Lord Preston's Secret Tutor (47 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 30
Children from noble families knew their place well—and were cunning because of it. They instinctively recognized who was above them and who was beneath them, and they knew how to use their own status to their advantage.
Thus, the governesses had long since given up on actually teaching them. They considered their duty fulfilled simply by trailing obediently behind the children like goldfish feces.
Yet those clever children now sat utterly silent, not even making the slightest sound. The governesses blinked repeatedly, staring at the sight in disbelief.
As if wondering what kind of magic Jacqueline Somerset, their new tutor, had cast upon them.
***
He was exhausted. Windsor pressed firmly against his temples and tilted his head to one side. Then, resting his chin on the back of his hand, he shut his eyes tightly.
The nobles he had met tonight were even more childish than his six-year-old nephew. Like boastful children showing off their toys, they bragged about their money and boats.
Yet none of them dared to simply invite the others to join in—they merely watched each other warily, waiting for someone else to extend the first invitation.
Being part of that group was quite draining—especially for Windsor, who valued efficiency and speed above all.
He preferred direct conversation over this game of veiled intentions. Likely a habit ingrained from his time in the military, where precise commands were the norm.
“To attend such banquets every single day… in some ways, they truly are remarkable people.”
A note of sarcasm slipped through Windsor’s teeth. Just as he rose from his seat, having stared into the darkness long enough and ready to head to bed—
“…….”
A faint footstep sounded. Starting from the opposite corridor, the steps gradually grew louder, then slowly faded away again.
Windsor knew exactly whose footsteps they were—heavier than Benjamin’s, yet more elegant than a maid’s.
After a brief moment staring into the dark, he turned around. As he descended the stairs, a clattering noise came from the direction of the kitchen. He headed straight toward the source.
Just as expected, a pale, shifting shadow was visible inside the kitchen.
“Didn’t we agree that tasks like this should be left to the maids?”
“Kyaa…!”
Startled by the sudden presence, Jacqueline let out an involuntary scream. Windsor quickly stepped forward and clamped a hand over her mouth. The cry that had escaped was forced back down her throat.
Gulping down the scream, she blinked her wide eyes in shock.
“Mmmph—m’lord?”
Warm breath tickled his palm. An odd tingling ran down his spine, causing his fingers to curl instinctively.
Windsor gave a slight, almost imperceptible frown and withdrew his hand nonchalantly. Yet his palm still tingled faintly, as if her breath still lingered on it.
To dispel that unfamiliar sensation, he quietly clenched his fist. Meanwhile, Jacqueline, finally exhaling in relief, gave a belated reply.
“I didn’t want to wake someone who’d just fallen asleep—the staff must be exhausted after cleaning up after the banquet.”
“Is that so?”
“Does Lord Preston need anything? Shall I bring you some water?”
He slowly folded his arms and leaned back against the wall. Jacqueline, familiar with the routine, placed the kettle on the stove and took out a teacup.
“If I recall correctly, according to Lord Preston’s impeccable schedule, your bedtime passed thirty minutes ago.”
“Precisely thirty-seven minutes.”
Jacqueline, in the middle of arranging the teacup, paused. Then, unable to suppress a light laugh at his unmistakably Windsor-like reply, she smiled.
Reaching for a fresh cup, she said,
“I couldn’t sleep—seeing so many familiar faces after so long made me thoughtful. Would you like some tea, Lord Preston?”
Familiar faces.
Windsor recalled the guests at the banquet, and their whispered conversations about Jacqueline.
She had likely been among them just a few years ago—effortlessly at ease in that circle, never feeling the exhaustion he felt tonight.
Whereas he had to work to navigate such gatherings, Jacqueline did it as naturally as breathing. Suddenly, he felt a distance between them.
Instead of answering, Windsor slowly pushed off from the wall. He opened the cabinet, took out a bottle of whiskey, and retrieved a crystal glass as well.
“I’m used to doing things myself.”
