Chapter 18

Leana woke up.

That fact set the entire mansion abuzz.

Young children, for the most part, possessed the power to make adults either happy or sad.

“Oh-ho, Leana. Seeing you looking so healthy makes me happy too. Come here.”

Hazel opened her arms toward Leana.

Leana hesitated, then threw herself into Hazel’s embrace.

Hazel smiled happily at the warmth of the child, who was nothing but affectionate.

Even though her glasses were knocked askew in the process.

The newspaper laid on Hazel’s lap rustled.

“If you’re hungry, sit down.”

Maxim pointed to an empty chair.

Leana fidgeted and hid behind Hazel.

She was afraid of Maxim, who wore a cold face from beginning to end.

Elena looked back and forth between the two and gestured to Leana.

“If you want to eat breakfast, you have to sit down, Leana. It’s stew, isn’t it?”

“…Did you put onions in it?”

“No.”

Elena told a white lie.

Leana clung tightly to Hazel’s arm.

“What about carrots?”

“I didn’t put those in either.”

Maxim subtly glanced at the stew, which had both onions and carrots evenly mixed in.

Were all young children like this?

Leana had no idea what Elena was sacrificing for her sake.

Receiving such devoted protection, and taking it completely for granted.

Leana was also a shackle binding Elena.

But.

Maxim swallowed a light sigh.

He knew that that child was also the reason Elena kept living.

Just as Maxim himself lived not for his own sake but for others.

Maxim scooped up some stew and took a bite.

Hazel watched him closely.

“It really is delicious. I should eat it all.”

He said with a blunt face.

Elena and Hazel both let out a laugh.

They could not help it.

Leana seemed to find it funny too, for she lowered her guard and cautiously came out.

“Really? If there are carrots and onions, you have to eat them all for me, mister.”

“Hmm, rather than that, how about eating this and getting a reward?”

“What’s a reward?”

“Is that difficult? Instead of eating what you hate, when you finish eating, you get something you like.”

“Something I like?”

Leana quietly climbed into her seat.

“It could be candy. It could be chocolate.”

“Chocolate! Really?”

“This little one still doesn’t know me. Maxim does not tell lies.”

Maxim snapped his fingers, and the quick-witted Madame Greta promptly brought out chocolate and handed it to Maxim.

Maxim set it on the table with a light thud.

“How about it?”

“I-I’ll eat it! Leana really likes stew!”

Leana squeezed her eyes shut and put the onion in her mouth.

Elena smiled at the sight.

As if she had forgotten all of yesterday’s sorrow and despair.

If only Leana could live like that, how wonderful would it be.

Before Leana woke, Elena had spoken with Hazel about Mr. Ollen.

About the matter of showing Leana to Ollen.

There was still no cure and no proper medicine.

There was not even a name for the illness—so what could there be?

[It could be dangerous, Elena. But it is worth trying.]

For Elena, she had no choice but to cling to even a fading hope.

Elena steadied her heart as she watched Leana eat the stew.

The child was alive.

And Leana would be alive tomorrow too.

To protect that child, she had to gather her strength.

Elena began to eat with determination.

* * *

“You want to find work right now?”

“Yes. I need money to achieve my dream… and I cannot keep imposing on you forever. That would be far too rude.”

Elena spoke clearly.

Hazel smiled faintly.

As expected, Elena was a strong child.

Even in a situation that seemed ready to break her, she rose again.

After crying like that yesterday, here she was smiling today.

It had not been long since she had come to know Elena, but she felt she understood her to some extent.

Beside Maxim, a strong person like this was needed.

“Good. But before that, there is something you must do, Elena.”

Elena tilted her head.

“In fact, you probably suspect this already, but governess positions in Andres pay well in exchange for demanding corresponding ability.”

It was something she had already prepared herself for.

Elena nodded.

“Since you will be going through my introduction, I believe you must have that level of ability.”

Elena swallowed.

She felt as if she were standing before an examiner.

“So I think you will need to study for a while before going out as a governess. Would that be all right?”

“…Study?”

“Yes. Study to revive memories you had forgotten in the past. And while doing so, attend some social gatherings as well. The connections you build there will all become strength for you.”

Elena blinked.

She felt as if things were moving in a direction different from what she had thought.

Elena was fine with being employed by any suitable household.

“Lady Hazel, I am grateful for your kindness, but I need money I can earn right now.”

“Of course I understand what you mean. But think long-term. For the sake of your dream, isn’t this much of an investment worth making?”

“…But I do not have the money to hire tutors.”

“I will invest in you.”

She intended to use imperial funds, of course.

Hazel smiled brightly.

“It seems like it will be fun after a long while. You may call it an old woman’s whim if you like. I will help look after Leana for a time as well.”

This was also for Elena and Maxim’s sake.

Hazel continued with a fluttering heart.

“Take some time for yourself.”

“But…”

“Don’t say it’s a burden. In fact, isn’t it a bit late to be worrying about such things?”

Elena smiled awkwardly.

It was an undeniable fact.

Besides, Hazel had arranged for Ollen and Leana to meet as well.

In a way, Hazel was nothing short of a savior to Leana and Elena.

“…What can I do for you, madam?”

I wish she would bestow this on Maxim instead.

Hazel swallowed the words she wanted to say.

A misstep could ruin everything.

An old woman’s impatience was not wise.

“You can do anything for me. I am prepared to gladly accept whatever you do for me.”

Hazel chose her words carefully.

“…There is not much I know how to do…”

“Just delighting my ears with the piano you learned in this mansion is enough, Elena. In truth, I wanted a daughter, but I have none. My one and only son is so dry and cold, really.”

She had dragged her innocent son into it as well.

“He is so cold. And his piano skills were a complete mess.”

If her son, who had displayed exceptional talent at the piano, were to hear this, he would clutch the back of his neck.

Hazel was doing everything in her power to persuade Elena.

“Go shopping with me as well. Just gladly accepting what I give you would be enough for me. In fact, I sing songs about getting married, and he is so cold. He seems so obsessed with swords that he cannot even see his own mother.”

Elena let out a small laugh.

“If he takes after you, madam, I am sure he must be a good person.”

“…That may well be. Anyway, will you grant my request?”

“…I should be the one asking you. Madam, please take care of me. When will I ever be able to repay this kindness?”

Elena rubbed the bridge of her nose.

When good things come, bad things come too, and the reverse holds true as well.

Since bad things have come, good things come like this too.

Elena sniffled.

“I will repay this kindness even if it takes my whole life, madam.”

Hazel beamed.

If only she would live her whole life on good terms with Maxim, that would be wonderful.

In any case, she had succeeded in persuading Elena…

Soon, the tutors sent by the empress would arrive.

Should she take Elena shopping before then?

True to Elena’s frugal and neat nature, she dressed well, but her clothes were worn beyond help.

She needed several outfits Elena could wear.

And she would take her to social gatherings as well…

Hazel organized in her mind the things she would do going forward.

There were countless virtues one needed to possess to live as Maxim’s wife.

It seemed she would not give in easily, but that much strength of spirit was sufficient.

Hazel hummed.

She was fully enjoying the feeling of truly having gained a youngest daughter.

Liena would be curious—she should drop by the palace once more when she had the chance.

Her appetite returned completely, and Hazel emptied all the refreshments she had been eating.

In good spirits.