Chapter 5 – The New Tutor at the Ducal Residence

That evening, in the quiet study.

Cedric spent another day without rest, busy with his work.

His secretary, Armand, handed him the remaining documents with a relaxed expression.

“There are still some papers left, Your Grace.”

Cedric frowned at the stack of documents.

“Can’t you just do it, Armand?”

“I don’t have the authority, Sir. You must finish them yourself.”

Armand ended the conversation with a sly smile.

Cedric clicked his tongue and shook his head, clearly annoyed.

As he signed the last papers, he found himself curious about Alicia’s day.

She possessed the elegant beauty and pale skin of a noble lady.

Like a single blue rose blossoming in white snow—so pure and beautiful.

Yet, judging by appearances, she seemed like another weak tutor.

Her frame looked too slender and delicate, making Cedric wonder if she could handle a boy.

She seemed gentle, as if Mikael would easily overwhelm her.

But, during the contract, Alicia had shown boldness and firmness.

Most tutors from common backgrounds wouldn’t dare, but Alicia asserted her opinions confidently, regardless of her status.

Cedric knew such women were rare even among nobles.

Perhaps that’s why he found her so intriguing.

“Armand, how was the tutor today? I heard it was the first lesson.”

“She’s much better than any tutor we’ve had so far.”

“What makes her so remarkable?”

“She succeeded in comforting Young Master Mikael.”

Cedric signed the last document and set his pen down.

“He’s a child who doesn’t stop crying once he starts…”

That was impressive.

But Cedric kept his thoughts to himself.

Anyone could get lucky once or twice.

He picked up his teacup and took a sip.

“Previous tutors managed to succeed twice, so let’s wait and see.”

Armand agreed and began organizing the signed papers.

After he left, a heavy silence settled in the room.

Cedric took a cigar from its case and stood by the window.

He carefully cut the tip with a small knife, placed it in his mouth, and lit it.

As the cigar burned, Cedric inhaled slowly, letting the aroma linger.

The scent brought him a rare moment of peace.

He exhaled a long plume of smoke, thinking about Alicia.

It was strange.

Usually, when Cedric smoked, his mind was blank.

But now?

Even as he smoked, the image of Alicia during the contract lingered in his mind like an afterimage.

He inhaled again, letting out a dry laugh.

“Unbelievable.”

* * *

It had been over a week since Alicia started living at the Kaspar ducal residence.

She explored everywhere, trying to understand how things worked.

By observing and chatting with the servants, Alicia learned much about the mansion.

For example, most servants were positive and loyal to Cedric and Mikael.

Normally, people have many complaints about their employers, but here, none did.

It was said they received higher wages than other servants of other noble houses.

If that was the reason, Alicia herself would work hard out of gratitude.

After all, she was also earning a generous salary.

But where there are good points, there are also bad ones.

One thing especially troubled her.

It was Mikael’s dedicated maid and her group of maids.

Calling them a “group” was a stretch; only the ringleader caused trouble, while the others watched helplessly.

Still, if the leader was problematic, the rest were considered just as bad.

What could she do? Even bystanders were at fault.

In her previous life, school bullying was a serious social issue.

Back then, anyone who ignored a bully’s actions was punished or criticized as an accomplice.

In the end, both bullies and bystanders were guilty.

Anyway, the head maid was the source of all trouble.

Still, Alicia showed mercy to the bystanders and focused only on the ringleader.

Because that maid was the main culprit who tormented Mikael relentlessly.

She was a truly nasty woman, repeatedly instilling fear in Mikael like chewing gum that had lost its flavor.

Mikael was so intimidated that he shrank every time he saw her….

Whenever Alicia thought of Mikael suffering at Celia’s hands, anger boiled inside her.

She checked her pocket watch, trying to keep calm.

“1 PM.”

At this time, Mikael would be returning to his room after lunch.

Alicia hid quietly where she couldn’t be seen, ready to catch them in the act.

Click, click.

Loud footsteps echoed in the hall.

Alicia knew exactly who they belonged to.

Mikael’s personal maid, Celia.

The youngest daughter of a Baron, infamous for her lack of manners among noble ladies.

Apparently, the Baron begged Cedric to take Celia as a maid to correct her behavior.

