Esran swept back his brown hair and stared at the sky with complicated eyes. Ever since he heard Louelle suddenly say she wanted to make a certain boy her husband, he’d been spacing out more often.

Marriage.

Could Louelle really be at an age to understand such a thing?

But Louelle was clever. She wasn’t a child who would say such things out of mere youthful impulse or as a joke.

‘Is it because Fazel is that handsome?’

He recalled Louelle’s expression when she first saw Fazel’s portrait. Her eyes looked like she’d discovered a sparkling jewel. That’s why he deliberately took notice of that mother and son and accepted them, wasn’t it?

He rubbed his chin for a moment, then called for his chamberlain, Melka. He didn’t like investigating someone’s background, but it couldn’t be helped.

After two or three days, documents full of the information Esran wanted arrived.

“Ahem.”

Fazel Onyuran.

The boy was surprisingly a known existence in the capital through word of mouth. Illegitimate children were extremely common among high nobility. But since Suran was a Baroness recognized for her abilities, Fazel had a presence, and quite a few people knew his identity.

‘Oh my.’

The sound of pages turning could be heard. As Esran read the documents, his expression gradually hardened.

To think there were such complicated circumstances.

Of all families, the Duke of Zieten’s house.

He pressed his forehead firmly with his palm for a moment. Then he organized the documents and headed to the adjacent room to inform Louelle of this news.

That room right next to his office was Louelle’s room. He’d deliberately made them side by side so Louelle could work while learning the lord’s duties.

Esran arrived at the door and knocked.

“Louelle, I’m coming in.”

He opened the handle and entered to find Louelle there.

Sunlight streamed through the window. Louelle lifted her head to look at her father. Meeting those blue eyes, Asnel naturally thought of his wife. Louelle’s facial features and atmosphere resembled his wife exactly.

His wife had made a name for herself as a great beauty when they were in the capital. Esran thought Louelle would also make many men’s hearts flutter when she grew up.

Esran’s eyes swept over the books neatly stacked on Louelle’s desk. Looking at the title of the book that seemed to have been open until just moments ago, it appeared she’d been studying history.

Louelle hadn’t been this diligent in the past. She was just a child who liked to play and was only interested in pretty things. That’s why he’d been agonizing over whether to pass the lord’s position to her.

She changed a year ago, when she fell from a horse and lost consciousness. The daughter who woke up had changed like she’d become a different person. After watching Louelle’s behavior since then, Esran decided to make her the lord.

“Esteemed Father, what brings you here?”

Kind words came from her beautiful lips. Esran smiled slightly, finding Louelle lovable with her gentle way of speaking that resembled his wife.

He held out the documents and said to Louelle.

“It’s a report about Suran and Fazel.”

“I knew you’d investigate.”

Esran was a thorough Count. Louelle looked at the report her father handed her and nodded.

‘Of course I have to investigate every detail about the Fazel you want to obtain as a husband.’

Esran thought this while waiting for Louelle to finish reading the documents. They contained many things.

* * *

I looked at the documents Father gave me. Father was waiting for me to be surprised after reading them. But since I’d possessed a novel I’d read, I already knew the basic content.

Fazel was one of the many illegitimate children born to the Duke of Zieten.

Having illegitimate children wasn’t special for nobles. Rather, Father was the unusual case for not having a mistress. That must mean he loved Mother that much.

I handed back the documents Father gave me.

“This is truly surprising.”

I should at least pretend to be surprised. Father pressed his lips together firmly, then opened them.

“You’re not surprised.”

“I really am surprised.”

“It doesn’t seem like it.”

At his words, I smiled broadly. Father looked at me with warm eyes like I was adorable and touched my cheek. At his touch, I closed my eyes and opened them again.

What excuse should I give?

After pondering, I sighed and spoke. Since Father easily read my inner thoughts, I had to speak indirectly.

“He reacted so sharply to kindness, I thought there must be some story behind it.”

I said this and flipped through the documents again. The reason Fazel went to the Duke of Zieten’s house was to receive sponsorship so he could attend the academy.

This content was also briefly mentioned in the novel. Fazel was abused during his brief stay at the duke’s house and developed trauma.

I looked at Father while turning the pages.

“How did you find this out?”

When I asked, Father answered proudly.

“I mobilized my connections.”

“Aha.”

I looked at Father, then tapped the desk heavily with my finger. Whenever I fell into thought, the same habit as Father’s came out. Father patiently waited for my next words.

“Father, I have a good idea.”

“What idea?”

“Hiring Suran as my tutor. Wouldn’t that be a punishment for them?”

No matter how I thought about it, this seemed like the best method.

A way to naturally be by Fazel’s side.

That was studying together.

Of course, it was a kind punishment they absolutely couldn’t refuse.

Father narrowed his eyes.

Why did you accept the Suran family in the first place? I was guessing too.

Of course, you said it was for education, but still. The person who needs someone to teach them right now is me.

“That person as a tutor?”

Father and I were alike. We didn’t honestly show our feelings or thoughts.

“Yes, she’s an academy graduate. And you were planning that from the start anyway.”

When I mentioned it directly, Father laughed like his conscience was pricked.

In the Karna Empire where I lived, Elan Academy was a school that both nobles and commoners wanted to enter, one that everyone admired.

Except for the Crown Prince and Princess, everyone had to take an exam, so noble families spared no support to ensure their smart children definitely passed into Elan Academy.

Father graduated from Elan Academy. He met Mother there and came down to the territory after graduation to manage it. He wanted me, his only daughter, to attend the academy too.

That’s why he’d been looking for a tutor, and Suran appeared at just the right time.

