Chapter 10

As they entered the spacious drawing room, the roaring fire in the hearth greeted Helen warmly. It felt as though the breath that had been stuck in her chest finally loosened.

“Sit here. It’s the warmest spot.”

Raymond gestured toward the wide couch in front of the fireplace and sank into a single-seater armchair positioned diagonally across. As soon as Helen sat down, a knock sounded, and a maid entered.

“I’ve brought tea.”

“Leave it here. What about the blanket?”

“I’ve brought it as well.”

After arranging the tea set on the table, the maid left. Raymond suddenly stood, picked up the neatly folded blanket, and draped it over Helen’s shoulders. The faint touch of his hand made her shoulders flinch.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Seemingly unaware of her reaction, Raymond naturally withdrew his hand and returned to his seat. He rested his arms on the armrests, leaned deeply into the backrest, and tilted his head back, closing his eyes.

Helen’s gaze involuntarily fixed on him. Droplets of water dripped from his golden hair, his elegant nose bridge stood out, and the line of his throat peeked through the collar of his shirt. His face looked languid and tired.

A long silence followed. Outside the large window, the sound of pouring rain mingled with the crackling of firewood in the hearth.

Just when she thought he might have fallen asleep, the silence broke.

“Don’t you have anything you’re curious about?”

“What?”

Startled, Helen straightened her back. He remained in his relaxed position, eyes still closed.

“I thought you might. Or am I wrong?”

“…”

She had just called him a hypocrite earlier, but the intense and fleeting emotion she’d felt seemed to have washed away with the rain. Helen lowered her head and clenched her hands tightly before releasing them.

“What was your mother like?”

They both knew she wasn’t referring to his stepmother.

“Well… let’s see.”

Raymond remained silent for a moment, as if deep in thought, before lifting his tilted head. He bent one leg onto the chair and hugged it with both hands. He resembled either a mischievous boy or a curious scholar. His calm and serene gaze met hers, and he smiled faintly as he answered.

“She was the kind of person who would leave ninety-nine sheep in the mountains to find one lost sheep.”

“…Matthew 18.”

“You know it well.”

“She must have been a kind person.”

At Helen’s response, Raymond tilted his head slightly with a cryptic expression. His wet hair clung to his cheek, glimmering more brightly than usual.

“If being soft-hearted is the same as being kind, then yes.”

His tone was indifferent, but the words carried a biting edge. There was no trace of tenderness in his voice as he spoke of his late mother. It must have been her imagination. Feeling an unexplainable chill, Helen pulled the blanket tighter around herself and asked.

“Do you despise kindness, Mr. Raymond?”

“Of course not. On the contrary.”

“On the contrary?”

“I like it. To the point I want to destroy it.”

“…”

“Helen.”

His tone shifted lightly. Before she could respond, Raymond smoothly changed the subject.

“Are you not curious about anything else?”

“Anything else?”

“Like why I came back.”

Helen slowly lifted her bowed head. Their gazes met midair. Her cheeks, flushed from the sudden change in temperature, were visible. If her gaze dropped slightly, she would see a face identical to Henry’s.

She realized something faintly.

Henry Gordon Somerset and Raymond Campbell Somerset looked alike, but there was a subtle difference. Like an angel and something that meticulously imitated an angel.

Henry was genuinely pure, while Raymond was far from it.

Helen quietly thought of the women in Raymond’s life.

The woman named Sarah. The woman named Diana. And the maid named Tanya. All three were beauties who drew attention. Unlike her.

The conclusion was simple. 

Don’t be swayed.

There was no need to deceive or be deceived. Even the way he looked at her now was merely out of curiosity.

Helen reminded herself of her circumstances. She was neither beautiful nor special—just the daughter of a pastor, a penniless tutor from the countryside.

“Why did you come back?”

“Because it seemed like you were crying.”

“I wasn’t crying.”

Helen avoided his gaze and pressed her lips together. Her face was stiff, but her neck felt hot. It was as if a shameful secret had been exposed.

“Liar.”

“I really wasn’t crying.”

“Can I check?”

“How would you…”

“Stay still for a moment.”

Raymond suddenly stood and approached her. He raised his index finger and tilted her chin upward, making her look at him.

As their eyes met, Helen felt her stomach churn. His tousled golden hair hung over his smooth forehead, and his long, lush eyelashes fanned out like a delicate brush. His playful eyes now resembled emeralds more than sapphires. In contrast, his firm jawline and lips belonged to a man just crossing the threshold into adulthood.

