Chapter 9

A few hours later, Rebecca and I, along with Lord Alan, were having dinner together.

This was the first time the three of us had eaten together since the dismissal of the previous governess.

Rebecca and I often had lunch and dinner together, but Lord Alan seemed to be very busy with work, so it had been a while since we had eaten together.

We ate in silence for a while, but then Lord Alan started the conversation.

"Since today, Sophie has been in charge of Rebecca's education. How was it?"

I wonder... who is he asking?

I'll answer first.

"Yes, today we had a written test, and Miss Rebecca did exceptionally well. I gave her questions from a wide range of topics, but she answered every single one correctly and got a perfect score."

"Hmm, is that so?"

"Yes, she studies very well. But I thought she might be studying too much..."

"What do you mean?"

"I thought the range of topics for a ten-year-old lady was too broad. It seems the previous governess, Mrs. Nable, didn't teach her thoroughly."

I told Lord Alan that Mrs. Nable only created test questions and left Rebecca to study the material on her own.

Lord Alan didn't change his expression but tilted his head in curiosity.

"Is that not how one should study?"

"Um... did Lord Alan also study that way? Since childhood?"

"Yes, my study time with the governess was just about solving tests."

I never thought Lord Alan had been educated in such a way...

Is this a unique method of the Bernhard Duke family?

"But I could remember most of what I read after one read, so I found the written tests easy."

"I see... Is Miss Rebecca the same?"

"I like reading, but I can't remember everything after one read..."

"Right, I see."

"I think I can remember most of it after reading it twice..."

"...I see."

It must be in the blood.

Depending on the thickness and content of the book, it's not something you can remember after one or two reads.

I could never do that.

"Indeed, the educational method should match Miss Rebecca's abilities, but studying late into the night can hinder her growth."

"Yes, that's true. I want you to provide an education that suits Rebecca."

"Understood."

I feel like the written tests are almost over...

"How was your day, Rebecca? It was your first day with Sophie, right?"

"Yes, I was a bit nervous, but it was really kind and fun!"

Miss Rebecca reported to Lord Alan with a very cute smile.

Lord Alan's expression didn't change, but I felt his demeanor soften a bit.

"That's good to hear."

"Yes! And we made and ate some delicious sweets together!"

"Sweets? You made them together?"

"Yes! It was a lot of fun!"

Oh, is it okay to say that?

I might get scolded for doing something unrelated during study time.

"I gave her a reward because she got a perfect score on the test I had prepared."

I explained the reason first, so if he got angry, it would be directed at me.

However, Lord Alan didn't seem angry and just said, "I see."

"I want Lord Alan to try them too!"

When Miss Rebecca said this excitedly, I was taken aback.

What, Lord Alan is going to eat them?

"Hmm... I don't mind, but can you make them quickly?"

"Um... can we, Sophie?"

I answered hesitantly, looking at Rebecca, who seemed anxious.

"We still have the ingredients, so I think we can make them quickly... but, Lord Alan, are you okay with sweet things?"

I've never seen Lord Alan eat sweets, and he seems to dislike them.

Lord Alan nodded in response to my question.

"Yes, it's fine."

"Okay, I'll make them then."

"Sophie, can I help you make them?"

"Of course, Rebecca."

When I nodded, Miss Rebecca's face lit up.

Does Miss Rebecca like cooking now?

It's good to have more hobbies.

"Sophie, I have to work in my office after this, so can you bring the food to my office when it's ready?"

"Understood, Lord Alan."

"Sophie, you used the honorific."

"Ah... yes, Alan. Understood."

"That's fine."

I'm not used to calling him without the honorific, so I tend to call him "Lord Alan."

Should I call him "Alan" even in my heart?

...Yes, I said I want to be part of the family, so if I keep using the honorific, we won't get closer.

From now on, I'll call him "Alan."

After dinner, Alan went to his office, and Miss Rebecca and I went to the kitchen to make pancakes.

"Sophie, can I flip the pancake?"

When we were cooking one side, Miss Rebecca asked me.

She had helped mix the ingredients earlier, but this time the batter was already prepared.

She wants to do the flipping, but is it okay?

"...Okay, Rebecca, but be careful, it's hot."

"Yes!"

Miss Rebecca climbed onto a stool, held the spatula, and carefully tried to flip the pancake.

She looked very serious, and I thought it was cute.

However, the result... it was a bit deformed.

"Ah... I couldn't do it well."

"No, for your first time, this is pretty good. You did well."

"Thank you..."

Miss Rebecca thanked me with her words, but she didn't seem satisfied.

Hehe, she looks so cute and childlike.

I've seen her genius side in her studies, so there's a gap.

"Let's make another one, Rebecca. Maybe you'll do better next time."

"Yes! I'll try my best!"

With renewed determination, we made the next pancake.

The result was better than the last one, and Miss Rebecca smiled happily.

"You did it, Rebecca."

"Yes, I did it!"

"Let's take them to Alan."

We put two pancakes on a plate and headed to his office.

I was holding the plate, so Miss Rebecca nervously knocked on the office door.

"Alan, it's Rebecca. I brought the pancakes."

"Alan, I'm with her."

When we called out, we heard "Come in" from inside.

Miss Rebecca opened the door, and we entered the office.

The office was quite spacious, with bookshelves on both walls, a large desk and chair in front of the door, and Alan was working there.

"That was quicker than I expected."

"We had the batter ready, so we just had to cook them. I also added butter and honey. Is that okay?"

"It's fine."

Alan had been writing something, but he moved to make it easier for me to place the plate.

I put the plate in front of Alan, who was sitting down.

"Here you go, pancakes. Rebecca helped mix the batter and even flipped them beautifully."

"N-no! I just followed Sophie's instructions to mix the batter, and Sophie did a better job flipping them. I just helped."

Rebecca denied it, but I really just gave instructions, and she did most of the work.

"I see, but the shape is a bit deformed. Did Rebecca do this?"

"Yes, Sophie did it beautifully."

"I see, Rebecca, you need to practice more."

Mmm, I thought he could have praised her a little... but that's just how he is.

"Yes, I'll try my best!"

Rebecca didn't seem discouraged, as she understood.

Alan took a fork and knife, cut the pancake neatly, and took a bite.

Rebecca and I stood in front of the desk, a bit nervous.

He seems to dislike sweet things... he wouldn't say it's "delicious," right?

I thought it was possible...

"Um... it's delicious."

"Huh?"

I was so surprised by Alan's words that I couldn't help but exclaim.

I never thought he would say "delicious."

We've had meals together a few times, but he never showed any reaction, no matter how delicious the food was.

He raised his eyebrows in surprise and muttered, "Delicious."