The child tiptoed on his heels to prevent the cicada from escaping. Jacqueline swallowed her laughter and spoke with a rather solemn tone.

“Good. No one’s in sight yet. Everyone seems too busy preparing for the banquet to pay attention to us. Lucky, aren’t we?”

But at that moment, Benjamin suddenly reached out his hand.

“Miss Somerset, look at this.”

Jacqueline’s gaze inadvertently shifted to the side at his uncharacteristically excited voice.

“Hm? What is… Kyaaah!”

Simultaneously, something hideous filled her vision. Jacqueline reflexively screamed.

As if the strength had left her legs, she collapsed on the spot.

Benjamin’s eyes widened in surprise. The child, with a bewildered expression, held the object closer to Jacqueline’s face.

“It’s not a cicada, it’s a molted skin, Miss.”

“Kyaaah!”

Jacqueline’s scream shook Preston Manor. The busy manor suddenly fell silent. As if time had stopped.

It was a very strange sight.

“Benjamin Preston.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

Benjamin bowed his head deeply with a dejected look. His eyes, searching the floor, were more gloomy than ever.

His protruding lips looked sorrowful, as if barely holding back tears. Or perhaps, they looked wronged.

The future Viscount Preston must not cry.

Benjamin bit his lower lip hard and took a wet breath. His small hand formed a tiny fist.

In contrast, Jacqueline slightly raised her chin. She never bowed her head in any situation. That was the ladylike demeanor Jacqueline had learned.

Windsor was as gruff as ever. His gaze, impossible to read, suddenly took on a stern light.

“Tormenting a lady is not behavior befitting the heir of the Preston family. Do you realize how base your actions were today?”

“Lord Preston, that’s not…”

Jacqueline tried to explain with a flustered expression, but she closed her mouth at Windsor’s reproachful gaze.

“This is not a matter for Miss Somerset to intervene. This is a Preston family affair.”

The expression gradually disappeared from Jacqueline’s face. Whenever she faced his resolute attitude, it reminded her anew that Windsor was a former soldier.

And his nickname given by pirates.

She finally realized how much Windsor had been considerate of her. The pressure he exuded was suffocating.

It was not a metaphor or simile. The air in the room actually seemed to thin, making it difficult to breathe. So Jacqueline had to take several deep breaths.

Benjamin forced his unmoving lips to utter words of apology.

“I’m sorry, Uncle. I’ll be careful not to let this happen again.”

“Your apology should be directed at Miss Somerset, not me.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Somerset.”

“No, I…”

Jacqueline waved her hand with a flustered expression, but Windsor was quicker. His strict voice fell upon Benjamin’s head.

“Remember that you are the future Viscount of the Preston family.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“You may go now. Reflect in your room until dinner. And Miss Somerset, please stay for a moment.”

“Yes, Lord Preston.”

Gulp.

Jacqueline unconsciously swallowed dry saliva. It seemed to be her turn now.

Benjamin walked away with heavy steps, and as he opened the door, he turned to look at her. A deep emotion flashed briefly in his light brown eyes.

“…”

Jacqueline’s eyes widened. The emotion in the child’s eyes was not resentment, but concern. Benjamin was still kind, and Jacqueline genuinely liked this lovable child.

She pulled up the corners of her mouth bravely, as if to say not to worry. She turned her head slightly and made a funny face, visible only to the child.

But this time too, Benjamin did not smile.

Click.

“…”

As the door closed, a heavy silence fell over the study. It was the quiet that often descended when the two of them were together.

Just then, Mrs. Ritz entered with tea. After setting down the silver tray, she left the room as if escaping the uncomfortable atmosphere.

Jacqueline quietly inhaled and stared blankly at the teacup.

“You may drink the tea if you’re thirsty, Miss Somerset.”

“Yes, Lord Preston.”

She wasn’t thirsty. But Jacqueline slowly reached out her hand. It seemed better to do something in the face of the suffocating silence.

She brewed the tea with skilled movements. And she poured the tea carefully, making sure not to make a sound.

After hesitating for a moment, she filled Windsor’s cup as well. He didn’t even glance at the teacup Jacqueline handed him, just staring intently at her face.

Lamenting that her consideration didn’t seem to reach Windsor, Jacqueline took a sip of her own tea.

No sooner had she put down her cup than Windsor’s voice flew at her. Jacqueline’s eyes flinched.

If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have put the cup down.

“I thought Miss Somerset and I were in agreement about Benjamin’s education, but was that my misunderstanding?”

The calm question carried weight. An inexplicable charisma and pressure.

