Childcare Diaries - Chapter 46

“I’ll just go back.”

It was Siege.

It has been two weeks since he fully recovered from his injuries. So, it was natural for him to say that he would go back, though when he said he was leaving, everyone was sad.

“I might take a leave of absence next semester.”

Barry told Siege, who was leaving.

Hearing that, he just laughed.

“Are you laughing because I’m not there?”

At that, he grumbled at Siege, who was only laughing.

“Without me, you don’t have many friends. Well, if you hide your personality well, people will overflow around you.”

To be honest, Barry also knew that most people liked Siege. However, it was just the two of them hanging out all the time, so there were very few other friends.

“Think of coming back soon.”

Siege grinned and grunted as if he didn’t like Barry’s worries.

That was the end of his greeting. And so, Siege left.

*** 

“As expected, I really don’t know people for who they are.”

Marie was sitting next to Kentrail.

The two of them were sitting on the terrace bench in the spring that had just arrived.

“Ellie keeps saying that when the four play side by side, they are a perfect match. The Young Master seemed to be a bit bored, too.”

“It looks like Barry and Siege played well with the children.”

“Yes, They had a good time with Barry, but I didn’t know that Siege would be with them at the children’s level like that.”

That wasn’t the only thing Marie found out.

Siege was tougher than expected. If she thought about it, it was said in the original story that he was a just and good person, not that he had a good personality. Being nice and having a good personality were similar yet different.

“Siege has been here for such a long time, and no one from his family has come to visit…”

Marie muffled her words in pity.

“The second son of the family is often like that. Our family was unusual.”

In particular, the second son, who might threaten the eldest son’s position, was an unwelcome position. The more the lust for power, the worse they got along.

“So, what did the Count want to be? You weren’t originally prepared to take over the family.”

“Wandering musician.”

At his answer, Marie’s eyes widened openly at the story she couldn’t have imagined.

“A musician…?”

It was then that she realized why he played the piano so well.

…This wasn’t a joke

“Do you think I look good in it?”

At that, she envisioned in her mind Kentrail playing the tunes as he traveled across the country. For some reason, laughter broke out.

“What was that reaction? Is it because it doesn’t suit me?”

He asked tenaciously.

“No… I think the Count playing an instrument like a small ukulele…”

She continued to laugh. It didn’t suit those big muscles.

“Oh, my goodness. I’ll have to show you how good my skills are.”

“What instruments do you know how to play?”

“I showed you how to play the piano last time, and I know how to play the violin or the cello.”

The violin seemed too small in his arm.

“What about you? Last time you said that you can’t play the piano, but that was a lie, wasn’t it?”

He knew now that Marie came from somewhere else, and she didn’t have to hide it from him anymore.

“Yes, but I’m not as good as the Count. I just learned as much as the other kids did.”

“Is it common to learn musical instruments there?”

“Um… It was like that when I was young. I don’t learn a lot these days, but when I go to school, I get a chance to play basic instruments once in a while.”

“I see.”

He looked at her curiously.

“If I get a chance later, I’ll play music from where I was.”

“Okay. That’s a promise.”

“Yeah, of course.”

The two people who promised by linking their fingers smiled politely.

*** 

“Sister, your necklace is pretty.”

The necklace that had been tucked around the neck flew out of Marie’s pajamas for a moment.

“Yes?”

“Yes. But there is no way sister bought it. Someone gave it to you, right? Please tell me the truth.”

As if a mother was cracking down on her daughter, Ellie asked with her eyes wide open.

“Tell me the truth.”

As she kept asking, Marie hugged Ellie and rolled around the bed.

“Uh, don’t ever think about getting out of it like that.”

Someone seemed to have approached her older sister, while she was off-guard for a moment. Ellie was trying to figure out who the brother-in-law was in her head.

“It’s probably not Teacher Eujes, then… Sir Taylor?”

A thought flew into Ellie’s head.

“No. Miss, stop guessing and go to sleep.”

“Oh, why! I’m curious.”

Maybe, Derek…?

Except for the Count, who stood still for countless days, Ellie was busy fitting in the others.

*** 

Kentrail found out about his cousin’s private life, which he didn’t even want to know.

He didn’t need to have the planted maids tell about these things from now on. It was so. He can’t believe that that was the reason for the luxury?

A sigh came out.

The Queen said she wanted to be loved by the King, so she started all kinds of skincare and she bought all kinds of accessories.

Because of that, Kentrail was furious. What the hell is the King doing to make his wife feel that way and make her do this?

Doubt is doubt, and what was regrettable is unfortunate.

It turned out that the King and Queen had a precarious relationship before marriage. It was famous in the social world that the one the King hated the most was Kentrail’s own uncle. He’s married to the daughter of such a man.

