Chapter 04

The true nature of everything that had long made him feel uneasy was finally beginning to reveal itself.

Without realizing it, Cheres blurted out something he himself had never expected to say.

Even he was taken aback.

He had never imagined that he would be asking Roana—daughter of the Hezest family—for her opinion about the nanny.

“…You met the nanny, didn’t you? What do you think of her?”

Roana blinked her clear eyes before cautiously parting her lips.

“Honestly?”

Cheres nodded.

Although she had seemed reluctant to answer, Roana quickly gave her honest impression.

“Rather than a nanny… she looked more like a noble lady. She has long fingernails decorated with ornaments. I honestly wondered whether she could even change a baby’s diaper with those nails. A baby’s skin is delicate. She was also wearing heavy makeup, and I don’t think that’s good for a baby either. On top of that, her clothes were covered with elaborate decorations. I think she lacks any real sense of professionalism…”

She glanced at Cheres and smiled.

Then, after pausing her smooth stream of words, she quietly added,

“…I think.”

“The nanny claims she can do anything for Hayden and the Beredan family. She says everything she does is for Hayden’s sake.”

“I think that’s one of the easiest excuses to hide behind. Saying you’re doing something ‘for someone else’s good’ is the perfect lie to conceal your own intentions while manipulating others. You have to strip away those words and judge based on what’s actually underneath…”

Roana looked at Cheres again and smiled.

Then she trailed off once more before quietly adding,

“…I think.”

Cheres rubbed a hand over his mouth.

What strategy is this now?

Still…

The important thing was that it had worked.

A bitter smile crossed his face.

Only this morning, he had coldly confronted Roana the moment she arrived.

Now he felt unexpectedly embarrassed by his own behavior.

In front of a baby he had never raised before…

He was utterly helpless.

With a bitter smile, Cheres said,

“Thank you for your advice.”

* * *

Cheres summoned Mrs. Urein and gave his orders.

“Bring me the person in this estate with the most experience raising children.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Mrs. Urein hurried away to select someone and headed toward the study.

Something was clearly wrong.

Perhaps sensing the unusual atmosphere, one of the maids cautiously entered the office.

Cheres examined her.

“…I heard you have considerable experience caring for children.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I grew up looking after my younger brothers and sisters since we were very young.”

“So you’re accustomed to caring for children.”

“Yes.”

The maid answered with a trembling voice.

Someone of her status having a direct conversation with the Duke was astonishing in itself.

“…You’ve observed, at least from a distance, how the nanny has been raising Hayden. Tell me what you think.”

The maid hesitated.

Mrs. Urein quietly encouraged her.

“Just tell His Grace the truth.”

The maid fidgeted nervously before speaking.

“…I don’t believe the nanny’s way of raising Young Master Hayden is appropriate.”

She squeezed her eyes shut as she spoke.

Cold sweat streamed down her back as she bowed deeply.

“…Then why has no one mentioned it before? Not Oliver? Not even Mrs. Urein?”

“We people of low status are not permitted to have opinions unless we’re asked. We can’t simply speak up on our own.”

Her voice shook.

Cheres let out a dry laugh and roughly brushed his hair back.

So the nanny had taken advantage of exactly that weakness.

This truly was a case of pretending not to see what was right in front of everyone’s eyes.

* * *

When it came to Hayden…

Cheres had always believed he never compromised on even the smallest matter.

At least…

He had believed that until now.

Apparently, all of his efforts had been meaningless.

An inescapable guilt filled his heart.

Hayden was the only child his late elder brother had left behind.

Protecting that boy was practically Cheres’s life’s mission.

“The child’s mother was a healer I met on the battlefield. She died giving birth to him. Cheres… I’m entrusting Hayden to you. You’re the only person I can ask.”

Cheres could never forget the eyes of his brother as he lay dying, deathly pale.

That was why he had resolved to raise Hayden as his own son.

His older brother, much older than himself, had spent his entire life supporting House Beredan.

After losing his wife, he had wandered from battlefield to battlefield.

That had been his way of laying down the burden of responsibility he had carried his whole life.

Cheres, who had also been serving on the front lines, returned to the duchy in his brother’s place.

Although he had suddenly inherited responsibility for the family…

He had never complained.

He, too, was a son of Beredan.

Still…

He had never imagined his brother would leave behind nothing but a newborn child before departing forever.

