Chapter 9

Anna laughed cheerfully, drawing parallels between stories in novels and real life.

While the two were enjoying cucumber massages, Brown, back from work, slipped through the open gate. He pulled a dainty envelope from his chest pocket.

“This is a letter written by Raon—I mean, the Young Lord.”

“Really? Thank you! Thank you so much.”

At the mention of a letter from Raon, Ramona bolted upright and hurriedly tore the envelope open.

Her heart eased considerably as she read that the food was delicious, the people were kind, and even the studies were fun.

“What does it say?”

“He says he’s doing well. What a relief.”

Watching Ramona sigh in relief, Brown’s expression grew complicated. He wavered, debating whether to speak or not, before finally making a firm decision. He took a deep breath and spoke cautiously.

“This isn’t something I saw personally, so I can’t be certain… but word is that things are quite strained between the Young Lord and Lady Aria Neyno, the Young Duke’s fiancée.”

“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”

At Ramona’s question, Brown scratched his head, hesitating for a moment.

“Well… they say the Young Lord called Lady Neyno ‘Auntie’…”

“Cough!”

Of all things, why did he have to pick the one word noblewomen hate most, when they should be trying to get along?

“I heard that when Lady Neyno made a slight pointed remark during a meal, the Young Lord immediately fired back.”

“Isn’t she being a bit too serious with a child? How childish of her, really. Giggle.”

Anna, listening from the side, chimed in excitedly with a laugh. In contrast, Ramona’s expression grew serious.

“If the Young Duke is busy and away, she’s the only adult figure left. I’m worried she might try to spite our Raon when no one’s looking.”

She knew one couldn’t get along with everyone, but hearing he had already clashed with the future mistress of the house made her mountain of worries grow.

“Then just write to him and tell him to listen to her,” Anna suggested.

“I should, right? Phew, but what if he gets looked down upon for being too submissive?”

“You worry too much. Sister, Raon has already left your hands. So set your worries aside. If worst comes to worst, we can always go see him later.”

At times like this, Anna seemed to have the strongest mental fortitude of them all. Hearing those words, Ramona began pre-emptively packing things to take with her when she eventually visited the Cassius Duchy.

***

The gloomy expression Raon had worn since arriving at the Cassius residence vanished instantly with a single letter from Ramona. Watching this, Adrian felt relieved, yet a bitter taste remained in his mouth.

“I’ve called a tutor for you to learn what’s necessary before entering the academy. It’ll just be a simple level test, so just write what you know. No one will mind if you don’t know something, so don’t worry about it.”

For nobles, attending the academy from the age of seven was mandatory education. While one could technically opt out, most sent their children there to build social networks.

Reclusive nobles who wished to avoid the academy were required to take a separate exam regardless of age. If they scored above average, they were granted a certification equivalent to an academy graduation.

However, if the scores were low, they had to retake the exam every year. Under the nation’s educational philosophy that a noble must possess basic knowledge, everyone was moderately obsessed with their children’s education.

“What subjects will I be learning?”

“For now, you’ll learn Social Studies, Economics, Math, and History. I left out Etiquette and Dance since those can be learned at the academy.”

The year would change in a few months. When that happened, he had to prepare Raon for the academy, and he thought it better for the boy to learn in advance rather than go there empty-handed and face ridicule.

Having scouted the most expensive and famous teachers, Adrian found himself unable to focus on work that day, merely doodling “black sesame seeds” on his documents.

“Young Duke, why don’t you go out for some fresh air?”

Count Turner Haynes, his closest aide and advisor who had arrived the previous night, said with a smiling face. Adrian knew what that smile implied, but he kept fidgeting, curious about what scores Raon would receive from the teachers.

Showing less focus than a young child, Adrian took the opportunity when Turner opened the door and stepped out. He lingered in front of the study room. He wanted to peek in but couldn’t even bring himself to knock, fearing he might be a distraction.

Watching this, Adiel stifled a laugh. He hadn’t seemed like he would care much after bringing the child here, but seeing him suddenly turn into a parent obsessed with education, it seemed a father was a father after all.

“Young Duke, the weather is lovely; why not take a walk in the garden?”

“Ahem, shall I then?”

At Adiel’s suggestion, Adrian headed to the garden. Autumn flowers swayed gently in the breeze. Seeing them, Adrian looked up at Adiel.

“Where is Aria?”

“She has gone out. Her destination is the Tubren Hotel, as far as I know.”

“Hmm, she’s been going to the hotel quite often lately.”