Everyone was talking about the romance of the century, but Kentrail didn’t believe it. However, after both of them got married, he only showed a happy side and came to believe that they were married because they really liked each other.

Hearing news like this from the planted maids to dig up the case of his older brother and his parents. He felt disgusted.

“Master.”

Derek, who brought this story, also had a questioning face as to whether it should be reported or not.

“Why?”

“Is there anything more about those who attacked Barry?”

“Haa. They didn’t find the body.”

“What?”

Barry’s party arrived, and the knights left immediately. But, they can’t even find any traces.

“It means that there was someone who was acting a few steps ahead of us.”

“Who on earth?”

“It seems that they weren’t the knights of the family. I think they hired mercenaries from among the assassins. The rest were mercenaries with little skill. Come to think of it, if they’re a mercenary, you’d know better. Can you find out if there are any rumors about those who have recently disappeared?”

“Yes. I will do that.”

It seemed that Kentrail was only telling Derek a very heavy story, so he changed the subject.

“Your clothes style has changed. You didn’t wear it like that before?”

“What do you mean?”

“Hm, it suits you.”

“These are Ellie’s picks.”

“Ellie? Did you two have time for that?”

Kentrail laughed when he said that it was the clothes they bought when they went out together. He knew It would have attracted more people’s attention when there was a person with a big body in black clothes.

It must have been that Ellie, who had a good sense, chose clothes in the style that other people like to wear.

“How about Ellie. Any aftereffect from the incident?”

Derek asked in a worried voice.

Still, it’s been a concern for Kentrail and Marie lately. Everyone thought Ellie had passed without a hitch, though they noticed a few days ago that she wasn’t.

Taylor, who found Ellie in the hallway, wanted to approach from behind with joy, but Ellie sat down on the spot.

She had found Taylor’s shadow.

From what he’s observed, she seemed to be extremely anxious when there’s someone behind her when she’s alone.

Noticing that, they asked the doctor, but he only said that time is medicine. Marie had a doctor to treat her heart where she lived, and it was a pity that it wasn’t here.

Now, he asked the members of the mansion not to greet Ellie from behind.

“Can I see Ellie?”

When he asked his master for permission, Kentrail readily agreed.

She would be reading a book in her room by now. Now, even Kentrail knew most of Ellie’s schedule.

“Then, I’m going.”

At that, Derek hurriedly left the Count’s office.

*** 

A knock sounded. It was rare for someone to come to visit her room like this, so Ellie made a puzzled expression.

“Come on in.”

Ellie’s eyes widened.

“Derek.”

The voice was at a loss because she didn’t know what to do. In the meantime, Ellie’s been begging that she wants to see Derek, though she’s been flatly rejected because he’s busy. But, now she finally met him.

“How have you been?”

He was wearing the clothes she had chosen.

Seeing it, she smiled brightly and replied.

“Yes. Thank you for saving me then.”

Finally, she was able to greet properly.

“No. After that, I heard you were threatened. I’m sorry.”

At Derek’s apology, she shook her head.

How could that be his fault? He did his best to save her.

“I’m also learning self-defense techniques now. If such a situation arises, we will fight together.”

“…The master probably didn’t mean to teach you self-defense in that way.”

Recently, Ellie began learning her self-defense skills from Taylor. She learned how to wield a dagger from the side and how to attack vital points when Brielle was learning swordsmanship.

Even if it wasn’t exactly the same danger as last time, it was a technique that would be useful when dealing with a molester.

“Even in the same situation, you must run away quickly.”

Derek, worried that she might think that something was wrong, grabbed Ellie and made her promise.

“Yes. I was just thinking that since I have no intention of becoming a burden.”

“It’s not because you’re a burden…”

The more Derek spoke, the more he felt twisted. For some reason, Ellie, who was much younger than him, seemed to speak better.

Seeing his bewildered look, Ellie giggled.

Contrary to his appearance, he was a somewhat foolish uncle. That didn’t mean it was bad. It was that he was unspoiled and pure.

“By the way, have you been to the mansion recently?”

He shook his head at Ellie’s question.

“Then, if it’s not Derek. Who is it…”

She was still looking for the person who had given her sister the necklace. After seeing her sister cherish it a few times, she wanted to know who gave it to her.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Looking at Ellie, who was talking on her own, Derek had puzzled eyes.

“Have you met my brother?”

Derek had heard of Barry, but he had never met him.

When Ellie heard that he’s never met Barry, she wanted to introduce her brother to him.

“He’s probably practicing at the training ground. If you have time, would you like to go with me?”

He willingly followed. Derek also wanted to see the skills of the knights of the Count family. Even the most famous Sir Taylor of his generation was here.

Although he was a mercenary, he also wondered how strong he was as a soldier.

Eventually, Derek and Ellie, the two of them, walked out side by side.