“I’ve looked into it, and it seems that only Young Master Chersion was on the third floor at that time yesterday.”

First, I checked the alibis of the servants.

However, the time when Chersion last confirmed the goldfish were safe was when dinner preparations had to be made, so most of the servants were said to be on the first floor.

The reception room would have needed cleaning right after Prince Raphael left as well.

“What about the maids who were tidying up the guest rooms on the fourth floor?”

“Lady Euphemina was overseeing that area. They say everyone cleaned nervously because the lady was watching so intently.”

Hmm.

‘The tutors staying in the guest rooms on the first floor are prohibited from entering the second floor.’

Teacher Rogier’s room is also on the first floor. He was said to be taking a garden walk with Chersion.

“Then have you found out the cause of the goldfish’s death?”

“About that……”

The butler answered with an ambiguous expression.

“We checked the components of the goldfish food, but there was nothing unusual.”

“What did the pet shop say?”

“They said goldfish can die within a day if the composition or temperature of the water they live in changes suddenly. Or if the aquarium is constantly tapped, they can also die suddenly from feeling fatigued.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. According to the shop owner, the other goldfish in the same tank are healthy, so it’s probably an issue of adaptability. They offered to send new goldfish.”

“No, tell them that won’t be necessary.”

“Understood.”

Since the aim was to find the cause rather than seek compensation, new goldfish would be meaningless.

Above all, I didn’t think giving Chersion new goldfish would make him happy.

‘Hmm, is it really just an adaptation issue?’

To be honest, I didn’t know the goldfish’s environment needed to be kept similar to what they were used to.

Small animals should have been handled more delicately.

Thinking about it that way, I felt like this was all my fault.

“Where is Chersion now?”

“The young master is taking a walk with Teacher Rogier. The kitchen maids and chef said they’re preparing something special for today’s snack.”

“That’s good. How did his expression look?”

“He still seems a bit down, but it looks like he’s trying to overcome it.”

That was reassuring news.

Yes, in the end, only time can soothe Chersion and make new flesh grow over the wound.

I decided to wrap up this bitter incident and focus on work again.

There was too much work I had to halt during the month-long period of mourning.

First, I had to resume social activities for managing the Daiern duchy.

I need to check the invitations to social gatherings that arrived until yesterday, and send replies declining marriage proposals as well……

‘Ah. I also need to submit a petition to the imperial family objecting to Leopold Hose’s knighthood.’

This I absolutely couldn’t forget. I gritted my teeth.

‘And the most important thing is…… the tutor issue.’

Just as I thought that, the butler announced a visitor. It was Lord Joseph, whom I had been eagerly waiting for.

“Did the goldfish end up dying?”

Lord Joseph asked me that as soon as he was shown into the reception room and took a seat.

It was even before I could marvel at his face that was unrealistically beautiful no matter when I saw it.

To that startling question that abruptly pulled me back to reality, I could only nod helplessly.

“Hearing your words, I can be certain now. If Chelsea had brought a puppy instead of goldfish yesterday, the puppy would have died. Am I right?”

“…Yes. Unfortunately. Goldfish or guppies were the least painful sacrifice.”

The least painful sacrifice.

It meant that if it had been another animal, Chersion’s grief would have been greater than it is now.

‘Fortunate.’

It is fortunate, but…

…I somewhat despise myself for thinking it’s fortunate at this point.

“Then have you caught the culprit?”

“What culprit?”

“The culprit who killed the goldfish.”

“Ah.”

I grew a little tired at Lord Joseph’s question.

‘I thought the regressor or whatever Lord Joseph wouldn’t be unaware of this.’

Now it seems that’s not the case either.

‘Come to think of it, they probably wouldn’t have disclosed the intimate details of what happens inside the house to outsiders.’

I decided to change the subject. I didn’t want to review my mistake by mentioning an issue that was already over.

If I continued, I felt like my self-loathing would only deepen.

“Let’s stop talking about the goldfish. Rather, I want to discuss the tutors.”

“I apologize for my rudeness. But I would like to say this.”

He smiled gently, folding his beautiful red eyes, and gazed at me.

“As long as I am a tutor at Daiern, such incidents will not happen again. No matter what.”

“……”

That gaze full of confidence was enough to reassure me. I finally exhaled the breath I had been holding and stroked my chest.

“Come to think of it, Kar will be waiting at the training ground. He said you would be doing a physical examination today, Lord Joseph.”

“I haven’t forgotten.”

Three days have already passed.

During that time, the Daiern mansion was peaceful without any special incidents.

Chersion has become bright again like before, Euphemina still visits the greenhouse every morning, and Kardiel is training his physical strength at the training ground during break times.

‘It would be nice if we could spend three years safely like this, but……’

As long as Baron Baden is holding out, that won’t happen.

Oh right. I can’t help but boast about the results of Lord Joseph’s physical examination of Kardiel that day. No less than…

‘He marveled that he’s a born martial artist!’

Especially how good his physical condition is, his strength, agility, flexibility, endurance, reflexes…… what else was there?

Anyway, he said he has a body optimized for learning swordsmanship.

Did he say he could handle not just swords, but any weapon he wants?

‘Heheh. To think our Kardiel is this exceptional!’

I don’t know how much I struggled to suppress the urge to go out to any social gathering right away and boast about Kardiel.

But that wasn’t something to be entirely happy about. Lord Joseph spoke with a worried face.

At that point, the person capable of teaching Kardiel would have to be at least at the level of the kingdom’s elite knights, he said.

At that time, I think I carefully observed Kardiel’s face. Because this isn’t something I can decide on my own.

Kardiel, who had been holding back his words with deeply sunken eyes, finally asked Lord Joseph.

For a moment, I almost jumped up. Learning swordsmanship from Lord Joseph?

Isn’t that obviously not possible?

It’s not that I don’t know Lord Joseph’s swordsmanship is extraordinary.

I remember the single sword strike he wielded to save me had an almost magical power.

But that’s precisely why Lord Joseph’s sword is dangerous.

A thoroughly practical style of swordsmanship, they say.

‘Doesn’t that mean it’s an aggressive weapon technique meant to harm others?’

Just as I was about to voice my opposition, Lord Joseph added in a firm voice.

In conclusion.

Kardiel immediately promised Lord Joseph and me right there.

He didn’t even seem to be contemplating much.

As if he had intended to do so all along, he rather seemed to look forward to having Lord Joseph as his master.

Perhaps for Kardiel, Lord Joseph’s sword that day might have become an object of admiration.

In any case, I was relieved by Kardiel’s attitude, and hoped the two would form a good relationship.

And then…

“As you may have already heard, this is Count Joseph Obreim Alperon. He will be in charge of your overall education along with Teacher Saul Rogier from now on. So if you have any questions or requests regarding learning and education, you should seek out Lord Joseph first, not me, from now on.”

“Understood, Stepmother.”

“Yes.”

“Yes!”

“I look forward to working with you, Young Duke. And Lady, Young Lord.”

I arranged a place for the children to meet the tutors.

Finally, Lord Joseph and Baroness Baden moved in last night.

This occasion is quite important.

Not only do I need to introduce the tutors to the children, but the tutors also need to know each other.

“And Baroness Katerina Jeanne Baden here will assist as Euphemina’s chaperone. Remember to always be accompanied by the baroness wherever you go from now on.”

“Wherever I go?”

“Yes, wherever you go.”

“Yes.”

Euphemina’s response carried a slightly annoyed tone.

Of course, this is an emotion only I and the children could perceive.

On the surface, Euphemina just smiled vaguely with her usual blank face.