Chapter 15
Don’t be flustered, Felice.
“…Teacher?”
“Ah, yes. I was a bit surprised by your enthusiasm today. When we spoke before, you didn’t seem particularly eager… so this is a relief.”
Felice gently withdrew her hand from Claude’s.
“But there’s no need to rush. The level and style of physical contact will be adjusted during the second lesson when you tell me about your ideal type. After all, the approach changes depending on the woman involved.”
“Ah… I see.”
Felice nodded briefly, closed the ink bottle, and wiped the quill.
“I was worried when we started, but I’m truly relieved. I’m also surprised at how naturally you interact with women. It seems you don’t even need theory lessons. So let’s end today’s lesson here and talk about your ideal type next time.”
Felice smiled brightly.
After tidying her things on the table, she hid her trembling hands beneath the desk and smiled even wider.
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Claude nodded.
Felice quickly closed her notebook and stuffed her belongings back into her bag, worried he might ask more questions.
“Oh, teacher.”
Just as she was about to close her bag, Claude called her again.
“We’re expecting guests for the next two days. We’ll hold lessons after they’ve left.”
“Understood. Is there anything I should be careful about when the guests arrive?”
“…No.”
After a brief pause, Claude shook his head.
Rising with a glance that said it was okay to leave, he personally opened the door to see Felice off.
“Well then, see you at the next lesson.”
Felice bowed politely and returned to her room.
* * *
Although Claude said there was nothing she needed to be cautious about, Felice planned to barely leave her room during those two days.
The rumors that would inevitably spread about a tutor living in the mansion of a nobleman with neither spouse nor children were obvious. Of course, Claude wouldn’t want to get caught up in such awkward gossip either.
His true identity, long kept secret, was due to be revealed with the marriage announcement.
The next day, Felice brought several large loaves of bread and water to her room.
She had heard from the butler that the party starting that evening would last until the next morning.
Since most guests would become utterly intoxicated and sometimes couldn’t get up even after the sun had set the next day, Felice had been asked to be cautious, so she brought plenty of food just in case.
At first, she wondered if she’d overpacked, but as the raucous noise outside continued until dawn, she was glad she’d brought enough to cover the next day’s meals too.
Their voices rang out nonstop with boisterous laughter as they drank and celebrated without pause.
Covering her ears and trying to sleep, Felice soon gave up and lay awake in bed, eyes wide open. Time passed like that for a while.
“Madam, did you know? Sir Racliffe ended up acquiring all the estate of Viscount Whitmore, the notorious collector.”
A woman’s slurred voice, clearly intoxicated, came from nearby.
Felice was sure the butler had taken measures to keep guests from coming near her side of the house…
Startled, she slowly propped herself up and quietly locked the door before they could approach any further.
“With the railway business booming, I heard that last year, at Viscount Whitmore’s request, Sir Racliffe took everything. That money seems to have covered some taxes and debts, but reclaiming a lifetime’s worth of collections must be tough.”
“Oh my, so it was all given by request. Viscount Whitmore is fortunate then. Sir Racliffe will surely keep Whitmore’s estate safe.”
“Indeed. Now that you mention it, those items must be in this mansion.”
“Oh… the auction that caused such a stir two years ago?”
“Yes. I was at the auction then, and men… The bidding for that sword was unbelievable.”
“Right? Viscount Whitmore, the collector, must have had dozens of swords, but I heard he cherished the admiral’s sword the most.”
Admiral? Two years ago?
Felice’s mind raced—could that be her grandfather’s sword? She blinked rapidly.
“Anyway, Sir Racliffe’s fortune is said to be enormous. Even the wealthy would struggle to buy all of Whitmore’s collection at full price.”
“I heard his family was rich, but with the railway business booming, it’s beyond imagination now.”
“Oh my…”
As Felice listened to the ladies’ gossip, suddenly—clunk, clunk—the door to her room moved.
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