5. White Flag

Nigel was displeased by the fact that Rosia left without even looking back. She even shook her arms as if something dirty had gotten on them. A bitter laugh escaped naturally. Why did he do that? It was an irresponsible and stupid action he would never have done normally. The moment Rosia’s soft, warm body touched him, he just wanted to kiss her. He had teased her hot, tight insides as he pleased, and if they had stayed a moment longer, he would have taken her right there. Nigel sighed while furrowing his brows. He still felt as if Rosia was in his arms.

“Damn it.”

The bright and beautiful music echoed through the banquet hall, oblivious to the mood. Nigel was already several glasses deep into high-proof wine. It was because he was in a bad mood and couldn’t stop thinking about Rosia. The Rosia he actually held in his arms was smaller and more delicate than he had expected. She smelled of subtle acacia. Sweet and fragrant.

But then he remembered Rosia running away again. The image of her disappearing frantically into the banquet hall, as if afraid he might chase after her and catch her, was vivid in his mind. Irritation suddenly welled up.

“Nigel, what are you thinking about so deeply?”

Greta had approached at some point and casually struck up a conversation. Nigel just stared down at his empty wine glass while leaning against the wall. When he didn’t answer, Greta stepped a bit closer.

“I saw you leave with Lady Berthe earlier.”

When Rosia was mentioned from Greta’s lips, Nigel’s eyebrows furrowed. He gripped his glass tightly while staring at Greta.

“And?”

“Many others probably saw too. Shouldn’t you be more careful? There’s already been an article about it. There are many women who suit you better, Nigel.”

Greta brushed off Nigel’s shoulder while putting on a seemingly worried expression. A single strand of light-colored hair slowly fell to the floor. Greta’s face showed that she already knew quite well whose hair it was. She let out a very small sigh.

“Are you thinking of marrying that woman?”

“No.”

Nigel answered immediately. He straightened up from his slouched position against the wall.

“It’s not your concern, so don’t try to meddle.”

“Nigel.”

Greta called out to Nigel in a voice wet with emotion. Nigel set down his glass irritably, as if even her voice annoyed him.

“You’re my most cherished friend. Even though we’ve been apart, I’ve always missed you, Nigel.”

Greta’s hands trembled slightly. Her thin eyelashes fluttered weakly like butterfly wings. Nigel walked away with heavy steps after adjusting his coat, as if he hadn’t heard her words. Greta reached out to grab him, but Nigel didn’t let himself be caught.

＊＊＊

Rosia knocked on the entrance of Count Hess’s mansion with a tense face. After waiting a moment, a middle-aged butler with brown hair turned white appeared. He greeted her with a polite smile.

“We’ve been expecting you.”

“Hello.”

Rosia smiled back as she stepped inside. Perhaps because it was early morning, the mansion was busy. The servants glanced at Rosia while carrying laundry back and forth. Rosia gave them a slight nod in greeting before following the butler to the designated room. They went up to the second floor and walked down the left corridor for quite a while. The butler stopped at the last room in the corridor. He knocked on the door with precision while saying,

“Young master, Lady Berthe has arrived.”

There was no answer. However, the butler opened the door as if he had expected this. A child was sitting at the desk. The child, who looked both similar and different from Count Hess, glanced at Rosia before nodding. A child of few words? Rosia thought as she smiled at him. The butler said to Rosia,

“I leave the young master in your care.”

“Yes, I’ll do my best.”

Rosia answered cheerfully. The butler seemed to have something to say as he slightly opened his lips before closing them again. Then he bowed his head and left. After watching his retreating figure for a moment, Rosia closed the door and entered the room. She sat down in an empty chair and opened her leather bag to take out several fairy tale books. The Count wanted Rosia to read books every day and play the piano. He added that he didn’t expect much other education. Though she should have been happy that she didn’t have to do difficult tasks, Rosia felt strangely uneasy. Still, since they trusted her enough to leave the child in her care, she decided to do her best. Rosia made eye contact with the child and started with a greeting.

“Hello, I’m Rosia.”

“……”

The child didn’t say anything. He just tilted his head slightly while staring at Rosia. Rosia was somewhat taken aback. The child was openly ignoring her. Rosia briefly pondered how to continue the conversation. But then the child picked up a pen with his small hand and began writing something on paper. Rosia waited patiently. Soon the child held up the paper to show Rosia.

