After the secret emergency meeting ended.

Ascal, having confirmed that Rublion was asleep, walked steadily towards the guest room where Schmidt was staying.

‘To think that even Gaben would feel the need for a lady.’

The butler had been reporting minor changes that occurred since Schmidt’s stay at the mansion. First, Rublion, who had been empty and uninterested in anything, had changed. Second, the maids had become more radiant. This influence was due to Schmidt’s maid, Anna.

She was an all-works maid (a maid who does all household chores) as well as an excellent lady’s maid (a maid in charge of dressing the mistress).

Her skilled makeup techniques and hairstyling were enough to win the favor of the mansion’s maids who loved to dress up, and Anna quickly adapted among them.

The third was a change that even the duke himself was unaware of. The butler said that Ascal had not worked overtime since the young lady of the viscount had stayed at the mansion. He corrected him, saying it was because work wasn’t busy, but the butler insisted otherwise, thumping his chest with his fist.

Lost in these thoughts, he soon arrived at the guest room. Ascal raised his hand to knock on the door.

‘Would it be rude to visit the young lady at this hour?’

He took out his pocket watch to check. It wasn’t yet time for sleep.

Then he saw his reflection in the mirror inside the watch cover. Ascal fixed his slightly disheveled bangs back to their original place.

‘One needs to look neat when meeting others.’

He carefully dusted off his shirt and pants with his hands. Only after rubbing his face once with his hand did he feel satisfied.

Finally, he felt ready to knock. Ascal took a deep breath and knocked on the door with a firm hand.

Knock knock.

“Who is it?”

Schmidt’s voice was heard from inside. Ascal cleared his throat and answered.

“I was wondering if we could have a cup of tea, if you could spare the time?”

[This is the timeline separator]

Since I was dressed lightly for bed and it was troublesome to go far, I suggested we drink in the room. The duke hesitated for a while before agreeing and coming in.

I pushed aside the encyclopedia and the summary of mother candidates spread out on the tea table. Then I gestured to the sofa, looking at the duke.

‘His expression is subtle.’

He seemed a bit stiff.

“What’s wrong?”

“…It’s nothing.”

The maid who came with him set down the tea and left. I naturally picked up the teapot.

“Let it be. I’ll do it.”

The duke gently pushed my hand away and poured the tea himself. Feeling awkward, I placed my hands on my knees and quietly waited for the cup to come.

“How do you find staying at the mansion?”

The duke asked as he placed the cup in front of me.

“Everyone has been treating me well, so I’m staying comfortably.”

“I see.”

I watched the duke slowly raise his cup. His black hair, reminiscent of the deep night sky, and his golden eyes that sparkled subtly with each blink had a strange charm that captured one’s gaze.

‘I wonder if Rublion will look similar when he grows up.’

The duke and the little one looked very much alike. So much so that one couldn’t find any trace of the other parent’s genes.

‘The other parent’s genes… Genes?’

It was a sudden thought.

“Duke, if it’s not too impertinent, may I ask you one personal question?”

He nodded. I hid my confusion and opened my mouth.

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-seven.”

“Ah, twenty-seven.”

Cancel that charm comment.

The fact that he has a ten-year-old son at twenty-seven means he had an accident before even coming of age.

If one of the two rumors circulating is about Rublion being an illegitimate child…

‘The child is not at fault.’

He would often go to the imperial palace due to his title. How painful it must be for the little one every time.

Thinking about it made me feel upset. I could vaguely understand why Rublion wanted a mother so badly.

“Is that the end of your question?”

“Ah, yes.”

As soon as I answered, he put down his cup and stared at me. It felt as if he was seeing through me, who had been inwardly criticizing him.

“I heard you’re returning to the viscount’s residence in two days.”

“Yes. The repairs are almost finished.”

“Hmm.”

The duke hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“Actually, I came to make a proposal to you.”

“A proposal…?”

“The atmosphere of the mansion has changed quite a bit while you’ve been staying here. Not just Rublion, but your maid has become quite famous among the servants as well.”

“That’s right. Anna is quite skilled with her hands.”

In fact, Anna was a capable person who could go to an even better place than the viscount’s house, but she was a grateful person who stayed by my side.

She’s good not only at Black Swan but also at internal and external affairs of the mansion. She also has a good eye.

I once saw the head maid who adored Anna. At that moment, I thought that if the duke’s family wanted Anna, I must definitely send her.

“So, I was wondering if you could become Rublion’s nanny?”

