Chapter 9
The Countess’s private drawing room.
A light dessert and freshly brewed tea had been set out on the table.
Yet Agnes could barely bring herself to touch either of them.
Since both Kesenor and Silmare were her guests, it only seemed right that they should all return to the Laberose estate together.
Even so…
It wasn’t easy to ask for leave.
The Countess has helped me so much over the years.
If the Countess of Waldemar hadn’t supported her…
She never would have survived this long.
How should I tell her?
The Countess had always been someone difficult to approach.
But now…
For the first time in years…
Agnes felt the crushing weight on her shoulders beginning to lift.
She wanted to tell the Countess everything with a joyful heart.
That Amy was alive.
That she would be coming home.
And that, as Kesenor had explained, Amy had brought back wealth rivaling the Empire’s entire annual budget, so there was no longer any need to worry.
But Agnes wasn’t foolish enough to reveal such things so carelessly.
Besides…
Will anyone even agree to tutor Leonard and Cedric after I leave?
Their reputation has probably spread everywhere by now.
The Countess often threatened the twins that if they refused to study properly, she would send them off to boarding school.
But Agnes knew…
The Countess didn’t truly mean it.
The boys were still young.
More than anything…
She still wanted to keep them close.
They’re already difficult enough at home.
If they went to boarding school… everyone would see exactly how troublesome they are.
That made it even harder to speak.
No matter how inexperienced Agnes had been…
The Countess had still hired her as the twins’ governess.
She even renewed my contract…
Two Years Earlier
Two years ago…
Agnes had finally accepted that she would have to give everything up.
She had dismissed nearly every servant.
Sold almost everything in the manor.
And somehow struggled onward.
But eventually…
She could no longer afford the monthly interest and debt repayments.
She had even begun wondering whether she should surrender her title and every remaining possession to the Crown…
As long as someone would promise to look after little Amy.
Then…
A letter had arrived from the Countess of Waldemar.
Even more surprising…
The letter had been remarkably kind.
The Waldemar family is the creditor we owe the most money to.
Why…?
Whenever she thought of her father…
She could only sigh.
The Waldemar family had long been close friends of House Laberose.
Their families had shared a deep relationship for generations.
That was why they had willingly lent money.
Only for her father to squander it all on gambling and alcohol.
There isn’t much left…
Most of our lands and property will probably end up belonging to House Waldemar anyway.
It was inevitable.
Agnes and her younger siblings, none of whom had yet reached adulthood…
Would be separated.
The Crown would liquidate the estate.
Then distribute its assets among the creditors.
Naturally…
Most of it would go to House Waldemar.
With a heavy heart…
Agnes visited the Count’s estate.
There…
The Countess made a proposal she had never expected.
“I’ve heard you’re very devoted to caring for your younger siblings.”
“Lady Laberose often spoke of how intelligent you are.”
“My sons are terribly immature.”
“Finding a suitable tutor has been nearly impossible.”
“Would you consider becoming their governess?”
“They’re still young.”
“Even simply playing with them would be enough.”
Not only that…
The Countess also renegotiated their debt.
The payments were postponed so Agnes wouldn’t have to repay everything immediately.
Naturally…
The burden would become much heavier after Agnes reached adulthood.
But at the time…
Simply buying more time had felt like salvation.
My siblings and I won’t have to be separated.
If it meant that…
She would do anything.
Back then…
Amy had been only four years old.
She had only just begun learning to speak properly.
Agnes couldn’t bear the thought of sending such a little girl somewhere unknown.
The only thing I miscalculated…
Was believing that once I turned twenty, I’d have more ways to earn money than simply working as a governess.
Instead…
Amy disappeared.
Agnes came of age.
Her debts increased.
And she still had no way to earn a living except tutoring.
The hopeless despair she had once felt now seemed incredibly distant.
At last…
That endless suffering was finally over.
I wonder if Leonard and Cedric will be all right…
The boys still worried her.
Then she remembered what Kesenor had told her.
“This morning, the Countess showed me the children’s schoolwork.”
“She seemed rather anxious.”
“She said the boys were immature and refused to listen, making things difficult for you.”
“Most of all…”
“She wanted to know their current academic level.”
Perhaps…
The Countess had been struggling as well.
Maybe she originally hired me just to keep them company…
But now they’re old enough to begin receiving a proper education.
Thinking that…
Agnes finally spoke.
“I apologize, Countess…”
“But I would like to request a leave of absence.”
“A leave?”
“Yes.”
“The Marquis…”
“And the gentleman who arrived today…”
“They’re both my guests.”
“I think it’s improper for me to continue staying here.”
“Oh my.”
“I truly don’t mind.”
“Did either of them perhaps say they were uncomfortable here?”
“No!”
“Nothing like that.”
“I simply feel guilty imposing on your kindness.”
“And…”
“I’d like to prepare my family’s estate before Amy returns.”
“That makes sense.”
