NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 39
However, the Duchess of Sachsen wore a cheerful smile, interpreting Anriche’s silence in her own way.
“But you seem to have completely forgotten about your family lately… I feel a bit hurt by that.”
“Could you please be more specific about what you want?”
“I’m saying you should take care of your sister too.”
Ah, so that’s why she was pestering me with all this!
Anriche’s sneer deepened.
The Duchess of Sachsen was determined to manipulate Anriche somehow.
“That money you’ve been sending? Without it, your sister is going to have a really hard time.”
“……”
“You’ve been a good daughter until now, right? So, I hope you won’t disappoint me.”
“……”
Anriche didn’t respond.
To be precise, she was so astounded that she couldn’t find the words.
Anriche’s silence caused the Duchess’s voice to grow increasingly anxious.
“Anriche, why aren’t you answering? Are you ignoring me?”
“I’m not ignoring you. I just needed a moment to think.”
“A moment?”
“Yes. I was considering how to say something that wouldn’t hurt your feelings.”
At that, the Duchess of Sachsen’s eyes widened.
Anriche let out a soft sigh and shrugged her shoulders.
“Does your sister not have hands or feet? Or is she so weak in body and mind that she can’t even take responsibility for her own actions?”
“Ah, Anriche! How can you say such things to the head of Sachsen…!”
“Even if that were the case, the family responsible for your sister would be Sachsen, not Valois.”
The Duchess’s face twisted in shock.
How did this child change so much?
She had always been obedient, saying yes and answering nicely!
Yet Anriche’s expression remained calm.
“So, is that all you needed from me, Mother?”
After asking this, Anriche elegantly pointed toward the door.
“Since I’m very busy right now, my maids will see you out.”
Anriche had copied Alexei’s way of sending the Londini couple away, and it seemed she had done a pretty good job of it.
Seeing the Duchess’s eyes widen in disbelief confirmed that.
“Well then, goodbye.”
Anriche smiled brightly to signify the end of their conversation.
* * *
That evening, Anriche informed Liliana that she had found a tutor.
“Really? Does that mean I can study now?”
Liliana asked back with a voice full of excitement.
Anriche looked at her with a sympathetic gaze.
‘Most kids dislike studying, but she’s this happy…’
Even Elliot would often try to skip classes and slack off.
However, Liliana’s eyes sparkled like stars.
‘After all, she’s never had the chance to study until now.’
Anriche tried to hide her mixed feelings.
The Londini couple had only hired good teachers for their own daughter, leaving Liliana neglected.
“Is it really true that a teacher is coming just for me?”
“Of course, it is.”
Anriche nodded her head vigorously.
Liliana pressed her hands against her racing heart.
‘This really feels like a dream…’
Memories of her time at the Londini orphanage came flooding back.
Back then, all she could do was envy the older girls who studied with the teacher.
‘What kind of studying can you even do?’
That sharp voice still echoed in her ears.
She remembered the times she had gotten scolded for lingering around, trying to eavesdrop on even a single lesson…
“I’ll study really hard.”
“Good, but don’t overdo it.”
Anriche replied in a gentle voice and pulled Liliana into a warm embrace.
* * *
A few days later.
On the day the Countess Ivan was supposed to visit.
Liliana stood nervously in front of the mirror, waiting for her teacher.
She brushed her hair multiple times and fiddled with the ribbon tied around her waist.
Then, she anxiously looked back at Anriche.
“Is there anything weird about me?”
“Of course not. Our Liliana is always cute.”
Anriche nodded with a smile.
Meanwhile, Elliot was glancing over at Liliana repeatedly, casting furtive looks.
The blush on his cheeks seemed to indicate he had fallen for her lovely appearance once again.
‘Oh, that boy.’
Anriche barely suppressed a laugh that threatened to burst out.
Liliana hurriedly approached Anriche, her steps quickening.
“If I study diligently, will the teacher like me?”
Anriche gazed at the child’s innocent eyes.
