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"Now, call him, Brother."
"Alright."
Letticia sat Kenneth, who had been reading a book alone in his room, down beside her and activated the communication orb. Soon, Achilles's face appeared large within the crystal.
—Has the meeting ended now, Lady Sharon?
"Yes. Is something the matter?"
—No, nothing like that. I just contacted you because I was worried about how Arie did.
As Letticia's expression was about to twist in annoyance, Kenneth quickly grabbed her shoulder and shook his head. Barely ten seconds into the conversation, she already needed her cousin's intervention to keep her temper. Gritting her teeth, she forced a smile and spoke.
"Sir Averil, if I recall correctly, I asked you not to interfere with what we do in this gathering. I'm not misremembering, am I?"
—No, no, I'm not trying to interfere! I was just honestly worried if Arie spoke well at the meeting, if she stammered or got too nervous. That's all. I won't ask about the lesson content itself.
Letticia and Kenneth exchanged a look of disbelief before turning back to Achilles. Compared to usual, his tone and expression seemed rather normal, he probably meant what he said.
—I heard from others that when a tutor first visits, it's common for parents to ask such things. Isn't this still within a reasonable boundary, not interference or control? Since you two said you'd be teaching Arie proper etiquette, I thought asking the educators about her behavior wasn't excessive.
"…If it's just that, then yes, that falls within reason."
It was no different from parents asking a tutor after the first day how their child behaved. And since Achilles said he wouldn't pry into lesson content, it didn't break his earlier promise either.
"Well, the young lady seemed a little nervous, but she had no problem conversing. When I told her she could ask again if she had questions about what she learned today, she did ask a few."
—Is that so?
"Yes. After hearing about her previous tutor, we worried she might resist what we teach, but thankfully, since we're of similar age, she seemed at ease with us."
—Please continue to let her remain that way. I don't want Arie recalling that ba… that wretch ever again.
At those words, Achilles's shoulders, which had been tense the whole time, finally relaxed. Perhaps because he had recalled Arie's past tutor, his expression was still troubling to watch.
"How long exactly did the young lady study under that tutor? I heard it was when she was five years old, but was it only for a few months?"
—No, it must've been about two years. She suffered because of that woman for two whole years… and stupidly, I never realized it.
Achilles clenched his teeth in regret, but Letticia and Kenneth were even more shocked. If it had been two years starting from when she was five, that meant the tutor had already been there since she was three.
"Two years? Then Lady Averil started being taught by a tutor when she was just three years old?"
—Most likely. I also had a tutor from that age.
"You did too, Sir?"
When not only Ariette but also Achilles had started at such an age, Letticia couldn't help but raise her voice. Achilles looked puzzled by her reaction, but he answered nonetheless.
—I don't remember well since I was so young, but from what I've heard, it was after my mother passed away. Not long after that, my father's aunt came to manage the household, and that was when they assigned me a tutor as well.
"Then, Sir Averil… do you remember what you were taught at three years old?"
—Honestly, very little comes to mind, so it's hard to say for sure. But I think it was reading, writing, and mathematics.
"At three years old?"
Letticia was at a loss for words. Kenneth, too, opened his eyes wide in shock as he stared at Achilles.
Normally, a three-year-old would still be under the care of a nanny. They might learn letters, numbers, or drawings little by little, but it was far too early for proper schooling.
And yet, to make a child that young study reading, writing, and mathematics, wasn't that taking early education to the extreme?
But instead of recognizing their reaction, Achilles looked puzzled and asked.
—Doesn't everyone start learning around that age?
"We all got our first tutors at six years old. Even my elder brother, the heir, did."
—Our father had a tutor even younger than that. On the contrary, I heard that my older brother struggled a great deal when he started at five, because he had to catch up with me.
"Five years old is already considered early by normal standards…"
—Is that so? Then perhaps the capital is a bit slow. Or maybe it's that the eastern regions are simply quicker.
Kenneth shut his mouth, not knowing how to respond. Letticia rubbed the back of her neck in exasperation.
