Lord Preston's Secret Tutor (47 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 27
The Earl of Saltrein glared fiercely around the room at the murmurs directed toward him. The people who had just been whispering quickly averted their eyes and feigned innocence.
Yet the unfriendly atmosphere was unmistakably palpable. Viscount Jeffman grasped his arm.
“Let’s take a short break in the lounge. We could smoke a cigar or two.”
“If I let this insult pass without a word…”
“I also have something important to discuss with you regarding the canal. Our schedules never aligned before, but now we’ve met here.”
At that moment, a man calmly stepped out from the crowd. With a genial expression, he smoothed over the situation.
Uncle Walter?
Jacqueline’s eyes widened in startled surprise. Count Greenwood, who winked at her, then turned his gaze toward Saltrein.
“It’s been a while, Lord Greenwood.”
“It’s important.”
Walter lowered his voice meaningfully. Saltrein reluctantly allowed himself to be led away by him. Only then did the banquet hall gradually return to its original atmosphere.
Benjamin approached Jacqueline’s side and, covering his mouth with both hands, whispered softly. The voice of the boy—who had persisted in patience as she’d taught him—was tinged half with reproach and half with delight.
“You’ve turned a small enemy into a big one, Miss Somerset.”
“Hmm.”
Jacqueline flicked her eyes sideways. Her gaze immediately met Windsor’s, as if he’d been watching her all along.
He raised an eyebrow, and three deep lines appeared across his forehead—sensual creases.
“I couldn’t possibly let Lord Saltrein ruin your birthday.”
Jacqueline smiled warmly, then finally stepped back a pace. The boy’s cheeks flushed bright red.
William cleared his throat loudly—“Hem!”—and then announced in a booming voice,
“We shall now unveil the birthday gift sent by His Majesty the King!”
All attention instantly shifted from her to the present. Everyone wore eager, expectant faces, wondering what the King’s gift could be.
Windsor leaned slightly toward Jacqueline, who was quietly stepping backward, and murmured softly,
“Lord Saltrein has become not the great enemy of the Preston family—but yours, Miss Somerset.”
“He’s an influential figure in high society. Though called the ‘lawless one of banquets,’ no host can afford not to invite him.”
“Like raisins hidden in bread?”
“Exactly.”
Jacqueline chuckled lightly. Windsor truly was an excellent student—he remembered even her smallest jests.
“If Lord Preston had humiliated him, Saltrein wouldn’t have tolerated it. Humiliated before so many witnesses, his grudge will last a very long time. He’ll obstruct every move Lord Preston makes. Don’t underestimate his connections.”
At those words, Windsor’s expression turned flustered. So that meant Jacqueline had acted first precisely to prevent him from interfering.
Just as Windsor’s gaze deepened, she turned her head toward him with a smile.
“But what can he really do to me? I’m already just a penniless young lady. Wouldn’t it be better if I took his resentment upon myself?”
For a moment, all expression vanished from his face. Windsor stared intently at her.
Surely she hadn’t calculated all this in such a short time?
“Shh. I’m curious to see what His Majesty’s gift is.”
Jacqueline watched the white cloth with shimmering eyes. William, standing tall with squared shoulders, swept the cloth aside and declared loudly,
“The complete collection of the Kingdom’s historical records, bound in gold-leafed covers!”
“Wow!”
A hushed murmur of admiration rippled through the crowd. A single set of historical volumes sat atop the black cloth, their golden covers glittering magnificently under the chandelier’s light.
Exclamations of awe spilled continuously from the onlookers.
“No one’s ever given a six-year-old the Kingdom’s history books as a birthday present!”
“An exceptional choice! Even I would’ve picked the same. After the complete myths of the continent, the history collection is the obvious next step.”
“And not just any history books—these have golden bindings! It must be a unique masterpiece crafted by a master artisan. It shows how specially His Majesty regards Master Benjamin.”
Despite the waves of praise from all directions, Benjamin’s expression remained unchanged. The boy simply turned his calm gaze toward William.
“Please convey my thanks to His Majesty.”
“Very well. Now, I shall unveil the gift from Duke of Butler, who, unfortunately, couldn’t attend due to unforeseen circumstances.”
Pfft.
At that instant, a cold, mocking smile escaped Windsor’s lips. Normally, history books like these were gifts from a child’s parents on their birthday.
Since Benjamin’s parents had both passed away, such a gift should have rightfully come from his guardian—Windsor. But instead, the King had presented it—almost as if deliberately ignoring him.
And it wasn’t just any history set, but one lavishly adorned with gold. Had Windsor bought the history books himself, they would have been instantly compared—and inevitably overshadowed—by the King’s gift.
If this had been the King’s intention, it was a petty and spiteful move indeed.
While Windsor silently simmered with anger, William successively unveiled several more white cloths. Each time, the boy expressed his gratitude with a poise far beyond his six years.
“Lastly, the gift prepared by Lord Preston.”
The previously scattered gazes once again converged on the table. The single remaining white cloth radiated undeniable presence beneath the chandelier.
Without preamble, William swept the cloth away in one swift motion. And instantly—
“…”
The banquet hall fell into a brief silence. Everyone stared intently at the glass case on the table.
“What in the world is that…?”
Following someone’s sigh, Benjamin’s eyes widened in astonishment. Inside the large glass case sat a magnificent model of a warship—
the flagship of the Black Fleet.
The meticulously crafted replica looked so vivid it seemed ready to sail off at any moment. Tiny naval figures were even positioned precisely where they should be.
Particularly striking were the sailor saluting on the deck and the one holding a telescope atop the crow’s nest.
“Thank you, Uncle!”
For the first time, Benjamin burst into a radiant smile—his eyes sparkling with pure joy and delight.
For a moment, Windsor froze. He’d never seen this side of Benjamin before.
