Childcare Diaries - Chapter 41

“Outside?”

“Yes.”

“Well. There’s a limit to telling her to stay inside.”

Kentrail sighed. It has already been quite some time since he left the children alone in the mansion. The number of people who can enter the mansion is also restricted, so it was difficult to hire a tutor.

Above all, he felt sorry for Ellie for not attending school.

When they find out that the nanny has betrayed them and lives here, young Ellie will most likely be taken hostage first, so he has no choice.

Because of the situation, it seemed that he was only causing such discomfort to young children.

“Would it be okay?”

“Hmm… then, I’ll put Derek on her.”

“What? Him?”

“Yes. Now he’s almost done with his covert work, so it doesn’t matter. Besides, he’s the best at it, so you can count on him.”

“I’ll tell Ellie.”

“Yes. Aren’t you cramped? If I could just leave the mansion, I’d give you a walk on horseback.”

“You can do it after the culprits are caught,” Marie said with a light smile so that his heart was not heavy.

“Thank you for saying that.”

“Do you have any idea who the culprit is…?”

“No, it’s more complicated than that. When my sister-in-law’s letter arrived and the accident happened, I found out that one of the maids was missing from Brielle’s mother’s house.”

Kentrail’s face darkened as he spoke. Marie’s face hardened as well.

She hoped that what doesn’t feel right didn’t happen.

“Maybe the maid changed it?”

“I don’t know. It’s just that it’s more likely. I’m looking for the maid as much as I can right now.”

“I see.”

Kentrail was worried if he was right to tell her the situation frankly. He wondered if it would just put a heavy weight on the nanny’s heart. However, it was decided that she should be able to know the situation and act in case anything goes wrong.

“The tea is cooling down. It is a tea that clears the head. Go ahead, drink.”

“All right.”

It was a tea that she deliberately asked the butler for. The tea was said to have come from the East and was fragrant and calmed the mind.

“Try some cookies in front of you. It tastes sweet, so it’s good when you’re not in a good mood.”

“Yes.”

Knowing that the men in this family like sweet things, Marie smiled.

“The Young Master ate it as a snack during the day, too.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He grabbed his head around doing the homework the Count gave him, and he put one in his mouth every time he took a break.”

The figure of his nephew grabbing his head was painted clear.

“Was it too difficult?”

“No, it wasn’t. After wandering around for a while, he found a solution right away.”

“I see.”

His nephew was smart, resembling his older brother, who was much smarter than himself.

“And it’s almost time for Barry to come as well.”

“Time flies, doesn’t it?”

“Is he coming with his friend this time?”

Siege flashed through Marie’s mind at those words. It was the only part she didn’t tell the Count.

She had no idea what to do. She thought that he could not be changed as in the original story, and at the same time, she thought that he wasn’t referring to the person who would kill him.

“Your expression suddenly doesn’t look good. Are you sick?”

“No. It’s fine.”

Her own face must have shown the worries about Siege.

“Then, I’ll just leave. I have to take care of the Young Master’s sleep.”

“Yes. If you’re tired, ask another maid so you can go to bed early.”

“Don’t worry.”

Marie struggled to correct her expression and left the office.

*** 

“Marie.”

“Young master.”

Again, Brielle did not sleep first and waited for her to arrive.

“Didn’t you sleep?”

“I can’t sleep without a book Marie reads.”

After stroking his hair once, Marie pulled the chair and sat down beside where Brielle was lying.

“Today, shall we continue reading the part we read last time?”

“Great.”

He used to get up and play with his toys after she was gone, but now he doesn’t. She opened the book and checked the toys in place.

Her story continued until Brielle’s breathing changed evenly.

*** 

Ellie looked around the changed alleys while she was out.

Next to her was the strong Derek. That’s why she stood out wherever she went. The child sighed as she looked at the reflection of the window in the shop next to her.

She followed the Count’s orders, although she seemed to advertise that she was here even more than if she went alone.

“Excuse me…”

“Call me Derek.”

“Yes, Derek.”

“Yes?”

“Can’t you do anything with those black clothes?”

“Clothes?”

He lived mainly on the battlefield. So, Derek found that his most comfortable garment was black, and he felt no reason to buy another.

“Yes, you seem to have succeeded in intimidating others, but if you came to protect me, I think you need to wear a lighter color.”

“All right.”

In response to Ellie’s answer, he quickly looked around the clothing store. At that moment, he saw clothes for sale at the kiosks.

“That would be nice.”

Her gaze followed Derek. It was a place with plenty of clothes that were only slightly lighter in color than the clothes he was wearing now.

“Whoa… Not there. Follow me.”

