‘Why? Why is he so insistent on private lessons?’
Scribble, Scribble.
As she scribbled notes in her notebook, Julia glanced sideways.
Sitting seriously and seemingly listening attentively was Aslan.
He’s definitely mocking her.
Just looking at that sly and wicked face makes it obvious.
Strangely enough, though, to Julia, it looked as if Aslan was genuinely focusing on this basic magic lecture.
Why…?’
She couldn’t understand.
This was something every noble learned from an early age.
Even if he hadn’t learned it, why would he want to learn it now?
And to take lessons from a much younger sl*ve, no less.
She couldn’t comprehend it either way.
“Eek!?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing…”
Rustle, her arm brushed against his, and Julia jumped.
This man. He did it on purpose.
There was plenty of space, but he deliberately moved his arm to touch hers.
At the same time, she recalled overhearing the maids gossiping.
‘I really can’t stand it. How can the master be so clueless about women’s feelings?’
‘It seems like he’s subtly taking care of the girls, but it looks like he’s helping them with pure intentions!’
‘I know, right? He should at least pretend to be interested. Oh, it’s so frustrating!’
Did Aslan hear this too?
After hearing it, did he think, ‘I should approach more’?
Is that why he’s deliberately making physical contact?
Ah!
‘You sneaky b*stard…!’
I get it now!
This basic magic stuff is just an excuse to be with her!
That’s why he’s spouting nonsense, creating alone time with her! Julia felt a longstanding mystery suddenly resolved and opened her mouth wide.
“Your mouth is hanging open, Julia. Continue the lecture.”
“Eep!?”
“…Why are you looking at me with such contempt?”
“Oh, it’s nothing… sir.”
When Aslan’s gaze fell on her, Julia instinctively averted her eyes.
A man’s affection?
She had never experienced such a thing. E
specially not from someone she despised, who relied solely on his status… huh?
‘Aslan Vermont isn’t that kind of person?’
Suddenly, she felt confused.
Aslan Vermont was certainly a scoundrel.
He insisted on feeding the sl*ves from dog bowls.
He dressed them in clothes of his choosing.
And he demanded they earn an absurd 1 billion Lark to gain freedom.
The things this man had done? Reviving the estate’s economy.
Awakening Charlotte’s and her abilities (though she found it annoying).
And constructing roads to boost transportation.
Contrary to rumors of him being an irredeemable wastrel.
The Aslan Vermont Julia had seen was quite capable.
What was going on? she wondered.
Then, she recalled overhearing the maids whispering again.
‘The master is truly surprising. How can a person change so drastically?’
‘I guess the power of love is incredible. It even made that kind of man diligent.’
Certainly, it seemed Aslan had changed since Charlotte and Julia came to the mansion.
So, is he trying to impress them?
If that’s why Aslan has changed, it all makes sense.
The occasional, inexplicable kindness in his otherwise indifferent behavior. She felt like she had uncovered the truth. This man wasn’t just raising them as future partners.
He was already preparing to capture their hearts!
‘B*stard. We are still so much younger than you…’
Isn’t he a real lunatic?
Julia shivered with disgust.
She felt a strange sensation.
‘Why does he like me?’
More than anything, this was her biggest question.
Charlotte, pure and honest, is adored by everyone.
She adapts well and is loved wherever she goes, but she was not.
Always complaining.
Always annoyed.
Always demanding things.
Even Julia herself thought so.
Occasionally, only occasionally, she thought well of Aslan.
Only in cases like reporting the orphanage director for the public good.
From the perspective of the wicked Vermont, she should be nothing but a thorn in his side.
‘Oh!? Is it because of that?’
No interest in easy girls! Something like that?
Is he enjoying breaking down and corrupting a straightforward and upright person like her?
Does he think she’ll submit?
Even if she became a countess, does he think she’ll be corrupted by evil…!
‘There’s really no way out now!’
