Chapter 1

The Hudson Viscountcy was a symbol of fallen nobility. During the rapid industrialization of the Ledan Kingdom, they chose to be left behind. Arrogance ruined everything. Pride in the title once bestowed by the King blinded and deafened them. And Charles Hudson, the 10th Viscount Hudson, trusted only in a tiny estate and the small fortune his father had deposited in the bank.

“Damn Liam!”

However, the world changed faster than their guesses or beliefs. Iron bridges connected cities across rivers, gunpowder and firearms advanced, and machines drastically increased the productivity of the textile industry.

Even those who rented land within the estate to farm humbly for a meager living fled to nearby cities, turning his small land into ruins.

“That bastard took all my money again today!”

Charles Hudson’s aristocratic arrogance was helplessly crushed by the rising power of capital, which had surpassed the title. All that remained for him, who spent money thoughtlessly, was debt and land suitable for farming, and he had to sell even that small land.

“Eleanor! Eleanor Hudson!”

If only he had sold the land when offered a generous price, he might have had some funds. Charles sold the farmland at a bargain price, lured by the promise of clearing his debts immediately. The buyer was a new capitalist he had once despised and scorned.

“Where has that damned girl gone when her father is here?”

Charles snarled and kicked the table leg. The bread basket on the table shook slightly, unable to withstand the force. The bread inside was somewhat stale.

“I’m here.”

It was the moment Charles was glaring at the bread and was about to throw it to the floor in anger that Eleanor descended from the second-floor stairs.

“How many times did I call you before you finally came down?”

“I was organizing my lesson notes.”

“Are you a teacher? You should find a suitable marriage match and lighten the burden, not organize lesson notes…”

Eleanor sighed softly and picked up the bread pieces scattered on the floor.

“I’ve become Olivia Claven’s tutor from the Claven Duchy.”

Would her thoughtless father even know that this bread piece is money? Surely he wouldn’t.

“What? What did you become?”

“Olivia Claven’s tutor.”

She was tired of all this. The old house that was falling apart, Charles who often came home drunk and caused trouble, the ever-increasing gambling debts. She just wanted to escape.

“A tutor! That’s work for lowly commoners!”

Charles shouted with a red face.

“How prestigious is the Hudson Viscountcy, how have I maintained this family!”

“…”

“A tutor? You’re a disgrace to the Hudson Viscountcy!”

As Charles raised his hand, Eleanor placed the bread she was holding on the table and lifted her head. Charles blinked in surprise, forgetting his anger at the direct gaze. Eleanor had always been a gentle daughter.

“Don’t they tell you the truth about the Hudson family at the gambling den?”

It was lamentable to have to speak ill of her family. The bread crushed under Eleanor’s hand was miserably mashed. Nevertheless, Eleanor continued in a mocking tone.

“‘The Hudson family? Ah, that Viscountcy with an illustrious history’.”

“…”

“‘But what are they doing now?’”

“…”

“‘When was the Hudson Viscountcy’s prime? It’s been ages since they became beggars. The head of the family frequents the gambling den daily. I wonder if he begs for food.’”

Charles’s broad and large palm finally slapped Eleanor’s cheek. Eleanor barely managed not to fall by strengthening her legs.

“This crazy girl, there’s a limit to disgracing the family.”

“With reality like this, what’s so important about a title less than a commoner?”

Eleanor lifted her chin. Her exceptionally clear and bright skin easily showed marks, leaving a vivid red handprint on her delicate cheek. It would be a lie to say there was no pain, but she didn’t want to appear weak before Charles.

“After all the feeding and housing, you dare say such things.”

“…”

“You don’t deserve to stay in this house, so pack your things and leave immediately!”

Charles pointed towards the door, shouting loudly.

“I was planning to do that anyway.”

Eleanor replied as if it was what she wanted to say. She went up to the second floor, packed the luggage she had prepared in advance, and came down. Charles laughed incredulously, staring at Eleanor.

“Stay healthy.”

“I’ll be healthy as long as I don’t see you, so get lost!”

Eleanor bowed deeply to Charles and opened the door to the mansion. Behind her, Charles’s anger, pouring out insults like ‘damned girl’ and ‘shameless girl,’ lost its way the moment the crude door closed.

To have only this memory of leaving the house felt bitter.

“Pull yourself together, Eleanor Hudson.”

