Chapter 4
Having started learning to read, Noah was gradually discovering the joy of learning.
First, he learned how to write my name. Then the Duke’s.
Eventually, he learned his own name and even the names of the maids.
And before long…
“Rita!”
“Oh my, young master. What is it?”
He had memorized even the names of the other maids and servants.
Naturally, everyone smiled brightly at Noah’s cuteness, and for a while, the Duke’s estate was filled with a warm and cheerful atmosphere.
A child who enjoys learning… Noah might be the first I’ve seen like this.
When I was his age, I would’ve chosen to run outside rather than pick up a pen.
Sure, I sounded a bit old-fashioned—but Noah really was different from other kids.
As time passed, his talents began to shine even brighter.
Eventually, Noah learned all the letters and became able to read an entire picture book by himself.
It was an ordinary morning.
“…Noona.”
Noah, who had been reading a picture book beside me, cautiously approached.
I was working on the Duke’s budget at the time. Setting my glasses aside, I turned my attention to him. Before I could even reply, Noah spoke again.
“If I learn to use a sword, can I become like this knight?”
He held out the picture book he’d been reading.
Just as I thought, it was a drawing of a knight slaying a dragon.
It was a childish image to me—but it must’ve stirred something in Noah’s heart. His eyes were sparkling as he looked up at me.
“Hmm…”
I smiled awkwardly, unsure how to respond.
Wasn’t ten too young to start learning swordsmanship?
In the original story, he only started training after enrolling in the academy.
That’s where he obtained his trait as a magic swordsman and began driving the main plot forward…
But maybe it was fine. He picked things up quickly anyway. Starting early couldn’t hurt.
“Do you have a teacher in mind?”
“You can pick one for me, noona.”
Noah beamed as he handed me the book.
He probably hoped the teacher would be as cool as the knight in the story.
Ah, too cute.
Children really did think differently from adults.
“Alright, I’ll take care of it.”
From a swordsmanship teacher to the magic tutor I would soon hire—even the sword he would someday wield.
You can look forward to it, Noah.
I would make him even more perfect than Crown Prince Lucas himself.
How much time passed after that?
Because of Noah’s request, I hurriedly wrapped up the budget draft and reached out to the information guild to search for swordsmanship tutors.
All of them were impressive in their own way—some even belonged to the Imperial Knights.
There are more people looking for students than I expected…
Countless parchments passed through my hands, and countless names flashed before my eyes—but in the end, none of them truly caught my attention.
They were all excellent—but somehow lacking.
To choose one of these half-measures as Noah’s teacher would betray my determination to raise him to surpass Lucas.
Sigh… What do I do now?
Who could I possibly hire for Noah?
Just as my thoughts began to swirl and overheat—
Knock knock.
“Rosent.”
With the knock came a familiar voice—it was the Duke.
“Yes? What brings you here?”
Seeing that it was not a time he usually visited, I quickly stood and invited him to the table.
And just as I thought—
“Noah wants a swordsmanship teacher, doesn’t he?”
So the Duke had already heard.
Taking a sip of the tea that the maids had placed on the table, the Duke spoke casually.
“I heard you invested quite a bit into the information guild.”
“Yes, well. This is going to be Noah’s teacher. They need to be someone special.”
The problem was that they were all somehow… insufficient.
Normally, nobles would leverage their connections to bring in exceptional tutors—but I, Rosent, had no ties to the martial world…
Maybe the Duke sensed my thoughts. He set down his teacup and said,
“Is that so? Then you won’t be needing my connections, I suppose.”
“…Sorry?”
With his usual playful tone, the Duke added,
“If my daughter had asked, I might’ve contacted Marquess Eris for her.”
Marquess Eris? Could he mean the commander of the Manon Imperial Knights?
“You know him?”
“We used to do business together.”
“Oh, my.”
Perfect! Then we could either ask the Marquess directly or get a recommendation from him!
Relieved by how smoothly things were unfolding, I clapped my hands and smiled brightly.
But the Duke wasn’t done—his next words carried weight.
“But.”
But?
“Noah needs a friend his own age first.”
Ah.
I froze at the bait.
“A friend…?”
“Noah needs to expand his social circle.”
“But he has me.”
“That’s not the same as having friends his own age.”
I sighed, retreating under the truth of the Duke’s words.
