Chapter 7

Logan finally felt he could somewhat understand what Usher had talked about. It wasn’t that Eleanor seemed like destiny. It was because the light pouring over Eleanor’s head and her awkward, faint smile felt like a scene from a painting. Mistaking a momentary image lodged in one’s heart for love is easier than one might think.

“You handle Olivia well.”

“I had a younger sibling.”

Eleanor quietly replied. Olivia was still concentrating all her efforts on the spoon in her hand, trying not to spill a drop of soup.

“She could have been good friends with Olivia.”

Logan could easily guess what situation Eleanor’s sibling might have been in from Eleanor’s muttering. It explained why Eleanor felt no reluctance towards Olivia and could approach her so easily.

“I see.”

The gentle, somewhat sad gaze watching Olivia must have originated from her loss. Logan, having seen that far, asked no further questions.

“Don’t you have any more questions?”

Eleanor questioned Logan, who seemed indifferent even after hearing an unexpected story. She had expected him to bombard her with questions about how to handle Olivia, whether Olivia could change, etc., if her sibling had been in a similar situation to Olivia.

“You are an employee, and I am merely an employer.”

“…”

“Receiving money from me doesn’t mean you need to disclose your private life, Miss Hudson. That’s not your job.”

Logan firmly stated that he wasn’t curious about Eleanor’s private life. Though he said it wasn’t her job as a tutor, he wasn’t foolish enough not to recognize it as consideration.

Despite his indifferent face, as if he wouldn’t be surprised if a bomb dropped, his attitude was surprisingly thoughtful. Indeed, even his unexpectedly kind demeanor towards Olivia, who others might see as a simpleton, showed he was a gentle person.

“…Thank you.”

“You don’t need to feel that way.”

Logan replied casually while swallowing the bitter wine. It was a peaceful meal, no different from usual, Logan thought.

* * *

Usher, having stepped out of the car, checked his attire reflected in the window again. It was a new habit formed when visiting the Claven Duchy.

“Have you arrived well?”

Considering he had been visiting the Claven Duchy for a good 20 years, it was an amusing thing. The butler, George, subtly smiled when he saw Usher recently, for that reason.

“Where is Logan?”

“He is waiting.”

Despite smiling as usual, George didn’t forget his duties. He informed Usher that Logan was waiting and skillfully guided him to Logan’s study.

“Olivia seems quiet these days.”

Usher mumbled as he passed through the entrance hall. Usually, by this time, something would have been broken, or a scream heard, but it was quiet. George nodded in agreement with Usher’s mumbling.

“It’s probably because it’s class time. The young lady is very fond of her tutor.”

Indeed, the story that Olivia liked Eleanor was widespread within the Claven Duchy. Since Eleanor arrived, Olivia stuck to her and tried her best to focus on tasks Eleanor assigned.

“The atmosphere in the mansion has improved a lot.”

“The Grand Madam of Claven must be pleased as well.”

George replied with a smiling face. Usher’s guess was correct. Since Olivia had homework to do as Eleanor assigned, she roamed the mansion like a little ghost less frequently.

Naturally, Cindy’s mood improved. Thanks to that, she didn’t chase after the lower servants like catching rats, making the overall atmosphere of the mansion more harmonious.

“Your Grace, Usher from the Fitzman Earldom is here.”

“Come in.”

Usher entered Logan’s study. Logan’s spacious study contained only bookshelves, a sofa, and a desk without any clutter.

“Did you get permission?”

It was due to Logan’s tidy personality. Even the question he casually tossed at Usher was all there was. Usher clicked his tongue briefly, removed his hat, and sat on the sofa. He thought he was sitting rather comfortably, but his habit didn’t leave him, resulting in a straight and neat posture.

“Not yet.”

“Why not yet?”

Logan’s hand, signing papers, stopped. It was unexpected news for him.

“The King won’t grant permission.”

Usher’s answer made Logan sigh softly. He had already guessed the King’s jealousy and wariness towards the Claven Duchy and Southern, part of the royal family, but the intention was excessively clear.

“No matter how much I explained the benefits and potential effects of the business, it had little impact.”

Southern was the center of the western railroad business. Being close to the capital, it was a necessary passage for traveling from the west to the capital or vice versa. When plans to extend the railroad connecting the western region to the southeastern region were revealed, the King openly started obstructing it.

