Chapter 4

“Today’s lesson ends here.”  

The trial lesson was over. After saying goodbye to Ethan, Amelie packed up her teaching materials and stepped outside.  

She felt confident. Ethan had shown immense interest in the teaching aids she had developed herself, based on the theories she had studied. This had allowed the lesson to proceed smoothly from start to finish without losing his attention.  

The Duke of Estricen, who had been relaxing with tea in a designated area outside, had likely observed the trial lesson from a reasonable distance, as the teaching space had an open layout.  

Amelie approached him with a smile.  

“Ethan is such a mature child, especially for his age.”  

Whether it was because he enjoyed the lesson Amelie had prepared, Ethan had been chattering excitedly, much more animated than when they first met. However, he still seemed overly polite for his age, which concerned her slightly.  

“Perhaps he takes after his father?”  

Kailo looked up at her with his teacup in hand, as though trying to piece together the context of a conversation he hadn’t fully followed.  

His closed lips parted.  

“Ethan is my son…”  

“Ah!”  

Amelie let out a small exclamation and bent down. A piece of her teaching material had fallen and rolled away. It was a block she had painted with alphabet letters and fun shapes in vibrant colors.  

As she bent over, her ample chest naturally pressed upward toward her face.  

‘Got it.’  

She had spent countless hours sourcing the right paints and painstakingly drawing and coloring the blocks late into the night. Losing one would have been a headache.  

Just as she picked up the block, she heard a sharp clink as the Duke set his teacup down a little too forcefully.  

‘Oh no.’  

As she stood up, Amelie realized that her garter belt, which had been snug around her thigh, was now visible.  

That morning, she had helped Nina prepare for a launch at her workshop. When Amelie mentioned she had an interview at the Duke’s estate, Nina had insisted on giving her an especially elaborate piece of lingerie.  

After weeks of modeling Nina’s designs, Amelie had grown somewhat desensitized to wearing lingerie, even the more provocative pieces. While she still found it embarrassing to scrutinize herself in the mirror or think too much about the designs’ intent, she had become accustomed to Nina’s insistence that she wear them.  

Since modeling often involved wearing Nina’s lingerie while helping with light tasks or even having meals, Amelie had grown used to wearing impractical or overly revealing pieces during her daily life. She had even come to appreciate the superior ventilation Nina’s designs sometimes offered compared to conventional lingerie.  

Today was no different. Whatever Nina had been imagining when she handed her the lingerie, she had been so insistent that Amelie had reluctantly worn it. Refusing Nina’s persistence was more trouble than it was worth. After all, it was just underwear—no one would see it. But…  

‘Someone might see it!’  

Amelie silently screamed.  

This wasn’t just any garter belt. Being one of Nina’s creations, it practically oozed an intent to flout decency.  

A silver heart-shaped ring sparkled against her pale thigh, lightly pressed by the black lace-trimmed leather band. The attached belts crisscrossed over her hips and waist, clearly designed for “bondage play,” as Nina had put it.  

Given that she had dressed as conservatively as possible for the tutor interview, the contrast was mortifying.  

Amelie quickly pulled her skirt down. Though she had frozen momentarily in shock, she had adjusted her clothing so quickly that he couldn’t have seen anything.  

Looking up nervously, she saw the Duke reviewing some documents on his desk. His hand turned the pages slowly, his demeanor calm and composed. His face, as he read through the text, remained as impassive as ever—utterly unaffected, as though nothing had happened.  

‘He didn’t see it! Thank goodness!’  

Amelie felt genuine relief. What would the Duke think if the woman who came to educate his son suddenly revealed such scandalous lingerie?  

“Let’s proceed with the contract.”  

The document in his hand was her employment contract. Without a hint of emotion, Kailo met her gaze with his piercing blue eyes, signed the contract with his fountain pen, and handed it to her along with the pen.  

“Yes!”  

Amelie beamed with joy. In that brief moment, countless thoughts had raced through her mind.  

***

Private lessons at the Estricen estate progressed smoothly.  

Ethan responded well to the lessons, showing consistent interest in the materials Amelie prepared and paying close attention to her instructions.  

While Ethan’s initial fondness for Amelie had undoubtedly played a role, her well-structured lessons were also a major factor. Initially, Ethan had been more focused on Amelie herself, but as time passed, he became increasingly engaged with the tasks she assigned, channeling his energy into tackling the challenges she presented.  

