Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Countess Lambroiche asked,
“How old are you this year?”
“Nineteen. I’ll be twenty next week.”
“…”
It seemed even the countess found that to be a bit much. There was a flicker of sympathy in her eyes. But Kashika didn’t care. Rather than remain with the Elpertz family, working as a governess and becoming the head of a collapsing house, going to Ramfley didn’t seem like such a bad option. The marquess probably didn’t have many years left anyway.
“If you’d like, I could help you find a better position. The Elpertz name still carries some weight.”
“No, it’s alright.”
“I’ve heard the Marquess of Ramfley is over seventy now.”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
Kashika’s goal was to outlive the marquess, inherit what was left, and waste it all away in solitude before dying alone. Her firm answer made Countess Lambroiche smile awkwardly.
“Noah’s going to be very upset.”
“He’ll be entering the academy soon. I’m sure he’ll make new friends.”
“…Yes, you’re right.”
The countess looked as if she had more to say but didn’t. Kashika noticed, but she didn’t ask. They hadn’t been especially close to begin with. It had been strange enough that they gave her the governess job at all. But at the time, Kashika hadn’t been in any position to refuse. Money was crucial if one wanted to survive.
“When will you be leaving?”
The countess asked.
“This weekend.”
Kashika answered.
“I can come in until Friday. I’m sorry for the late notice, but I only found out yesterday myself.”
“…It can’t be helped.”
The countess looked mildly troubled as she murmured, “What about Noah…” as if she meant for Kashika to hear it. And what if I do? Kashika thought. Noah Lambroiche would go to the academy as planned.
As she stared at Kashika’s unchanging expression, the countess said, “Miss Elpertz, if there’s anything I can help with—” but Kashika firmly cut her off.
“It’s alright, Countess. You’ve helped me more than enough already. I’ve always been grateful.”
“…I see.”
Her expression was less than satisfied.
Was she worried Noah Lambroiche might struggle to adjust at the academy? But Kashika had taught him well enough that he wouldn’t flounder, at least not for a few years. Especially in etiquette.
The Elpertz family, whatever else it may have lost, had preserved its etiquette for centuries. Outdated, yes—but elegant and classical. Noah Lambroiche had been a diligent student. Even his tone of speech had lost its childishness and grown quite refined.
“Have you told Noah personally?”
“No.”
Kashika replied. Their relationship wasn’t close enough for that. When she said to the countess, “Please deliver the message for me,” the woman looked visibly caught off guard. Perhaps it was inconvenience, or reluctance—Kashika didn’t care. She simply stared down into the teacup before her.
An expensive cup. A lavish mansion. A world that had nothing to do with her.
If I had been born in a place like this, would my life have been different?
A hypothetical for something that could never come true.
* * *
It was the final lesson.
This would also be Kashika’s last visit to the Lambroiche estate in the capital.
She looked over the assignment Noah had completed. Not bad.
With this level of work, he’d likely be considered quite the gifted student even at the academy. Smart, too. Seriously annoying.
“Teacher.”
Noah called out to her, but Kashika didn’t respond. As she continued reading through the assignment, Noah called again, “Teacher,” and Kashika lifted her head.
“Don’t you have something to say to me?”
Her gaze shifted from the paper to Noah.
“You did well. You’re clearly very smart.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Noah closed his mouth, then opened it again.
“You’re getting married, aren’t you?”
“Yes. This weekend. Today is our last lesson.”
“…You said you’d stay with me.”
“I never said that.”
Kashika answered flatly. Noah Lambroiche looked at her with a wounded expression. Clearly, there had been a misunderstanding. And that misunderstanding wasn’t on Kashika’s part—it was Noah’s.
“You said you wished I’d stay with you. I never said I would. And I never gave you an answer.”
Noah bit his lip. His eyes welled up with tears.
Why are you crying all of a sudden?
Kashika looked at him, her face showing her confusion. Ah—maybe this was what Countess Lambroiche had been worried about two days ago. Maybe he really did have trouble forming healthy attachments.
Well, it wasn’t entirely impossible. Lambroiche was more focused on making money than raising children, which wasn’t exactly noble behavior. Maybe that’s why they hired a noblewoman as a governess. Though honestly, that seemed like a stretch. With that kind of money, they could’ve hired a proper scholar.
Still, thanks to the Lambroiche family’s clueless spending, the Elpertz family could at least keep food on the table. But it didn’t change the fact that they weren’t very noble in conduct.
Even so, maybe things would be different once he was among his peers.
He was still a Lambroiche, after all. Being around other children might help him develop some social skills.
“It’s understandable to feel sad after spending three years together, but friends can be made anytime, young Lambroiche.”
“Noah.”
“Yes, Noah.”
At Kashika’s words, Noah let out a breath like someone finally able to breathe. Kashika turned to the next page. The content of the essay was good, and even the handwriting wasn’t bad. Picky professors often judged handwriting as well. At this level, he wouldn’t have any problems.
“Where are you going?”
“You’ll be going to the Royal Academy.”
“Not me.”
“If you’re asking about me, I’m going to the Marquessate of Ramfley.”
“The Marquess of Ramfley is seventy-two!”
“That’s right.”
Kashika looked up as she spoke. Her expression said, “And what of it?” Noah’s tears spilled over.
“You’re… you’re only nineteen.”
“Yes. I’ll be twenty next week.”
To a seventy-two-year-old man, nineteen or twenty might as well be the same. It wouldn’t be strange if he had a granddaughter older than her. Noah hung his head, weeping as if he were a child bride being sold off himself.
“Why… why that house?”
“I wonder.”
“At least someone you like…”
Kashika gave a small laugh at his words.
At least someone I like, what? You think I should marry someone I love?
“I hope you’ll have that opportunity, Noah.”
“…Teacher.”
“Even for a second son, it won’t be easy. You’re from a count’s family, after all. Still, you never know. Maybe you’ll fall in love with someone from a proper family, someone suitable for marriage. And if not, you can always keep someone you love as a mistress.”
“I… I don’t want that.”
Noah said. Kashika thought, even if you don’t want it, that’s the way the world works.
“I don’t want to keep someone as a mistress.”
Seeing the boy in tears, Kashika offered a comfort that wasn’t really a comfort.
“You’re still young, that’s why. People don’t marry the ones they love—they marry the ones who make sense. And the ones they love, they keep as mistresses.”
Whether it helped or not, Noah cried like someone deeply wounded.
“Please don’t go.”
Why is he crying like that when I’m the one being sold off?
“Please stay in the capital, Teacher.”
“I already said I’m leaving. More importantly, can we continue the lesson?”
“That’s not the issue right now!”
“Then what is?”
“…”
Noah didn’t answer. He opened his mouth a few times like he wanted to say something, but that was all.
“It’s our final lesson, so please focus.”
“Don’t go, Teacher.”
Kashika clicked her tongue. This was going to keep going in circles. Maybe it’d be better to just scrap the day as a loss. It was the last day anyway. She said,
“If you don’t intend to study, we can stop here. I still have to pack.”
“Teacher!”
Noah shouted, then flinched as if startled by his own voice. Kashika looked at him with an unreadable expression. Faced with her cold gaze, Noah hung his head, unsure of what to do, then mumbled,
“I’ll do it. I’ll take the lesson…”
Noah Lambroiche spent the entire lesson silently weeping, tears streaming down his face. It was jarring to see a child who always smiled cry like this.
Maybe he really does have some attachment issues.
Or… could it be that he actually likes me?
Kashika laughed at the absurd thought.
