NOVEL NEXT Chapter 22
‘This is really strange. Normally, my lady would have scolded the maids harshly…’
Instead of striking, Anriette clearly pointed out the right and wrong with her words.
The sight of her commanding the new maid and Liliana to “bow their heads and apologize formally” was even admirable.
After scattering the maids, she skillfully comforted Liliana.
It was unlike her to act this way, especially when things didn’t go her way, as she would have turned the townhouse upside down.
Just then, Elliott came running from afar.
He was holding a basket of snacks tightly.
“Why are your eyes red? Did you cry?”
“Huh? No, it’s not like that…”
“Did… did Mother bother you?”
Even under the gaze of her son, who was suspecting her, Anriette remained calm.
Instead, she gently pointed out Elliott’s behavior of leaving Liliana alone.
“Besides, Liliana hasn’t been in the Valua townhouse for long, has she?”
“Uh, that’s right.”
“So, Elliott, make sure to take good care of her, okay?”
That appearance really made her seem like a “mother” who was paying close attention to every little thing her son did.
Alexei found himself unconsciously stepping toward them.
“You should listen carefully to your mother, Elliott.”
“Oh my, Duke?”
“……”
Anriette looked up at Alexei in surprise.
Alexei found himself momentarily silent.
It felt like a long time since they had looked directly into each other’s eyes like this.
His violet eyes were truly beautiful.
“Elliott, I mentioned this before, didn’t I?”
Feeling a peculiar fluttering in his heart, Alexei turned his head and looked down at Elliott.
“To become a fine gentleman, you must pay careful attention to ensure the other person feels comfortable.”
“Yes, I remember.”
Elliott nodded obediently.
“You will be the one to govern Valua in the future, young duke.”
A calm voice rang out.
“So, you need to consider and be considerate of other people’s perspectives, just as your mother said.”
“Consider their perspectives… and be considerate?”
“Yes. Those experiences will accumulate and deepen your insight into dealing with people.”
Insight.
Elliott mulled over the word for a moment.
“Insight is the most necessary talent for a head of a family.”
Alexei continued in a soft tone.
“Returning to the matter at hand, Liliana has not been in the townhouse for long.”
Hearing that, Elliott made a contemplative expression.
Well, thinking about it, that’s true.
When hosting guests, one wouldn’t just leave them alone in the garden, would they?
That’s all out of consideration for guests who are not familiar with the townhouse.
“Moreover, you haven’t fully gotten acquainted with the servants.”
“That’s right.”
“Yes. Leaving Liliana alone in the garden was inappropriate in many ways.”
Alexei lightly patted Elliott on the back.
“No matter how good the intentions behind your actions were, you shouldn’t burden Liliana.”
“You’re right, Dad.”
Elliott looked a bit gloomy.
To lift Elliott’s spirits, Alexei gave his son a gentle smile.
“When you become the head of Valua, many people will surround you.”
“…”
“Some will oppose you, while others will support you.”
Hearing that, Elliott looked back and forth between his father, Liliana, and Anriette.
His father and Liliana would probably be on his side.
But what about his mother?
‘If it were before, I would definitely have thought of my mother as someone who opposes me.’
As soon as Anriette made eye contact with Elliott, she gave him a bright smile.
…For some reason, his feelings became a bit complicated.
“To find those who will support you, you need to cultivate your own insight.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“So use today’s incident as a mirror and be more attentive when dealing with people in the future.”
The gentle voice tickled Elliott’s ears.
“To become a great head of the family, it’s essential to surround yourself with good people.”
As Alexei comforted his son, he glanced sideways at Anriette.
Anriette was looking at their son with a kind expression.
‘Now that I think about it, my lady gently chided Elliott earlier.’
Alexei’s expression became somewhat nuanced.
How would it have been in the past?
He would have scolded her angrily or ignored her entirely as if she were a nuisance.
‘Above all, Elliott…’
The old Elliott would have been startled or even burst into tears at the sight of Anriette.
