Chapter 7

Entering the study, Alicia greeted Cedric politely.

Elegant and formal.

“I apologize for disturbing you during work. I came because there’s something urgent to report.”

“Go ahead.”

His tone was indifferent, as if he didn’t care about what Alicia had to say.

Cedric was as cold as ever.

Alicia had expected it.

In the novel, Cedric was always cold and intimidating.

Still, his chilly attitude was something Alicia couldn’t get used to.

Sometimes it made her feel uncomfortable.

‘He’s not this cold to Armand, though.’

But that wasn’t her concern.

As long as he paid well, Alicia was fine.

Armand had mentioned Cedric hadn’t been sleeping well, and that there was much work with the upcoming ball season.

‘Is he cold because he’s tired?’

Maybe, if she thought positively.

Alicia couldn’t know Cedric’s inner thoughts, but she tried to stay optimistic.

That way, she wouldn’t get stressed living at the ducal residence.

Looking at Cedric, he didn’t seem particularly tired for someone who hadn’t slept well.

Not energetic, but not exhausted either.

Alicia struggled to suppress her unresolved anger over Mikael’s recent incident.

She couldn’t bring up personal feelings in a professional setting.

That was part of social life.

So Alicia reported to Cedric as formally as possible.

“Celia, Young Master’s personal maid, was disciplining him in an uneducational manner. She even pretended she was about to hit him.”

Cedric frowned as if hearing this for the first time.

“Tell me more.”

“Young Master has become very withdrawn due to Celia’s discipline. Today, I saw her scolding him angrily. I felt it was very bad for his education, so I intervened.”

Cedric stroked his chin and questioned Alicia.

“You’re taking Mikael’s side. He’s still young. But is it correct, from an educational perspective, to side with a young child?”

It sounded like he was testing Alicia, questioning whether her actions were right.

But Alicia knew for sure.

At least, Celia’s behavior was not educationally sound.

She spoke calmly, sharing her thoughts.

“From an educational perspective, Celia’s actions were wrong. Harshly blaming Young Master and making everything his fault only makes him more withdrawn and hurts him. If he did something wrong, she should have at least asked why.”

Cedric nodded slowly, seeming to understand.

But Alicia wasn’t finished.

She was still angry enough to want to slap Celia.

“And how can a maid yell at or hit Young Master? That’s a social problem. If such behavior is left unchecked, by his teenage years, Young Master could develop low self-esteem and make impulsive, inappropriate choices out of fear.”

Armand, standing nearby, nodded in agreement.

But Cedric seemed indifferent.

Even though Alicia was telling him his son was suffering, Cedric’s attitude was hard to believe.

No, it was unpleasant.

If it were her child, Alicia would never let it slide.

If she were a parent, she’d be furious to learn her child was being mistreated by a maid.

She’d fire Celia immediately, or demote her.

That’s what Alicia would do.

How dare a Baron’s daughter try to teach the next Duke?

Alicia would be furious.

But Cedric didn’t react that way.

He seemed as detached as if he were hearing about someone else’s child.

Alicia couldn’t understand or like his attitude.

No matter how cold and scary Cedric seemed, she couldn’t let this go.

She kept thinking about Mikael suffering alone.

It hadn’t been a short period—how had he endured?

Imagining Mikael suffering in silence made Alicia want to cry.

She was not only hurt, but angry.

With all that had happened to Mikael, it was no wonder he’d become a shadowy figure.

Alicia had to fix things before Mikael became negative about everything.

She was determined to help Mikael see a brighter world.

So she delivered her final blow.

This was the only way to save Mikael from Celia.

“In that case, may I ask just one thing? Your Grace, is this how you wish to raise Young Master Mikael?”

* * *

He raised one eyebrow at Alicia’s bold question.

His fierce, wolf-like face turned toward her, clearly displeased.

Had Alicia offended Cedric?

Her question was quite challenging and could be seen as rude.

She was a commoner, and he was a noble.

How could a commoner dare to question a noble?

Most people wouldn’t dare.

But Alicia did.

She had to, to save Mikael and herself.

Cedric still didn’t answer.

The silence between them made Alicia nervous.

It was as if a wolf and his aide were watching her in the quiet.

Armand made no effort to ease the tension, just observing their conversation.

Cedric sat with his legs crossed, looking at Alicia with an unreadable expression.

The longer he stared, the more Alicia grew afraid.

The longer his silence lasted, the more her life felt like a candle flickering in the wind.

For Cedric, getting rid of a tutor like Alicia would be easy.

Alicia’s heart raced, her palms sweaty.

She was seized by the suspense of not knowing when he’d reply.

She was anxious.

Despite her fear, Alicia swallowed hard and hid it completely.

If Cedric caught wind of such behavior, Alicia knew she would be even more disliked.  

He held onto a cold smile during the long silence, finally opening his heavy lips.  

“I’ll ask you just one thing. Isn’t this your job?”  

…!!  

My job?  

Alicia was momentarily unable to refute his words, shocked into silence.  

As she struggled for words, Cedric continued.  

“I’ve entrusted Mikael to you entirely. So this is naturally your responsibility.”  

“….”  

His words weren’t completely wrong.  

She had agreed to raise Mikael until he became an adult.  

Suddenly, the atmosphere grew even colder.  

Cedric felt threatening just by his presence.  

That was the unique aura only Cedric possessed.  

It made Alicia even more tense.  

What would he say next?  

Would he punish her?  

Various worries seized her.  

The tension sent chills down her spine.  

At that moment, Cedric, with a deeply furrowed brow, spoke.  

“If you’re going to provoke me with something like this, make it more stimulating, Teacher.”  

“……”  

A typical lord’s tone and expression.  

He looked certain of victory, as if the winner and loser were already decided.  

His contemptuous behavior made Alicia feel fear, but also rage.  

She clenched her hands tightly to suppress the boiling anger.  

She wanted to say:  

This isn’t just my job—it’s yours too.  

To solve this problem, Cedric, Your Grace, your power is absolutely necessary.  

But all her thoughts screamed only inside her mind, overwhelmed by Cedric, the master of the snowy mountain, leaving her unable to speak.  

Was she in any position to argue with him?  

She had neither the right nor the status.  

She could only obey his orders.  

It hurt her heart.  

That Mikael had a father like this.  

Was Cedric’s authoritarian nature influencing Mikael, turning him into a shadowy figure?  

All sorts of thoughts crossed her mind.  

The more they combined, the more her anger toward him grew.  

At least, if he were a parent, he should be furious upon hearing her words.  

Like someone betrayed, his emotions should flare up.  

That’s what a parent does, right?  

Regardless of status, wealth, or honor, when it comes to their child, they should.  

But Cedric showed no such change.  

Even now, he spoke about his own child Mikael as if it were someone else’s business.  

Alicia found Cedric increasingly incomprehensible.  

She wanted to curse him thoroughly.  

But in front of him, she couldn’t.  

She was just a commoner he hired, merely a servant of the ducal residence.  

No matter what she said, he’d think it was pointless pleading.  

So, from her position, all she could do was raise Mikael properly.  

That was her area of expertise, and she was confident in it.  

She’d raise him well and escape the ducal residence.  

And, though it frustrated her, she had to step back for now.  

She bit her inner cheek to suppress her anger.  

Though resolved, her pride made it hard to speak easily.  

Just then, a cold command rang out.  

“Leave.”  

Cedric’s order for her to leave had been issued.