The reason Father accepted the Suran family was because he wanted to make her my tutor from the start.

People who graduated from the academy and even received an honorary title through their abilities weren’t common.

“Father, you didn’t think I wouldn’t know, did you?”

“Of course not.”

“I’m going to study together with Fazel.”

Father’s eyes widened round like he hadn’t expected this.

“That child is smart. So if I study with him, I’ll be stimulated too.”

“And you’ll be happy to be together?”

Father added a tail to his last words. Caught with my unspoken inner thoughts, I glared at Father slightly. Ah, when you deliberately don’t say things like this, please pretend not to know!

“Calling this a punishment.”

“It is a punishment.”

I smiled.

“They absolutely can’t refuse our proposal.”

Having no choice was another kind of sadness.

Though for them, it could also be a lifeline.

“How about just making him your fiancé?”

At Father’s words, I shook my head.

“First I need to get close to do anything.”

I said this while looking at the documents.

In the original novel, Louelle forcibly kept him by her side. Because Fazel was handsome, it was an action driven by a desire to collect. She didn’t want him to leave the territory.

Then when Fazel entered the academy, Louelle also exited from the novel.

The original Louelle Asnel liked slender, handsome men. But as Fazel grew into a man with bold lines and a solid frame, her interest disappeared.

Of course, what I wanted wasn’t an exit. It was for Fazel to open his heart and approach me.

Claiming the mastermind takes a lot of effort. But isn’t that enjoyable in its own way?

‘Fazel, I’ll make you happy soon.’

I can’t be a beautiful princess, but I can be his companion who respects and treats him well.

I thought it would be nice to enter the academy together with him.

“First, I’ll write a letter with the punishment I’m giving to the Onyuran mother and son.”

“I’ll deliver it well.”

“Please give them a good tutoring fee.”

“Of course, for an academy graduate teacher.”

I like this about Father. Being able to spend money properly at times like this is the charm of a Count’s house, isn’t it?

For now, I quickly wrote a letter to send to Suran right there.

I’ve heard much about your reputation as an educator, Baron.

I heard you taught the daughter of a grand ducal house and several children of noble families and sent them to Elan Academy.

So could you teach me as well?

I ask this of you.

This is polite enough, right?

Father also nodded after seeing the letter I wrote. I put the letter in pink stationery and held it out to Father.

“I’m counting on you.”

“Understood.”

Father took the letter and slowly left the room.

‘With this, I’ll be able to see Fazel often.’

Things were going well.

* * *

Fazel sat at his desk studying. He was studying while recalling the content Suran taught him bit by bit, then sighed for a moment.

He’d mercilessly ruined Louelle’s bouquet. And Louelle and Esran found out about it.

It wasn’t that he had nothing to say.

He wanted to say he felt like vomiting when he saw roses because of past trauma, but his mouth wouldn’t open easily. These words weren’t something that could be easily believed.

‘They might say who at the duke’s house would do such a thing, or think I’m lying despite being just an illegitimate child.’

Fazel thought this while pressing his head firmly with both hands. Then with a frustrated heart, he lowered his head and pressed his chest area firmly with his hand.

In the capital, even going out to meet people was difficult. When he went outside, it felt unbearable like people were pointing fingers at him and whispering.

It felt like someone would kidnap him and lock him in a dark space.

He was afraid of people in case what happened at the duke’s house would happen again.

At least this territory was somewhat better.

People’s gazes were stable and warm. Thanks to that, he didn’t have to tremble with instinctive fear like in the capital. However, the wounds he received at the duke’s house continued to influence Fazel’s behavior, like still being unable to easily trust people.

This incident also happened because of that.

Louelle, that child must be very angry. She only spoke kindly like that because it was in front of people—normally she would have told him to leave the territory immediately.

Since that incident happened yesterday, the punishment to be given must have been decided. He’d finally found a place he liked, but his heart ached that he had to leave.

But since it was something he brought upon himself, he couldn’t complain or grumble about it.

“I really hate this.”

Fazel hated this situation where he couldn’t properly control his own feelings or actions.

But then he heard the sound of a carriage.

It seemed someone was sent from the Count’s house.

Were they sending a knight to drive him out? Trembling with fear, he went downstairs.

The door opened and the Count, Esran himself, entered directly.

Seeing the Count come in person, he thought an unbearable punishment might be given. Anxious, Fazel couldn’t even go down and sat on the stairs listening to what Esran and his mother were saying.

“Has the punishment been decided?”

“It has.”

A cold voice was heard.

Right, what father would be happy when the bouquet his daughter gave ended up in that state?

And he’d heard this Count cherished and loved his daughter very much.

‘I didn’t want much either.’

He just wanted to go to the academy.

So he went just wanting to receive a little support, but that’s what was waiting.

Nertian Zieten.

The young duke who despised him.

Of course, he understood his behavior. Suddenly a boy born to a woman other than his mother came asking for help, so he couldn’t help but feel bad.

He understood the reason he did bad things to him. He’d gone prepared for their wariness and bullying.

But the things that happened at the duke’s house were more shocking and difficult than he’d prepared for.

The aftereffects were strangling him.

Fazel felt depressed and heavy-hearted. He wished tears would at least come out.

Thinking such thoughts, he calmly waited for the punishment the Count would give.

“Baron Onyuran, I’d like you to become Louelle’s tutor.”

But the words that came out a moment later were absolutely unbelievable.

“Without pay?”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because it’s a punishment.”

“No. Being a tutor is the punishment. So I’ll pay you properly.”

Esran shook his head.

“The punishment you’ll receive is not being able to refuse our request.”

“But being a tutor for a noble family is a job everyone admires.”