Today, Ethan was engrossed in assembling a puzzle of the Empire’s map. While the design had been simplified to make it more manageable, it included details like regional specialties and famous landmarks written in elegant script. The puzzle was designed to teach geography naturally as it was pieced together.  

“Well done, Ethan. Now, why don’t you have a snack with your nanny?”  

The lesson had run slightly over time due to Ethan’s intense focus. Once the boy cheerfully dashed off, Amelie quickly packed up her teaching materials and stepped into the lobby beyond the makeshift classroom.  

The Duke of Estricen was, as always, leisurely sipping tea while observing the lesson. Despite his busy schedule, he consistently took the time to personally oversee Ethan’s education, showcasing his deep affection for his child.  

‘Or maybe he’s monitoring me to ensure I’m doing my job properly.’  

Either way, it motivated Amelie to put extra effort into her lessons. Smiling slightly, she greeted him and took a seat across from Kailo. Reporting on the day’s lesson after each session had become part of her routine.  

“Your Grace, today Ethan drew the Empire’s map himself.”  

Amelie placed a few sheets of white paper on the tea table. Kailo’s gaze lingered briefly on her peach-colored cheeks before he picked up one of the sheets to examine it.  

Although the lines were scribbled haphazardly, the shape of the Empire’s map was clearly recognizable. Major place names were also written in crooked handwriting.  

“…Is this considered good work?”  

“Ethan’s achievements are above average for children his age, Your Grace. His focus and expressive skills are also excellent.”  

As if waiting for this moment, Amelie showered Ethan with praise. Kailo, who had been looking down at the map, allowed a faint smile to appear on his face. It was so subtle and fleeting that it quickly disappeared, but in that moment, Amelie felt her heart skip a beat.  

‘Huh?’  

Her pink, clear eyes blinked a few times as she was shaken by an inexplicable ripple of emotion.  

Noticing her sudden silence, Kailo shifted his gaze from the map to her. Their eyes met, and only then did Amelie realize her mistake.  

“Based on Ethan’s developmental stage at his current age…”  

She hastily filled the silence with a torrent of words, as if to cover up the momentary lapse.  

She spoke about Ethan’s behavior during lessons—what was promising and what was concerning. She elaborated on the lesson plan’s progress compared to the curriculum and even touched on the latest trends in education both domestically and abroad.  

As she kept talking, she quickly forgot the strange feeling from earlier. Despite the abundance of information, which might have seemed overwhelming, Kailo listened attentively to every word. Not once did his gaze leave her face.  

“I noticed that the Ducal estate is quite expansive during my commutes. Does Ethan spend much time outdoors?”  

This question stemmed from her earlier discussion about educational trends. Recent studies had highlighted the positive effects of outdoor activities on children’s emotional and cognitive development. Given the beautifully landscaped gardens she passed by daily, she thought it might be a good idea to hold outdoor lessons if the Duke permitted it.  

Kailo was about to respond when—  

“Young Master Ethan, don’t run that way!”  

The nanny’s urgent voice rang out, followed by the sound of someone running toward them.  

“Ethan!”  

Amelie reached out belatedly as she saw Ethan lose his balance. The next moment, the tea table wobbled, and the sound of clattering filled the air.  

Then, splash—a cold spray of water hit her squarely.  

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry! Young Master, you must be more careful.”  

Opening her tightly shut eyes, Amelie saw Ethan safely held in the Duke’s arms. Fortunately, Kailo had caught him just in time, and Ethan appeared unhurt.  

“I was just…”  

“Now, now. Let’s give the teacher and the Duke some space to continue their conversation, shall we?”  

At Kailo’s gesture, the nanny skillfully coaxed the crestfallen Ethan away.  

“Are you all right?”  

“Pardon? Oh, it’s just a bit cold. I’m fine…”  

Amelie, who had been watching the pair retreat with concern, finally turned her attention to herself. 

When Ethan had almost fallen, she had grabbed the table forcefully, causing a glass of water to spill all over her. That was the source of the cold sensation she had felt earlier.  

If that were all, it wouldn’t have been an issue. The real problem was that Amelie happened to be wearing a white shirt that day.