Chapter 18

Leana woke up. This made the entire mansion excited. Young children usually have the power to make adults either happy or sad.

“Oh my, Leana. I’m so happy to see you looking so healthy. Come here.”

Hazel spread her arms toward her. She hesitated before rushing into her embrace. Hazel smiled pleasantly at the infinitely affectionate warmth of the young child.

Her glasses became crooked in the process.

The newspaper on her lap rustled.

“If you’re hungry, sit down.”

Maxim pointed to an empty chair. She fidgeted and hid behind Hazel. She was scared of Maxim, who always had a cold expression.

Elena looked between the two and gestured to her.

“If you want to eat breakfast, you need to sit down, Leana. It’s stew, isn’t it?”

“…Did you put onions in it too?”

“No.”

Elena told a white lie. She hugged Hazel’s arm tightly.

“Carrots?”

“I didn’t put any in.”

Maxim glanced at the stew that was evenly filled with onions and carrots. Were all young children like this? She had no idea what Elena was sacrificing for her. While receiving such devoted protection, she took it completely for granted.

Leana was also shackles that bound Elena.

However.

He slightly swallowed a sigh.

He knew that child also became Elena’s motivation to live. Just as he lived not for himself but for others. He scooped up some stew and took a bite.

Hazel watched this scene intently.

“It’s really delicious. I should eat it all myself.”

He said with a gruff expression. Elena and Hazel laughed at the same time. They couldn’t help it. She must have found it quite funny too, as she let down her guard and quietly emerged.

“Really? If there are carrots and onions, you have to eat them all up, mister.”

“Hmm, rather than that, how about eating this and getting a reward.”

“What’s a reward?”

“Is it difficult? Instead of eating something you dislike, you get something you like after finishing it all.”

“Something I like?”

She quietly climbed up and sat in her seat.

“It could be candy. It could be chocolate.”

“Chocolate! Really?”

“This little one doesn’t know me yet. Maxim doesn’t lie.”

When he snapped his fingers, the perceptive Mrs. Greta quickly took out chocolate and handed it to him. He placed it on the table with a thud.

“How about it?”

“I, I’ll eat it! Leana really loves stew!”

She closed her eyes tightly and put the onion in her mouth. Watching this, Elena smiled. As if she had forgotten all of yesterday’s sadness and despair. How wonderful it would be if she could always live like this.

Before she woke up, they had talked about Mr. Orlando. About showing her to Orlando. There was still no treatment method and no proper medicine. Without even a disease name, what could there be?

[It could be dangerous, Elena. But it’s worth trying.]

Elena had no choice but to cling to even fading hope.

She watched her eating stew and steeled her heart. The child was alive. And she would be alive tomorrow too.

To protect that child, she had to be strong.

Elena began eating her meal resolutely.

---

“You want to find work right now?”

“Yes. I need money to achieve my dream… and I can’t impose on you here forever. That would be too rude.”

Elena spoke clearly.

Hazel smiled slightly. Elena was indeed a strong child. She got back up even in situations that seemed like they would break her. After crying so much yesterday, wasn’t she smiling like this today?

Although she hadn’t known Elena for very long, she seemed to understand her to some extent.

Someone this strong was what Maxim needed by his side.

“Good. But there’s something you need to do before that, Elena.”

She tilted her head.

“You probably already suspect this, but the job as Andres’s tutor pays well but requires corresponding ability.”

This was something she had already prepared herself for. Elena nodded.

“Since you’re going with my introduction, I think you need to have that level of ability.”

She gulped. She felt like she was facing an examiner.

“So I think you need to study somewhat before going as a tutor. Would that be alright?”

“…Study?”

“Yes. Study to revive forgotten memories of the past. And also attend some social gatherings. All the connections you make there will become strength for you.”

She blinked. She felt like things were progressing in a different direction than she had thought. Elena wouldn’t have minded getting a job with just any decent family.

“Lady Hazel, I appreciate your kindness, but I need money I can earn right away.”

“Of course I understand your feelings. But think long-term. For your dream, couldn’t you make this level of investment?”

“…But I don’t have money to hire a tutor.”

“I’ll invest in you.”

Though she was thinking of using imperial money. Lady Hazel smiled brightly.

“It seems like it’ll be fun after a long time. You can call it an old woman’s whim. I’ll also help take care of Leana for a while.”

This was also for Elena and Maxim. Hazel continued with an excited heart.

“You should have time for yourself.”

“But…”

“Don’t say it’s a burden. Actually, isn’t it too late to worry about such things?”

Elena smiled awkwardly. It was an undeniable fact. Moreover, Hazel had also agreed to arrange a meeting between Orlando and her. In some ways, she was like a savior to both of them.

“…What can I do for you, ma’am?”

I wish you would do something for Maxim instead of me.

Lady Hazel swallowed what she wanted to say. If she made a mistake, she could ruin things. An old woman’s impatience was wrong.

“You can do anything. I’m ready to gladly accept whatever you do for me.”

She chose appropriate words.

“…I don’t know how to do much…”

“Just making my ears happy with the piano you learned in this mansion is enough, Elena. I actually wanted to have a daughter but don’t have one. Our only son is just so cold, really.”

She even dragged her quiet son into it.

“How cold he is. Moreover, his piano skills were terrible.”

If her son, who had displayed outstanding piano skills, heard this, he would be grabbing the back of his neck. Hazel was using all her strength to persuade Elena.

“Go shopping with me too. Just gladly accepting what I give you would be enough for me. Actually, even when I sing for him to get married, he’s so cold. He seems so obsessed with swords that he doesn’t even see his own mother.”

Elena chuckled.

“If he resembles Lady Hazel, he must surely be a good person.”

“…That might be possible. Anyway, will you grant my request?”

“…I should be the one asking favors. Ma’am, please take good care of me. When will I be able to repay all this kindness?”

She rubbed her nose.

When good things come, bad things also come, and the opposite is also true. Since bad things came, good things are coming like this too.

She sniffled.

“Even if I devote my entire life, I will definitely repay this kindness, ma’am.”

Hazel smiled broadly. It would be nice if she lived harmoniously with Maxim for life with that heart.

Anyway, since she had succeeded in persuading Elena… the tutors sent by the empress would come soon. Should she go shopping before then?

True to Elena’s frugal and neat personality, she dressed well, but wear was unavoidable. She needed several outfits suitable for Elena. And she’d also take her to social gatherings…

Hazel organized her future plans in her mind.

There were countless virtues to acquire to live as Maxim’s wife. Since she didn’t seem like she would give up easily, that level of determination was enough.

She hummed a tune.

She was thoroughly enjoying the feeling of really having gained a youngest daughter. Riana would be curious, so she should find time to visit the palace once more.

Her appetite completely returning, she finished all the refreshments she had been eating.

Happily.