NOVEL NEXT chapter 24
24 – Nirsara
Count Edric is a peculiar person.
Apart from the story of how he defended the territory and people from barbarians at the mere age of fifteen, which has been told so many times that it has become cliché, Count Edric is undeniably an odd person.
Despite appearing much older due to his sagacity and thoughts beyond his age, his actual level of knowledge is only about one-tenth of others his age. (Though, I must admit, he is surprisingly good at mathematics.)
On the other hand, sometimes Count Edric displays a childish side that is appropriate for his age, yet surpasses even a fifty-year-old grandfather in terms of consideration for others.
Now, to explain why I accepted the position as Count Edric’s private tutor: in addition to my curiosity about Count Edric as a person due to his legends, there was actually a more complicated reason.
Before I came to Silverwood, I was working as a professor at Levonia University. However, one day, an older professor named “Neville” (the same elderly gentleman I mentioned earlier) unnecessarily criticized my research during a presentation, which infuriated me. In a moment of anger, I accidentally hit the professor on the head with my staff and shattered his skull.
If the criticism had been rational, I might have accepted it. However, the cause of this incident was actually his refusal to have a meal together despite my repeated invitations. Professor Neville started attacking me personally in his criticism of my research.
Finally, he said, “Being out and about in the world after disrespecting the role bestowed upon women is wrong. Nirsara, with her narrow-minded thoughts, is conducting biased research by being obsessed with certain elements, resulting in subpar work. If such research were to be recognized, it would tarnish the reputation of Levonia University.” Unable to bear it any longer, I broke his skull.
The professor did not have a good reputation, and there were many other professors who supported me. However, since I knew hitting him on the head was wrong, I had no choice but to flee from Levonia University.
I lived as a wanderer for a while until Hayden Lurein, the Duke, invited me to his domain. Not only did the Duke provide me with food and shelter, but he also supported me as much as possible, allowing me to focus on my research.
So, I tried to help the Duke with whatever he asked or needed, and not long after he left to eradicate the rebel Westburn, he sent me a letter suggesting that I teach his grandson.
Actually, even without him saying anything, it was a situation where I had to stay quiet for a few years, and since I had received many favors from the Duke, of course I would have accepted his request. But during the process, I became even more interested in Lord Edric’s achievements.
Especially in the Duke’s letter, there was an impressive part where he described Lord Edric to me:
“Edric is a relaxed child by nature, he enjoys going out and playing, and he lacks in academics, but at least when it comes to character, he is the best child in our household, excluding my daughter.
To give you an example, there was once an incident during my birthday celebration when my daughter’s family visited the Duke’s residence. My inexperienced female servant accidentally stepped on the tablecloth with her foot and, as she moved her foot, the tablecloth dragged, causing food to spill towards my grandchildren.
My grandchildren, who got angry because their clothes got dirty due to the spilled food, punished the servant harshly for her mistake. However, Edric, who also got his clothes dirty because the food spilled on him, instead of punishing the servant like his brothers did, simply said, ‘You will be punished enough by my brothers later, and besides, there is no need for you to suffer here when you will be scolded separately by your superiors. Go in peace.’
His brothers made fun of Edric for being weak like their father, but in my opinion, Edric took pity on my servant and showed mercy not because he was weak, but because he considered the fact that I could handle the mistake myself. Also, he thought there was no need to show a bad scene during my birthday banquet. Queen Esther advised to love your neighbor and not easily give in to anger, and to forgive someone who does wrong even seven times, a hundred times, or a thousand times. By forgiving my servant unlike his brothers, Edric showed a noble dignity.
In reality, I felt displeased that Edric’s brothers had rashly punished my servant without me intervening, so I think Edric’s response was correct.
What I want to say is that the princess has likely experienced many hardships while wandering the continent as a homeless person, and the recent unfortunate incidents are probably related to that.
But unlike other boys of his age who tend to treat servants like nobodies, Edric has remarkably little prejudice towards others and is kind to everyone. Even if the princess were to teach him, he wouldn’t dismiss her just because she is a woman.”
Indeed, Lord Edric has never shown any subtle contempt or desire for companionship towards girls, typically associated with boys his age.
Sometimes he struggles with his studies to an unimaginable extent, but overall, Lord Edric is an exemplary student who obediently learns the contents I teach him.
Based on my extensive experience as a private tutor, there are only a few students as attentive to my lessons as Lord Edric.
As I mentioned before, I’m over 50 years old, and even those who have learned everything to become university professors do not respect me solely because I am a woman (although they don’t even offer me food). Ironically, it is Lord Edric, who has shallow knowledge, who shows me respect and consideration.
However, should we call it a problem of Lord Edric’s? Well, perhaps not exactly. Anyway, it can be both an advantage and a disadvantage: he treats women as if caring for dolls.
Yes, quite literally. It means he treats women like dolls.
To be more precise, Lord Edric treats men and women with little difference.
There are many beauties around Lord Edric. Miss Eileen, as well as Lady Patricia, of course, but also the other maids and servants working in the castle, all possess outstanding beauty.
And although I hesitate to say it myself, I am also recognized by those around me as a beauty.
However, Lord Edric approaches these beauties without any reservation or ulterior motives, just as he would with his companions.
At that age, young men usually try their best to impress charming ladies since their s*xual desires are rapidly developing.
