I Won't Clear Up the Misunderstanding. I Don't Mind Being the Villainess. - Chapter 28
I chatted with Ron’s attendant, Martha, for a bit afterward. The main point of the discussion was figuring out what to do about Ron’s lessons until a new tutor was hired.
I thought about it, then suggested he just read a book he liked every day and write a short review of it. I plan on giving Leo the exact same assignment. I really wanted to know what kind of books those two preferred and the thoughts they had about them. I figured it would give me some vital clues about their tastes and characters.
(Ron seems like a perfectly sweet kid so far, but…)
The problem is, nearly every character in the original story turns out to be eccentric or complicated. I have hardly any information on Ron, so if there’s a chance to learn about him, I need to take it.
Martha and Ron both agreed to my proposal. The only snag was that the library’s children’s section was tiny compared to the rest of the collection, and all the books were ancient. As for Ron’s own room? Apparently, he only has a few picture books from when he was a toddler.
(Right, new clothes aren’t the only expense. I need to start spending money on practical things like this, too.)
I promised Martha and the others I’d work to fix the situation and quickly wrapped up our conversation. I’d seen Holger opening the library door.
“Your Grace, my apologies for the delay.”
“It’s quite alright. Has the doctor arrived?”
“Yes. Where would you prefer to receive him?”
Holger’s question made me pause and think. Martha and Ron bowed and slipped out in the interim.
“Where does the Duke see a doctor?”
“When he is ill, or when he needs to uncover his skin, he is taken to the master bedroom.”
“Then I shall do the same.”
As I spoke, I reached for the book I’d set on the desk to return it to the shelf.
“Your Grace, I’ll take that.”
The maid Airi immediately took the book from me.
“Thank you so much, I appreciate it.”
I thanked her and asked her to put it away.
“Holger, there are hardly any children’s books in this library. I need to buy more since they’ll be used for lessons.”
“Understood, Madam. I shall arrange it through the librarian.”
“If possible, I’d really like to choose the books myself. I also want some new reading material.”
“…In that case, I will arrange for a supplier to be called to the estate, Your Grace.”
After a slight hesitation, Holger replied. I nodded, saying, “Please do.” I left the library and headed back to my private chamber.
“Where is the Duke now?”
“He is in his private study. …He is scheduled to depart for the Capital early tomorrow morning.”
“And you were specifically told to tell me that?”
When I asked, Holger suddenly burst into a fit of coughing. I was startled because I hadn’t expected such an extreme reaction.
“Whoa, are you okay?”
“Y-yes, my deepest apologies.”
It wasn’t clear what he was apologizing for, but I accepted it.
“Don’t worry about it. So, what’s the actual situation?”
“…I have received no instructions this time to mislead Your Grace.”
“I see. While I’m at it, just a quick check… is the dungeon connected to the Duke’s bedroom, by any chance?”
When I whispered the question, Holger coughed so violently it was incomparable to the first time. The sheer force of it seemed to throw his back out, and I scrambled to catch him as he collapsed in agony. I truly hadn’t expected a reaction this severe. For a steward, he was far too fragile when faced with a sudden question.
“W-wait, someone! Come quickly! Holger’s thrown his back out!”
In a panic, I shouted for a passing maid. The two of us carefully moved Holger onto the floor while supporting him.
“Holger, where is the doctor I called?!”
“H-he’s in the drawing-room at the moment…”
“Right. Could you please call the doctor in from the drawing-room, and also fetch some staff who can help carry Holger?”
When I gave the instructions, the maid acknowledged them and rushed away in a flurry. Holger spoke to me, trying to hold a position that wouldn’t strain his back.
“Y-your Grace… I may no longer be fit to serve as the steward.”
“You’re absolutely right. You need to recover at home.”
“My successor, I believe, will be my son, Carvel…”
I gaped at his words. It was true that in the original story, the steward position was passed from Holger to his son, Carvel.
(Even so, the day after the wedding? This development is way too fast…)
Too many major events had happened in a single day: the firing of the tutor, Mrs. Marvella; the summoning of the doctor, Rain; and now the change of steward.
“It’s very sudden, but I had planned to submit my resignation before His Grace departed today…”
“…I understand.”
Even Kevin wouldn’t ask Holger to work in this state. And I thought, so Kevin really is going to the Capital this time.
“Carvel was a civil servant until recently and is unfamiliar with the steward’s duties, but he is a hard worker, so please be patient with him…”
“I got it. Just stay still for now.”
As I tried to calm Holger, who was shaking like a newborn calf, I started to dread the fact that I would be the one who had to tell Kevin about his retirement.