Following the inadvertently leading Ellie, he quickly stood next to the child.

The place where she arrived was a clothing store frequented by ordinary people. Even though he was a nobleman, he was not treated properly like one. On the contrary, he was shunned by people. In this way, he was unfamiliar with even the places used by ordinary people.

“Come on in.”

Ellie chose this one and that one instead of him, who couldn’t help it as they went inside. Having received the clothes the child gave him, he was forced to go inside and change at her prompt.

Seeing him wearing it, she was amazed.

‘My eyes were right. Why did you wear clothes like that until now?’

He stared at himself awkwardly in the mirror. When he saw the kid holding her thumb next to him, Derek had no choice but to pay for his clothes.

“Are you sure this is okay?”

“Sure. Look around. Everyone who walks into this clothing store is looking at Derek.”

His ears turned red.

‘He is a cute uncle.’

Ellie thought he might be a much softer person than his impression.

The two left the store and started walking again. Certainly, with him wearing similar clothes to other people, he didn’t receive the same attention as his previous get-up. However, if there was a problem, he pulled off the outfit and attracted attention again.

‘…I just can’t help it.’

She decided that she should return as soon as possible after seeing her friend’s face. As she walked a little further, she saw the fountain where she had decided to meet her friend.

“There it is. We decided to meet at the fountain.”

Ellie started looking around to see if her friend was there. It looks like they haven’t arrived yet.

“What time did you and your friend plan to see each other?”

“It’s one o’clock. Why, Derek?”

When Ellie finished answering, she glanced at his expression and stiffened.

“I think you can’t see your friend today.”

“What?”

“Listen carefully. After I count one, two, three, don’t hold back and run. I’ll drop you off when we arrive at a crowded market. Do you remember the clothing store you went into? There’s a side door in the back. From there, run back to the Count. All right?”

“How about Derek?”

“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

If possible, it would be better to keep Ellie with him until the end, though the circumstances were poor for that. It was best for her to run to the Count while he was blocking the enemies.

Observing the crowd watching from the roof of the building in the distance, he began to count to three.

At that, he ran with Ellie.

She heard a loud scream from behind. Ellie was terrified and closed her eyes tightly before opening them.

‘Yes, I have to do well so I don’t become a burden to Derek. Let’s quickly go to the county and send the knights.’

Though she was trembling, she thought calmly.

“Ellie, you can do it.”

Derek comforted Ellie while running. And finally, the clothing store began to appear. He put Ellie down and turned behind her.

She deliberately did not look back at him. Running was the only way to save him. The child ran as far as possible. In the meantime, playing around with Brielle was a big help. Although she slipped a little, Ellie arrived safely at the clothing store.

Screams and knives were heard outside.

‘Derek, please…’

“Oh.”

As the child ran, the people in the store shouted softly. She saw the back door. Ellie quickly headed to the back door.

“Stop there.”

But, is it too late…?

There was someone following. She quickly opened the door, but she couldn’t take a few more steps since the stranger has caught up.

A large shadow settled over herself.

Both of her legs trembled. It was the first time she had seen anyone threatening her with a real sword.

“….”

It was true that they said nothing would come out if one was really surprised. She couldn’t even remember how to breathe. The man who followed her was wearing a mask up to his mouth. Still, the mean expression was not hidden.

The child unknowingly took a step back in fear, and with one big step, the man narrowed the gap between them.

‘What should I do… Sister…’

Ellie thought of Marie inside. There was regret that she should just didn’t go out.

As the man reached out to the child, she tightly closed her eyes. Though there was never a strong grip on her, nor did the sword hit her. When she opened her eyes, the man who had been threatening her suddenly stumbled and fell to the side.

Behind him came someone Ellie knew.

“Ellie, let’s run away from here for now.”

There stood Eujes, who was holding a large wooden stick and striking the man.

“Teacher.”

“You must hurry.”

Ellie took his hand and ran away. Then, Eujes hugged her as her legs loosened and staggered and she stumbled.

“It’s all right.”

He patted Ellie as he ran quickly.

Ellie trembled in fear as she buried her face on his shoulder. She finally saw the mansion. When the knights standing outside saw a figure running toward this side, they were on alert.

Soon after, they saw that it was Eujes, and as they loosened their guard, they saw the child in his arms. It was Ellie who went out in the morning.

A knight hurriedly ran inside.

The Count and Marie ran out after hearing the news.

Meanwhile, Marie came down almost out of her mind.

“Ellie!”

“Si…Sister.”

As her face turned white and trembling, Ellie shouted that he had to go rescue Derek. Upon hearing the news, the vice-chief of the knights led about ten knights and ran to the market.

Ellie, who was watching it, fainted.