He couldn’t stop her if she was going to the Tubren Hotel, of all places.

“I suppose I can’t force her on that matter. I should be grateful she’s even willing to marry me.”

After being diagnosed as unable to father children due to a major injury on the battlefield, Adrian had attended a victory banquet at the Imperial Palace.

It was there he met Aria, who pursued him despite knowing his condition. She had even said they could adopt if they wanted children.

Moved by her unexpected devotion, Adrian held a simple engagement ceremony with Aria after receiving the Duke’s permission. The realization that he could never have his own child could have brought a great sense of loss, yet here was Aria, accepting that and claiming she loved only him.

He was so grateful for her heart that he even allowed the people she brought along to work at the Duchy. Once she felt settled by filling her surroundings with her own people, she began enthusiastically reviewing lists of collateral family members of House Cassius for adoption, even narrowing down a few candidates. But then, the unexpected happened.

Rumors slowly spread that Adrian’s ex-wife had given birth. And when it was revealed that the child was Adrian’s biological son, the adoption plans were halted.

It was clear she was stressed, as the project she had been personally driving was scrapped and her relationship with Raon was poor.

Therefore, he didn’t criticize her for going to a hotel to rest and relieve stress. As he walked, the smell of oil wafted from a door left open for ventilation near the dining hall.

Catching the savory scent, Adrian was instantly reminded of the humble meals Ramona used to make. They were simple ingredients, but they were so delicious that he—a devoted meat-eater—had polished off two bowls. The memory made his mouth water.

She was a woman who cooked that well; now that the child was gone, men would surely be lining up to take her away.

While he was briefly lost in thoughts of Ramona, the History teacher came outside and bowed. Adrian nodded.

“Since Raon hasn’t learned any history yet, I was thinking he needs to learn quickly to enter the academy. What do you think?”

“Pardon? What do you mean by that? I gave the Young Lord a simple test ranging from primary to high levels, and his proficiency was between middle and high school levels. Despite his young age, it is evident he has been remarkably well-taught.”

Adrian could only blink at the teacher’s words. He had seen the well-worn books at Ramona’s house. But she hadn’t seemed wealthy enough to provide such a high level of education.

“I-is that so? Hmm, I see.”

Whatever the case, he couldn’t help but feel his mood lift at the news of Raon’s excellence. After that, every teacher called in was busy showering the boy with praise and admiration.

They weren’t merely flattering a man of power; they were genuinely praising Raon’s talent. They had started with easy tests, raised the difficulty, and finally, they were busy reporting to Adrian with sheer excitement.

“Your son has already far surpassed the level of his peers.” Every time he heard those words, the corners of Adrian’s lips began to curl upward.

Only after all the subject teachers had left did he finally knock on the study door.

“Ahem, are you inside?”

— Yes.

At Raon’s permission, Adrian entered.

“The teachers were full of praise. Ahem, but where did you learn all this? Private tutoring would have been quite expensive.”

He asked cautiously, knowing that while schools existed, they generally only taught basic literacy and arithmetic.

“My mom taught me. She’s strong, a great cook… she can do anything. She’s an all-rounder.”

“What? Ms. Ramona did?”

He knew she claimed to have no memory of her past. He wondered if she had learned at Baron Grace’s estate, but their marriage had been too short for that.

“Hmm, I should look into the academy records, just in case.”

Of course, accessing them without the person’s consent was illegal. But for House Cassius, there existed the magic of turning the illegal into the legal.

***

Aria, who had gone out, headed to the Tubren Hotel. A servant brought from the Neyno Countship, who had apparently made a reservation, moved toward the guest rooms with a key.

“My Lady, what if we get caught doing this?”

A long tail is bound to be stepped on. As soon as they entered the room, the maid stripped off her clothes and put on a nightgown provided by the hotel. Then, she took off Aria’s dress and dressed her in the maid’s own clothes.

“There’s no way we’ll get caught. So stop talking nonsense and stay here quietly until I return.”

Aria, now dressed as a maid, went down to the first floor and slipped naturally out the back door. Another carriage was waiting there.

As soon as Aria climbed in, the plain, nondescript carriage departed. After traveling for a while, it arrived at a house in a secluded area. Upon entering the house, a man with black hair and blue eyes, who had been watching a sleeping child, turned his gaze toward Aria. He asked in a low voice:

“What are you going to do now?”

“Don’t nag me. I never dreamed in my wildest nightmares that a biological child would suddenly appear.”

Aria, visibly anxious, bit her lip.

Crack—