Just as he himself had grown up safely under his elder brother’s warm protection…

He had sworn Hayden would be raised the same way.

And he had done everything he could to fulfill that promise.

That was why he had gone out of his way to hire a nanny recommended by a noblewoman from one of Beredan’s most trusted vassal families.

The recommendation had come from Countess Yotley.

The late Count Yotley had belonged to a branch family of House Beredan.

The Countess herself also came from an old vassal family.

Her father, the previous Count Yotley, had once served as Beredan’s head steward—a man so loyal he would gladly have given his life for the family.

Her husband, who had married into the family, had likewise devoted himself to Beredan before dying young.

With both her father and husband being such faithful retainers…

Cheres had naturally believed their daughter would also remain loyal to House Beredan.

That was why he had accepted her recommendation.

Afterward, he had thoroughly investigated Diane’s background.

Yet despite all that…

This problem had still arisen.

How many people were involved?

Where did the conspiracy begin and end?

Who else was connected?

Being criticized by someone who had only just entered the estate stung far more than he wanted to admit.

But it also served as another warning.

Cheres looked coldly at the nanny who stood before him speaking enthusiastically.

“Your Grace, I was thinking we should order a new baby blanket for Young Master Hayden. His skin is so delicate, after all. Oh my, he’s incredibly sensitive. And that’s not all—we should also have a new wardrobe tailored for him. I’d also like to commission custom-made educational toys. Since I’m trying to raise him according to the standards of the capital, there are so many things we’ll need. Therefore, I’d like to request an additional budget, Your Grace. Of course, I’m sure you understand that everything I do is for Young Master Hayden and House Beredan.”

Her cheeks were flushed.

She looked positively excited.

Only now did Cheres truly notice everything Roana had pointed out that morning.

Her thick, elaborately curled hair was braided high upon her head and decorated like she was attending a grand party.

Her dress was far too luxurious for someone of her position.

Her nails were long and ornamented.

Her makeup was extravagant.

Compared to her…

Roana, who had appeared that morning in plain sleepwear with an unadorned face and spoke so cautiously…

Looked far more like someone fit to care for a child.

“…Ha.”

“And I have one more request. Up until now, I’ve only used the bare minimum for maintaining my appearance. But as Young Master Hayden grows older, I’ll need to attend childcare gatherings and various social circles. Meeting children his own age is extremely important for his development. Therefore, I’d like my personal maintenance allowance increased as well. This is also for House Beredan’s dignity, so I trust you’ll give it due consideration.”

Cheres rubbed his face.

Because he had decided that once he hired someone, he should trust them…

He had granted every request she’d made.

And now…

She had become shameless enough to make demands like these.

The nanny blinked innocently.

If I want to buy the newest dress, shoes, and necklace this season, I’ll need even more money.

Come on, this is House Beredan! They’re filthy rich, aren’t they? Why are they so stingy?

If Aunt hadn’t arranged this job, I’d never have dreamed of buying such expensive things.

Who would’ve thought watching one little brat who soils himself could pay this well?

A blanket? Forget that. I’d rather buy myself a new ring.

Those were Diane’s true thoughts.

After all…

She had entered the estate by forging both her credentials and her background from the very beginning.

“Listen carefully, Diane. House Beredan is looking for a nanny. You’re going to take that position. Once you’ve gained experience there, finding another prestigious position will be easy. Besides, do you know how wealthy Beredan is? This could become your personal gold mine!”

Just as Diane recalled those words and was about to continue speaking—

“I’ll take your requests under consideration. You may leave now.”

His voice was far colder than before.

Watching Diane happily skip out of the room after cheerfully saying goodbye…

Cheres summoned his aide.

“From this moment onward, prepare a complete record of every expense the nanny has made. I also want to know every person she’s met and everything she’s been doing.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Also investigate Countess Yotley’s background. Reinvestigate Diane’s credentials as well. Use completely different methods and channels than before.”

“Conduct a thorough investigation.”

Bogus bowed deeply.

“Yes, Your Grace!”

The Yotley family had served Beredan faithfully for generations.

Without solid evidence, moving against them recklessly could drive the southern vassals away.

With war approaching…

He couldn’t afford to take that risk.

At the same time…

It would be equally dangerous to abandon the Yotley family based solely on the words of someone from House Hezest.

Everything had to be verified.

Nor did Cheres summon only his aide.

He also called in the head maid and gave another order.