Chapter 5

Estella’s voice nearly failed her as she said, “Master Cedric, you shouldn’t say such things about your younger sister...”

“Then what do you call a six-year-old who can’t even speak?”

Scoffing, Cedric walked toward the duchess on his short legs. Then he said the following to boast, “Mother, forget about Cecilia. Why don’t you ask about my progress? I recently finished studying the entire history of Mesquite Kingdom.”

The duchess was about to scold her son for his rudeness, but when she heard that, her eyes grew wide.

She bent down and grabbed Cedric’s shoulders. She asked again to confirm, “Cedric, is that true? You learned all of Mesquite’s history?”

Cedric nodded. The duchess looked at Estella in disbelief.

It was an unbelievable claim, even to Estella, his governess.

The duchess questioned Estella this time, “Which textbook did you use? You didn’t use a picture book for children, did you?”

Estella paused for a moment and then answered, “It was The Lineage of Mesquite Kingdom written by Sir Cesario.”

The Lineage of Mesquite Kingdom was a rather difficult history book, even for adults. Therefore, if Cedric, an eight-year-old, had finished reading that book, there could only be two explanations.

First, Cedric was a genius.

“Oh my stars, my dear son. You’re a genius. When I look at you, I feel full even without eating anything!”

As she said that, the duchess stroked Cedric’s head to show just how pleased she was. Excited, she stood from her seat.

“I shouldn’t waste any time. I should tell the duke and give you a nice gift. There will be a dinner party shortly, so look forward to it.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“I’m interrupting your studies, aren’t I? I’ll leave now so you can continue.”

Looking satisfied, the duchess glanced at Cedric, who continued to be debonair as he saw his mother off, saying that he was looking forward to the dinner party. The duchess opened the door, but before stepping out, she noticed Estella’s presence again.

In a prickly tone, she said, “Since Cedric’s studies are going well, I’ll let it go this time. However, you’d do well to remember that I’m paying the tuition for two pupils.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Estella bowed deeply. With a disapproving look, the duchess turned around.

Finally, the door closed.

As the source of the commotion disappeared, a moment of silence fell upon the large room.

Estella stared at the closed door and then called her pupil, “Master Cedric.”

There was a second explanation for Cedric’s claim.

“What?” he said.

“You didn’t finish reading that book.”

Cedric had lied.

“Is that important?” Cedric shamelessly asked back. He even began to boast. “I saved you from being fired. Don’t you know that?”

“You’re right... but what are you going to do when the duke asks you questions about it during the dinner party?”

“We’d better study hard to prepare for that then,” Cedric answered, now looking helpless.

Estella sighed in resignation.

It was true that Cedric was smarter than others his age. Even though he wouldn’t be able to finish the whole book, he’d be able to cram enough information to pass the duke’s confirmation process.

Instead of immediately returning to his seat, Cedric walked to Cecilia.

He sat down right next to her.

“Cecilia, she’s gone,” he said.

“Go... ne?”

“Yes, she’s gone. So you can raise your head now.”

Cecilia’s lowered head tilted up. With timid eyes, she glanced back and forth between Cedric and Estella, then smiled innocently.

With his little hands, Cedric stroked the top of Cecilia’s small head.

Estella’s eyes widened in surprise.

Just as he’d been lying when he told his mother that he’d finished reading The Lineage of Mesquite Kingdom, it seemed he hadn’t meant it when he had insulted Cecilia.

Cedric seemed to have learned from experience how to handle their mother in order to keep Cecilia safe.

Surprisingly, the two siblings got along well.

For some reason, Estella felt a bit uneasy.

Having observed Cedric and Cecilia over the past month, it was evident to her that they were just children.

Cedric was mature for his age, and Cecilia was a bit underdeveloped, but those peculiarities did not justify their older brother killing them.

That was also the reason she was having a hard time deciding whether to stay or flee.

