Chapter 7

Recalling the vivid sensation that had awakened her sense of touch so intensely, she remembered the pressure on her intimate areas caused by the hands undoing her undergarments. She also recalled the shivers that had naturally run down her spine. Amelie’s face flushed bright red.

‘Was the Duke truly unaffected by all of this?’

She had initially tried to dismiss the incident as unimportant, but Nina’s constant fussing made it feel as though something significant must have happened.

It was, without a doubt, an embarrassing memory. However, as she became more certain of the feelings of admiration and excitement she had experienced toward him during that moment, his composed attitude began to feel strangely disappointing.

“Hm, now that I think about it, there was something unusual about his behavior.”

As her disappointment surfaced, Amelie quickly pinpointed the differences in Kailo’s demeanor. She wanted to hear Nina’s perspective on what he might have been thinking.

“He covered you with a robe and then hurriedly left, slamming the door shut and not coming back out? He’s always escorted you personally until now, hasn’t he?”

“Yes.”

Although she hesitated to mention the groaning sounds she had heard through the door, Nina’s sly smile suggested she already understood.

“I see. So he’s that type.”

“What type are you talking about?”

“My dear Amelie, don’t you worry about a thing.”

Without elaborating further, Nina affectionately patted Amelie’s golden hair, which was adorned with question marks.

***

“And that’s it for today’s lesson!”

As Amelie announced the end of the lesson, Ethan jumped up excitedly and ran off.

“Ethan, wait for me!”

Amelie, who had been tidying up the teaching materials, laughed as she chased after the boy. The sight of her was like a piece of sunlight that had taken on human form and descended to the earth.

Her flowing golden hair caught the attention of many as she entered the Duke’s mansion. The knights of the Ducal household, who had just finished their training, were no exception.

“Miss Amelie!”

One of them called out to her. He was a young man with brown hair and an unmistakably cheerful demeanor.

“Is your lesson over?”

“Oh, well…”

“I’m Danny, by the way.”

“Oh.”

The knight introduced himself with a charming smile, and Amelie found herself smiling back.

“Hello, Sir Danny.”

The other knights’ gazes, which had initially been sharp and incredulous, quickly shifted to clear envy as soon as she acknowledged Danny’s greeting.

“Miss Amelie, I’m Jones!”

“It’s quite warm today, isn’t it?”

“What’s it like teaching Young Master Ethan?”

Simultaneously, a flurry of questions and greetings poured in her direction as the other knights tried not to be outdone. Amelie gave a slightly awkward smile.

The knights of the Ducal household were undoubtedly all honorable gentlemen. Under normal circumstances, she would have gladly engaged in their conversations one by one.

But today, she was in a bit of a hurry.

‘I want to study the theories I plan to incorporate into the new curriculum.’

Teaching Ethan had sparked a desire for improvement. Although she had studied extensively and prepared diligently during her time at the academy, real-world experience had revealed her shortcomings.

What Amelie desperately needed was more advanced knowledge of pedagogy.

During her days at the academy, she had plenty of opportunities to gain knowledge. Professors who cared for her always made time for consultations, and the library, with its vast collection of books, was freely accessible.

But now, unable to pay her tuition fees, she could no longer rely on the academy’s resources.

‘Ordering the books I want from the bookstore takes quite a bit of time.’

That’s when she thought of the library within the Ducal household.

While it might not be as large as the Imperial Library or the academy’s library, the library of the Duke of Estricen’s household was said to have an extensive collection, including the latest publications.

“I’m sorry, but I have something to ask the Duke. I’ll see you all another time!”

The moment the words “the Duke” left Amelie’s lips, the knights instinctively took a step back.

“Hey, she said she’s busy!”

“Why are you pestering the tutor, Danny?”

In an attempt to deflect their embarrassment, they began jeering at Danny, who had been the first to approach her.

“You idiots, how was I supposed to know?”

Laughing heartily, Danny playfully retorted, flashing a charming smile as he bid farewell to Amelie.

“See you next time, Miss Tutor!”

Unlike the other knights, who were drenched in sweat, Danny’s bangs were still perfectly dry. Amelie widened her eyes briefly before smiling warmly.

