Nigel sat at his office desk handling matters related to the principality that Count Owen had brought, and only rose when it was nearly sunset.

“Your Highness, it’s time to go to Marquis Palena’s mansion. The carriage is ready.”

Count Owen came just then to inform him of the schedule. Tonight’s dinner was arranged with Marquis Palena. Though he wasn’t particularly fond of the person, he couldn’t rashly refuse an invitation from the royal finance minister. Nigel put on his outer clothes and stepped out of the office. Count Owen closed the opened door. Their footsteps echoed regularly down the marble corridor deeply tinged with sunset. Nigel, about to turn the corner, hesitated. It was because he had encountered an unwelcome person. Nigel looked down with indifferent eyes. A small-framed, startled woman opened her round eyes wide, and moved her lips.

“It’s been a while, Nigel.”

“……Lady Leblanc.”

The pale-colored Greta looked up at Nigel with an awkward smile. Nigel was about to pass by but stopped abruptly. Greta, Nigel, and Davion had been friends since childhood. They gradually grew apart after Greta and Davion became engaged.

After Nigel left for the principality, several letters came, but Nigel never replied even once. He was angry even at Greta, who was Davion’s fiancée. They only met once or twice a year at official occasions, but that was all. Nigel now found Greta uncomfortable. She loved Davion Gragford. No one was as weak as a person in love. From Nigel’s perspective, Greta Leblanc was no different from Davion’s most innocent and fragile spy.

Nigel coldly ignored Greta and just nodded slightly.

“Well then.”

Count Owen, standing behind, awkwardly bowed his head as well. Just as Nigel took a couple steps away, Greta grabbed his arm with her pale hand to stop him.

“Wait, Nigel.”

Nigel narrowed his brows and stared at Greta again. Greta hurriedly held something out.

“It’s a party invitation. I really hope you’ll come……”

“I’m sorry, but my schedule is busy.”

Nigel expressed his refusal half-heartedly. But Greta tried to persuade him with words that seemed prepared in advance, as if she had expected this.

“I invited Lady Berthe. Since she seems close to you.”

“……”

“I really hope you’ll come. It’ll be hard to meet once you return to the principality. Please. Davion won’t be coming.”

Nigel’s expression frowned. For what reason did she invite Rosia Berthe? No, he didn’t like the fact that she thought Rosia was close to him in the first place. Nigel knew nothing about Rosia Berthe, and Rosia wouldn’t know about him either. Yet Nigel reflexively stared at the invitation Greta held out. Not to mention, it’s a place where Davion wouldn’t be. It would surely cause unnecessary misunderstandings and speculation.

“I’ll think about it.”

Nigel extended his long fingers just enough not to touch Greta and took the invitation. Yes, he could at least consider it. Nigel muttered that and turned the corner. Greta was left alone, staring intently at his retreating figure. Count Owen, having witnessed an unnecessary scene, clicked his tongue inwardly and hurriedly followed after Nigel.

＊＊＊

Rosia sat with a very tense expression. Across from her, Count Hess stared at Rosia with a stern expression. A rather long silence flowed through the reception room. Count Hess had an even sharper impression perhaps because his black hair was neatly swept back. His bright blue eyes moved toward the table.

“I read your letter well, Lady Berthe.”

“Thank you.”

Rosia quickly answered with a smile. It was to ease this awkward atmosphere even a little. Count Hess pushed up his glasses that had slipped down slightly and asked.

“Have you ever handled children?”

Rosia briefly considered whether to tell the truth or try to dress it up somehow. She had never properly met young children. If she revealed the truth, it seemed like she would leave an unnecessarily bad impression. But she didn’t want to lie for her benefit either. Rosia soon reached a conclusion and answered.

“To be honest, I’ve rarely met children. But I’m confident. I enjoy reading so I can read fairy tales that children like well, and I can play the piano. I’ve been drawing for a long time too.”

“Hmm.”

Count Hess wore a deeply thoughtful expression. Rosia clasped her hands tightly together to hide her anxiety. Should she have brought some of her own drawings? Though they weren’t quite good enough to proudly show yet, she thought a few carefully drawn pieces might leave a good impression. As she pressed her dry lips together several times, the Count spoke again.

“Did Viscount Berthe not oppose this? A lady of marriageable age must have more important matters than being a governess.”

Fortunately, it was a question she expected. And she guessed the other party already knew the answer. He must know the current situation of the Berthe viscounty. It had been common gossip material, appearing in newspaper articles at least three times.

“I haven’t told Father yet.”

“I’d rather avoid unnecessary noise, Lady Berthe.”

“I swear there won’t be such a thing.”

Rosia firmly declared to Count Hess, who was openly skeptical. Viscount Berthe, due to his kind and gentle nature, had never once scolded Rosia. Of course, he had to be somewhat strict with his sons, but he couldn’t be that way with Rosia, who closely resembled his deceased wife. She was just a daughter he wanted to love and cherish.

