's enough."
It was Kentrail who saved the two children. He was in the back, hoping to see how far this situation would prolong, and decided to interrupt when his nephew's facial expressions were getting worse.
"Ah…Count."
Those who looked at his face suddenly thought of urgent matters that had to attend to.
"Oh, look at me. I left the shawl in the carriage, and I need to get it"
"Is it my turn to say hello to the king…?"
People quickly disappeared. Brielle blinked his eyes and looked up at his uncle.
'Why?'
The child's eyes began to grasp the mood. The people seem to be going away because they are scared of his uncle, but he couldn't figure out the cause.
"Haa… I came to avoid that side and this side…"
This is why Kentrail hated the social world. They will use everything they can to achieve their goal, regardless of whether it is a child or an adult, if it is profitable.
While the queen was away, Kentrail took Brielle to the podium to greet the king. He was just going to say hello and leave.
"Oho, you're finally here. I've been waiting for you to say hello."
Brielle looked at the king once and greeted him in an elegant manner, with his left foot pulled back, and his one arm folded forward. Indeed, he learned from a person with the best courtesy in the kingdom.
"I guess this kid is Brielle. Come closer."
He looked back at his uncle to see if it was okay to go. Then, he took courage from Kentrail's slight nodding gesture and approached the man who sat on the throne, wrapped in all sorts of jewels.
"Uh?"
The reason the child suddenly made a surprise sound was because the king lifted him up and sat him on his lap.
All the nobles around them opened their mouths and looked around. Even though the king is sitting on the throne, how could someone sit in the same place as him?
The Count quickly took his nephew away with an angry expression.
"You must be joking."
His low voice echoed in the banquet hall.
'How…' The king, who has no heirs yet, picks up Brielle and sits him on his lap. How could people not know what that means?
If the current king, who has no brothers and no cousins, couldn't give birth to a child. It was more likely that he would adopt a child, which made the surroundings more fussed.
"Don't be too angry. Brielle is cute, so I only wanted to hug him once."
The king spoke in a rather casual way, but it was already after all the nobles had seen the act. After the count, who thought he was in trouble, hurriedly skipped greetings to the king, he took Brielle and got out of the place.
Refusal to speak.
Currently, Kentrail was stuck in the mansion and was not going work at the Royal Palace.
Outside the mansion, an official dispatched from the palace was blocked by the knights, so they couldn't get inside and were stomping their feet.
After they visited on the king's birthday, this atmosphere continued. Marie asked everyone around to figure out what had happened, but she still did not know exactly. It was through another party, Brielle, that she learned about this incident.
"Marie."
"Yes, young master."
"Is uncle angry at me?"
"What?"
She wanted to know what all of this was about because the Count was a man who never got angry with whatever Brielle did.
"In the palace…"
Listening to the child's story, Marie gritted her teeth.
'How can a man called a king…' At first glance, it seemed that he would use Brielle.
"The Count is not angry with the young master."
"Then… It's not because of me that my uncle doesn't go to work?"
"Of course. It's just that there are people who he doesn't want to see, so he doesn't go out."
His uncle was in a bad mood because Brielle was suddenly held by the king at the palace, so it was understandable that he misunderstood.
"If you're worried, come to the office with me."
"Can I do that?"
"Would you like to go find him some snacks?"
The butler, who they met in front of the office with a teapot and snack from the maid, greeted the two with a very delightful expression.
"Go in."
They knocked in a hurry and followed the butler who opened the door. After entering the room, they saw the Count on the sofa with his eyes closed.
"Shh."
Brielle touched his nose with his finger, moving sneakily in fear of waking his uncle.
Marie, who came in after him, carefully lowered her tray, which she had brought to the table. Looking around, it seemed that he was looking at the papers earlier because there were white papers on his chest.
She picked up the blanket on the other sofa, gently removed the papers from his chest, and put a blanket over his body.
"I'll be here until my uncle wakes up."
At Brielle's words, Marie went to the bookshelf on one side of the wall and pulled out a book that the child could read. They were children's books that have been placed some time ago.
"Here you go."
"Yes, hehe."
