How can I reduce Larisa’s burden? Siod pondered throughout the week, but he ultimately couldn’t find an answer. The alternative he reluctantly came up with was this:
“Lara, from now on, Saturdays will be William’s study day, and Sundays will be Lara’s study day.”
“Why?”
Until now, Siod had always prioritized Larisa’s studies as her private tutor. However, he began to question whether it was normal for a 7-year-old child to focus only on studying throughout the week. There was a need to coordinate a schedule even if it had to be enforced.
With a gentle smile, Siod made eye contact with Larisa and spoke. He had a suitable excuse.
“As a teacher, I now need to help William with his studies too. After all, William has a lot to learn to become an excellent duke, right?”
In response, Larisa’s mouth curved in surprise.
‘Why?’
Siod broke into a cold sweat.
‘Is she onto me?’
However, to Siod’s terrifying concern, Larisa just grinned as if to say, “When did that happen?”
“Yes, okay.”
Watching this exchange, William and Siod locked eyes.
‘Did she catch on?’
‘She caught on.’
They exchanged glances, but there was no resolution. Larisa boldly stated, “Then, since today is Saturday, I’ll practice the piano on my own.”
“Hold on.”
“Yes?”
“Today is a day off, Larisa. It’s a break day.”
“A day off?”
Larisa smirked. The phrase ‘day off’ was unfamiliar to her, as no one in the slums used such words.
“Yeah. Since we decided not to study, let’s play today.”
“…Sure.”
Seeing Larisa reluctantly agreeing, Siod felt uneasy. Eventually, he and William pretended to go to separate lessons, leaning against the corridor wall.
“What are you doing now…?”
“Shh!”
William, who had stopped with them, blinked silently. After a brief wait, the sound of the piano started.
For quite a while, the piano playing didn’t stop. Siod pushed William into the study next to the reception room.
“What were you doing just now?”
“It’s Larisa. Did she always like playing the piano so much?”
“If she likes it, she’ll play, won’t she?”
Right? Trying to convince himself of William’s words, Siod reluctantly acknowledged them and began William’s lesson.
Although he declared a day off to give Larisa a break, he actually needed time for William’s follow-up lessons. Moreover, as part of the follow-up lessons, William was supposed to embark on territorial expansion.
Siod persuaded William to learn the responsibilities of a lord step by step before rashly taking on the challenge. William diligently attended the lessons.
However, as the lesson approached its planned end today, William’s expression became serious.
“…Why isn’t it over?”
“That’s because, you see.”
Larisa’s performance did not come to an end. Even the fatigue in her fingers was evident in the sound. Surprisingly, there were more mistakes than at the beginning.
The two remained silent.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
At the dissonant chords struck haphazardly, both men flinched. It seemed that frustration had built up as they repeatedly made mistakes in the same section.
“What should we do?”
“If we leave her alone, she’ll probably play until dinner.”
The two glanced at each other for a moment, and without anyone saying it first, they both got up.
“Lara! We’re here.”
William, who arrived first and stood in front of the piano, grinned as if asking when Larisa had gotten angry.
“William, did you study well?”
“Yeah. How about you… did you have fun?”
“Yeah.”
It was an answer without a hint of hesitation. William realized that something was wrong. Wasn’t it okay for a 7-year-old to not be this honest?
“Um… were you playing the piano?”
“Yeah.”
“Really? Do you like the piano that much?”
“Yeah.”
All were affirmative answers.
‘Why is she working so hard?’
William and Siod exchanged anxious glances. They were worried that Larisa might be pushing herself too hard. Siod kindly asked,
“Our Lara, do you want to become a pianist someday?”
“Huh?”
“A pianist. Someone whose profession is playing the piano.”
Then Larisa widened her eyes and asked,
“You can earn money by playing the piano?”
“Well… yes.”
Siod felt uneasy for no apparent reason. If Larisa didn’t want to become a pianist, why did she work so hard? With this question in mind, Larisa’s next words threw him into confusion.
“Wow, then I should work even harder!”
‘Work harder here?’
The two men were shocked.
When asked about it, Daisy revealed that Larisa wasn’t only working hard on piano practice. During the day, she mainly played the piano, and after dinner and before bathing, she practiced writing. After that, until bedtime, she always read books, and now, not just picture books, but even difficult books.
Daisy, proud that the young lady she served was working hard at everything, detailed how diligently Larisa was doing.
“Oh my, come to think of it, it might be good for her to take it easy.”
Now that she mentioned it, it seemed like the child was too precocious. Even Daisy seemed worried, so Siod furrowed his brow.
“It won’t work.”
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