“Let’s see…”

“…”

His fingertips brushed against the corner of her eye. Her cheek twitched slightly. Every spot he touched felt like it was burning. Narrowing his eyes, Raymond leaned closer, as if trying to read her thoughts like a second-rate fortune teller. Helen held her breath. It felt like she was drowning in an endless lake.

Just as she was about to push his shoulder away, he abruptly stepped back. Raymond, now standing at a distance, remarked indifferently.

“Huh. You really weren’t crying?”

“I told you I wasn’t! Was it really necessary to get so close?”

“If it made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry. I guess I treated you the way I treat Henry.”

Henry. At the sudden mention of her student’s name, Helen deliberately furrowed her brow.

“It’s unpleasant to be treated like a child. I’m twenty-five. You’re barely twenty.”

“Ah, right.”

“Did you treat your previous tutor like this too?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, your previous…”

She stopped mid-sentence, suddenly feeling embarrassed. It sounded like something a jealous lover would say.

“Forget it. Pretend I didn’t say anything.”

“But I already heard it.”

“Can’t you act like a gentleman? Even with Henry—”

“What will you give me if I do?”

Raymond interrupted her. Before Helen could respond, he continued.

“Will you go on a date with me next week?”

“…You have plenty of other options.”

“But there’s only one Henry’s tutor—you.”

It was an odd response. When Helen tilted her head in confusion, he smiled faintly.

“Henry’s birthday is the week after next.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t know your student’s birthday…”

“I just didn’t think of it for a moment.”

“So, you’ll come, right?”

“…”

“I’ll spend all of this weekend with Henry. Of course, after his lessons. That way, he’ll listen to you better, don’t you think?”

His words, already reaching a conclusion, left Helen blinking. He was almost as persuasive as a seasoned street vendor. This man could have sold fake medicine and still ended up wealthy.

“Helen.”

While she was speechless, the wolf disguised as a big, friendly dog drooped his ears, interpreting her silence as rejection.

“I’m a lost lamb.”

“Don’t you think you’re a bit big to be a lamb?”

“Then let’s say I’m a lost sheepdog.”

Raymond skillfully deflected and smiled brightly.

“Won’t you come find me?”

She shouldn’t give in. She should firmly refuse. But she couldn’t look away, as if caught in a trap. After a few moments, Helen replied quietly.

“Just one day.”

“Of course.”

“We’ll just buy a gift and leave.”

“Understood.”

“Don’t let anyone else find out.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Helen steeled her resolve. She wouldn’t be fooled. Not that she intended to deceive him either.

“Then… fine.”

“Helen.”

His voice lowered. Helen kept her eyes closed. If she looked at him, she feared she’d be ensnared again.

“Thank you.”

He smiled as he looked down at the woman avoiding his gaze.

The solid wall had begun to crack. Or rather, she thought of herself as a solid wall.

She was an interesting woman. More than he had expected.

***

Dear Helen,  

I received your letter well. I’m glad to hear you’re doing fine. It’s truly a relief to know that the people there are kind as well.  

Here, nothing has changed from before you left or after. It’s quiet, filled with people who love to talk, some of whom are kind and others who are a bit indifferent.  

These days, I’m working on a grand plan.  

Do you remember? How I once said I wanted to build a school for poor children in this parish?  

Last weekend, I mentioned it to the Baron, the owner of the estate, and he said he’d consider it positively. Even if he permits it, there might be some funding issues, but I think we can manage it through fundraising. Perhaps my long-held dream might finally come true.  

Helen,  

You once said it would be wonderful if a world where everyone was equal could exist.  

It’s a distant dream, but if it ever comes true, would you help me? I’d like not only boys but also girls to receive equal education.  

If we build a small school next to the chapel, it might take a year or two to complete, even if we start now.  

I hope you have another joyful and happy day today. I’ll be waiting for your reply.  

Sincerely,  

Your friend, Simon.  

P.S. Do you remember the promise I made to wait for you? I mean it. I always have.  

But I hope you don’t feel burdened by it. I’m sorry.  

***

Raymond kept his promise. That entire weekend, he spent time boating at the lake with his brother, and the next day, Henry seemed as though he could fly from joy.

“So then, while my brother was crumbling the biscuits, the birds came flying over and…”

“Henry.”

Helen interrupted him, sensing that if left alone, he could go on for hours.

“Isn’t that a bit too extravagant of an excuse for not doing your homework?”

“….”

“As punishment, you’ll have double the homework today.”

“Teacher!”

“Do you have something to say?”

“No…”

Henry pouted hard. But in moments like this, neither his cuteness nor tears worked. Helen was always a kind teacher, but when it came to discipline, she was firm as a blade.

As his shoulders drooped, the bell in the entrance hall rang, chiming six o’clock.