Jane’s first memory of Hausten Street was when she was around 10 years old.

She probably frequented it from an even younger age, but that’s what she remembered.

At that time, besides the street with shops in impressive buildings, Hausten also had a street where street vendors gathered.

Jane’s favorite place was the street vendors. The stores adults went to were a different world to Jane. Stars are beautiful but not something you can possess.

That’s why Jane liked the street vendors. There were many things there that sparkled less than stars but could be had.

When she first discovered those street vendors, she was so excited that she ran around everywhere, and she got lost that day.

The Whitney household was turned upside down, and even people from the Hastings house came out to look for Jane.

The one who found Jane was Cain.

“Jane! I’ve been looking all over for you!”

Sweat dripped from Cain’s hair as he approached, panting. Jane, not even thinking about why he had run, just stared blankly at the falling droplets of sweat.

“Big brother, why are even your sweat droplets pretty?”

Saying such silly things.

Jane explained to Joseph only up to the part about getting lost, completely omitting the latter part.

“Y-y-you got lost?”

“Yes. I was too excited. So it’s okay to be as thrilled as you want. Just don’t get lost. Stay excited only by my side.”

Jane, who seemed perfect in Joseph’s eyes, had gotten lost… For some reason, Joseph felt confident.

“I won’t get lost.”

He said as if making a promise. Jane smiled brightly and held out her finger.

“It’s a promise.”

Joseph hesitated for a moment before linking his finger with Jane’s.

Meanwhile, the carriage had arrived at the central square of the street. There were open-air cafes around the wide square, and children were playing happily near the fountain in the center. Children’s laughter could be heard from everywhere.

‘It sounds nice.’

Jane, who was appreciating the sound of children’s laughter with a faint smile, pulled the reins. Soon, the carriage stopped.

After getting off the carriage, Jane pointed to the fountain.

“Joseph, look over there. That’s a statue of the founding king, His Late Majesty Balant Royal Strain.”

Joseph’s eyes widened as he looked where Jane was pointing.

“W-wow, it’s huge!”

“Right? From what I know, it’s the largest statue in the Embrun Kingdom.”

Jane held Joseph’s hand and walked down the street, explaining various things. There was plenty to explain.

Hausten Street had many things of historical and artistic value.

Jane explained everything in an interesting way, and Joseph listened attentively to everything she said.

Everything was novel to Joseph, and thanks to Jane who explained this novelty in a familiar way, he felt increasingly better.

Joseph felt like he had become the protagonist of a picture book. The scenery was as beautiful as a painting, and Jane was as kind as a fairy godmother.

“By the way, where are we going?”

Joseph asked after walking for quite a while.

“You’re curious now?”

In fact, he had been curious from the start, but only now did he have the courage to ask. Jane smiled, meeting Joseph’s eyes as if she knew everything.

“We’re going to have your clothes made, buy books and toys, and eat something delicious.”

“F-for me?”

“Yes, for you.”

“Y-you don’t have to buy them for me. I-I have plenty at home.”

Joseph shook his head as he refused. It was evident that he was feeling burdened rather than genuinely disliking it.

He probably doesn’t even have a concept of money, yet he’s so uncomfortable receiving gifts.

There’s a high possibility that someone made a big deal every time they gave him something.

Whoever it is, they should just not buy things if they’re going to act like that. What a truly awful person.

“But those weren’t chosen by you. Today, you get to choose. Let’s pick books that will make you happy, not the stuffy, incomprehensible ones in your room!”

Jane led Joseph by the hand towards an antique bookstore, then paused.

“Wait, Joseph. Can you read?”

She had vaguely assumed he could read and write since he was enrolled in the academy. At the same time, it occurred to her that it wasn’t normal for a 6-year-old child to read and write proficiently.

“I-I-I can read!”

Joseph said bravely and began to read the store signs. Joseph tried his best. Although he stuttered, he read fairly well overall.

Jane roughly assessed Joseph’s level.

“You read well. Who taught you?”

“B-b-by myself.”

“By yourself?”

Jane nodded to the footman who opened the bookstore door for her and took Joseph’s hand.

“I-I-I had nothing else to do. M-m-mom was…”

Joseph glanced at Jane’s expression before continuing.

“Mom was busy. I-I was always a-alone at home.”

Joseph’s mother said she had to earn money to make a living.

She would hastily leave some bread and soup on the table for Joseph’s lunch and go out, returning late at night.

Sometimes she would come back at dawn.

Joseph spent all day observing crawling ants and flying flies, guarding the house alone.