If Seraphina had been here, she would no doubt have protested to the duke himself, saying such practices were outrageous. But Letticia had no desire to invite more stress by suggesting the duke be confronted.
"Well, I understand what you're worried about, Sir Averil. We'll be more attentive on that front, so don't worry. Since today was the first day, it's fine that you contacted us, but from now on, please just hear from Lady Averil directly instead of reaching out."
—I will do so. Thank you.
After exchanging farewells, Letticia ended the call. But the shock from Achilles's words still lingered.
"…Three years old? Learning from a tutor at three? Could it be he called them a tutor, but they were actually just a nanny or caretaker?"
"If the ducal house can't even tell the difference, they'd be fools."
Kenneth, unusually sharp-tongued, spat out the words. Even to him, this was not normal.
But before they could delve deeper into the matter, the communication orb lit up again. Letticia, frowning in irritation, activated it.
—So, the meeting is over now, Lady Sharon?
"Yes. And just a moment ago, your son greeted me with those exact same words, Duke."
At Letticia's reply, the duke furrowed his brows and asked.
—My son contacted you? Was it Alexander, or Achilles?
"It was Sir Achilles. Wasn't he calling on behalf of your house?"
—I haven't heard anything about it.
What a household, its members all moving about on their own, without coordination. Letticia took a deep breath and spoke calmly.
"If you're worried about how the young lady fared at today's gathering, I've already told Sir Achilles everything. Please discuss it with him directly."
—But Achilles went to the knights' order today. He told me he won't be home until tomorrow.
"Then contact him through the communication orb. It would be good for a father and son to have a proper conversation."
—A conversation… between father and son?
The duke repeated her words with a slightly blank look, as if the idea had never occurred to him. Letticia couldn't help but clutch the back of her neck in exasperation, while Kenneth let out a small sigh.
'What is wrong with this family? Do they not even talk to their sons unless it's strictly necessary?'
It was well known that doting families often revolved around their daughters, but wasn't this taking it too far?
While Letticia gave a hollow laugh and rubbed her neck, Kenneth stepped in and continued the conversation in her place.
"Lady Averil returned home safely after completing the meeting. Once she arrives, perhaps you should speak directly with her about it. Since it was her first time attending, she's likely to have much to share. Giving her that opportunity would be best, don't you think?"
—That does make sense.
Fortunately, the duke seemed persuaded by Kenneth's words. Just when it seemed they were finally free, however, he raised another matter.
—Also, Lady Sharon, Arie showed me a business proposal recently. From what I hear, it's your project, and she wants to invest in it?
"Yes. Lady Averil showed interest. She even suggested using Elrey strawberries for it."
—Then bring me the proposal yourself next time and brief me on it. I'll consider investing.
"Do you truly think it's worth investing in, Duke?"
Letticia boldly pressed. The duke twitched his brow slightly before replying.
—That depends on your briefing. But if your plan is technically feasible, it would certainly profit our house. As nobles who own lands that produce fruit, we would welcome any opportunity to expand into new ventures.
He might usually act like a man who inherited his title and lets others run the estate, but at moments like this, he clearly gave thought to such matters.
Whatever his reasons, Letticia hadn't intended to oppose the idea of investment. But hearing such a rational justification made her feel unexpectedly good. She smiled brightly and nodded.
"I plan to hold a more detailed consultation with a perfumer. Once that's done, I'll draft a second proposal and bring it to you."
—I hope for a good outcome.
The relatively peaceful ending of the conversation made Kenneth sigh in relief. Letticia, too, relaxed her sharpened nerves, her expression easing.
"I was worried that since Lady Averil is involved, they'd agree to anything, even selling the country. But it seems they're considering the investment for reasonable reasons, so I'm glad."
"That may be true… but honestly, that family still feels strange to me."
Kenneth muttered with narrowed eyes, clearly unsettled.
"They treat Lady Averil with such devotion, yet when it comes to their sons, why are their relationships so distant?"
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1 Comments
...that's a weirder family than I expected
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