Meanwhile, someone watching the scene from a window in the Ducal residence turned away.

***

“The library, you say?”

“Yes. I’d like to study theories to use in planning Ethan’s curriculum.”

The Duke of Estricen, Kailo, gazed at Amelie with eyes so cold they seemed devoid of any expression. His demeanor was colder and more indifferent than usual, causing Amelie to shrink back slightly.

“It’s for my own studies, but it’s also for Young Master Ethan. If I can improve my skills as an educator, the first to benefit would be my student, Ethan.”

“Let’s go.”

“Pardon?”

Uncertain of what he meant, she asked again, and Kailo licked his lips as if parched. The sight of his red tongue disappearing between his glistening lips burned itself into Amelie’s mind.

‘What was that?’

Her face flushed, but she quickly shook her head and refocused. It must have been the rising heat making it hard to regulate her body temperature.

“The Ducal library uses a different classification system than the academy’s, so finding books might be a bit challenging. I believe I can assist you in locating what you need.”

Amelie blinked her large eyes a couple of times.

“But you must be busy.”

“I’m not.”

His curt denial left Amelie momentarily speechless.

Would it be appropriate for the Duke to spend his time helping a tutor find books?

‘Oh, perhaps he has business in the library himself?’

If that were the case, it would make sense for him to accompany her. Amelie quickly nodded.

“Thank you. I’ll gladly accept your help!”

Even that much was a tremendous help. As she followed Kailo, who walked ahead, she clenched her fists in determination. She was resolved to find the books she needed without inconveniencing the Duke.

***

When they arrived at the library, Amelie was taken aback.

The Duke of Estricen was seated at a large desk, looking up at her silently.

“Don’t you have work to do?”

“Don’t mind me. Feel free to browse at your leisure.”

‘But how can I not mind you when you’re sitting right there watching me?!’

Amelie pursed her lips tightly.

Whether he truly had no work to do or not, he simply sat there with his arms crossed, watching her. She felt like crying.

‘Is this some sort of midterm evaluation?’  

It felt like a test to see if she correctly understood the hierarchy within the Ducal household.  

After pondering for a moment, she shook her head. Though she hadn’t known the Duke for long, he didn’t seem like the type of person to subtly test others in this way.  

Since she had already received permission, she decided to simply focus on what she needed to do.  

‘The classification system isn’t that different, is it?’  

The Duke had mentioned that the system was different and that finding books would be difficult. Contrary to his words, however, the library’s organization wasn’t much different from the academy’s. Amelie could easily locate the books she wanted on her own.  

“Here it is.”  

Amelie smiled as she found a book on the latest theories in contemporary pedagogy.  

“Can I borrow books from the library?”  

“You may take whatever you wish to your residence and read it at your leisure. When you return them, you can give them directly to me.”  

Kailo, who was still seated at the desk, answered while watching her. Amelie nodded.  

It seemed he was asking her to return the books directly to him because it wouldn’t be appropriate to grant her the privilege of making multiple visits to the library filled with rare collections.  

“Is that the only book you’re interested in?”  

“Well…”  

Amelie gazed longingly at the pedagogy section.  

During her academy days, she had diligently built her knowledge in this field by actively utilizing the library and bookstores in addition to her coursework.  

Now that she had been forced to stop collecting knowledge after leaving the academy due to unavoidable circumstances, she desperately wanted to read all the new publications she had missed.  

‘That’s May Sue Sully’s theory on new education.’  

Her peach-colored eyes scanned the shelves, moving from one end to the other.  

‘And that’s Professor Schrotta’s critique of child education.’  

The spines of the new releases she had marked while reading magazines tempted her.  

“Feel free to read whatever you like.”  

A low voice resonated in her ears.  

“There’s no need to hold back. It’s your rightful privilege as someone working in the Ducal household.”  

Amelie’s heart began to race. She wasn’t sure if it was because she was face-to-face with the books she had eagerly anticipated or because the voice felt particularly close in the quiet room where they were alone.  

“Thank you. Then…”  

She selected the books she wanted and hugged them to her chest.