He was right.
No matter how much I cared for Noah, the age gap couldn’t be ignored.
Children his age typically followed their mothers to casual tea gatherings to get their first taste of society.
But the Duke’s household had no lady of the house.
And I, being unmarried, couldn’t exactly mingle with married noblewomen in their circles.
Not to mention, I hadn’t even had my own debutante ball yet.
“Who do you think would be a good match?”
“The Maril Count family has a second son.”
“You mean Pophini’s younger brother?”
The Duke answered with a nod.
Pophini Maril.
Rosent’s only real friend, and the only person she regularly conversed with in noble society.
She had a younger brother named Mack, who was five years her junior. Though he was a year older than Noah, he was still the closest in age among my acquaintances.
Yes, just like the Duke said, I should ask Pophini.
Maybe Mack could be a good influence on Noah—teach him things as an older peer.
If things went well, he could even become Noah’s future academy companion.
Most importantly, Pophini was bright, kind, and full of cheerful chatter.
Maybe her brother took after her.
After discussing various things about Noah, the Duke eventually left the room before lunch to head to work.
Alright, that takes care of the swordsmanship teacher and the peer friend issue…
“Ani, bring me stationery and the house seal.”
Time to write to Pophini for the first time in a while.
“Rose!”
The next day, a cheerful voice as sunny as the weather called out to me.
Pophini had arrived at the Duke’s estate, and naturally, little Mack was following behind her.
“Hello, Pophi.”
“Oh my gosh—Rose, I missed you so much!”
She grabbed my hands and shook them enthusiastically. Her blonde curls bounced wildly.
Pophini didn’t take her eyes off me until she sensed another presence. Then, she looked down—
And at that moment—
“Oh my!”
With a gasp, she bent down.
“You must be Noah! You’re so tiny!”
“H-hello…”
“And your front teeth are missing, huh? You sound adorable!”
Overwhelmed by Pophini’s enthusiasm, Noah shrank behind me, clearly startled.
But she didn’t miss a beat. She roughly patted Noah’s head and then, with a bright “Ah!”, pushed Mack forward from where he had been hiding behind her.
“Mack, say hello. This is Rose’s little brother.”
She really didn’t waste any time.
And in response to her rush—
“Hmph.”
Mack snorted and looked away from Noah, openly rebellious.
Was this some kind of kid-sized power struggle?
“…”
I held back a small laugh at Mack’s behavior. Then I leaned down and patted Noah’s head.
Noah purred softly, enjoying my touch.
“Heehee.”
He flashed a silly smile and leaned affectionately into my side.
I gently pinched his cheek and said,
“Noah, these are important guests. Be nice, okay?”
“Your guests?”
“Yes, guests.”
Noah paused, then broke into his trademark wide grin and rubbed his cheek against my hand.
“Got it!”
But then—
“Hmph, I don’t make friends with orphans.”
Thud.
My heart dropped. My fingertips trembled.
Pophini quickly tried to cover Mack’s mouth, but he wriggled free and shouted,
“I’m a high-ranking noble! I don’t have to be friends with an orphan!”
“Mack!”
Pophini’s face turned pale.
At the same time, the atmosphere of the Duke’s estate froze, a chill settling between us.
“…”
I stopped stroking Noah’s cheek and stared at Mack. He flinched a little, but then raised his voice again.
“You know it’s true, don’t you, Lady Rosent? No matter how capable an orphan is, they can’t really be treated like a noble!”
“Mack, enough…”
“It’s weird! You, and even your noona!”
He yelled in frustration.
“How could he be part of House Agrinda?!”
Eventually, Mack’s words reached the maids, who began whispering among themselves.
And he wasn’t wrong.
Even if Noah had been formally adopted, the public still didn’t truly recognize him as a young lord of Agrinda.
To Mack, the warm atmosphere of the Duke’s home must’ve seemed bizarre.
“…Mack.”
The more cutting Mack’s words became, the paler Pophini grew.
She looked overwhelmed, her mind going blank in shock at her brother’s outburst.
How foolish of me to think this was just childish bickering.
The freezing tension in the estate seemed to terrify Noah. He lowered his eyebrows and pressed into my arms.
“Noona…”
And then—
“…What does that mean?”
It was the first time Noah had ever been directly hurt by someone’s cruel words.