Then he started to become interested in the newspapers that his mother used to cover the bread. When his mother came home late at night, he would beg her to read the newspaper to him.

Although she found it bothersome, she would read it to him because Joseph would fall asleep quickly after listening to the contents of the newspaper.

In conclusion, he was self-taught.

“Joseph, you’re smart. Wasn’t it hard studying by yourself?”

“I-it wasn’t h-hard, but it was frustrating.”

When his mother went to work, Joseph would recall the previous night’s memory and read the newspaper aloud.

Unlike Jane’s praise, he thought he was stupid because he often forgot the words his mother had read to him. And he didn’t know what they meant.

Whenever he got stuck like that, he wanted to ask someone, but there was no one to ask.

“You don’t have to be frustrated anymore. Ask me anything you don’t know. Believe it or not, I used to be quite a good teacher.”

Jane took Joseph to the children’s book section and lifted him up.

She hugged Joseph every time they met. Now, Joseph naturally put his arms around her neck when she lifted him.

“You should be able to read books at this level.”

Jane pulled out a book and handed it to Joseph. Joseph let go of Jane’s neck to take the book.

“It’s about a boy who defeats monsters. Doesn’t he look just like you, Joseph?”

Children need heroes. They admire the absurd heroes in picture books and try to become like them.

The effect was even better if the protagonist was around the same age. Because it made them think, “Maybe I could too.”

“Want to read it?”

Joseph nodded, unable to take his eyes off the picture of the boy facing the monster.

After that, Jane introduced a few more picture books. At first, Joseph just nodded to everything, but later he started to refuse or choose on his own.

“Please deliver the books to the Hastings house.”

“Certainly, madam.”

There were ten books in total.

Jane put only one book that Joseph wanted to read right away in his hands. Then they left the bookstore and headed to a clothing store.

It was a children’s clothing store recommended by Ermis.

“Show me comfortable clothes for the child, as well as riding clothes and outerwear, everything.”

She planned to teach Joseph horseback riding soon. Not just riding, but as a boy, he needed to be well-rounded in various sports.

‘I should teach him chess too…’

She was thinking it would be nice if he had someone to play with when a familiar voice called out.

“Teacher?”

Jane turned her head to see Wolfgang running towards her, waving both hands.

“Teacher!”

Wolfgang clung to Jane’s skirt.

* * *

“I didn’t expect to see you here. Have you been well?”

Mrs. Merche and Jane were at a cafe near the square.

Jane turned her head from watching Joseph playing tag with Wolfgang.

“Of course, I’m doing very well. How have you been, madam?”

“Same as always. My husband is busy with work, and Wolfgang doesn’t listen.”

Though her words were tinged with complaints, they were full of affection.

“Teacher, oh, I’m sorry. Should I call you Mrs. Hastings now?”

Jane waved her hand.

“Not yet. Please feel free to call me Jane.”

“That’s right. It’s best to postpone being called ‘madam’ as long as possible.”

“Is that advice from experience?”

“Of course! It’s words to live by.”

Mrs. Merche burst into laughter. It was the kind of laugh Jane liked. Unlike other noble ladies, Mrs. Merche was unpretentious.

“Though becoming Mrs. Hastings might be different.”

Mrs. Merche quickly added, worried that she might have seemed to be speaking ill of the Hastings family.

Jane smiled lightly.

“People’s lives are all the same.”

“If that’s the case, you might need my advice from time to time. Please let me know whenever you need help, Jane. I’m not just saying this.”

It was gratifying just to hear. Merche praised Jane as a great teacher and showed excessive kindness.

Jane had simply worked hard for the money she was paid.

“Wolfgang still talks about you.”

The conversation that had paused while drinking tea resumed.

“I feel so sorry towards Wolfgang. We parted without a proper goodbye. I couldn’t even keep my promise to play chess with him.”

Jane checked on Wolfgang and Joseph. The two were playing well together.

“Don’t worry about Wolfgang. Let’s stop talking about my family and tell me about the Hastings family. Is the Duke treating you well?”

Merche changed the subject for Jane’s sake. But this topic made Jane even more uncomfortable.

Unaware of this, Merche put her elbows on the table and waited for Jane’s answer.

How well must Cain, who was rumored to be kind even to women he just passed by, be treating Jane, who was to become his wife.

She intended to listen intently today and tell her husband about it. To tell him to follow suit.

But Jane remained silent. She just fiddled with her teacup.

Is she choosing what to say because she has too much to tell? Merche thought nonchalantly as she sipped her tea.

“You rascals! What are you going to do about these clothes? Huh? Where are your parents? What are they doing, letting these little troublemakers run loose?”