But now, Elliott looked quite relaxed.
Meanwhile, having listened to his father, Elliott gradually approached Liliana.
He carefully initiated a conversation.
“I’m sorry, Liliana. I didn’t think it through.”
“It’s okay; I wasn’t there for long anyway.”
Liliana shook her head.
But Elliott still felt bad for her.
“When I went to the kitchen earlier… I don’t think I heard you say it was okay to go.”
“But still, you did it for me.”
Liliana, making eye contact with Elliott, smiled brightly.
“Elliott just wants to share delicious snacks with me, so I’m happy just for that.”
At her sweet response, Elliott’s face turned bright red again.
Oh dear, how can our son not manage his expressions like that?
Even though they’re engaged, word must be spreading everywhere that he has a crush on Liliana!
Watching her son with a mischievous glint in her eyes, Anriette spoke up.
“Well then… shall we start with ‘Hans and the Fairy’s Adventure’ that our Elliott chose?”
***
After a moment’s pause, Alexei looked on with somewhat of a surprised expression at the sight of Anriette reading a storybook to the children.
‘…My wife is reading to the kids.’
Not just anyone, but her.
She certainly wasn’t the warm and caring type…
Anriette was currently mimicking the monster’s gruff voice.
“Gwahaha! Hans, do you think you can stab me with that toothpick of a sword?!!”
She performed so vividly that the children were completely absorbed in her storytelling.
“H-Hans, what are you going to do? You won’t get hurt badly, right?”
Liliana looked up at Anriette with teary eyes, while Elliott was getting into the story, swinging his fists.
“Our Hans is such a brave knight! He’ll knock that monster flat!”
Seeing that, Alexei couldn’t help but chuckle a little.
His gaze softened.
At that moment, Elliott suddenly turned to Alexei.
“Dad.”
“Yes?”
“You should read a book too.”
“…M-Me?”
Alexei stumbled over his words in surprise.
Elliott nodded resolutely.
“Since Mom is reading all by herself, I think her voice might get tired.”
How unusual for him to think of me like that?
Anriette’s eyes widened in surprise.
Eventually, Alexei, looking somewhat troubled, took the storybook.
It felt awkward to outright refuse, especially since his son had said that.
Clearing his throat, Alexei began to read the story.
“I. Am. The. Brave. Knight. Hans.”
“…”
“…”
“I. Will. Not. Surrender. To. The. Malicious. Monster. Accept. The. Sword. Of. Justice!”
Alexei read through the lines as if he were reading a textbook.
His stiff voice made the three of them look at him with disappointment.
“Um, Your Grace?”
Anriette was the first to speak cautiously.
“Honestly… it’s not fun at all when you read, Dad.”
Elliott hit the nail on the head with his bluntness.
“I-I think it’s okay… I guess…”
Liliana, trying to defend Alexei, had to quietly close her mouth at the horrified looks from Anriette and Elliott.
Alexei eventually felt dejected.
“…Is it really that bad?”
“Yes.”
Anriette answered firmly.
Following her lead, Elliott and Liliana added their comments.
“It’s way more fun when Mother reads to us.”
“I-I honestly prefer when you do it, Mother…”
Did you hear that?
With that loaded meaning, Anriette raised her nose and extended her hand.
Thus, Alexei had his storybook taken away by Anriette.
***
Despite playing in the garden for a while, the children seemed unsatisfied.
They returned to the townhouse with disappointed faces.
Anriette, placing her hands on her hips, looked around at the kids.
“What did we say we should do first when we come back from playing outside?”
“We have to wash our hands!”
“That’s right, our Liliana. You’re so smart!”
Anriette smiled brightly and led the children straight to the bathroom.
Alexei watched her back with a warm expression.
The children following Anriette, chattering along, looked just like little black and yellow chicks.
‘And my wife is like…’
A mother hen.
As he watched Anriette wrap her arms around the kids, that word naturally came to mind.
Alexei couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.
At that moment, Anriette turned around.
Their eyes met directly.