“You haven’t visited home in quite some time.”
As the words flowed naturally…
Agnes realized something.
She wanted to go home.
More than six months had already passed since she’d last been there.
She sent money every month for household expenses…
But she constantly wondered whether her siblings were doing well.
Whether anything had happened in their territory.
More than anything…
I want the house to look presentable when Amy comes home.
The estate had already fallen into near ruin from lack of maintenance.
If her six-year-old sister had worked so hard…
Shouldn’t she, as the older sister, at least prepare a proper home for her?
I want to go home immediately.
Restore the garden.
Clean Amy’s room…
She was mentally listing everything that needed to be done…
When she noticed something strange.
The Countess wasn’t responding.
Instead…
She simply lowered her gaze, lost in thought.
Only after taking several slow sips of tea did she finally speak.
“The truth is…”
“I also wished to ask something of you.”
“And the children are at an important age.”
“So…”
“I’m afraid this is rather difficult.”
It was…
A polite refusal.
Agnes froze.
She hadn’t expected that.
Whenever Amy had still been home…
The Countess had always been the one encouraging Agnes to visit.
“Your little sister must miss you terribly.”
“Feel free to visit her whenever you wish.”
That was the woman Agnes remembered.
She had naturally assumed permission would be granted again.
Deciding to understand the Countess’s true intentions…
Agnes carefully asked,
“May I ask…”
“What it is you wished to discuss?”
“It isn’t something I can easily explain.”
“I understand.”
“But I do have guests.”
“And it’s been such a long time since I’ve returned home.”
“If you’re worried about Leonard and Cedric…”
“I’ll leave them plenty of assignments.”
The Countess slowly shook her head.
“Don’t concern yourself with your guests.”
“This is House Waldemar.”
“We would never treat your guests poorly.”
“They’ll receive every courtesy.”
That much was true.
Honestly…
Kesenor and Silmare would probably be far more comfortable staying here than in Agnes’s half-ruined estate.
Does she intend to send the boys to boarding school…?
If so…
They would first need to pass the entrance examinations.
But Agnes had no doubt they could.
I’ve taught them diligently all this time.
Finally…
She decided to ask more honestly.
“The Marquis mentioned…”
“That you weren’t fully confident in my teaching.”
The Countess widened her eyes in surprise.
“How could that be?”
“I know perfectly well how hard you’ve worked because of my children.”
“But he said…”
“You showed him their lessons because you wanted to know their academic level.”
“That’s because…”
“I wanted to make sure they were learning properly.”
“Yes.”
“I understand.”
“To be honest…”
“I also believe they’d benefit from someone more knowledgeable than I am.”
“Oh?”
The Countess lifted one eyebrow.
Then…
She hid part of her face behind her teacup.
“I’ve actually been considering arranging some more advanced lessons.”
“I even intended to ask the Marquis to recommend someone.”
“I know you’ve always considered my circumstances.”
“If that’s the case…”
“Then I think it’s best that I step aside.”
“For the children’s sake.”
“So they can meet a better teacher.”
If the Countess had only been unable to say it because she pitied Agnes…
Then it was all right now.
Everything would be all right.
I finally have a way to repay our debts.
This is the right time for me to leave.
Perhaps…
The Countess had wanted Agnes gone for a long time.
She had simply been too considerate of Agnes’s situation to say so.
I shouldn’t have asked for leave so thoughtlessly.
Oddly enough…
That realization made Agnes feel relieved.
“I know.”
“You couldn’t bring yourself to say it because you felt sorry for me.”
“But fortunately…”
“I think I’ll be able to share some good news very soon.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“I don’t want you to resign as my children’s governess.”
“I know.”
“The boys will need time to adjust.”
“And you’ll need time to find another teacher.”
“So…”
“Would you at least allow me one week’s leave?”
Once she saw the Laberose estate restored…
The Countess’s pity would surely disappear.
She would realize Agnes no longer needed anyone’s sympathy.
After finally obtaining permission…
Agnes left the drawing room.
The moment the door closed…
The Countess urgently summoned the butler.
“Send a letter to my husband immediately.”
“Tell him it’s urgent.”
“What message shall I write, my lady?”
“Tell him…”
“That girl looks like she’s trying to run away.”
“That alone will be enough.”
After the butler departed…
The Countess remained alone.
She stared into her now-lukewarm tea and muttered bitterly,
“I should never have believed people who told me to entrust my precious children to a girl like her.”
“What good has relying on some insignificant little family ever done?”
At length…
She stood and looked out the window.
The servants were loading luggage onto a carriage.
It was probably the Marquis of Celesta’s belongings.
After all…
That little girl owned almost nothing beyond a single bag.
“I thought she might at least prove useful if she established connections with House Celesta…”
In any case…
As mistress of the estate…
She still had to see them off.
Suppressing her irritation…
She carefully erased every trace of emotion from her face, as though putting on a mask.
Then…
The Countess left the room.