Rosia knew this better than anyone. Thanks to that, her childhood was happy enough that she barely felt her mother’s absence. Though she occasionally missed her mother, she naturally learned to hold back because her father would show unmistakable sadness whenever she brought up her mother.

Still, she never doubted her father’s affection. He would probably understand this decision she made on her own generously. The bigger concern was her brothers. They still treated Rosia like a child. If they found out that Rosia was teaching another family’s child, they would surely tell her to stop immediately. They too wanted Rosia to meet a good man and build a happy family.

The only fortunate thing was that no one knew when her brothers would return. While Rosia hoped her brothers would return to support the family, she also wished it would take more time.

Count Hess contemplated Rosia’s answer for a while before speaking.

“Very well. Then can you start working in three days?”

“Yes, in three days……”

Rosia nodded reflexively before opening her eyes wide.

“Are you hiring me?”

“However, you’ll need to sign both a contract and a pledge.”

Count Hess replied indifferently. Rosia covered her mouth with both hands, overwhelmed with joy, but quickly composed herself. She judged it wasn’t right to show excessive excitement in front of her employer. Though the word ‘pledge’ felt unfamiliar, she wasn’t too worried since she had secured the position.

Count Hess pushed a pen, contract, and pledge document toward Rosia. Rosia quickly reviewed the contents. While the contract had no particular issues, the pledge included confidentiality clauses. It stated that everything she learned during work must be kept secret. Why would such content be included for just teaching a child? Rosia pondered briefly but, feeling Count Hess’s gaze, hurriedly signed.

“I’m done, Count.”

After the Count signed as well, they each took a copy. Finally catching her breath, Rosia realized they had missed the most important topic.

“Count, who is the child I’ll be teaching?”

“The butler will explain in three days.”

Count Hess answered dryly and stood up first. Rosia looked at him curiously before standing up as well. As she curtsied, Count Hess opened the reception room door to see her out.

“Please return safely.”

“Yes, I’ll see you in three days.”

Rosia smiled sweetly and left the mansion. She had heard the Count had two sons. Since the heir, the first son, was already grown, she would probably be teaching the remaining son. What kind of child would he be? Rosia vaguely imagined a child resembling the Count.

“How did it go?”

The nanny, who had been waiting at the entrance, quickly approached upon seeing Rosia. Rosia held the nanny’s hands tightly and smiled.

“I start work in three days, Nanny.”

“……Really?”

“Yes, really.”

The nanny opened her mouth wide before closing it again. The Miss she had preciously cared for had finally become a governess for the Hess family. How should she tell the Viscount about this? Though the nanny’s vision darkened, Rosia pretended not to notice and continued speaking.

“Let’s hurry home and prepare for the party.”

＊＊＊

Tap, tap. It was the sound of Nigel tapping the desk with the tip of his pen. Count Owen fidgeted like someone sitting on pins and needles. Nigel fixed his gaze on empty air and quietly asked again.

“So you’re saying Rosia Berthe visited the Hess family?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Count Owen watched Nigel’s reaction carefully. He couldn’t help but feel nervous, having brought such unfavorable news just a day after Nigel had asked him to find out about Rosia Berthe’s schedule. As Count Owen expected, Nigel’s expression was extremely displeased.

“The Hess family.”

“Shall I look into it more thoroughly?”

“No need. This isn’t some background investigation.”

Though it already seems exactly like one. Count Owen barely managed to hold back those words. Nigel sat at his desk, tapping it with his fingertips. The pen in his other hand twirled between his fingers. He muttered “Count Hess, Count Hess” before raising his eyebrows and staring at Count Owen.

“Aiden Hess? The Count’s heir?”

“Yes. Aiden Hess and his late-born younger brother.”

Two sons, and one a late child. Nigel ruminated over the information Count Owen provided once more before asking again.

“How old was he again?”

“He should be about six years old this year.”

“No, not the young master, the eldest son.”

Nigel’s eyes filled with reproach. It meant, how could you be so dense? Count Owen cleared his throat with an “ahem” and answered.

“Aiden Hess is a couple years younger than Your Highness.”

“Ah, right. I remember that slick face. Just at the right age for marriage.”

Wasn’t he friends with our Crown Prince? I’ve seen them meet occasionally. Nigel thought he understood why Rosia Berthe had visited the Hess family. There was no need for lengthy contemplation about why a man and woman of marriageable age would meet in broad daylight. But something felt odd.

Not Viscount Berthe, but Rosia herself visited the Hess mansion? Usually in this country, meetings began with the man seeking marriage visiting the woman’s residence. But in this case, wasn’t it the opposite?

“No matter how desperate the Berthe family is, isn’t this strange?”