Although she didn’t know for certain if she would be able to save the children, if she were to leave, they definitely wouldn’t be able to escape their fate.

Furrowing her brows, she searched through her memories.

When would Diego put his plan into action?

She knew that the children’s death came after the duke’s.

The only problem was that she couldn’t remember anything that hinted at the exact date.

All Estella remembered was the vague description of the weather that day and that it would occur sometime this year.

“Teacher, since I saved you from getting scolded by the devil, can we skip studying today?” Cedric, who was stroking Cecilia’s head, abruptly proposed.

With a stunned look on her face, Estella scolded Cedric, “Master Cedric, how many times have I told you not to call your mother that?”

“Ugh, you’re nagging again!”

Of course, even though he took good care of Cecilia, Cedric was still rude to Estella.

The warm, fuzzy feeling in her heart quickly cooled.

Narrowing her eyes, Estella answered, “Teachers are supposed to nag. Since you made that claim earlier, we have no choice but to study history now.”

Cedric looked sullen, so Estella quickly dangled a carrot in front of him.

“If you read to page 120, as a reward, I will let you go to the training hall so you can observe the knights as they spar.”

If one fact was consistent in this other world, it was that children were children.

Seeing Cedric’s eyes suddenly turn serious, Estella began to read the book.

* * *

“Carry me on your back!” Cedric shouted as soon as lunchtime arrived.

Estella reflexively looked back at Cecilia, who was sitting quietly.

If she was going to carry anyone on her back, it should be Cecilia. But instead, this ruddy boy was making the request.

“I’m sorry, but you’re very heavy, Master Cedric.”

“But I’m still a kid.”

The kid that Estella was teaching was a very clever boy who knew when to act like an adult and when to take advantage of his actual age.

Estella eventually gave up and carried Cedric on her back. Despite his small stature, the boy was a bit heavy, but she would be able to carry him for a little while.

“Lady Cecilia, please hold my hand.”

Estella extended her hand to Cecilia, who jumped up from her seat and toddled over to Estella.

“Teeeechuur! Go outside?”

“Yes, my lady. But let’s work on your pronunciation of the word ‘teacher’ a little bit.”

Cedric chuckled as Estella kindly corrected her.

Speaking into Estella’s ear, Cedric pointed out, “Your Northern accent is affecting Cecilia’s pronunciation.”

What an impudent little boy.

But the reason she couldn’t hate his arrogant tone was probably because she knew how greatly one’s family environment shaped a child’s personality.

Estella let out a sigh as she struggled to get out the door.

The duchess’s high expectations were putting pressure on Cedric, and his disapproving half brother was a frightening figure as well.

A home was meant to be a haven. Living under the same roof as one’s enemy tended to wear on a child’s nerves more than one would think.

“You’re going to skip your meal and go straight to the training hall, aren’t you?”

“I don’t have time to stop by the dining room.”

“I knew you’d skip again.” Estella shrugged to say she already knew.

Making sure a growing child wasn’t skipping his meals was one of the duties of a governess. Estella stopped a passing maid and asked her to prepare a light snack to deliver to the knights’ training hall.

“Ohh-ver there... flauwer!”

Cecilia, who had been looking around, suddenly ran to the other side of the hallway.

Estella checked her empty hands and hurriedly dashed after Cecilia.

“My lady.” Estella huffed. “If you run, you’ll fall and hurt yourself...”

Estella didn’t have the greatest stamina, not to mention she was also carrying a grown boy on her back.

Panting as if she was about to die, Estella barely caught up to Cecilia.

Well, it wasn’t quite correct to say that she caught up. When she turned the corner, it was Cecilia who came back and hid behind the hem of her skirt.

“My lady?”

In a puzzled tone, Estella turned to face her.

Cecilia’s shoulders were suddenly stiff.

She felt the girl tugging on the hem of her skirt as if urging her to go back.

Moving her stiff tongue, Estella barely managed to blurt out a greeting.

“Hello... Lord Diego.”