Chapter 4

Unbelievable! To work for such a large sum!

Plus, the Duchy provided room and board, so there wouldn’t be much to spend money on.

If she saved all this, she’d have over a billion won in ten years.

‘With that much, I could probably buy a decent building in the capital.’

At the very least, she could buy her own house.

Thinking about the monthly salary made her feel even better.

If she was paid this much for taking care of just one child, even if she failed, she could leave and do anything.

Alicia decided to accept the contract.

However, there was one clause she wanted to amend.

Holding the contract, she spoke cautiously to Cedric.

“Your Grace, I’d like to make a proposal.”

“What is it?”

Cedric set his coffee cup on the table and asked.

Alicia hid her nervousness and spoke calmly.

“I’d like to amend the contract period.”

“Please explain exactly what you mean.”

He sounded considerate, but his cold tone sent chills down her spine.

Still, Alicia steadied herself and presented her opinion.

“Instead of contracting until Young Master becomes Young Duke, I’d like to renew the contract every three years.”

Cedric raised one eyebrow, apparently not understanding.

“Why? If it’s renewed every three years, I might not re-sign you. Are you okay with that?”

“Yes, that’s fine. Dismissing me is entirely your decision, Your Grace. I’ll humbly accept your choice.”

The reason for her proposal was clear: to always be ready to escape.

Alicia intended to do her best to prevent Mikael from turning dark, but regardless of her efforts, Mikael might still follow the original story.

So, to prepare for that possibility, she wanted a renewal clause every three years.

To avoid the death flag, such a safety device was essential.

Cedric rested his chin and fell into thought.

He frowned, apparently considering it seriously.

Waiting for Cedric’s answer, Alicia felt anxious.

If he rejected her proposal, her death flag might be triggered again.

‘That can’t happen. That would be like having a terminal illness.’

She absolutely refused to possess a terminal character.

If death could be avoided, it was best to do so.

Cedric was still thinking.

Alicia’s heart beat faster as she grew weary of waiting.

She wondered how long she’d have to wait, and her anxiety grew.

Nervous, she gripped her skirt tightly with her hands resting on her knees.

Just as the tension peaked, Cedric finally spoke.

“All right. I accept your terms.”

Yes!!!

Alicia quietly suppressed her joy and politely thanked him.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“If you last three years, I’ll double your salary. How’s that?”

Double the salary?

What a windfall! If the amount increased, that changed everything.

Alicia gladly accepted Cedric’s condition.

Three years would pass in no time.

* * *

A few days later.

After officially becoming the household tutor, Alicia’s first lesson with Mikael was scheduled.

She wasn’t nervous, but the thought of seeing Mikael again made her heart flutter.

She smiled and murmured to herself,

“How cute will he be today?”

If he saw her, his plump cheeks would flush with a healthy blush, just like before—so cute.

Imagining the child’s appearance made her smile repeatedly.

Innocent and adorable, just as a five-year-old should be.

That was Mikael’s current image in Alicia’s eyes.

Today, as she pondered how to spend time with Mikael, she headed to his room.

‘You can’t start lessons on the very first day.’

Even in her previous life, lessons didn’t start on the first day of entry.

Unless it was for seniors, most schools were like that.

Usually, teachers discussed how the year would go and how exams would be held, but Mikael was too young for such things.

Giving him time to open up to her was more important.

‘Let’s get a little closer.’

If they grew close, Mikael would share his feelings and even tell her the mansion’s secrets.

Most importantly, it would reduce the likelihood of Mikael turning dark.

If the child didn’t become a shadowy figure, Alicia’s death would naturally be avoided.

Lost in thought, Alicia soon arrived at Mikael’s room.

Before meeting him, she brushed dust off her skirt and knocked gently.

Knock, knock.

“Young Master, it’s Alicia. May I come in?”

“…….”

But there was no response from inside.

Alicia silently counted to ten.

If no one opened the door by then, she planned to enter herself.

She slowly counted the remaining numbers.

‘…, nine, ten.’

Even after counting to ten, the door did not open.

Alicia grabbed the golden handle and spoke loudly enough to be heard inside.

“Young Master, I’m coming in.”

Creak.

She carefully closed the door behind her and entered, but the room was empty.

Not even Mikael’s attendants were present.

Alicia looked around to see if anyone was there.

Then, from the corner near the window, she heard crying.

‘Could it be Mikael?’

She quietly approached the corner.