Those sparkling eyes were full of anticipation for the teacher she was about to meet.
She didn’t want to extinguish that light in any way.
‘Well, if it’s Countess Ivan… she shouldn’t be too harsh on Liliana.’
Anriche steeled her heart with that thought.
She just needed to be careful that Liliana’s character didn’t spoil due to too much pampering.
That was something Anriche could monitor by attending the lessons herself.
Moreover…
‘I’ve already given her a warning, right?’
That if she didn’t meet her expectations, she would be fired on the spot.
‘So, it should be fine.’
Anriche gently patted Liliana’s head with a soft smile.
“Of course, she will like you.”
At that answer, Liliana beamed brightly.
Just then, Elliot, who had been half-heartedly working on his own homework, chided Liliana.
“Liliana, do you really like studying that much? I’m so bored I could die.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Why?”
“Because I was really envious of the other kids studying.”
“……”
Elliot was taken aback by her earnest answer.
Why does Liliana have so many things she hasn’t experienced?!
After hesitating for a while, Elliot stealthily pushed his pudding towards Liliana.
“You like pudding, right?”
“Uh? I do, but…”
“Then, eat this.”
At those words, Liliana’s eyes widened in surprise.
“But you like pudding too, Elliot?”
“W-Well, I’m okay today.”
Elliot couldn’t hide his disappointment at not being able to eat the pudding but still insisted on giving it to Liliana.
Anriche looked on with a warm gaze.
She found it endearing how Elliot was trying to comfort Liliana in his own way.
At that moment, Jane approached them.
“Countess Ivan has arrived.”
“Yes, four!”
Nervous, Liliana jumped to her feet.
Elliot flashed a reassuring smile at her.
“Do well.”
“Uh, okay! I will!”
Liliana walked stiffly towards where Countess Ivan was waiting.
Anriche lightly followed behind her.
* * *
Countess Ivan sat in front of Liliana with a gentle expression.
In a warm voice, she began to speak.
“Instead of a full lesson today, I’d like to see how well you can follow along, Miss Liliana.”
“Yes, teacher.”
Liliana replied demurely.
Countess Ivan opened a book and placed it in front of Liliana.
“Please read page 36.”
“It was a festival night. Crimson sparks soared into the black sky, and people danced beneath them. And…”
Though her voice trembled slightly from nerves, Liliana read the book clearly and distinctly.
Anriche, seated a little farther away, covered her mouth with both hands as she listened to Liliana’s reading.
*‘Our Liliana truly sounds like jade beads rolling on a silver tray, doesn’t she?’*
Anriche had to suppress her urge to gush over the girl.
However, it seemed that Countess Ivan was not particularly pleased.
The countess subtly frowned, but only so Liliana could see.
*‘What should I do? I must have disappointed the teacher.’*
Liliana unconsciously glanced around to gauge the mood.
“Oh dear, it seems Miss Liliana is quite nervous.”
“Um, that is…”
“Your posture is slumped, and your gaze looks weary.”
The countess’s gentle tone sounded genuinely concerned for Liliana.
“Moreover, dear, if you keep hunching your shoulders like that, isn’t it uncomfortable?”
Startled by the question, Liliana promptly straightened her shoulders.
“As a lady of nobility, you must always be graceful. Grace begins with proper posture.”
“Y-You’re right. That makes sense.”
“And earlier, when you were reading, your voice trembled excessively…”
Countess Ivan trailed off.
At her words, Anriche narrowed her eyes slightly.
Of course, Countess Ivan’s comments were entirely accurate.
However…
*‘Liliana hasn’t had any opportunities for education until now!’*
Yet, Countess Ivan was holding Liliana to the same standard she would for any other noble lady she had taught.
Even though she knew of Liliana’s unique circumstances.
*‘Well, it’s something a teacher would say…’*
Still, focusing solely on Liliana’s shortcomings felt a bit harsh.
The girl already lacked confidence as it was…
“Still, our Liliana read the book without stuttering even once, didn’t she?”