Chapter 11

Maxim could hardly believe the situation unfolding before his eyes.

“…Aunt?”

And Elena’s eyes widened just the same at those words.

“A-Aunt?”

“Oh my.”

The only one who remained composed was Hazel. Hazel looked back and forth between Elena and Maxim. Maxim, who had just returned from work, struggled earnestly to understand the current situation.

Why on earth were people who should be in Levonto here? Maxim glanced at Elena. She had been pacing around like someone who would be in big trouble if she crossed Cress Bridge.

‘She escaped.’

In any case, it seemed only Hazel could sort out this situation. Hazel gestured to call Mrs. Greta, who managed the mansion. Mrs. Greta tactfully approached Hazel.

“Leana, you’ve eaten candy, so what should you do now?”

“Brush my teeth?”

“That’s right. We’ll have dinner in a little while, so what else should you do?”

“Um… since we came in from outside, I should wash my hands.”

“That’s right, correct answer. Mrs. Greta, this is Leana. Leana, this is Mrs. Greta who manages this mansion.”

“Hello! I’m Leana.”

Leana bowed her head deeply. Seeing the white and soft Leana, Mrs. Greta’s stern face also softened gently. Mrs. Greta read Hazel’s intention and took Leana’s hand.

“There’s a bathroom on the second floor. Shall we make some bubbles in warm water?”

“Really? Bubbles?”

“Of course!”

Leana excitedly went up to the second floor as if she had come to a land of dreams and hope. Elena stared blankly at the situation. What was happening right now?

Maxim was… aunt?

Then, that means Maxim is Lady Hazel’s nephew… Maxim’s father and Lady Hazel are siblings. Lady Hazel is an imperial princess…

Elena’s stiff head, refusing to think, worked hard. Elena blinked as she forcibly recalled the imperial family tree.

Elena’s mouth slowly opened. With a shocked face, Elena stared at Maxim. That means, that means…!

“Your Imperial Highness…! Gasp!!”

Elena hurriedly covered her mouth. Then she fumbled to recall childhood memories and pulled out etiquette for being in front of royalty.

“Elena of House Joseph pays her respects to Your Imperial Highness.”

“Oh my, look at this child. Maxim, look at this. Elena doesn’t seem like a modern girl at all.”

Maxim narrowed his eyes. From what Hazel was saying, it seemed like she and Elena had been close for a long time. Judging by the intimacy between them, Hazel already seemed to have taken a liking to Elena.

“Aunt, why on earth are you here? If you came to Andres, why didn’t you go to the imperial palace?”

Maxim spoke stiffly with an ominous feeling. He didn’t even have the leisure to acknowledge Elena’s greeting. Hazel smiled brightly as if it were the most natural thing.

“Didn’t you tell me to help Elena? You know Elena is looking for a governess position, right? So I’m thinking of staying here and looking into it. Of course, with Elena and Leana too.”

“Aunt!”

He wanted to ask who the hell gave permission for that, but seeing Elena turn pale and fidgeting restlessly, he couldn’t bring himself to say those words. Maxim bit his lips tightly.

It would have been a deeply moving scene if the coachman who had urged Maxim to give Elena a ride the day before had seen it. Elena was breaking out in cold sweat behind Hazel.

Elena was now retracing the actions she had taken. What mistake did she make? Wasn’t she too rude to Maxim? No, Maxim!

This mouth of mine!

Elena slapped her lips with her palm. How could she call His Imperial Highness by the name Maxim!

And that wasn’t all. Looking back on her thoughts, it seemed she had also talked back impudently. Elena looked at Maxim with a face about to cry. Why didn’t he tell her in advance to avoid such a situation…

No wait, maybe it was her own fault for letting her guard down when she knew her life was like a minefield.

“Are we going to keep standing here anyway? This old woman’s legs are starting to hurt, so let’s sit down and talk.”

Hazel, who looked very healthy, had no credibility when she said such things. But they couldn’t continue talking while standing.

“Come in, Maxim.”

Watching Hazel act as if she were the owner of the house, Maxim could only grit his teeth.

---

“You still haven’t told her that this child is my nephew. I thought you had, Maxim.”

“…There was just no reason to tell her.”

I never thought we’d get entangled like this. Maxim swallowed the rest of his words. His throat felt stuffy, so he was drinking his nth glass of water. Hazel patted Elena’s hand.

“You still should have told her. How shocked must the lady have been.”

“I was shocked too. I never expected you to barge into this mansion with Elena, Aunt.”

“I didn’t know things would turn out this way either. Anyway, it’s a good thing, so you should cooperate too. You wanted to help Elena, didn’t you.”

Maxim held his head. He had indeed. Elena seemed just like himself. Unable to escape from a suffocating situation where he couldn’t breathe and felt strangled, just being anxious.

So he had just wanted to give her a breathing hole. That was the greatest tolerance and kindness he could offer. If he had known it would lead to such results, he wouldn’t have meddled.

Maxim glared at Hazel, the source of all this trouble.

“That may be so.”

“Then shouldn’t a man take responsibility? Surely you, who even received a knighthood, aren’t going to speak with a forked tongue? Your father would be utterly dismayed if he knew.”

Maxim rubbed his face. Hazel tapped Elena’s hand.

“Elena, go rest and recover from your journey. I think I have more to discuss with Maxim.”

“Yes, my lady!”

Thank you for letting me escape from this situation! Elena almost said that. Watching the deer-like figure flee with a much more relaxed face, Maxim let out a bitter laugh.

Who’s the one who wants to run away?

“Aunt, let’s be honest now. What are you scheming?”

“What scheming. I told you, I just want to help Elena.”

Hazel elegantly sipped her tea. As befitting an imperial princess, she was full of cunning inside. Maxim ground his teeth.

“Where on earth did you meet that fortune teller?”

“Why?”

“I’m going to make sure they never do business again.”

“Oh my, this child. Don’t be so fierce. How frustrated must we have been to even seek out a fortune teller? Your mother is also very worried.”

“We? Ah, so mother was an accomplice too.”

“Ahem.”

No wonder she enthusiastically pushed me to go to Levonto. A family representative? Since when was there such a thing?

“That woman won’t be the one.”

“How do you know? Life is uncertain. Don’t be so definitive.”

Maxim ran his tongue over his teeth. He desperately wanted a cigarette. But even if he opposed it here, it didn’t seem like Hazel would retreat with Leana and Elena.

Maxim tapped the table with his long fingers.

But to kick Elena out… he was the one who had said he would help.

“Anyway, we’ll be staying here for a while, so keep that in mind.”

“Do you actually plan to look for governess work?”

“Of course! But before that, I need to get clothes for that child… and fix her hair and take care of her skin. And I think dance lessons would be good too… and it would be good to learn piano again. She’s perfect with languages from doing translation work, but other things might be a bit rusty. And I’m thinking of adding some liberal arts classes.”

Ah.

So you’re not planning to find her governess work, but to get her a governess. Hazel smiled sweetly. Maxim was dumbfounded and clicked his tongue.

“Are you being stingy about money? Hey, what are you going to do with all that money you’ve earned? A person should know how to be generous. If you’re really that reluctant, I’ll use my own money, so don’t worry.”

“Yes. Please do that.”

“Huh, what?”

Hazel’s eyes widened. She never expected such an answer. Maxim regained his composure and leaned back on the sofa.

“You said she’s your guest, so you can take responsibility for her. Use your own money for the things you mentioned.”

Now it was Hazel’s turn to be speechless.