Step by step.

She tried to make her footsteps as inaudible as possible, and saw a maid soothing Mikael in a small voice.

“Young Master, please don’t cry. I’ll bring you some delicious macarons, so…”

Tap, tap.

Alicia gently tapped the maid’s shoulder, and the maid turned around in surprise.

……!

Seeing Alicia, the maid was startled and about to scream, but Alicia quickly put her finger to the maid’s lips.

“Shh!”

The maid nodded rapidly, clearly shocked by Alicia’s sudden appearance.

She must not have expected Alicia to show up like this.

Usually, tutors in this era would have the maid bring the child.

But it was a difficult situation to ask the maid to do that now.

Soothing a crying child was no easy task.

Alicia spoke in a nearly silent whisper, barely moving her lips.

“Go ahead. I’ll comfort him.”

The maid whispered, “Thank you,” and quietly left the spot.

‘Now it’s just the two of us.’

Finally, it was time to get closer to Mikael.

But to be crying on the first day of lessons—such a thing was rare for a five-year-old.

Normally, children this age wouldn’t cry just from meeting someone new.

They were old enough to understand and act accordingly.

So something must have happened before Alicia arrived.

‘He must have been scolded by his father. It’s obvious even without seeing.’

That morning, Alicia had wandered around the mansion to get familiar with it.

She had seen Mikael practicing swordsmanship in the training yard.

Apparently, Mikael was poor in both stamina and swordsmanship.

He was so bad that even the swordsmanship instructor was visibly frustrated.

When Mikael realized his own limits, he collapsed from exhaustion.

Cedric witnessed this scene, and the way he looked at his son was terrifying….

It was as if he were saying, ‘Pathetic.’

Mikael saw that look, so he was probably upset and crying now.

‘First, I need to comfort Mikael.’

She could talk about what was wrong after comforting him.

Alicia gently called to Mikael.

“Young Master, I’m here. It’s Alicia. Did something happen today?”

Upon hearing her voice, Mikael quickly lifted his head.

But as Alicia saw his face, only one thought came to mind.

‘Wow. So cute.’

His puffy, reddened eyes and cheeks were streaked with tears.

It was almost unfair how cute he was even while crying.

Alicia tried her best to suppress her feelings and spoke calmly and quietly.

“Oh dear, Young Master. Your face is all puffy. Did something upset you?”

As Alicia gently wiped Mikael’s eyes and comforted him, the child’s tears welled up even more.

“Sniff…”

Mikael tried to hold back his tears, but they pooled in his eyes, ready to spill over.

How upset must he have been?

Recalling what happened in the morning, Alicia understood why Mikael cried.

‘This is all I can do for Mikael right now.’

She opened her arms and hugged Mikael close.

Then she gently stroked his head with a caring touch.

“If you don’t want to talk yet, that’s okay. When you feel better, let me know.”

Mikael looked at Alicia with surprised eyes.

‘Has he never been comforted like this before?’

As if amazed to be held in someone’s arms, Mikael nestled in Alicia’s embrace.

Even his tears stopped.

Alicia continued to stroke his head as if nothing was wrong, and Mikael grabbed her clothes and spoke in a small voice.

“It’s just… I think I disappointed Dad… That’s why I cried…”

Tears welled up again in Mikael’s eyes as he spoke, sniffling.

“Take your time, Young Master.”

Alicia patted his back as she stroked his head, and Mikael continued, holding back his tears.

“I’m… so bad at swordsmanship, sniff. That’s why I’m upset…”

Just as expected.

It was because of Cedric.

That morning’s ‘pathetic’ look flashed through Alicia’s memory.

She wiped Mikael’s tears and comforted him with warm words.

“You must have felt really upset, Young Master. But I’m sure His Grace was just as bad at your age.”

“Really…?”

“Yes, of course. Nobody is good at swordsmanship from the start. How could anyone be? If you practice every day, you’ll gradually get better. So don’t be too upset.”

Mikael listened and burrowed deeper into Alicia’s arms.

“What if Dad scolds me?”

“He won’t. Even if he does, I’ll protect you, so don’t worry.”

Mikael looked at Alicia again, as if he couldn’t believe it.

“Really…?”

“Yes, really.”

When Alicia smiled gently, Mikael followed and smiled too.

It seemed his distress had eased somewhat.

That was fortunate.

With this, Alicia felt hopeful that Mikael had begun to open his heart to her, even just a little.