Chapter 5 – Part 3

“Was it overwhelming?”

After the children’s class ended, Ruby and Eli could finally sit on the sofa.

“Not really. It was fun.”

“Is that so?”

Ruby was surprised, but then she remembered how much Eli adored his younger sisters, Eve and Emily.

He’d grown up taking care of them from a young age. Therefore, it didn’t seem difficult for him to interact with or teach children.

“I hope it doesn’t make you uncomfortable.”

Sitting on the sofa, Eli, who had his eyes closed, suddenly opened them and looked at Ruby.

“Why?”

“What do you think about during the class?”

“I should teach the children well.”

“Is that all?”

“I hope it was enjoyable.”

“….”

“Do I need to have more?”

Perplexed, Ruby looked at Eli, and Eli wrapped her waist with both hands.

“There doesn’t need to be more.”

Strange. Eli’s voice, when he uttered those words, seemed to contain complex emotions. It felt like something had settled.

Leaning against Ruby’s shoulder, he leaned on her shoulder with her waist wrapped around him.

“Eli, what’s wrong? Are you tired? How about resting at the mansion?”

“Just a short break.”

Ruby gently placed her hand on Eli’s forehead. Fortunately, it seemed he didn’t have a fever.

Seeing Eli’s closed eyes and relaxed expression, Ruby silently held him close. It was a small price to pay for the joint effort they put into the children’s class.

“Okay, just a short break.”

“Yeah,”

Ruby laughed secretly because he answered in a small way, like the children of a while ago.

After the children left, the room became quiet. Occasionally, sounds of people passing by and Dominic’s movements could be heard, but they quickly came and went. The drawing room was filled only with Eli and Ruby’s breath.

It was indeed a quiet and peaceful afternoon.

* * *

“Teaching a lesson alone in the drawing room with a man?”

“I took dance classes with a male teacher when I was young. And when you were young, the home tutor was a woman.”

“That was when we were kids.”

“For the teacher, gender doesn’t matter.”

It was a relentless argument.

The peaceful afternoon the two had felt shattered when Aaron arrived for his lesson in the evening.

“Aaron is waiting.”

“I’ll pay for that man’s lessons instead. Then, you won’t have to have lessons with him anymore, right?”

“Eli.”

When Ruby called Eli’s name in a low voice, Eli flinched.

“I told you not to interfere with my life. I said if it continues like this, you won’t step foot in the mansion.”

“…Got it.”

Eli surrendered meekly.

“Instead, I’ll observe the lesson. I can’t allow just the two of you.”

That was something she could compromise on.

“If it doesn’t disturb the lesson.”

Ruby didn’t mind Eli’s presence. She just hoped Aaron wouldn’t feel uncomfortable.

“…Fine.”

Since there was no other way for Eli to participate,.

Fortunately, Ruby, who had entered the drawing room first, explained the situation to Aaron. He agreed to it willingly.

And so, Aaron’s lesson began.

“Can I borrow a handkerchief? I spilled some drink on myself.”

At Ruby’s request, Aaron took out a handkerchief from his pocket. Although his hand fumbled momentarily, he successfully retrieved the handkerchief and handed it to her.

“Thank you.”

As Ruby received the handkerchief, she glanced up at Aaron with her eyes slightly narrowed, her gaze coming from below her eyelashes.

“When a lady is seated, you should bend your knees to the lady’s gaze and then offer it.”

Eli’s scolding voice interjected between the two. His expression was stiff, as if he didn’t like the situation.

“Excuse me.”

Eli patted Aaron’s body lightly and corrected his posture.

“Like this.”

His movements seemed lackluster when observed, but once he took everything off, it was a perfectly corrected posture.

“Do you get it? ”

“Eli.”

Although she allowed him to be in the reception room without interference, Eli, who squeezed in, was met with a small reproach from Ruby.

“If you’re going to do it, you might as well learn properly. Watch closely.”

Eli then neatly arranged the handkerchief he had, putting it into his own jacket. Following that, he handed the handkerchief to Ruby in the same posture that Aaron had practiced earlier.

