<Chapter 12>
But this time as well, I cut him off before he could finish. Deliberately curling my lips into a long smile, I continued speaking.
“I believe it would be proper etiquette for me to introduce Sir Yusef first.”
“Introduce Count Alpheron? What do you mean by that?”
Well, that’s because—
“Count Alpheron here—Sir Yusef—has expressed his desire to personally oversee the education of the children of House Daiern going forward.”
The eyes of everyone gathered in the office widened all at once.
“W-wait a moment. Duchess, what is the meaning of this? Weren’t I the one who was supposed to find a private tutor?”
Viscount Baden was the first to regain his senses.
Naturally—his plan had just gone awry, so he couldn’t remain stunned forever.
“Indeed, you were. However, upon further reflection, I couldn’t help but recall how burdened you seemed at the time, Viscount Baden.”
“That’s because—!”
I know. It must have been a slip of the tongue.
“So I, too, have been considering various ways to ease your burden. And just then, Sir Yusef, who had come by on business matters…”
At that exact moment, I used my gaze and a subtle gesture to draw attention to Count Alpheron.
If he realized he was in front of someone he wished to impress, Viscount Baden wouldn’t be able to protest too strongly—that was my calculation.
“…happened to possess precisely the qualifications needed for a private tutor for the young duke.”
“As it happens, I had already been planning to direct my next venture toward the field of education.”
“To be honest, I had my doubts at first. But after hearing just now that Sir Yusef enjoys considerable recognition in the imperial social circles, I felt reassured.”
“……”
As expected, Viscount Baden held his tongue in front of Count Alpheron.
But judging from his ashen complexion and the tight line of his lips, it wasn’t hard to guess how he felt.
Shall I make things a bit more uncomfortable for him?
“Viscount Baden? Are you alright? You don’t look well at all.”
“Ah, ah… yes. I-I’m fine.”
“If Sir Yusef does not suit your preferences, Viscount Baden, then…”
“Oh, is that so? My, how thoughtless of me. I had believed we had built a decent rapport through social gatherings, Viscount Baden. I never imagined you might feel uncomfortable around me…”
“N-no! That’s not it!”
Sir Yusef’s perfectly timed intervention was flawless. Viscount Baden even began waving his hands frantically.
“I was merely concerned because the Count has no prior experience in education. It’s not that I find Count Alpheron uncomfortable at all!”
“If that is the concern…”
His voice—deep and resonant—flowed smoothly. Sir Yusef gazed at Viscount Baden with his usual charming, almost hypnotic smile.
“…then perhaps I might instead receive guidance from the capable tutors you have brought, Viscount Baden?”
“Uh… what…?”
To be honest—
No matter how handsome Sir Yusef was, I hadn’t expected his charm to work on Viscount Baden as well.
“My dear, since Count Alpheron has gone so far as to say this, I believe it would be best if we offered as much assistance as possible.”
“Ah—hem. You think so too?”
“Of course. And isn’t it also fate that we have met Count Alpheron outside of the usual social circles? Hohoho, wouldn’t you agree, Count Alpheron?”
“If you see it that way, it would be my great honor, Madam. And what about the rest of you?”
“I-it’s an honor just to meet Count Alpheron…!”
“P-please take care of us.”
But now that I looked at it, my judgment had been completely off.
It wasn’t just Viscount Baden—his wife and even the other two tutors had fallen for Sir Yusef’s charms as well.
But before that—
“Then, since Viscount Baden has agreed, let us proceed with the private tutor interview immediately.”
“…Hm?”
“W-what did you say?”
“……Pardon?”
“…?”
What was this?
Why was everyone staring at me like that, as if utterly baffled?
I had asked them to find a tutor—not that I would hire one unconditionally.
Meanwhile—
The three siblings of House Daiern gathered in the study for a strategy meeting.
Euphemina had already changed out of her mud-stained dress and gloves into clean clothes.
Until yesterday, when outsiders were strictly barred, the children had been forced to wear mourning attire. But starting today, they were free to wear whatever they wished.