—I wanted to see Benjamin smile.
Suddenly, Jacqueline’s words echoed in his mind. Slowly, he turned his head. She, who had been gazing fondly at Benjamin, felt his gaze and looked up.
Their eyes met. Quietly, she lifted the corners of her lips.
See? Didn’t I tell you he’d love it?
Jacqueline’s eyes shone with triumphant pride. Just as Windsor parted his lips to speak, the children—who had been quietly holding their mothers’ hands—suddenly surged forward toward the glass case.
“Wow, it’s so cool!”
“It’s a ship from the Black Fleet! I’ve seen it in toy shops!”
“No—it’s the flagship the Admiral uses! You can tell just by the flag!”
“Father, please buy me one too! I want it!”
“Oh dear, Justin! Come back here this instant!”
The hall instantly erupted into cheerful chaos. Parents, unable to control their children, glanced nervously around at the guests, clearly embarrassed.
Benjamin still looked up at him with shining eyes. Windsor replied in a low, slow voice, “Nonsense.”
“Oh!”
Only now noticing the crowd of children gathered around the ship, Benjamin paled and rushed forward—afraid someone might take away his birthday present.
He flung his arms wide and wrapped them protectively around the glass case. Abandoning the decorum expected of a proper heir, he stubbornly declared,
“This is mine! It’s my birthday gift from Uncle! Nobody’s allowed to touch it!”
“It’s fine if we just take a quick look!”
“Move aside! I can’t see properly!”
At the children’s squabbling, the nobles fell silent. Even those who had earlier sneered at Windsor’s gift now wore awkward expressions.
The King’s gift had been splendid—the textbook choice for a six-year-old’s birthday and undeniably exquisite. No one could deny that.
But the gift Benjamin loved most was Windsor’s. So much so that the boy, who had calmly thanked everyone else, had broken into a beaming smile and dashed forward.
In this contest between the two, Windsor had won by clear judgment—and it was quite an unexpected outcome.
The guests were secretly astonished that the seemingly aloof Lord Preston had such an intimate understanding of his nephew’s interests.
For the first time, a thought surfaced: perhaps the rumors that Windsor would swallow up the Preston family weren’t true after all.
“The custody battle between His Majesty and Lord Preston is becoming more and more intriguing.”
“I thought Lord Preston had only reluctantly become Master Benjamin’s guardian, but it seems they get along rather well.”
“Exactly—doesn’t it seem that way?”
“Of course! Otherwise, he couldn’t possibly have chosen such a gift.”
People began lowering their voices, speculating on the outcome of the upcoming trial. Supporters of Windsor and of the King stood evenly matched, each side firmly arguing their case.
Watching this unfold, Jacqueline quietly turned to leave. It was time to slip away quietly.
“There you are, Miss Somerset. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
At that moment, a friendly voice called out from behind her. Jacqueline turned instinctively—and her eyes widened.
Windsor, who had been moving slowly, now fixed his gaze over her shoulder.
“Mr. Evan Knox?”
A good-natured young man smiled brightly at her. His brown hair and slightly downturned eyes gave him a gentle, puppy-like demeanor.
If he’d had a tail, he surely would’ve wagged it nonstop. His face radiated pure, heartfelt delight.
“I hope you’ve been well! I sent several letters, but never received a reply, so I grew worried. I even visited your estate, only to find the ownership had already changed.”
At those words, Jacqueline involuntarily let out a bitter smile. The Earl of Knox’s furious final words—never to contact his son again—flashed through her mind.
There was no need to say it aloud.
She couldn’t entirely fault Lord Knox. If her own son’s fiancée had gone bankrupt, she, too, would’ve reconsidered the engagement.
Maintaining a polite, sociable smile, Jacqueline answered gracefully—hoping her current state didn’t appear too shabby.
“There’s no need to force together a relationship that’s already ended. It’s better for both of us.”
The kind-faced young man immediately looked wounded by her words. She felt an unexpected pang of guilt.
As Jacqueline nervously bit her lip, Evan quickly recovered his cheerful expression. He added hastily, as if making an excuse,
“I don’t know if you read my letters, but the broken engagement wasn’t my choice.”
For an instant, Windsor’s eyes narrowed. Only now did he seem to realize who Evan Knox was—and slowly, deliberately, he scanned him from head to toe once more.
Male lead is reincarnated to save his wife
I’ve also read this one twice already. The female lead is kinda soft and gets embarrassed easily—not really my type, but the plot is definitely worth reading. Hurry up and read it, y’all!
Intro
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
MANGA DISCUSSION
2 Comments
Chapter Comments (95)
They’re bullying her 😭 … Go for it Jackie😌
Poor thing, her ex-fiancé is chasing after her like a lovesick boy. It’s sad for him, but the protagonist and his wife have been getting closer in a subtle but sweet way. What can you do? After all, their fate is sealed; they’ll be husband and wife, I know it.
why this reminds of Harriet and the bully group from The scandal maker has returned … can’t wait for them to get their share of humiliation
Inline Comments (1297)
Evan’s eyes flickered momentarily with confusion mid-greeting. His gaze shifted
Maybe Lord Preston is jealous???
Mr. Knox looks like a good person, if things were different maybe Miss Somerset would have been happy.Evan chuckled lightly with an easygoing thought. But Windsor still didn’t releas
Those who hide their feelings well do nothing without purpose (´⊙ω⊙`)！
“If you’re not planning to rip out my hair and brawl right in front of your fian
Our cool FL 😎 I like how she feels more confident & brave enough now to confront her enemies
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TehShy
best gift ever😁😁😁 way to go Windsor, good thing you listened to Jacqueline.
Ashiel_26
Our ML might feel jealous with FL ex-fiancee(• ▽ •;)