When Alicia thought of Celia, only one word came to mind:

Parachute.

A useless, arrogant parachute, convinced of her own superiority.

The perfect word for her.

Today, as usual, Celia spoke to the timid Mikael in a disapproving tone.

“Young Master. How could you speak like that in front of His Grace?!”

Alicia saw Mikael’s frightened face, his eyes about to overflow with tears.

“I-I’m sorry…”

“Sorry isn’t good enough. If you speak so timidly, His Grace will see you as pathetic.”

Pathetic?!

How painful must it be for Mikael to hear that?

Alicia wanted to rush out and confront Celia, but she didn’t yet know why Mikael was being scolded.

Still, since it seemed related to Cedric, she decided to listen, even as anger simmered inside her.

Celia’s face flushed with anger, unable to contain herself.

“If you keep hesitating like this, you’ll never become the next Duke. What if His Grace abandons you? I couldn’t bear it if that happened!”

A noble of much lower status was yelling at a child just because he was young.

She knew there were no witnesses except her followers, so she acted this way.

Celia crossed her arms and looked down at Mikael, full of contempt.

“And Young Master, why aren’t you doing as I say? Didn’t I tell you that you’d be loved by His Grace if you listened to me?”

“…Sorry.”

Mikael, unable to hold back his tears, apologized over and over.

“I-I did wrong. Sniff… I’m really, really sorry…”

He tried to hide his tears with the back of his hand.

Celia, sighing loudly, became even angrier at the sight.

“Stop! Don’t cry anymore. You always cry, so His Grace keeps ignoring you.”

Alicia couldn’t take it anymore.

‘How can she treat a child like that?’

Did Celia think Mikael would change overnight by scolding him?

She was just cornering him further.

Alicia couldn’t let Celia keep blaming Mikael.

Watching made her furious.

Then Celia, getting worse, showed Mikael her palm and slapped it twice.

“If you do this, you’ll be punished! Come here…”

Alicia couldn’t stand it any longer.

“Stop.”

She walked over calmly, as if she’d overheard the conversation, and appeared before them.

She spoke to Celia again, firmly.

“That’s enough.”

Celia scoffed, arms crossed, glaring at Alicia as if she wanted to kill her.

“This is a maid’s business. Don’t interfere.”

‘Look at her. So rude.’

At least four years younger than Alicia, and so bold.

Looking around, Alicia saw that Celia’s followers were already too scared to lift their heads.

‘They know they’re wrong.’

Alicia clicked her tongue inwardly.

With Celia’s attitude, kindness would be useless.

Celia clearly looked down on Alicia, so a gentle approach wouldn’t work.

It was time for an eye for an eye.

Alicia decided to match Celia’s attitude.

She crossed her arms and spoke just as boldly, but maintained grace and dignity.

“No. When Young Master is troubled, it’s only natural for his guardian to intervene.”

Celia scoffed again.

“You’re mistaken. I’m Young Master’s guardian. Only me!!!”

“You’re the one mistaken, Celia.”

Celia, furious, pointed at Alicia and shouted.

“Mistaken? How dare a mere commoner talk back to me? You’re deluded if you think you’re Young Master’s guardian!”

Celia’s face was as red as a beet, as if it screamed, “I’m very angry!”

Her eyes flashed with malice, her body trembling with rage.

Her followers watched her nervously.

All signs that Celia couldn’t control her emotions.

Consumed by anger, she finally raised her hand toward Alicia.

* * *

Just as Celia raised her hand to strike,

Alicia, arms still crossed, spoke confidently.

“Then, shall we bring out the contract? It states who Young Master’s guardian is.”

Celia’s expression hardened at Alicia’s factual statement.

Nothing beats the contract for proof.

Celia knew it too.

Since Alicia’s arrival, Celia couldn’t wield the power she’d built up.

The tutor was now Mikael’s guardian.

Celia clenched her fists so hard they trembled, but she could say nothing more.

Alicia pressed her advantage.

“Why so silent? Are you scared?”

She snorted and spoke confidently.

Even with Alicia’s provocation, Celia couldn’t rebut.

She knew Alicia was right and felt guilty.

Celia’s whole body shook as she tried to contain her anger.

Unable to argue further, she bit her lip.