He was not a man swayed by intense emotions, nor one who expressed anger at any time. Therefore, the weight of his words was much heavier than others’.

Jacqueline added sugar and milk to the bitter tea and slowly stirred it with a teaspoon. As if trying to buy time to answer the difficult question.

“I don’t think it was a misunderstanding.”

“Then can you explain why Benjamin was holding a cicada shell? The Benjamin I know is not a child who would do such a thing. At least, this never happened before Miss Somerset came to the manor.”

“I’ll explain, Lord Preston.”

Jacqueline took a sip of tea elegantly and set down her cup. The fading courage at the tip of her tongue raised its head again at the subtle sweetness.

The teacup was placed on the saucer. The quiet sound of clinking broke the silence.

Jacqueline looked straight at Windsor. Her expression was as refined and composed as ever, but her mind was as busy and noisy as if hummingbirds were flying around.

Why did I scream there of all places? If I had just held it in, we wouldn’t have been caught. Next time, let’s build up more courage, Jacqueline Somerset.

After taking a quiet deep breath, she continued with a noble expression.

“This incident wasn’t Benjamin’s fault, Lord Preston. I gave him permission to touch it.”

“Is that also part of the practical education? Then what subject is touching cicada shells with bare hands?”

“Well… if we had to classify it, natural science? Biology?”

“Miss Somerset.”

Windsor’s voice lowered a bit. Jacqueline sensed that now was the time to muster her courage.

“Do you know what Benjamin likes, Lord Preston?”

Windsor’s brow furrowed at the sudden question. He met Jacqueline’s challenging gaze. After a long while, his lips parted.

“Is that important?”

“Yes, it’s very important.”

Jacqueline nodded vigorously. She forcibly put strength into her sinking chin and stood firm.

“As I mentioned before, Benjamin likes ships. He read every article about the Black Fleet’s exploits without missing a single letter. It’s the same with insects. When talking about insects, Benjamin’s eyes sparkle, like…”

“Regardless of what Benjamin likes, the fact that he is the future Viscount Preston remains unchanged.”

Windsor cut her off decisively before she could finish. But Jacqueline shook her head. This time, she had no intention of backing down easily.

“Even if he were His Majesty the King, not just Viscount Preston, he would still have things he likes. That will make his life a little richer and more vivid. It was the same for me.”

Confidence gradually returned to her voice. Jacqueline was certain about her educational philosophy.

“I particularly liked paintings from a young age. That made me curious about the artists who painted them, and being curious about the artists made me curious about their lives. Naturally, I came to study the art history of the kingdom, and my eye for paintings improved. Thanks to that, I can feel much more than others even when looking at the same painting. A life with many likes is surely a world more abundant and vivid than before. I hope the world Benjamin sees is not black and white, but colorful.”

“Fine. Let’s say that an interest in art is beneficial to a nobleman’s accomplishments. But what advantage does an interest in insects have for the Viscount Preston?”

Viscount Preston, Viscount Preston at the end of every sentence!

Jacqueline’s eyes finally narrowed. Talking to this stubborn man seemed worse than talking to a wall.

The conversation never progressed, always returning to the starting point. Jacqueline’s voice became sharp. Perhaps she was even angry.

“Does liking something always have to have a benefit?”

“The world Benjamin will live in is not as easy as Miss Somerset says. Scammers aiming for the Preston family’s fortune will tempt Benjamin with sweet words, and some will envy the position of Viscount Preston and wish for Benjamin’s downfall.”

“…”

“At that time, do you think it will be mere cicada shells or interest in ships that will protect Benjamin? No, it will not. It will be the knowledge, refinement, and social skills Benjamin learned as the future Viscount Preston.”

Jacqueline couldn’t say anything. Windsor’s calm voice grabbed her by the collar from the fairytale world she was in and dragged her back to reality.

His words weren’t wrong. She was naive, and he was rational. Perhaps someone would side with Windsor.

But Jacqueline didn’t want to easily agree with those words. Especially when she recalled Benjamin’s appearance, accustomed to holding back in a way that didn’t suit his age.

Jacqueline’s lips moved as if to say something, but she bit her lower lip again. It was because she realized it was time to back down.

The stubborn Windsor had no intention of listening to her advice, and Jacqueline’s assertion would become an empty cry.

“I’ll be careful not to let this happen again.”

No, I’ll be careful not to get caught again.

Her expression, which had been noble until just now, took on a remorseful look. Windsor, who had been staring at her intently, nodded.

“I’ll trust you one last time. I hope you won’t disappoint me again, Miss Somerset.”

“I’ll try, Lord Preston.”

“I want you to prove it with results, not effort. You may go now.”