TPOVF 27

Chapter 27

Yurenia sat in a room where deep darkness had spread. Before her lay Kyle, fast asleep.

The two of them were now in Kyle’s room.

Naturally, Maeve’s mansion had a room prepared for him.

The furniture and all the fixtures were new, but it didn’t feel like they had been hastily prepared.

It seemed the mansion had been designed with this layout from the very beginning.

‘Looking at this, she does seem to care for Kyle.’

Yurenia wiped Kyle’s eyes with a towel soaked in warm water.

The child’s eyelids, having cried himself to sleep, were red and swollen.

Earlier, Kyle had stubbornly remained in the corridor, crying.

Chester, who had come out of the room, discovered his nephew and tried to soothe him, but Kyle would not budge.

Chester had tried to stay by his side, worried for his nephew who only shed tears in silence.

However, Enzo had brought an urgent matter from the Council of Nobles, forcing him to leave.

Left with no choice, Yurenia alone stayed in the corridor until the child collapsed from exhaustion.

Afterward, Kiernan, who had finished organizing the luggage, carried Kyle to his room, and Enzo, who had returned under Chester’s orders, introduced Yurenia to the mansion’s head servant.

Upon hearing that she was the home tutor, the head servant assigned her the room next to Kyle’s.

‘Let’s stay a little longer before leaving.’

Yurenia gazed steadily at Kyle, who was sleeping with regular, steady breaths.

On any other day, she would have risen as soon as the child fell asleep, but today her feet wouldn’t easily move.

Knock, knock.

It was while Yurenia was gently stroking Kyle’s forehead.

A calm and courteous knock was heard from outside.

As she slightly opened the door, a woman with a neat appearance was visible. The woman, upon seeing her, bowed her head and spoke.

“You are the young master’s home tutor, correct? I am Nadia, the Marchioness’s secretary. I’ve come to escort the young master.”

If she was a Marchioness, that would be Kyle’s mother.

She seemed to have finally calmed down.

However, Kyle was sleeping too deeply to wake.

Yurenia furrowed her brows and said.

“What should we do? The young master is asleep.”

“Hmm, then would you come instead? The Marchioness said she has something to say to you as well.”

“Just a moment.”

Yurenia first checked the room once more. In the cozy darkness, Kyle was sleeping soundly.

She asked Nadia for permission, then entered the room. She straightened the blanket and turned on the night lamp by Kyle’s bedside.

This way, even if he woke up in the middle of the night, Kyle wouldn’t be frightened.

Yurenia looked at the peacefully sleeping child with warm eyes and came out.

“I’m ready now. Let’s go.”

Nadia, who had been closely observing how Yurenia looked after Kyle, nodded. Then she walked ahead, guiding Yurenia.

The place Nadia took Yurenia to was in front of Lillian’s room.

She told Yurenia to wait by the door and entered the room first. After a moment, she came back out with the Marchioness.

“Kyle is asleep?”

The Marchioness looked far more exhausted than she had appeared earlier. She pressed her brow with a troubled expression and muttered.

“Of all times, now…”

She gazed at the closed door for a moment, then sighed. And she led Yurenia to another place.

“Let’s talk for a bit.”

After a while, the place the two arrived at was a small sitting room not far from Lillian’s room. Maeve sat down on the sofa and spoke.

“I apologize for the late introduction. I am Maeve Dalton Valerio, Marchioness. I am Kyle and Lillian’s mother.”

“I am Yurenia Dobine, home tutor to Young Master Kyle.”

“I heard about you from Chet. That Kyle is very attached to his teacher.”

While Maeve spoke, maids entered and brought warm tea. Maeve offered Yurenia tea and said.

“It was only just a moment ago that Lillian’s condition, which had been critical all this time, improved enough for me to finally have a brief respite.”

She sighed and muttered as if to herself.

“…I wanted to apologize to Kyle. But the timing didn’t work out.”

Maeve lowered her gaze and moistened her lips with the warm tea. Her elegant posture as she raised the teacup reminded Yurenia of Chester.

It seemed to be the unique composure and manners of one who had learned etiquette from birth.

“I would like to take some time to speak with you calmly, but the High Priest from the Temple is scheduled to arrive soon. So let’s keep this brief.”

“Yes, please speak freely.”

Yurenia straightened her posture and replied. At her demeanor, which was as refined as any noble lady, Maeve’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Where did you learn your etiquette, Teacher?”

“I learned from Professor Broi at the Royal Academy.”

“Come to think of it, I heard you entered the Academy at the top of your class and graduated at the top as well. If that’s the case, you must have received a perfect score in etiquette from Lady Teresa.”

At the familiar name that came from Maeve’s lips, Yurenia’s eyes widened.

“You know Professor Broi?”

“Lady Teresa Broi, the Marchioness, is also my mentor.”

Maeve said with a slight smile. She slowly looked Yurenia over from head to toe and continued.

“The Academy is easy to enter but not easy to graduate from. And to graduate at the top of your class—that’s quite impressive.”

“You flatter me.”

Yurenia smiled shyly at the unexpected praise. Being favorably evaluated by such a noble and dignified high-ranking noble made her feel somewhat embarrassed.

“I still have much to learn.”

“There’s no need to be modest. It seems Kyle has found a good teacher.”

Maeve said, staring intently at Yurenia. Just as her gaze began to feel piercing, she got to the point.

“I have an important favor to ask of you, Teacher.”

“Please tell me.”

“While we are here, make sure Kyle never goes near Lillian again.”

Absolutely.

Maeve emphasized repeatedly. As if it were an ironclad rule that must be kept.

“May I ask why?”

Yurenia carefully broached the subject. But Maeve coldly put up a wall.

“Do you need to know the reason in order to grant my request?”

“No, I will do as you say. But…”

Yurenia hesitated and trailed off.

From Maeve’s perspective, she was nothing more than an employee she had met for the first time today, one who could be replaced at any moment.

It was only natural for her to be cautious.

But Yurenia wasn’t asking out of mere curiosity for gossip.

She simply wanted to assess the situation for Kyle’s sake.

“Young Master Kyle missed his mother and younger sibling very much. It seems too harsh to prevent him from seeing them without any reason.”

“……”

At Yurenia’s calm explanation, Maeve quietly lowered her gaze. She stared at the ripples spreading across her tea for a moment, then muttered.

“Because of Kyle.”

Maeve raised her head and looked at Yurenia. Then, in a calm tone, she spoke.

“If what I’m about to tell you leaks outside, I cannot guarantee your life. Do you still wish to hear it?”

“I will not tell anyone.”

Maeve observed Yurenia with sharp eyes.

After carefully examining her unwavering gaze, which did not shy away from her own, she let out a faint sigh.

“I’ll trust you once.”

Maeve tapped the armrest of the sofa with her fingers, then slowly opened her mouth.

“Kyle’s mana is harmful to Lillian. And Lillian’s mana is equally harmful to Kyle. That’s why.”

At Maeve’s revelation, Yurenia’s mouth fell slightly open in shock.

‘Because of mana?’

She had naturally assumed it was an illness.

A problem with mana.

‘…Of all things.’

Yurenia bit her lip, filled with a sense of dismay.

Because she possessed negative mana, she could be of no help with matters concerning mana control.

Yurenia was once again disheartened by her own helplessness.

Maeve pressed her brow and lamented.

“The two children must not be together. I only learned that after Kyle’s mana caused Lillian’s mana to go out of control.”

“Is that why you didn’t tell Young Master Kyle anything?”

“Because I couldn’t let him live his entire life carrying the guilt of having killed his sister.”

Maeve spoke as if wringing out her pain.