But Eleanor soon pulled herself together. She loved the land where she was born and raised, but she didn’t want to live like this. She had to do something to preserve memories with her mother.

At the beginning of summer, despite wearing a wide-brimmed hat, the pouring sunlight was scorching. The noise from the rustling green leaves in the blowing wind was almost ticklish.

Eleanor finally stepped forward with a determined face. Her initially heavy steps were almost half-running as she approached the train station.

“One third-class ticket to Southern, please.”

The station attendant handed an old ticket to Eleanor, who was slightly panting. Holding the Southern ticket, Eleanor headed to the platform.

Kent, where Eleanor lived, was rural, so there weren’t many people waiting for the train, making it quiet. Eleanor sat on a creaky wooden chair and waited a long time for the train to arrive.

“Excuse me, has the Southern train departed?”

Eleanor slightly turned her head, covering her flushed cheek. A handsome man with bright blonde hair and violet eyes like violets was bending over, smiling refreshingly.

“No, not yet. I’m waiting too.”

“Oh, thank goodness. I ran here, worried I might miss it.”

Perhaps due to the heat, the man’s loose shirt fluttered. But instead of a sweat smell, he emitted a fresh soap scent. His behavior could be considered frivolous, yet strangely, it didn’t seem that way.

“Why are you going to Southern?”

“I got a job.”

The conversation, which entered abruptly, wasn’t unpleasant. It seemed there was no sinister shadow felt.

“Well, Southern has developed a lot, so it’s good for work.”

The man nodded, giving a generous evaluation of the Duchy.

Eleanor also knew about Logan Claven, the owner of the Duchy. Logan was evaluated as someone who had a maturity beyond his thirty years. However, he was actually a young man, only nineteen when he became the head of the family, just a year older than Eleanor, now twenty-four, and Eleanor’s employer.

“There’s a security team employed by the Duke, separate from the police, so the security is good.”

“You seem to know Southern well.”

The man smiled at Eleanor’s response.

“I live in Southern.”

“You came a long way.”

The distance from Southern to Kent was two days by train. Considering Kent wasn’t a place worth touring, this man’s journey could be considered eccentric.

“Actually, I’m returning from Dover. I’m just passing through Kent because I’m tired.”

Dover, a port city, was at the far end of the Ledan Kingdom, known for the movement of goods, navy, and alcohol.

“You must be a soldier.”

“You’re good at guessing. Can I sit next to you?”

The man pointed to the empty seat next to Eleanor and asked. Eleanor, who guessed he was a decent person from the short conversation, readily allowed him.

“Traveling straight from Dover to Southern takes at least five days, and I couldn’t bear it. My butt hurts.”

That’s understandable. Eleanor nodded in agreement.

“So I’m taking a break in Kent.”

“Except for having nothing to see, it was a good idea.”

“That made it suitable for rest.”

The man, who answered everything positively, emitted no sense of crease.

“The train is coming in.”

Clatter, clatter. The sound of the rails being stepped on, along with smoky smoke, the train entered the platform. Eleanor stood and waited for the train to stop, then bowed to the man still standing beside her.

“I’m in third class, so I have to go over there.”

“Oh, okay. It was nice meeting you.”

The man nodded with wide eyes. Eleanor turned without hesitation and headed to where the third-class car was located.

“My name is Usher Fitzman.”

However, before reaching her target, her path was blocked. Eleanor looked up at Usher in bewilderment, who blocked her way.

“Call me by my name if we meet again.”

Usher’s violet eyes, reflecting the midday light, sparkled like amethyst. How could a man’s eyes be so beautiful? Eleanor nodded as if enchanted.

“The train is about to depart. Please board!”

With the ringing of a bell, the station attendant urged boarding. Eleanor, finally coming to her senses, hurriedly turned to board. Usher didn’t hold Eleanor back.

Once on the train, Eleanor impulsively looked back.

“Just a moment, I’ll board soon!”

Usher smiled at Eleanor like a mischievous child and hurriedly rushed to take his place with long strides.

A pleasant person. Eleanor thought so and found her seat in the third-class car. Before the train started moving, she managed to sit down in the cramped seat.

Through the grimy window, Kent’s greenery receded. But she wasn’t particularly sad about leaving her lifelong hometown. It seemed that whenever she recalled the ringing bell announcing departure time, she would think of him.