Children from noble families knew their place well and were shrewd accordingly. They instinctively understood who was above and below them, and knew how to use their status.

That’s why the nannies had long given up on actually caring for the children. They felt they had done their job just by trailing behind the children like goldfish poop.

But those shrewd children were now sitting quietly without making a sound. The nannies blinked repeatedly as they watched this sight.

As if wondering what magic the governess named Jacqueline Somerset had worked.

***

Windsor was tired. He pressed his temples firmly and tilted his head to one side. Then he closed his eyes gently while resting his chin on the back of his hand.

The nobles he had met after a long time were more childish than his six-year-old nephew. They boasted about their money and boats like children showing off toys.

Yet they couldn’t bring themselves to say “let’s play together” and only watched each other carefully. Waiting for the other to invite them first.

Being part of that crowd was quite draining. Especially for Windsor, who valued efficiency and speed.

He preferred direct conversations over subtle games of hiding one’s true intentions. Perhaps a habit from his time in the military, where he was accustomed to precise orders.

“To attend such gatherings every day, they are truly remarkable in some ways.”

Sarcasm flowed from between Windsor’s teeth. Just as he was about to get up from his seat to go to bed, glaring at the pitch darkness.

“……”

A faint footstep was heard. The sound that started from the opposite corridor gradually grew louder, then slowly faded away again.

Windsor knew whose footsteps they were. Heavier than Benjamin’s, more graceful than a maid’s.

After staring into the darkness for a moment, he turned around. As he went down the stairs, he heard clattering sounds from the kitchen. He headed straight for where the sound came from.

Sure enough, a pale shadow could be seen moving in the kitchen.

“Weren’t we supposed to call a maid for such tasks?”

“Eek…!”

Startled by the sudden presence, Jacqueline reflexively screamed. Windsor quickly approached and covered her mouth. The scream that had escaped her lips went back down her throat.

Gulp, she swallowed her scream and opened her eyes wide.

“Mmph mmph?”

He felt warm breath between his palms. The ticklish sensation on his spine made his fingers curl involuntarily.

Windsor frowned slightly and carelessly withdrew his hand. But his palm still felt tingly, as if her breath was still touching it.

Windsor quietly clenched his fist as if to drive away that unfamiliar feeling. Meanwhile, Jacqueline, who had sighed in relief, gave a belated answer.

“They must have been exhausted from cleaning up after the party, so I felt bad about waking someone who had just fallen asleep.”

“Is that so?”

“Does Lord Preston need anything too? Shall I get you some water?”

He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed slowly. Jacqueline took out teacups after putting the kettle on the stove with familiar movements.

“According to Lord Preston’s perfect schedule, shouldn’t bedtime have passed by 30 minutes already?”

“Exactly 37 minutes have passed.”

Jacqueline paused as she was setting up the teacups. Then she let out a light laugh at the very Windsor-like answer.

She reached for a new teacup and said:

“After meeting familiar faces after a long time, I have a lot on my mind and can’t sleep. Would you like some tea too, Lord Preston?”

Familiar faces.

Windsor recalled the faces of those who attended the gathering. And the whispers they exchanged about Jacqueline.

She probably would have been part of that crowd until a few years ago. Unlike Windsor who felt tired, she would have naturally been a member of that group.

She did effortlessly what he had to struggle with. Suddenly, he felt the distance between her and himself.

Instead of answering, Windsor slowly peeled himself off the wall. He opened the cupboard and took out a bottle of whiskey. And a crystal glass too.

“I’m used to doing it myself.”

“Ah, right. That’s true.”

Jacqueline said that, but still moved busily. She opened the tea canister to smell the aroma, and scooped out some tea leaves. As she poured the boiling water into the teapot, she set up the teacups.

“You came alone tonight.”

“Pardon?”

Jacqueline stopped what she was doing and turned her head, as if not understanding what he meant. Windsor gestured with his chin towards her empty chest.

“I mean the teddy bear that’s afraid of being alone at night.”

“Ah.”

Only then did she burst into a bright laugh. Thinking it was a smile that drove away the darkness, Windsor narrowed his eyes slightly.

Sometimes he wondered how she could laugh so heartily. Just as Windsor fought the enemy with all his might, she laughed with all her might.

“Fortunately, I’m not alone tonight. I made a new friend.”

He threw a questioning glance, but instead of answering, Jacqueline neatly picked up her share of the tray.

“If you’re scared of drinking alone, shall I be your friend?”

“……”

Windsor frowned faintly.

Scared? Who?

He had never felt scared before. Even during battles with pirates. Even in the midst of a battlefield with bullets flying, he had never felt fear.

Instead of fear, his mind was filled with the most efficient calculations for victory. Perhaps he could be brave because he had nothing left behind him.

“Shall we go to the living room?”

She had no intention of waiting for Windsor’s answer.

