However, that doesn’t mean Ernestine came to lead a life as wealthy as her fame.

This was because her contract with her patron, the Margrave of Baden, was a flat-fee arrangement.

At first, the flat-fee contract was beneficial, as it provided a steady income to stabilize her family’s livelihood with each score she delivered.

However, as time passed, the situation changed.

As her reputation grew, theaters demanded at least opera-level scripts, and for that scale of work, the money she could receive was not much compared to the time invested.

In short, it was not cost-effective.

Meanwhile, she had to consider the cost of raising her newborn daughter, worry about the medicine for her wife who fell ill while doing laundry, and take care of her parents who had grown too old to leave the house.

At this rate, she would have to borrow money from creditors again.

Ernestine decided she had no choice but to swallow her pride and visit the Margrave of Baden. She intended to ask for an adjustment to the contract.

After hearing her situation, the Margrave of Baden nodded and made a new proposal.

“Teach my poor nieces and nephews who might be driven out at any time by their wicked stepmother.”

At first, Ernestine was reluctant to get involved in the nobles’ family feud.

But there were circumstances that any adult with compassion would have to participate in.

The deceased duke and the Duchess Daiern as stepmother, three children not related by blood…

Above all, the Margrave of Baden promised to revise the flat-fee contract if the children’s safety was secured at the end of this matter.

‘Realizing social justice and easing the burden on my family.’

Thus, Ernestine entered the mansion as Daiern’s tutor, with a trembling heart.

There was one thing a bit different from what she expected.

The relationship between Duchess Daiern and the children seemed more amicable than she thought.

‘…It must be my imagination. Stockholm syndrome isn’t anything special after all.’

Originally, it’s difficult to distinguish villains by appearance alone. Besides, her job was already set.

‘I just need to teach the children diligently! While also watching to make sure the Duchess doesn’t harm them.’

But on the other hand, Ernestine also harbored this thought.

‘…How wonderful it would be if the Duchess just had a change of heart and came to love the young masters and lady…’

Although they weren’t related by blood, there are bonds in this world stronger than blood ties.

Moreover, in Ernestine’s view, the three children of the ducal family were sufficiently, even excessively, lovable.

Even though she had only taught them for a single day yesterday, she had already become an ardent fan of the three children.

Especially, her affection for young master Chersion was extraordinary.

The eleven-year-old young master, as lovely as an angel, really reminded her more and more of the son she had parted with five years ago.

Of course, if she were to say this to anyone, they would be shocked.

The difference in status between a commoner barely considered part of the propertied class and a noble born into nobility is as vast as that between heaven and earth.

‘But to think there’s an evil stepmother tormenting such an adorable young master Chersion!’

No matter how she thought about it, Duchess Daiern was bad.

Our young master, how hard it must have been for him. How worried he must be about the future.

“Sniff!”

The moment such thoughts pierced her emotions, something seemed to well up inside her.

Ernestine unconsciously covered her face with her sleeve to hide her reddening eyes.

“Teacher El?”

At that, Chersion came running over and clung to her skirt.

“I’m sorry… Because of me…”

“No, sniff. It’s not that. What wrong could you have possibly done, young master… Sniff. It’s just that some dust got in my eye…”

“It doesn’t seem like dust…”

Somehow, now it seemed like Chersion was even looking out for her mood.

To think that she, a mere employee, would make the young master she serves personally concern himself with her feelings. In any other noble household, a stern rebuke would have been immediate.

“Really, really, I’m fine, sniff…! I’ve needlessly worried you, young master. Then… shall we start the lesson before it gets any later?”

Ernestine barely managed to swallow her dejection.

The kind Chersion still had a face full of worry, but at the mention of starting the lesson, he reluctantly returned to his seat.

That reflexive attitude alone was enough to know how much the child was looking forward to this lesson.

Ugh! How could any being with a heart not love such a child?

“From today… I thought we might try a lesson in lyric writing.”

“Lyric writing?”

But upon hearing those words, Chersion’s face immediately contorted with a different kind of worry.

She had expected as much.

After all, in yesterday’s first composition lesson, Chersion hadn’t been able to create even a single melody or line of lyrics.

So, being told they would do the same thing again must be quite burdensome.

He might have become intimidated, thinking he lacked talent.

“No, no. It’s not difficult, really.”

However, Ernestine thought that she couldn’t judge whether Chersion had talent for composition and lyric writing based on just one day’s experience.

It could simply be that he felt psychological pressure because the fields of lyric writing and composition seemed difficult.

So Ernestine had spent the entire evening pondering what method might be easier for a young child to approach.

“It’s not like lyric writing, just think of it as playing a game with me from now on, and it might be more enjoyable.”

“A game…?”

As expected, Chersion’s eyes immediately lit up at the mention of a game.

Receiving that gaze, Ernestine quickly approached the piano and took her seat.

Ding ding dong dong, Ernestine tapped out the most basic C major melody on the keys and finally explained the rules.

“Now, you remember the melody well, don’t you? From now on, we’ll express your feelings or thoughts to match this melody.”

“Uh…?”

To Chersion, who tilted his head, Ernestine decided to demonstrate first with a gentle smile.

“The weather is getting cold, winter must be coming. When will it snow, I wonder when we’ll make a snowman.”

“Wow!”

Before even grasping the rules, Chersion burst out in admiration. Then, with an “Ah!”, he responded to Ernestine’s words(?).

“That’s right, I saw frost this morning!”

Then Ernestine chuckled again and tapped the keys.

“Frost falling, I didn’t know that. It must already be winter, and I alone didn’t realize.”

Chersion, who had been full of concern until just now, finally burst into laughter and approached the piano.

Ernestine, as if she had been waiting, gave up her seat.

Ding ding dong dong. With just a few listens, the same melody from before was captured at Chersion’s fingertips.

Before Ernestine could marvel anew, this time Chersion’s voice settled onto the melody.

“This morning, brother Kar went to the training ground. If he meets the frost, he’ll say, winter has come!”

“Ho ho ho ho.”

“Is, is this how I should do it?”

“Yes, yes! You’re doing splendidly, young master. Oh ho ho!”

“Hehehe.”

Of course, one couldn’t ignore that Chersion’s voice was quite clear and cute.

But even setting that aside, that song just now was a very satisfactory result for Ernestine.

As expected! It worked! In just two tries, this lovely young master had perfectly grasped the basics of lyric writing!

This was the opportunity, now that Chersion had clearly regained his confidence.

Ernestine naturally decided to move the lyric writing lesson to the next level.

“Then how about we try something a bit more fun now?”

“Something fun?”

“Yes, I’ll give you an assignment from now on. Ah, don’t worry. The reason it’s an assignment is because you’ll need time to think alone without anyone interrupting, ho ho.”

Chersion, who had stiffened at the word ‘assignment’, soon relaxed at the words that followed.

“A week should be enough time. Of course, if you finish earlier, you can bring it sooner. Then we can do something fun right away, ho ho.”

“I’ll do it, I’ll do it quickly! What should I do?”

Ernestine cleared her throat, ahem, and presented the following task.

“Fill one side of a blank paper completely with what you like most, young master. Ah, pictures are cheating. You must write only with words.”

“What I like?”

Perhaps feeling the topic was too broad, Chersion tilted his head.

Ernestine gave a more detailed explanation.

“Literally anything the young master likes is fine. Favorite food, favorite color, favorite flower, tree, favorite clothes, shoes, hat… Anything!”

“…!”

When given specific examples, Chersion’s eyes sparkled.

He seemed to be already considering which topic to choose.