“Wow…”

Aaron’s eyes sparkled at the flawless demonstration.

While Ruby thought she did reasonably well explaining verbally, comparing herself to the perfect gentleman made her realize her shortcomings.

“Aaron, want to try it again?”

“Why aren’t you thanking me? ”

Still kneeling, Eli, raising one eyebrow, asked.

“Thank you.”

“Your eyes were more beautiful earlier.”

“I was acting at that time.”

“I did too.”

Not wanting to push it any further, Ruby turned her head to ignore Eli.

“Shall we try again?”

She kindly asked Aaron.

Curious, Aaron glanced at Eli. His eyes seemed to be asking if it was okay to try again.

Reluctantly, Eli nodded and stood up, observing Aaron with his fists clenched. It was a signal that he would be watching and correcting his posture.

“Here.”

Clearly, Aaron’s posture improved, although it was somewhat awkward.

“It’s good.”

Ruby said so happily as she received the handkerchief he offered.

“You did really well just now.”

“I found it easier to follow after seeing it demonstrated. I think I understand the feeling now.”

“Really?”

When Ruby looked at Eli, he smiled with a triumphant expression as if to say, “I told you so.”

However, Ruby didn’t pay attention to him and fell into thought for a moment.

“Then, would you like to try the posture we found difficult last time? Eli, can you show us how you usually stand?”

Ruby requested this from both of them. Since it had come to this, she intended to use Eli as a textbook.

“Just standing, it’s not difficult.”

Eli naturally stood as usual, and Ruby brought Aaron to stand opposite her.

Although Aaron tried to imitate Eli, it felt difficult and awkward.

“Your neck is too stiff. You don’t need that much tension. No, that’s too much. You’re not leaning too far back or forward.”

Eli corrected Aaron’s posture effortlessly. Despite not asking for Eli’s assistance, Aaron listened to his advice and moved his body accordingly.

Ruby, who had stepped back a bit, looked at the two with satisfaction.

* * *

“Good job.”

Dominic handed Aaron some juice.

“Still, the progress today was incredibly fast.”

“Thanks to you.”

Aaron expressed his gratitude to Eli. Eli nodded naturally in response. Even his expression seemed aristocratic, making Aaron stare in awe.

“Fortunately, I felt sorry for always explaining verbally, but you managed to learn this much. At first, it seemed impossible for you to follow.”

Remembering the first lesson, Aaron awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

“Shouldn’t you leave before it gets late?”

Eli, unable to stand the warm atmosphere between the two, urged them.

“Oh, right. Do you need any help today?”

Having finished his juice, Aaron asked.

“No, it’s fine. You don’t have to do that every time.”

This time, Ruby replied faster than Dominic.

“Every time?”

However, Eli was more bothered by that one word than Ruby’s refusal.

“I’m also receiving Ruby’s help. So, it’s natural.”

‘Huh? You didn’t just do the class, did you? ’

Eli thought that way.

“The butter-making machine did break down, though…”

Dominic cautiously spoke, glancing at Ruby.

“Oh, then…”

It was when Aaron was about to get up from his seat.

“I’ll take care of it.”

Faster than Aaron, Eli stood up.

“What?”

Who’s doing what?

Dominic and Ruby looked at Eli with incredulous faces.

“I’ll take care of it. You can go.”

Confidence overflowed in Eli’s voice.

“Does His Lordship know how to do it?

Dominic leaned in closer to Ruby, quietly asking in a voice only she could hear.

“Well, I’m not sure.”

He probably wouldn’t even know how the butter-making machine works.

While Ruby thought that, she only gave an ambiguous answer because of his overconfident expression.

“Where is it?”

“Oh, in the backyard.”

Dominic quickly guided Eli.

“May I come along?”

Aaron asked. He smiled faintly, as if he knew he would be needed.

“Of course. I want to see what’s happening too.”

With a worried heart, Ruby followed Aaron towards the backyard.

“I think you can stop now.”

“What’s wrong with this? ”

Even in Ruby’s soothing voice, Eli grumbled irritably as if he had no intention of stopping.

‘That’s how it was designed to work,’ Ruby thought to herself.