As he sat on the sofa opposite where his uncle was lying on, holding a fairy tale book, Brielle, who had been reading it for a little, began to doze off.
Marie carefully took the book out of his hand, laid one of the cushions on his neck, and laid him down. She then walked up to the window and pulled down the curtains to block out the sunlight that may hinder the two of them from taking a nap.
Standing there, looking at the two asleep, the smile won't leave her face.
Marie was staring at Kentrail in horror. She wondered how she got herself in this position.
Clearly, there was a time of peace, but it was one knight who brought the eyes of the storm.
Knock, knock, knock—
Kentrail, awakened by the knocking sound, put his arm on his forehead for a moment to figure out what was going on and blinked his eyes slowly. Then, he smiled after he found Brielle, who was sleeping on the opposite side.
Marie had been looking at him and Brielle before knocking. She glanced at him with a vague look as she was waiting for the right timing to let Kentrail know that someone had knocked on the door.
Knock, knock, knock—
The knocking sound was heard again.
The Count finally raised himself up and told the person to come in. His voice was a little huskier than usual.
"Count, I think you must meet the official from the Royal Palace…"
There stood a knight of the family. It seemed difficult for them to continue to block officials from the palace since he was just a knight standing up against the official, who accepted the king's order.
Kentrail sighed deeply and told him to bring those officials in.
"…Count. I'm going to wake up the young master."
It was only then that the Count, who turned behind to the source of the voice, found Marie.
"Have you been standing like that? Doesn't your leg hurt?" He got up from his seat and gestured at Marie for her to take a seat.
"It looks like an official will be coming, so I'll be leaving."
"It doesn't matter. I think Brielle is also in the middle of his sleep, so just stay here."
However, when Marie didn't budge, he went closer to her, carefully grabbed her shoulder with a gentle hand, and sat her on the sofa.
With no time for Marie to stand up again, the official came through the open door.
"Count."
Once when the Count was not feeling well, it was the official that came to visit.
"What's wrong, did you come to get my resignation?"
Kentrail said as he pulled an envelope out of his desk drawer.
"No."
The official who saw the writing on the outside became contemplated and waved his hand.
"Then?"
"I just came to deliver the letter from His Majesty."
He took the envelope out of his arms and delivered it to the Count.
"I will do anything."
With what was written on it, Kentrail pondered.
"All right, then tell him to do this. Invite all the children of the same age as Brielle to the Royal Palace and tell him to hug them in the same pose."
"Yes?"
The official opened his eyes wide as he could believe what he had heard, so he asked again. Marie shook her head while sitting on the sofa.
"Really…will you come back to the palace only if he does that?"
"Yes, go to His Majesty and tell him."
"I'd rather…ask for another condition."
"Do you want me not to keep going to work?"
"Ah, yes."
Kentrail's strong would eventually lead the official out.
"Count, can you really do that?"
"I don't care."
Marie asked, looking worried about him.
"Wouldn't His Majesty be angry?"
"It wouldn't be worse than my anger at him trying to use Brielle."
Hearing so, she bit her mouth. Kentrail, who didn't want her to see his eyes, changed the subject.
"Is that for me?"
"Yes. I think it would be good if you eat it with the young master."
"He's still sleeping, so let's drink it together."
The Count, saying so, crossed over to the sofa and sat next to Marie. 'The young master is lying on the other side, and he's only just sitting here, but why am I nervous?' Marie rebuked herself once.
"Well, this was delicious."
He reached up to Marie's hand and put a piece of candy on it.
'Why is it so hot?'
His fingertips seemed to burn the area he touched. As she stared at the candy, Kentrail took the candy back and unwrapped it.
"Eat it."
'Uh?' Marie was puzzled by the candy in front of her. 'You mean, to take it to my mouth and eat it?' She couldn't decide what to do but eventually took the candy and put it in her mouth.
"Thank you."
"It was nothing."
Perhaps because there was candy in her mouth, he gazed at her as she mumbled as though she was adorable and drank the cold tea quietly.
This situation continued until Brielle woke up from his seat. And they didn't realize that before Brielle got up, his eyelids were shaking.