Chapter 5

After dinner, Miss Rebecca headed to the annex.

She said she wanted to study a little since she had slept quite a bit during the day.

I told her, "You don't have to push yourself," but...

"No, I want to. I want to become a duchess's daughter who can be recognized by His Grace and Lady Sophie."

Rebecca said this with a smile.

I felt so wonderful that I wanted to hug her, but I held back.

So, she will study from now on, but I plan to go to the annex later to watch Rebecca study.

Since I dismissed her tutor, there is no one to teach her now.

I hope I can teach her a little.

Before teaching Rebecca, I had something to do with Lord Alan.

I didn't know where Lord Alan was, but I headed to his study.

As soon as I arrived, Lord Alan was coming out of his study, heading somewhere.

"Lord Alan"

"Hmm, Lady Sophie. Is there something you need?"

Lord Alan stopped walking and turned to face me.

"Yes, I apologize for acting on my own today."

"For acting on your own?"

"For dismissing the tutor. It was a breach of our contract."

In our contract, I agreed not to interfere with Lord Alan's work.

Dismissing the tutor he chose for Rebecca is a clear breach of the contract.

I hope it doesn't lead to an immediate divorce...

"It's not really a breach of the contract."

"Really?"

"Yes, that tutor wasn't chosen by me, and dismissing someone of that caliber doesn't constitute a breach of the contract."

"I see... But we need to find and hire a new tutor, right?"

"Indeed."

Lord Alan said this, then put his hand to his chin as if thinking about something.

He quickly came to a conclusion and met my gaze.

"Then, Lady Sophie, you can choose Rebecca's new tutor."

"Me?"

"Yes, I'll have the maidservant give you the candidates' files later. Please review them."

"Understood."

I didn't expect to be given the task of choosing Rebecca's tutor.

"Since you are also receiving education as a duchess, do you think you can handle this?"

"Yes, I can manage this much."

"I see... Well, once you finish your education as a duchess, it might not be bad for you to serve as Rebecca's tutor."

"Really!?"

That would be wonderful.

I could spend more time with Rebecca and become closer to her.

Perhaps because I was so enthusiastic, Lord Alan's eyes widened slightly.

"Yes, it's fine. However, your workload will increase. Is that okay?"

"Yes, it's fine."

"Alright, then I'll leave it to you."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

I bowed and thanked him.

With that, the conversation was over, but Lord Alan didn't leave. Instead, he stared at me intently.

"Um... Is there something?"

"Why did you suddenly start getting along with Rebecca?"

"..."

That's right, since I married into the Bernhard family a week ago, I hadn't interacted with Rebecca at all.

If I told him that I had a premonition and that if I didn't act, Rebecca would face a disastrous future... would he believe me?

No, it might be better not to mention the premonition.

Lord Alan might think I'm delusional and consider a divorce, which would leave Rebecca alone again and the disastrous future unchanged. I must avoid that at all costs.

"Because I felt sorry for Rebecca. Being taken in by the duchy after losing her parents was fortunate, but for a nine-year-old girl to struggle alone in an unfamiliar place is too lonely and painful. I wanted to ease her loneliness and become close to her as a family member."

"..."

Did he understand?

"Indeed, you might be right. I hadn't thought that far."

It seems Lord Alan understood.

"Perhaps because I'm in a similar position to Rebecca, I could think this way. I married at twenty, so my situation is different from Rebecca's."

I also came to the duchy suddenly, so I share some similarities with Rebecca.

However, our situations are different, and Rebecca's struggles are undoubtedly more severe.

"Interesting. So, are you finding life in the duchy difficult?"

"Um? No, I'm not that..."

"I see. If there's anything troubling you, please let me know. I'll do my best to improve the situation."

"Thank you."

I was surprised to hear such considerate words.

I had heard that Lord Alan was cold, but he seems different.

"When you said you wanted to become a family with Rebecca and went to the annex, I was surprised, but this is fine... In fact, I believe Rebecca has grown thanks to you."

"Really?"

"Yes, she had never expressed her feelings to me before, but today she did for the first time. I wanted her to grow independently, but I was too strict."

"I think your intentions as the head of the duchy were good. You were educating her with her future in mind."

Well, I can't deny that you were too strict...

"--- I thought differently."

Lord Alan lowered his gaze and whispered softly, just loud enough for me to hear.

His expression was sad and seemed to mix resignation with a complex emotion.

It felt like the most emotional I had ever seen Lord Alan.

"Lord Alan...?"

"No, it's nothing."

Lord Alan quickly returned to his usual expressionless state and met my gaze.

"Please continue to be kind to Rebecca. As long as it doesn't have a negative impact on her, I won't say anything. In fact, it seems to be having a positive effect."

"Yes..."

"Rebecca and Lady Sophie might be able to become a family."

Did he say that because of what he whispered earlier? I felt a bit uneasy.

His words sounded like he was saying he couldn't be part of the family.

"Lord Alan, please be kind to Rebecca too."

Without thinking, the words came out of my mouth.

"Rebecca said she wants to be close to you, not just to me."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, you and Rebecca are already a family."

"But that's just on paper."

"Right now, but we can become a real family."

"Can we...?"

"Yes, we definitely can. Rebecca and I both want to be a family with you."

"..."

Lord Alan's eyes widened in surprise at my words.

What, is it that surprising?

...Wait, did I just say I want to be a family with Lord Alan? Does that sound like I want to be loved as a wife?

That would be a breach of the contract...!

"I-I'm sorry! That was just a slip of the tongue. I don't mean to be loved as a wife, really!"

As I hurried to explain, Lord Alan's lips curled into a small smile.

"Heh, I understand. I didn't think you meant it that way."

"R-Really... That's a relief."

But I didn't expect him to laugh.

It was the first time I saw Lord Alan smile, and his handsome face made my heart skip a beat.

No, I mustn't fall for him.

That would be a breach of the contract, so I need to be careful.

"Then, I'll return to my work."

"Ah, yes. I'm sorry for keeping you so long."

"No, it was a very productive conversation. Thank you."

Productive? Did we really talk that much?

I just apologized for dismissing the tutor.

"Please work hard."

"Yes, good night, Lady Sophie."

"Good night, Lord Alan."

We said our goodbyes and parted ways.

At least it doesn't seem like I'll be divorced for a breach of the contract.

That's a relief.