The reason was simple. The King viewed the economic benefits of the railroad business and Southern, which had a higher reputation than the royal family, as a fishbone stuck in his throat. If Logan had been a bit more flexible, things might have been different, but Logan had never visited the King to fawn or offer bribes without reason since becoming a Duke.

Logan was a soldier appointed as a Lieutenant after graduating from the military academy at a young age. Combining his profession, which adhered to principles, with the status of Duke, Logan had no reason to bow unfairly to anyone. Therefore, Logan became even more upright.

“It seems the King is upset because talks of marriage with the Marquis of Persis have surfaced.”

Connecting the railroad to the south would facilitate the movement of supplies and rear support during war, which was not a significant factor for the King.

Just being bothersome was enough, and when the Marquis of Persis, who held the southern granary, showed readiness to support the Claven Duchy, the King disliked it even more. It was a rather petty attitude, but considering most in that position had such attitudes, it wasn’t particularly remarkable.

“For now, it’s better to postpone the marriage talks with the Marquis of Persis. It seems to have provoked the King further.”

Usher advised. Although the royal family had nominally lost the authority to govern the country, many political forces were still under their feet. Even if all they had was meaningless legitimacy, it was true. Those who had become citizens still supported the royal family like subjects. Inertia is a frightening thing.

“Or perhaps offer some bribes to the King.”

Logan frowned at Usher’s suggestion. Though expecting his reaction, Usher wasn’t much bothered by it.

“If you came just to say you couldn’t get permission, there was no need to come.”

It meant he should leave if he came to talk nonsense. It was an expected attitude.

“I came for multiple reasons.”

Usher’s answer made Logan raise an eyebrow. He realized Usher had been visiting the Duchy frequently for various reasons recently.

“Are you going to chase after Miss Hudson?”

“Not chasing, just showing my face. To get her accustomed.”

Usher smiled shamelessly at Logan’s question.

“Does getting accustomed turn into love?”

“If you gradually get to know each other, wouldn’t the reluctance lessen?”

It was a meaningless question and answer. The person who should answer wasn’t present.

“Go out. Go see that beloved Miss Hudson of yours.”

Logan sighed softly. With his mind already complicated by various matters, he had no energy to concern himself with Usher’s unrequited love.

“I was planning to do that anyway.”

Usher stood up and adjusted his jacket like a peacock flaunting its plumage. Logan thought that if falling in love looked as silly as that, he never wanted to experience it.

However, unaware of Logan’s thoughts, Usher left Logan’s study with a maximally neat yet flamboyant appearance. Then he grabbed a passing maid and asked.

“I want to see Olivia’s face before leaving; is she still in class?”

The maid hesitated to answer Usher’s question. As she was responsible for cleaning, it was difficult for her to know what Olivia was doing.

“I’ll go upstairs and check if the young lady is present.”

“No need. I’ll go myself.”

Usher stopped the maid, who was awkwardly moving, and ascended the stairs. If Olivia was alone, he could greet her and leave; if she was with Eleanor, he could pretend it was a chance encounter.

“So, how many was this?”

The hallway was so quiet that Eleanor’s gentle voice could be heard beyond the wooden door. Two! Olivia’s voice followed, answering quite sonorously, perhaps because she knew the answer.

“What about this?”

“Four?”

Olivia found it difficult to grasp the concept of numbers. If she didn’t understand, Cindy would hit her palm immediately, so she was too scared to even try learning. However, she seemed to follow Eleanor’s teaching method quite well.

“Then if the buttons are placed like this? Adding two and two.”

A sound of pondering murmuring echoed. Usher forgot his intention to greet Eleanor as if by chance and waited eagerly for Olivia’s answer. To Usher, Olivia was a precious sibling he had watched over since birth.

“Four!”

“That’s right!”

When Eleanor praised Olivia, excitedly jumping, as if it were her own achievement, Olivia shouted, 

“Olive got it right! I want to brag to Logan!”

Then she flung the door open. Usher, who had intended to greet Olivia warmly, froze with his mouth agape at the sight of Eleanor revealed beyond the open door. Eleanor also froze, unable to blink her large eyes in surprise at the unexpected situation.

“Usher?”

The colt with a fire under its tail, seemingly about to dash to Logan, tilted its head at the unexpected visitor at its door and called Usher’s name. Usher, mesmerized by Eleanor’s bare bosom above her undergarments, couldn’t respond.

“Oh.”

…Chest?

Usher’s face turned crimson like a burning flame as he realized reality. Eleanor, unable to even scream, turned her body while clutching at her torn blouse.