I felt wronged and angry.

However, even in the midst of that, I remembered something Lord Joseph had told me this morning.

“It will be a very difficult time for the Duchess. Especially regarding Chelsea… no, Prince Chersion.”

Somehow. When I asked what it was about, he said ‘it would be much better to hear it directly.’

He was right. If I had heard about Chersion’s condition from Lord Joseph, I wouldn’t have been able to start the morning with a clear head.

Whether I caused a commotion saying not to talk nonsense or went to find someone to make trouble, it would have been impossible to have a conversation with Lord Joseph.

“But don’t worry too much. I can solve the Prince’s problem.”

So let’s do what we can to protect the children.

That’s what Lord Joseph told me.

“…Duchess.”

My mind, which had sunk to the depths of the sea, was barely salvaged.

Only then did I realize that the three people had been watching me with worried eyes for a while.

“The reason I couldn’t tell you about the Young Master’s condition for the past few years is because I also needed years of follow-up examinations to confirm this symptom.”

I nodded blankly. Yes, I understand.

Of course, it would take a standard index and period of time to determine how long and how accurately Chersion retains certain memories.

“Unfortunately, there is no cure for this little-known symptom. But we’ve come up with ways to overcome it, so you don’t need to worry too much.”

“……”

“You’ll get through this well. Prince Chersion has been doing well so far.”

I nodded weakly.

Normally, I would have been furious, saying there’s no such thing, and that I would create a foundation to research a cure no matter how much money it cost.

I would have demanded what meaning there was in just expecting the child to endure.

But strangely, I didn’t feel like that now.

There must be a reason why my son’s symptoms don’t feel real yet. But more than that, it’s probably because I have the hope of Lord Joseph.

He clearly told me.

‘He would solve it.’

I finally caught my breath. It was then that Ernestine, one of the two tutors who had been eyeing each other, called out to me hesitantly.

“So… I’ve decided, Duchess.”

He said with a face that looked like he was about to burst into tears.

“Until now, I’ve worked for Baron Baden to preserve my safety, but not anymore.”

With a determined voice, he continued.

“Not only as an educator, but as a human being! I cannot work for Baron Baden knowing this. I don’t know what you’ll think, Duchess, but the Young Masters and Young Lady are special students to me.”

“……”

And the moment I heard his words, I felt my mind clearing.

Yes, I can’t just stay dazed forever.

Certainly, Chersion’s matter is heartbreaking, but at that moment I needed to clearly recognize what I had to do.

Now I need to resolve the issue of the tutors, especially Ernestine’s. That’s how my children and I can escape from Baron Baden’s influence.

“I understand what you’re saying, sir.”

“If, if you don’t believe me…”

“No. I believe you.”

I got up. Then I took out a few documents I had kept in the desk drawer, and also picked up the box I had placed beside the desk.

The box was full of letters. They were the ones the butler had brought over the past few days.

“But before you take care of my children, shouldn’t you take care of your family first?”

I brought all of them and placed them in front of Ernestine.

“This is…?”

“Please check.”

These were all things that Lord Joseph and I had prepared for today over the past week. I deliberately put the most important ones on top.

Things like Mrs. Ernestine’s diagnosis and medical bill details.

“I found out that your wife is quite seriously ill. But it seems you haven’t called a doctor at all, so I sent Daiern’s physician. I told him to make regular house calls from now on. Ah, that’s the diagnosis, and the one with it would be the list of medical expenses.”

“……”

According to the physician’s report, Mrs. Ernestine’s illness was not terribly fatal.

In other words, it was the kind that could be completely cured if she received consistent treatment.

The problem was that the medicinal ingredients for treatment were quite rare.

The cost of preparing the medicine once was quite substantial, and even I was surprised by the price when I received the bill from the physician.

Even so, it’s certainly not something I can’t afford. It might be a bit difficult by average commoner standards.

Naturally, Ernestine’s face turned ashen at my words about sending the physician.

“It’s… grateful, Duchess. But I haven’t been able to treat my wife not because I don’t want to take care of her. Because I don’t have enough money for treatment…”

“What?”

I pretended to be excessively surprised on purpose.

I know all about his circumstances, but there’s no point in letting him know I’ve investigated.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Ernestine’s reputation is known to everyone in the capital’s social circles. Aside from the number of audience members every time a play is staged, isn’t just the script fee astronomical?”

“That is actually…”

Finally, he explained his circumstances as if spitting it out.

His family situation, and the lump-sum contract for scripts with his patron, Baron Baden.

As expected, Mr. Jepetto’s reaction was nonchalant, as if he already knew.

However, Mr. Rogier’s eyes narrowed as he listened to the story.

It can’t be helped. He may be working as my children’s tutor now, but he’s a merchant to the bone.

He would be able to understand Ernestine’s contract with Baron Baden just by hearing about it.

How full of unfair and vicious poison clauses it is.

“…So you made a lump-sum contract, and according to the contract, you can’t terminate the sponsorship contract first.”

“Yes, that’s right. So I’m grateful that you sent a physician to my wife, but I’m not in a position to pay for this treatment.”

“…Hmm.”

This time too, I pretended to ponder. Ernestine also bowed his head deeply.

“I’m truly sorry, Duchess. I will somehow manage to arrange for these medical expenses.”

His voice was coarsely cracked, as if consumed by despair. I recalled Lord Joseph’s words and measured the timing.

“Draw out the time. Surely dozens, hundreds of ways to break through Ernestine’s situation will come to mind for the Duchess. But at that time, just ponder. Then the right moment will come.”

As he said, I remained silent at first.

I crossed my arms and deliberately clicked my tongue as if deep in thought.

It seems Ernestine was the one who became anxious. After fidgeting with his hands for a while, his eyes finally landed on the other letters.

He might have been a little surprised. After all, the senders of those letters piled up in the box would all be noble ladies.

“…Um, but Duchess. What are all these letters?”

“Ah, those.”

I spoke as if I just remembered.

“They are letters addressed to you, sir. For the past few days, letters have been continuously arriving from noble ladies. So at first, I thought they were for me.”

Ernestine reached out to the pile of letters and picked up an envelope. I had prepared a paper knife on the table in anticipation of this moment.

Eventually, surprise clouded Ernestine’s eyes as he opened the top of the envelope and checked its contents.

What he found and took out of the envelope was banknotes.

And quite a large sum at that.

“This is…?”

You don’t understand why banknotes are coming out of there, do you?

I know, but.

Anyway, the very confused Ernestine began to read the letter.

Probably something like this would be written there:

‘Mr. Ernestine. I am a lady or wife of such-and-such family who has long been your fan. This work was also very excellent. I don’t know how many times I’ve watched and rewatched your beautiful opera, shedding tears. It’s no exaggeration to say that the joy of my life is watching your operas.’

The initial greeting would start roughly like that.

The main point would be like this:

‘But recently I heard a strange rumor. It was news that your work would not be performed next quarter. With such a heavy heart, I was worried about what circumstances you might be in, so I inquired, and goodness. I had no idea you were under such a contract with Baron Baden.’

Lord Joseph said that within a week, word of Baron Baden’s evil deeds would spread through the undercurrents of high society.

But unfortunately, I knew that his rumors would not become a big enough issue to surface publicly.

Because those who actually have the authority to punish Baron Baden or can effectively disadvantage him would not be interested in this matter.