But Lord Edric simply asks if they had a good day, if they ate, and if they had any difficulties, engaging in casual conversations about daily life without excessive concern or revealing his own desires.
Thanks to this, I was able to approach Lord Edric without feeling awkward. However, this behavior of his poses a significant problem.
It is precisely because he approaches people “without any desire, just coming close comfortably” that I developed a liking for Lord Edric.
The maid who cleans the hallway said, “He seems to see my true self without caring about my status
“Ah, yes?!”
“You said you couldn’t concentrate before. Today, it seems like the teacher can’t focus.”
Ugh, how could the great Nirsela make such a mistake…
“I’m slightly tired. Now, what part exactly do you have a question about?”
Before the Marquis could say anything strange, I approached him and crouched down, asking where he had a question about. Suddenly, the Marquis looked right at my face.
“Hmm, there are certainly shadows under your eyes. Did you stay up late again yesterday?”
“Ugh..!”
That’s the problem with someone who invades my personal space like that, Marquis!
Oh, no! That innocent look on his face as if he doesn’t know what the problem is…!
Can I really let this Marquis loose in society…? At this rate, he’ll end up being broken into pieces more than just twice…!
Then shouldn’t I take care of the Marquis instead?
Slap!
“No, teacher. Why are you doing that? Why are you slapping your own cheek…?”
“I’m tired! Now, where exactly do you have a question?!”
“Oh, yes…here.”
What was I thinking?! There’s no way I would have that kind of relationship with the Marquis!
Of course, I have shining golden hair and beautiful jewel-like blue eyes that the Marquis himself mentioned, and my breasts are quite large and my figure is reasonably good, but the Marquis prefers younger people like Lady Eilen or Satriasha rather than an older woman like me…!
More…?!
“Teacher, are you really feeling unwell? Your complexion doesn’t look good.”
“…Huh? Oh…”
“If you’re really not feeling well, please rest for a moment.”
Oh no. It seems she has been thinking too much to see the expression of genuine concern from the Marquis.
Now, Nirsela. Come back to your senses and get yourself together..!
“We don’t have time for that now. We have to leave for the Duke’s decree tomorrow, aren’t we?”
“Has it already gotten to that point so quickly?”
“Yes. It’s already like that. Now, is this the part you were referring to? If you write here like this-“
It was twenty days after receiving her grandfather’s letter when they leave for the Lureen Marquisate.
**
The King’s study within the Uriumania Royal Palace.
“Selénor. If we wait just ten more days, Édric’s friend will arrive at the palace.”
“Really?!”
King Richard of Yurmania felt a surge of joy rise in him as he watched his beloved daughter Selénor be so delighted.
“Oh my, our princess. Why are you so happy?”
“Yes! I will finally get to see a knight like the ones in fairy tales for real!”
‘I wonder if the knights in real life are different from the ones in fairy tales.’
Richard felt a hint of unease, wondering if Édric would live up to his daughter’s romanticized image of a “knight from a fairy tale.” What if Édric didn’t meet her expectations and ended up disappointing her?
At the same time, a slight tinge of jealousy emerged in another corner of his heart towards Édric, who received such great attention from his daughter.
“We have over 50 knights residing in this castle alone…”
“But the knight I desire is not one who merely stays cooped up in this castle, but rather one who protects his people, rescues the princess he loves, and occasionally goes on adventures.”
“hahahaha, quite the words for the knights in this castle.”
As the noblewoman and Selénor conversed amicably, an elderly woman approached slowly.
Celénor tensed up at the face of the scheming woman.
“Ugh…”
Although Richard felt a slight pang of sympathy for his daughter, he took no action.
“Gothmira, what is the matter?”
The woman known as Gothmira blew out a breath through her nose and addressed the king as if scolding him.
“Your Majesty! Did you not tell me that the princess should start her lessons one hour after finishing lunch? Yet why haven’t you sent the princess to me until now?”
“Has it already been that long since then..?”
“You are already 30 minutes late from the agreed-upon time, Your Majesty!”
“I apologize. It’s just that we were having a pleasant conversation between father and daughter. I will make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
“Your Majesty, as I mentioned before, you spoil the prince and princess too much! Because of how lenient you are, the first and second princes have become wayward at times. Are you intentionally doing the same to the princess?”
“…I’m sorry. I will be more careful next time. Selénor, now go and receive education under Gothmira’s guidance.”
“…Yes.”
Richard couldn’t help but feel sorry as he watched his daughter being led away by Gothmira, but there was nothing he could do.
Gothmira wasn’t entirely wrong in her words. Perhaps it was because he had raised his children with too much tenderness that his eldest and second sons had become problematic figures within the kingdom.
It was Gothmira who stepped in to ‘correct’ them and guide them onto the right path, though she may have been somewhat impolite. How could he say anything against her when she was even willing to put her own life on the line for his children?
Although Gothmira did teach the children rather harshly, weren’t children supposed to be disciplined in order to be controlled? After all, Richard himself had received numerous beatings from his own parents while growing up.
He felt a sense of guilt for passing on the role he should have taken on to Gothmira.
“Selénor, bear with it a little longer. These trials and tribulations will shape you into a wise woman.”
Today, the Yurmania royal family was peaceful once again.