Of course, it was still considered proper to wear dark colors.
But Euphemina paid no mind to such things.
“Still, white is a bit too much, Euphemina.”
“It’s fine. I’ll be careful not to get anything on it this time.”
…That wasn’t what I meant.
However, Cardiel did not pursue the matter any further this time either.
After all, he had learned over the past decade that reasoning with his sister was ultimately futile.
Rather than exhausting himself in a meaningless argument, it was better not to engage at all.
“I heard our stepmother just went into the office with a guest.”
“A suitor?”
“No. Sir Yusef.”
“Who’s that? Someone proposing to Mother?”
“…Euphemina, Stepmother said she wouldn’t be meeting any suitors today. According to the butler, she’s conducting a tutor interview with Sir Yusef. Though personally, I think it’s more likely they’re discussing business.”
“But what if he proposes while talking about business?”
“……”
“What if he pretends to be a tutor and proposes?”
“……That’s not happening.”
“Then should we kill Sir Yusef?”
“…Enough. Let’s stop. I was a fool for trying to make you understand.”
As expected, the conversation was going nowhere.
Growing tired, Cardiel decided to blame himself for even attempting to speak with Euphemina.
“I went to the teacher just now and said, ‘Could we have self-study today?’ and he said yes.”
“Well done, Chersion.”
“Hehe.”
Chersion twisted his body in delight at his older brother’s praise.
This time of day was usually their study hour—a time to quietly build their knowledge under the guidance of a tutor.
In most noble households, the children would be scattered in separate study rooms, each taught by their assigned tutor.
Or they would attend an academy.
But House Daiern was different—because of the late duke, their father.
He had opposed sending the children to an academy.
But did he at least hire competent tutors?
No.
As a result, there was currently only one tutor teaching the children of Daiern.
And that tutor was an elderly man well into his seventies.
Even he had been introduced by the duchess, Liselotte.
In any case, due to this environment, the siblings always studied together at the same time and place.
It was inconvenient—but it also had its advantages.
Sometimes, like now, when self-study was granted, they could enjoy free time together.
“Alright, everyone, gather closer.”
As the eldest, Cardiel led the strategy meeting.
Chersion quickly took a seat beside him, while Euphemina…
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
Grabbed her chair and dragged it across the carpet as she moved forward. Truly, an absurd method of locomotion.
“……”
“Sis, the floor’s shaking…”
“But if I do it this way, my dress won’t touch the floor and get dirty.”
Right. Do as you please, you chair monster.
Since no one was downstairs anyway, Cardiel swallowed his complaints and moved on.
“We’ve already discussed our stepmother’s suitors, but I think it’s best we confirm once more that we’re all of the same mind.”
His gaze first fell on Euphemina.
“Euphemina, state your opinion.”
“I’m absolutely against Mom remarrying! Mom is ours. We won’t give her to anyone.”
Though lacking in logic or reasoning, her conclusion was firmer than anyone’s.
Usually, her expression was blank and absent-minded—but now, there were even creases between her brows.
That was good enough.
Cardiel then turned to his angelic youngest brother.
“Chersion, your opinion?”
“Iii… think…”
The youngest hesitated before answering.
“As long as Mother is happy, that’s all that matters, buuut…”
“……”
As if startled by something, Chersion suddenly flinched.
“I-I think Mother wouldn’t be happy with remarriage at all!”
“And?”
“I-if we tell her that we can make her happier than anyone she could marry…”
Chersion’s amber eyes flickered as he glanced at Cardiel’s expression.
Of course, Cardiel’s face showed no change.
“…then maybe she won’t do it?”
“Good.”
At last, Cardiel nodded.
The small sigh of relief that escaped Chersion didn’t seem particularly important.
What mattered was that all three siblings were in agreement.
In particular, Cardiel was very satisfied with Chersion’s approach—he had even suggested a method to stop Liselotte’s remarriage.
As expected, he was a younger brother worthy of admiration.