Aslan has already set his sights on her.
No matter what, it seems impossible to escape a future as a countess.
So, there’s no other way.
She has to become a spy inside the mansion as the countess…!
“Ugh.”
“…?”
Julia clenched her teeth with a look of determination.
Aslan’s face was colored with confusion.
***
“It’s already getting dark. Let’s end today’s lesson here.”
“Uh, yeah. Right. I was getting tired too…”
The stifling second lesson ended. The lecture itself was just as well done as the first one.
But Julia kept glancing at my face, getting startled, blushing and avoiding eye contact, and stumbling over her words.
As a result, the lesson took longer than expected.
Why is she acting this way?
Does she need to use the bathroom?
“If you need to go to the bathroom, just say so.”
“What!? What are you talking about…!”
“Never mind. Just get ready to go out.”
“Go out? Why?”
“Charlotte’s Super Super Strong Sword performance test is probably happening now.”
“I-I’ll go.”
Julia hurriedly put on her coat and followed.
A while ago, she wouldn’t have even thought of riding in the same carriage with me, let alone talking.
It seemed the awkwardness between us had lessened a lot.
“Let’s hurry. We’re already late, and it might be over by the time we get there.”
Charlotte might sulk, but there was no helping it.
If I had to choose, it was more important to resolve things with Julia.
Charlotte would likely forget she was upset soon enough if left alone.
In the late evening as the sun was setting, we quickly left the mansion and boarded the carriage.
Come to think of it, this was the first time riding alone with Julia without Sylvia.
Julia sat across from me, silently turning her head to look out the window.
She looked like… a tragic heroine being dragged to an unwanted wedding.
Why did she have such a pensive expression?
“We’ve arrived. Get off.”
“…”
“What are you staring at? Get off already.”
“Move aside so I can get off…”
As I extended my hand to help her off the carriage, Julia just stood there, unmoving.
Did she misunderstand that I was blocking her way?
I stepped onto the footboard and grabbed her small hand, and she flinched.
“When a lady gets off a carriage, you’re supposed to help her like this. Remember that offering a hand means that.”
“D-Do you do this with other women too? The same way?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, do you offer your hand to other women too? Like this?”
Just get off already.
She suddenly asked something strange.
She wouldn’t budge until I answered.
Her determination was clear.
“I would.”
“You would? Not you have?”
“I meant I’ve never escorted another lady in the same carriage.”
Julia laughed softly.
Did she think I had ever ridden with another lady?
If I had to pick, Irene would probably be the one.
Irene would ignore me when I offered her my hand and just get off on her own.
“So, the woman who becomes your wife will hold your hand like this every day.”
Julia laughed heartily, then leaned on me as she got off the carriage.
She fumbled for the step, so I supported her by the waist.
Julia’s cheeks puffed up with annoyance.
“This isn’t how you treat a lady! …!”
“Did you actually think of yourself as a lady? If you want to be treated like one, come back when you’ve grown more.”
“Ehhh!”
You’re not there yet. I told her with a slight smile, and she angrily shook off my hand.
Did she really want to be treated like a lady that much?
If so.
“Here.”
“W-What is it…?”
“Take my hand. A lady should walk holding the hand of her escort.”
“What? You just made that up, didn’t you…?”
“Of course not. At events, women without an escort are treated as outcasts.”
“…!”
Julia stared wide-eyed at my extended hand.
In the world of nobles, women are such beings.
They can’t do anything alone.
Wherever they go, they are escorted by men, and whatever they do, they do it with men.
Can you endure this?
Can you hold the hand of someone you despise and walk in front of everyone?
Obviously, you can’t.
“Understand? That’s why you can’t be called a lady.”
As I pulled my hand back with a smirk. Slowly.
Julia’s shoulders moved, her hand rising and then quickly withdrawing.
“…”
“…”
You were just about to hold my hand, weren’t you?
Julia’s face turned beet red.