It would be sad if Anna left, but if it’s for her future… Huh?

“You want An-, I mean, you want me to be Rublion’s nanny?”

“No, I mean you.”

“You’re asking me to be the nanny?”

It’s a fact known to everyone in the duke’s residence that the little one follows me well. That’s probably why the duke is proposing this to me.

“If you’re willing, I’ll pay you three times the salary I’ve been paying others until now.”

“No.”

Being a nanny for the duke’s family is a title that would establish a firm position in high society. And with the salary tripled, it was truly an attractive offer. But I know what I want to do, what I need to do.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline that offer.”

The duke’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

“I have a duty to run and grow Black Swan, which is the long-cherished project of the Deli viscounty.”

Saying that, I felt a pang of concern for Rublion.

“It’s fine for the little one to visit Black Swan occasionally like now, but I can’t devote all my time to the child as a nanny.”

“I see.”

The duke listened to my words with a serious face.

“Even if I offer five times, no, ten times the salary, it’s still not possible?”

“No.”

The duke swallowed hard. Perhaps he was flustered by my firm refusal.

“Then, what if I add a condition to let any artists from the art gallery go to Black Swan without a penalty fee when they wish to? If we add the condition that you can act as Rublion’s nanny in the time remaining after you work for Black Swan?”

The conditions were so good that it made me suspicious.

“That’s a useless condition if no one from the art gallery wants to come to Black Swan. And I use my entire day for Black Swan. I work at dawn and late into the night.”

The duke cautiously let out a sigh. I put down my empty teacup and said,

“If you have more to say, why don’t we continue tomorrow? The night has grown quite late.”

[This is the timeline separator]

Ascal told Rublion, who came to his office early in the morning, about what happened the night before.

“The young lady refused.”

“As expected, the aunty is not an easy person.”

Even knowing she had turned down a good offer, Rublion seemed quite satisfied.

“If she were someone who would fall for money or position, I wouldn’t have thought of making her my mother in the first place.”

The child smiled brightly for a moment, then quickly regained his expressionless face.

“I like that personality, but it’s not easy for me to break through either.”

Rublion and Ascal simultaneously stroked their chins with their hands. It was a habit they had unknowingly developed.

“Should we just kidnap her?”

“No crimes.”

“How about appealing emotionally?”

“…Can’t you just give up?”

Rublion slumped his shoulders.

“There are more weaknesses that I can’t use directly. Above all, if I use the aunty’s weaknesses, I’d seem like too bad a person.”

“That’s new.”

Hearing the retort, Rublion narrowed his eyes and glared. Seeing that expression, Ascal shook his head and said,

“What weakness are you trying to exploit?”

“Do you want to hear it?”

“Sure.”

Rublion got up from the sofa and scurried over to the desk. Ascal regretted it as he saw the child’s eyes shining intensely, but it was already too late.

“We should appeal that you’re someone who can get rid of Johnston. Let’s show that you can be a real shield, not a relationship that leaves room for dependence on contracts like nanny or tutor.”

“That sounds like you’re telling me to propose to the young lady of the viscount.”

Looking at the serious Ascal, Rublion replied.

“Would it be better to live watching the woman you love abuse me for a lifetime, or to live watching a woman who doesn’t love you mutually, but who cherishes and raises me with love?”

Ascal silently stared at Rublion. Then he muttered quietly.

“How old are you, really?”

[This is the timeline separator]

After forcibly sending out Rublion, who was whining about not wanting to go to morning training, Ascal felt uneasy and looked out the window. From the 3rd floor office, the garden was clearly visible, and at the entrance of that garden, maids were gathered around Anna.

“It seems they’re asking her various things since she’s leaving tomorrow.”

Ascal also saw Schmidt approaching them from afar. While he couldn’t see the expressions of others clearly, her brightly smiling face stood out particularly large.

When Ascal abruptly drew the curtains, the butler asked curiously.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

He answered and trudged back to his seat. As soon as he sat down, he said,

“Gaben, I have something to ask.”

“Yes, please speak.”

The gray-haired butler responded in a polite posture.

“Did you by any chance place scented candles in the young lady’s room?”

“I’m not sure what you mean, but I didn’t give such instructions.”

“I see.”

Ascal cleared his throat unnecessarily. Realizing that the scent he smelled as soon as he entered the room wasn’t from a candle but was hers, his ears grew hot.

He didn’t mention that he liked it quite a lot and wanted to bring the candle that gave off that scent to his own room. After all, he couldn’t bring the person herself.