“Oh, right. Of course.”
Even as she said that, Jacqueline busied herself—opening the tea caddy, inhaling the aroma, measuring out the leaves, pouring boiling water into the teapot, and setting the cups neatly.
“Did you come alone tonight?”
“Hmm?”
Jacqueline stopped what she was doing and turned, puzzled. Windsor nodded toward her empty chest.
“I meant the teddy bear you usually carry—you said you’re afraid of being alone at night.”
“Oh!”
She burst into a bright, radiant laugh. Watching her smile dispel the darkness, Windsor narrowed his eyes slightly.
Sometimes he wondered how she could laugh with such full-hearted joy—as if she poured her entire being into laughter just as he poured all his strength into battle.
“Fortunately, I’m not alone tonight—I’ve made a new friend.”
He gave her a questioning look, but Jacqueline simply picked up her tray with determination instead of answering.
“If you’re afraid of drinking alone, shall I be your friend?”
“…….”
Windsor’s brow furrowed faintly.
Afraid? Who?
He had never once felt fear—not even during battles with pirates, nor amid flying bullets on the battlefield.
His mind was always occupied by calculations for victory, not terror. Perhaps he could be so brave precisely because he had nothing left behind him to lose.
“Shall we go to the parlor?”
She wasn’t waiting for his answer.
Jacqueline placed the lamp on her tray and led the way. Windsor followed silently behind, whiskey bottle in one hand, crystal glass in the other.
Only then did Windsor click his tongue softly. It happened sometimes—moments when, in an instant, he found himself swept along by her pace.
It was an utterly unfamiliar feeling for Windsor, who always had strong opinions and clear preferences—because, more often than not, decisions were his alone to make.
When they reached the parlor, Jacqueline stepped aside as if it were only natural, and Windsor opened the door. She sat on the sofa, placed the lamp on the table, and skillfully poured the tea.
“You’ve worked hard tonight.”
After taking a sip, Jacqueline finally sighed and spoke the words.
Windsor merely raised an eyebrow as he brought his carefully poured whiskey to his lips.
“You were perfect from beginning to end.”
“From beginning to end? I believe you didn’t see me eat, so your memory must be mistaken.”
“Impossible! Lord Preston’s memory has always been beyond comparison.”
Jacqueline retorted with playful indignation, then softened her tone and added,
“Besides, no one spoke ill of you—not about your table manners, at least. So calling it a success wouldn’t be wrong.”
“Not entirely wrong.”
Windsor quietly repeated her words. Jacqueline’s shoulders twitched slightly as she brought the teacup to her lips.
After all, even the King himself would’ve heard gossip if he’d been present. People who loved to talk never discriminated by rank—they only moderated their volume.
In that sense, Windsor considered tonight’s banquet a fairly decent performance.
“It’s thanks to our excellent governess.”
“I couldn’t possibly deny that.”
Jacqueline puffed her shoulders proudly. A quiet chuckle escaped Windsor’s lips. Jacqueline’s eyes widened, but the fleeting smile had already vanished like smoke.
And in that moment, Windsor realized his pounding headache had completely disappeared.
He couldn’t tell if it was due to the conversation with Jacqueline or the alcohol coursing through his veins—but one thing was certain: he felt significantly better than before.
As if suddenly remembering something, he turned his gaze toward her.
“By the way, the children were quite noisy on their way back—what happened upstairs on the second floor?”
“Hmm…”
Jacqueline lifted the teacup to her lips, delaying her reply.
She recalled the children, who until the very last moment had followed her like ducklings, trailing obediently behind.
Even when it was time to return, all twelve pairs of eyes remained bright and wide—showing no signs of fatigue, let alone drowsiness.
And at the final moment, each child nervously counted their candies, glancing anxiously at how many others had.
The child who collected the most candies was Justin, a boy with a missing front tooth.
—“Waaah! I’m first!”
—“No way! Oh my goodness!”
