Chapter 4

The identity of the man called ‘Ray’ was revealed effortlessly the next day. The moment she saw her student, Henry Gordon Somerset, only one face came to mind.  

Raymond Campbell Somerset.  

The eldest son and heir of the widely rumored Somerset family.  

“Teacher?”  

“Ah. Sorry.”  

Henry tilted his head in confusion at Helen, who had momentarily lost her words. If not for their ages, one might believe they were twins, as their faces were strikingly identical. The brothers were like each other’s past and future.  

Helen, having shaken off her distracting thoughts, smiled.  

“Where were we in our discussion?”  

“We were talking about the corruption and decadence of the previous dynasty.”  

“Ah, right. We were just lightly going over the flow of that era.”  

For a private tutor, it was common to teach a wide range of subjects such as history, geography, language, and science. However, the Countess of Somerset had specifically requested that Helen focus on history and language—subjects where Henry was weaker.  

After giving him a light test, it turned out that he didn’t need extra tutoring in other subjects. He had read extensively in the library and studied on his own. His level was impeccable, even compared to public school students.  

“The incompetence and indifference of the ruling class ultimately led to the revolution.”  

Even with a brief explanation, Henry was able to pick up on the hidden implications and point them out. Helen nodded, smiling warmly.  

“That’s right. Once we delve deeper into this topic, you’ll be able to learn even more.”  

Her gaze flicked to the clock hanging on the wall. Classes were divided into morning and afternoon sessions, each lasting three hours. When it was time for the morning session to end, a maid would knock on the door.  

“It’s time for lunch, Miss.”  

“Shall we stop here for today’s history lesson?”  

“Yes!”  

Though he appeared mature and composed, he was still just a child. His face lit up as soon as the book was closed, and Helen stifled a quiet laugh.  

As she tidied up the scattered maps and books, Henry, who was about to follow the maid out, suddenly stopped.  

“Teacher.”  

“Hmm?”  

“Would you like to go for a walk after lunch, if it’s alright with you?”  

“A walk?”  

“Yes. Kaya said she’d pack us some snacks. If we sit by the hill near the lake and eat there, it tastes amazing.”  

His intentions were obvious. He wanted to replace the afternoon lesson with a walk.  

“No—”  

Helen was about to say no but stopped mid-sentence.  

Now that she thought about it, it had already been five days since she arrived here. Other than the first day, she hadn’t really interacted with the family of her employer. She had only briefly met the Earl and Countess two days ago, and she hadn’t encountered that man at all.  

Before she could feel relieved, she realized she had been too busy preparing lessons to even take in the surrounding scenery properly.  

Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to take a day off. It could also boost her student’s morale.  

After a moment of hesitation, Helen slowly nodded.  

“Alright. But just for today.”  

Henry’s face brightened even more.  

“Yay!”  

The snow-covered lakeside they visited after descending the mountain where Groene Hall was located was more beautiful than expected.  

A transparent lake sat amidst an entirely white snowfield, creating a mystical scene. It seemed to be a shared space, as a few people were taking a stroll despite the cold weather.  

“Teacher! Over here! This is the best spot!”  

The two settled on a hill a little farther away. As they silently gazed at the endless horizon, marveling at the open view, Henry smiled knowingly.  

“It’s really pretty, isn’t it, Teacher?”  

“It truly is.”  

“In the summer, we used to take a rowboat all the way to the far end. My brother and I.”  

Brother.  

At that single word, Helen’s mind snapped back to reality. Henry, who had shifted his gaze from Helen to the lake, continued to chatter.  

“My brother is really strong, so he rows the boat really well. And since he’s good at swimming, even if the boat were to sink, there’d be no need to worry.”  

“Is that so?”  

“That’s not all. He’s already graduated now, but he was the best at both academics and sports at school. He was always the top student and even became the youngest student council president at Carlton! Isn’t that amazing?”  

Carlton was one of the most prestigious public schools, a place where even the children of foreign elites desperately wanted to study. As the story went on, Helen found herself unconsciously listening more intently.  

She couldn’t help but wonder if the person she had seen a few days ago was truly the same man.  

“He’s kind and gentle, really amazing. These days, though, he’s been a bit…”  

“A bit?”  

The excited voice praising his idol gradually grew quieter.  

“He’s changed, though.”  

“Why?”  

“Because of me.”  

“Henry.”  

“But he doesn’t even hate me. He’s so stupid.”  

It seemed there was a complicated situation that outsiders wouldn’t understand. Seeing her student’s darkened expression, Helen quickly changed the subject.  

“Oh, Henry. Is that a swan over there?”  

“Really?”  

As she redirected his attention, the gloomy atmosphere quickly lifted. Henry, who had been slumped, shot up and spotted a pair of swans.  

“They really are swans!”  

“You said you like animals, didn’t you?”  

“I do! Can I go take a closer look?”  

“As long as you don’t go too far.”  

From the hill, the lakeside was clearly visible, so there was no real danger. With Helen’s permission, Henry smiled brightly and quickly descended the hill.  