Jacqueline, who had placed the lamp on the tray, took the lead, and Windsor silently followed her. With a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a crystal glass in the other.

Only then did Windsor click his tongue softly. Sometimes this happened. Times when he got caught up in her pace in an instant.

It was a very unfamiliar sensation for Windsor, who had clear opinions and preferences. Generally, decisions were his to make, not the other person’s.

Jacqueline, who had arrived in front of the living room, stepped back as if it were natural, and Windsor opened the door. Sitting on the sofa, she placed the lamp on the table and skillfully steeped the tea.

“You worked hard.”

Jacqueline finally uttered those words like a sigh after taking a sip of tea. Windsor only raised his eyebrows as he brought the moderately poured alcohol to his mouth.

“You were perfect from start to finish.”

“From start to finish, you say. As far as I know, you didn’t see me eating. Is my memory incorrect?”

“How could that be? Lord Preston’s memory is always unparalleled.”

Jacqueline retorted primly, then added in a softer voice the next moment.

“But no one spoke ill of Lord Preston. Well, not entirely, but at least not about your table manners. So it’s not wrong to evaluate it as a success.”

“Not entirely.”

Windsor quietly repeated what she had said. Jacqueline flinched and brought the teacup to her mouth.

Well, if the king had been there, he too would have been gossiped about. Those who liked to talk about others didn’t discriminate. They only adjusted the volume of their voices.

In that sense, Windsor self-evaluated that today’s gathering went quite well.

“It’s thanks to having an excellent governess.”

“I can hardly deny that.”

Jacqueline puffed out her chest as if showing off. A laugh escaped from between his teeth. Jacqueline opened her eyes wide, but the laughter that had scattered like smoke was already gone.

And at that moment, Windsor realized that his headache, which had been throbbing until just now, had cleared up completely.

He couldn’t tell if it was because of the conversation with Jacqueline or because of the alcohol coursing through his veins. However, it was clear that his mood had improved considerably compared to a little while ago.

As if he had just remembered something, Windsor turned his gaze to her.

“By the way, the children were quite noisy when they were leaving. Did something happen on the second floor?”

“Hmm……”

Jacqueline brought the teacup to her mouth. Slowly, as if trying to buy time to answer.

She recalled the children who had followed her like ducklings until the very last moment.

Even when it was time to leave, twelve pairs of eyes were wide awake. There was no sign of sleepiness, let alone fatigue.

And at the last moment, they all counted their candies with tense expressions. They also glanced nervously at the number of candies in other children’s hands.

The boy who collected the most candies was Justin, the one with a missing front tooth.

“Wow, I’m first!”

“No way! Oh my goodness!”

“Lucky you.”

The children who didn’t win first place looked disappointed or envious. Justin, who came forward proudly, held out both hands to Jacqueline.

“Now give me the prize!”

“Alright.”

Jacqueline nodded and headed somewhere. Benjamin, who had been watching her back with a rather tense look, finally opened his eyes wide.

Jacqueline returned with a red velvet box. Benjamin, who knew what was inside, made a strange expression.

“It’s one of Benjamin’s treasured possessions.”

“Treasure……”

Justin received the box with an expectant expression. The luxurious velvet cloth alone was extraordinary. Other children gathered around to peek.

“What is it? What’s inside?”

“Open it quickly. Hurry.”

“Okay.”

Gulp, Justin swallowed dryly and opened the lid with a solemn expression. Benjamin turned to her and called, “Miss Somerset.”

“Hm? Ah, sorry, Benjamin. I put that up as a prize without asking your permission. But I’ll get you the same thing tomorrow.”

That wasn’t what he meant, but Benjamin nodded quietly. The boy who finally opened the box paused.

“What… is this?”

“Move aside. What is it?”

Oakley pushed through the circle of children and looked at what was inside the box. Then he threw a puzzled look at Jacqueline.

She slightly raised her chin as if showing off.

“How is it? Cool, right?”

Jacqueline paused there for a moment and glanced towards where the nannies were gathered, lowering her voice.

“It’s better not to let the adults know. We might have it taken away.”

“Wow!”

At that moment, Justin jumped up and down on the spot. His round eyes sparkled. Everyone looked at Justin with envious expressions.

“This is a cicada shell!”

“Shh, we shouldn’t let the nannies hear!”

“Ah, right!”

“It’s really cool. I want one too.”

A girl who had peeled and put a now-unnecessary candy wrapper in her mouth reached out towards the box but was caught. Justin quickly closed the lid of the box and pulled it towards himself.

“This is mine!”

“Tch.”

Justin was as triumphant as a victorious general.

Benjamin tilted his head watching this scene. As if he couldn’t understand why they were so happy over just a cicada shell.

Probably countless cicada shells would be lying around in the gardens of those children’s homes too.

“Ah.”