‘Rey Hess’

It was very neatly written with great care. It seemed to be the child’s name. Rosia finally realized why the Count had made her sign a confidentiality agreement. The nobility had long had a tendency to look down on disabilities. The Count seemed worried about his family’s standing being affected by public rumors. Though she had found it strange when signing the agreement, she hadn’t expected this reason. Looking at Rey’s clear face befitting his age made her heart ache a bit.

Fortunately, since Rey seemed to understand what others were saying, he probably wasn’t completely unfamiliar with language. Rosia acted completely normal on the outside. She was worried Rey might be hurt by her reaction. She spread out the fairy tale books and asked,

“Nice to meet you, Rey. Which book should we read together today?”

Rey seemed to think for a moment before extending his small white finger to choose ‘The Witch and the Child.’ Rosia acknowledged and opened the book. ‘The Witch and the Child’ was a story about a child who was abandoned for not crying at birth, growing up in a witch’s care and learning about love and happiness. Rosia read the book in a gentle voice.

“A very long time ago, in the deep forest of the Wetzel Kingdom lived a witch. The witch lived lonely without a single friend due to her frightening appearance. One day while gathering herbs in the forest, she heard a baby crying not far away.”

Rey looked alternately at Rosia’s face and the book with curious eyes. Rosia read the book doing her best, imagining her young sibling was sitting beside her. She sometimes imitated the witch or spoke like a child. A red flush gradually bloomed on Rey’s paper-white face. It meant he was that immersed in the book. Rosia felt proud as she continued reading for quite a while. Just then, someone knocked on the half-open door.

“Hello, teacher.”

Rosia turned to the side with a start. Aiden was leaning crookedly against the doorframe. Though he was still smiling, his blue eyes looked strangely sad. When Rosia hesitated, not knowing what to say, Aiden tilted his head and spoke,

“Would you like to have some tea if you don’t mind? It’s break time, Rey.”

Rey obediently nodded at his brother’s words. Momentarily flustered, Rosia had no choice but to close the book and follow Aiden. Aiden guided Rosia to the second-floor balcony. Upon opening the door, she saw white tables and chairs, and beautifully grown spring plants in pots. On the round table were teacups and a teapot with warm steam rising, as if prepared in advance. Aiden slightly pulled out a chair to help Rosia sit easily before sitting across from her. He pushed a plate of cookies toward Rosia while speaking,

“I didn’t know when I saw you at the banquet. That you would be the new governess. I only found out this morning.”

It was unexpected. Rosia thought Aiden had already known everything when he asked her to dance. But he hadn’t. Rosia felt a strange thirst as she took a sip of tea with a bitter taste. Aiden continued,

“How is it? My brother. I hear from the butler that Father asked them not to give you any prior notice.”

“I was a bit surprised, but I’m fine now. I think I understand why the Count asked me to read books.”

Rosia answered carefully. Aiden leaned back completely in his chair and stared at the clear sky. Though she hadn’t noticed because of Nigel, Aiden was also quite handsome. Rosia silently watched his fine black hair flutter in the wind. He seemed lost in deep thought as he remained silent before turning back to Rosia with a bright smile.

“Please take good care of my brother, teacher.”

“You don’t have to call me that.”

Rosia mumbled with an embarrassed face. She had only read books for a few hours, so being called teacher, while not unpleasant, felt burdensome. Aiden shrugged.

“But you are a teacher. I should show this much courtesy to someone who will be taking care of my most beloved brother.”

Aiden was someone who could say pleasant things without batting an eye. Rosia felt awkward and picked up a cookie. It was a nutty cookie sprinkled with ground peanuts.

“Actually, until a few weeks ago, there was another governess.”

Aiden’s voice got a bit quieter. Rosia stopped eating her cookie halfway and looked at him. Aiden closed his mouth briefly before slowly opening it again.

“Until she died in a carriage accident.”

“……A carriage accident?”

Rosia put down her remaining cookie on her plate. Though she didn’t understand why Aiden was telling her this, it wasn’t the atmosphere to be eating cookies. Aiden nodded while looking directly at Rosia with clear eyes.

“People say Rey is cursed. That he’s a demon who killed our mother when he was born. And that he’ll devour everyone around him too. All the governesses who have taught Rey so far have met bad ends.”

“That’s nonsense.”

Rosia frowned unconsciously as she muttered. That people would spread such horrible stories about an innocent child—their cruelty made her frown involuntarily. Aiden’s expression suggested he found her reaction interesting.

“Everyone loves stories like this. Sensational and unrealistic stories. Aren’t you afraid?”

“Not at all. Does Rey know about this?”

“How could he not? We can’t stop the servants who work closely with him from talking.”