—“That’s so cool.”
The others, who narrowly missed first place, either looked disappointed or envious. Justin stepped forward proudly and held out both hands to Jacqueline.
—“Now, give me my prize!”
—“Alright.”
Jacqueline nodded and walked off somewhere. Benjamin, watching her back with tense eyes, suddenly widened his eyes.
She returned holding a red velvet box. Benjamin, who already knew what was inside, made a strange expression.
—“It’s one of Benjamin’s most treasured possessions.”
—“A treasure…?”
Justin accepted the box with great anticipation. The luxurious velvet alone was extraordinary, and the other children gathered around curiously.
—“What is it? What’s inside?”
—“Open it quick! Hurry!”
—“Okay.”
Justin swallowed hard, then opened the lid with solemn determination. Benjamin turned to Jacqueline and called out, “Miss Somerset.”
—“Hm? Oh—sorry, Benjamin. I promised your prize without asking your permission. But I’ll get you the exact same thing tomorrow.”
Though that wasn’t what Benjamin meant, he quietly nodded in agreement. Finally, the boy who’d opened the box froze.
—“What… is this?”
—“Move aside! What is it?”
Oakley pushed through the circle of children and peered into the box, then looked at Jacqueline with bewildered eyes.
She tilted her chin up slightly, deliberately showing off.
—“Well? Isn’t it cool?”
Jacqueline paused briefly, then glanced toward where the governesses were gathered and lowered her voice.
—“Better keep it hidden from the adults—they might take it away.”
—“Whoaaa!”
In that instant, Justin jumped up and down in place, his round eyes sparkling. Everyone stared at him enviously.
—“It’s a cicada shell!”
—“Shh! Don’t let the governess hear!”
—“Oh, right!”
—“It’s really awesome. I want one too.”
A little girl, having already peeled and eaten her candy, reached subtly toward the box—but was caught. Justin quickly shut the lid and pulled the box tightly against his chest.
—“It’s mine!”
—“Tch.”
Justin strutted like a triumphant general.
Benjamin watched him and tilted his head in confusion—as if he couldn’t understand how anyone could be so thrilled over a mere cicada shell.
Surely, even in those children’s gardens, cicada shells must litter the ground by the dozens.
—“Ah…”
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
_____
Please help me, I want to bring you the best possible things.
If you find any chapter or novel with poor translation and editing quality, let me know by commenting directly under that novel or chapter. I will retranslate it as soon as possible.
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
MANGA DISCUSSION
4 Comments
Chapter Comments (82)
One birthday to remember. Benjamin received the gift he really wanted. Made new friends.
I think he really find her cute and endearing. She’s Preston’s fairy
this chapter is so funny XD I feel butterflies in my stomach
Inline Comments (1276)
Windsor slowly rose to his feet. A vague sense of regret flickered in him, thoug
we know… he regretted that their conversation ended and each has to go to his room he wished they could chat more
“Evan Knox.”
oww someone’s unconsciously jealous. maybe that’s the real reason of your headache
The children surged toward Benjamin, surrounding him in an instant. Though flust
aawww, finally making friends. Jacqueline is truly a fairy to his life
YOUR COMMENT
2. Inline comments are now available. Tap the end of any line in a chapter to share your thoughts instantly.
Log in to comment.
Queen-Esther Akande
I want Lady Jac to be my governess. Being able to round up rowdy kids like that.
Teaching them about delayed gratification
And actually understanding their environment, how they aren’t allowed to play outside, making the shell an amazing price
I wish I could be that understanding
ahlam lam
so happy i found this novel. .. i was feeling empty after i finished “The Scandal Maker Has Returned” but now i found another gem.. can’t wait to read more
Lippy05
A simply beautiful and thought-provoking chapter. The main characters are getting closer and closer.
Ashiel_26
Aaaawwwwww~~~ Our baby benjamin is Jealous 😆 AAHAHAHAHAHAHA