Lady Felice’s Secret Class - Chapter 91

As the sky turned crimson, the eastern garden was bathed in golden light. The setting sun slipped between the ancient oaks, casting a gentle warmth across every blade of grass, while the muggy summer breeze carried hints of lavender, its fragrance making the evening feel pleasant in spite of the heat.

Thomas, the gardener, was now in his fifth year at the Racliffe estate. Though, compared to the many long-serving staff, he was still considered a newcomer, there was no such thing as territorial coldness in this place.

“I wonder if Annie will be here soon…”

Thomas sat down on an old wooden bench. Gazing quietly at the beautiful scene before him, he waited for his daughter, who would soon come running from the main house, smiling as always.

Looking down at his hands, he brushed the last traces of soil—evidence of a long afternoon’s work—from his fingers.

For a moment, his thoughts drifted.

He used to run a flower shop with his wife. But after she died of illness only a year after Annie was born, his life changed completely. As a first-time single parent, Thomas had no idea what he was doing, especially in those early days. He felt utterly lost.

It was then that Ben, the Racliffe estate’s butler—who had often bought seedlings from his shop—offered him a job as the gardener. Ben had said that not only would they provide food and lodging, but it would also be a better place to raise a child.

Looking into Annie’s bright, innocent face, Thomas decided to accept. And so, he became the gardener at Radcliffe.

He was a bundle of nerves the first time he met the Baron, but the man’s first question had been about Annie.

“Isn’t it hard to live in that cottage with a child? You’re welcome to move into the annex on the east side if you’d like.”

The offer was more than generous, but Thomas declined, promising instead to make the estate’s garden the finest it had ever been.

But when Annie turned four, he realized his work sometimes distracted him. If he let his guard down for even a moment, Annie would inevitably cause some commotion in the mansion. The prince would just laugh and watch her with delight.

“Children should be allowed to play as children.”

Thomas carried a quiet gratitude for that attitude.

Just then, two silhouettes appeared in the distance. A small shadow darted ahead, chased by the elegant stride of a woman. His beloved daughter, Annie, was weaving nimbly between the flowers.

“Dad!”

Annie flew into his arms.

“Did you have fun?”

“Yes!”

Annie’s grin was radiant.

At that moment, Lady Felice approached and offered a polite greeting.

“I’m sorry, once again, for Annie bothering you all day…”

“Not at all. I enjoy Annie’s company, truly. You needn’t worry.”

“Annie, remember to thank your teacher.”

“Thank you, Miss Felice! Today was so much fun! See you next time!”

With a bright smile, Annie waved and disappeared into the cottage. Felice watched her go with a gentle smile, and Thomas turned to follow his daughter inside.

But Felice called after him.

“Mr. Thomas, Annie gave me this necklace today. I accepted it so as not to hurt her feelings, but it seems quite valuable. Would you mind taking it back? If Annie asks, could you please explain to her?”

She held out the necklace—his late wife’s keepsake.

So Annie had given her mother’s necklace to the teacher.

“My wife’s keepsake…”

“I’m so sorry—I’ll return it. If Annie asks, could you please talk to her about it?”

Thomas looked at the necklace, then slowly lifted his gaze instead of reaching for it.

He thought he understood why Annie had given it to Felice.

“…I heard you’ll be accompanying the Baron to an important event soon. I imagine that’s why she gave it to you. It may look old, but that’s a real ruby necklace. Please wear it for the child’s sake, and return it later.”

“N-no, I couldn’t possibly…”

Felice protested, flustered.

Recently, Annie had been talking about princesses and princes all the time. In her eyes, Miss Felice had become less of a knight and more of a princess.

That necklace was the one his wife had splurged on the day she first met Thomas. She’d been so happy to buy it that she went for a walk outside—and that’s how she’d met Thomas.