It was just as Helen was finally relaxing alone when someone approached and tapped her on the shoulder.  

“Helen.”  

“Ahhh!”  

Startled, she turned around to see a man equally surprised. He removed his hat, revealing his face.  

“Sorry if I scared you. Did I seem like a creep?”  

“Not exactly… It’s just that not many people here know my name.”  

“Is that so? It’s been a while. How have you been?”  

It was Raymond Somerset, whom she hadn’t seen in five days. Unlike the clear blue eyes she had just seen earlier, his mischievous sapphire-colored pupils sparkled as if he were genuinely pleased to see her.  

Despite having startled her, he casually sat beside her as if it were his rightful spot. His audacious behavior left her momentarily speechless.  

“Why are you sitting here?”  

“Because there’s a spot to sit?”  

“You’re making me uncomfortable.”  

“Even if it’s uncomfortable, bear with it.”  

Just as she was about to retort, her words caught in her throat when she saw the other side of his face.  

The face that had taken her breath away the first time she saw it now had a long scar running down it. All she could manage was one sentence.  

“I’ve been doing well, but it seems like you haven’t.”  

“You got that right. Aren’t you going to ask where I got this?”  

“Did a woman throw a glass at you?”  

“Something like that.”  

Helen rubbed her throbbing temples and barely managed to speak.  

“That’s a story I really don’t care to know.”  

His response was lighthearted.  

“Then let’s leave it at that.”  

Wearing the long diagonal scar like a badge of honor, he smiled boyishly. His absurdity made it hard to stay angry at him for pretending not to be who he was earlier.  

For some reason, being mad at him felt foolish, and Helen relaxed her tense shoulders.  

“By the way, why are you walking around looking like that?”  

“I’m not walking around. I haven’t shown this to anyone yet.”  

“Who are you planning to show it to?”  

As if answering her unspoken question, Raymond smirked.  

“To make you feel sorry for me.”  

“….”  

“If I overuse it, it loses its effect, doesn’t it?”  

“…Then don’t lie in the first place.”  

“I never lied. I just kept my mouth shut.”  

“You claimed to be serving the Earl…”  

“I wasn’t lying. That’s what I do every day.”  

He began counting on his fingers, listing his duties—managing the estate, handling taxes, hosting guests…  

“I was stuck dealing with all that for days and finally managed to escape.”  

Helen narrowed her eyes. No matter how she looked at him, he seemed more suited to wandering around as a carefree artist than being the heir of a distinguished noble family. With his striking looks, he’d probably succeed in anything he did.  

While she was lost in thought, Raymond rummaged through his coat and handed her something.  

“By the way, here. I’m returning this.”  

It was the handkerchief she had lent him before. Just like back then, he now had a scar on his otherwise perfect face.  

“You can just keep it.”  

“I don’t accept gifts.”  

Ignoring her refusal, he grabbed her hand and flipped it over. The unexpected contact made Helen freeze. He placed the neatly washed and folded handkerchief in her palm.  

“I don’t take things for free.”  

“….”  

“It’s no fun that way.”  

Don’t you agree? 

The old elm tree branches above them swayed all at once in the blowing wind.  

Helen swallowed hard. Though the air was cold, the skin that had touched his felt hot. After handing over the handkerchief, Raymond teasingly brushed his finger across her palm before pulling away.  

When she finally looked up, their eyes met. The shadowed face under the tree canopy looked mercilessly cold. But as soon as she blinked at the unfamiliar sensation, it disappeared.  

“Well then.”  

The silence didn’t last long. Raymond quickly stood up and bid her farewell.  

“I’ll be going now. I have an appointment to keep.”  

“You’re not going to see Henry before you leave?”  

“Not for a while.”  

He smiled faintly and gestured to his face.  

As if he had never been there, the uninvited guest disappeared without a trace. Not long after, Henry returned, holding something in his hand. He held it out to her.  

“Teacher! This is a gift for you.”  

“This is…?”  

“It’s a feather that wards off evil spirits. Swan feathers are sacred.”  

“Why the sudden talk of ghosts?”  

“Because—”  

Henry lowered his voice conspiratorially, glancing around before leaning in to whisper in her ear.  

“During this time of year, they often appear in the mansion.”  

“….”  

“Many of the staff have seen a crying woman’s ghost. So, I wanted you to be careful…”  

Thinking he was joking, Helen pulled away and looked at him silently. Henry awkwardly continued.  

“Oh, but even without this, if you get close to my brother, the ghost won’t show up. He says ghosts don’t scare him. He says they don’t exist. Do you think that’s true?”  

“…Who knows.”  

For some reason, the air felt eerie. Helen awkwardly smiled and held out her hand to her student.  

“Let’s head back now, Henry.”  

Both the teacher and student quickly got up and left. Watching the two figures grow smaller in the distance, a woman frowned.  

“Who is that woman?”  

“Sarah.”  

At the sound of a voice, the woman turned her head.