Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil

Chapter 87 My little mouth was constantly moving.Viscount Espenser, who was explaining the history of the Empire in an easy way, as if telling an old story, stopped talking.Escal, who was chewing on Madeleine, slowly raised his eyes. Viscount asked, looking at the child full of cookie crumbs.“Who was the 12th Emperor of the Empire and what did I say about his achievements?”“Christian II, reforming the currency system.”‘He was listening to everything he heard.’The moment Viscount Espenser just nodded in response without hesitation.“Noa. Christian II is the 11th Emperor.”Tiaris, who was sitting at the tea table on the other side of the room, eating madeleines, suddenly opened her mouth.It had been a month since she’d been allowed to sit in on Escal’s classes after she’d promised to behave herself.Viscount Espenser was a little perplexed at the words of the child, who had never even opened her mouth for a while.“Did you say that Christian II was the 11th Emperor?”“Yeah. It says in that book that Philip VI was not the eleventh Emperor.”Tiaris pointed to the history book on the desk.Opinions were divided as to whether Philip VI, who had served as acting crown prince for thirteen years in place of the ailing Emperor before his assassination, should be considered an Emperor or not.The argument in favor of including him in the emperor’s line of succession was strong, but there were many scholars who disagreed.Viscount Espenser opened the book Tiaris was pointing to. At the beginning of the book, which has been published for a long time, as Tiaris said, the yearbook of the Emperor of the Empire and the reason why Philip VI was not included in the genealogy of the Emperor were written.‘You’re so clever that it’s scary for a child.’It is not an easy book for even the most intelligent children to read, so it was unusual for a 4-year-old to read and remember this difficult book.Viscount Espenser soon asked the little girl who had been distracted by Madeleine again.“What was the first thing Philip VI did?”“He built a castle in a place where monsters live. It’s hard because everyone has run away.”“So what did he do?”“Free the prisoners and use them to build Joseo Castle.”“Do you know what Philip VI gave the prisoners?”“Mmm, apples and shoes.”All the answers were correct, without a single error.Viscount Espenser burst out laughing.“How did you read this book?”“Oppa is doing homework, and I’m bored, so I read it.”“Who taught you to read?”“Grandpa.”“I see.”Viscount Espenser looked at Tiaris and smiled bitterly.‘The talent is excellent, but with her status it is such a pity.’If Tiaris had become an ordinary countess’ daughter, he would have thought she was a promising young lady, but Tiaris was the Baron’s granddaughter who had nothing.There were a lot of regrets about seeing her as a good bride because she had no place to live and had to live with the Duke of Anthemion and lost her parents. Furthermore…‘I’m afraid your Majesty shouldn’t know about this.’Although they are still children, it is common for the imperial family or high-ranking aristocrats to enter into an engagement even before they are born, so if the Emperor finds out about Tiaris’ existence, he will surely consider it an eyesore.As he noticed the intentions of the Emperor and Empress early on, he felt sorry for Tiaris.“Teacher?”“Ah, how far did we go?”“It’s Christian II”“I see. Then….”Viscount Espenser gritted his teeth bitterly and continued on with his lesson. ***** “Goodbye, teacher.”“Don’t forget to read Chapter 4 until next time.”“Yes, teacher.”After class, Viscount Espenser was greeted by Escal and left the room.Lenia, who was embroidering while sitting on the sofa in the living room, put down the fabric and got up.“Are you going back now?”“Yes.”Viscount Espenser, who spoke bluntly, headed for the front door. Then he suddenly stopped walking and asked Lenia, who followed him off.“How long will that young lady be here?”“You mean Tiaris?”Lenia opened her eyes and asked a question. Viscount nodded his head and he smiled awkwardly.“If you’re doing this because she’s disrupting the class, I’ll tell her not to go in next time.”“No, that’s why I’m asking.”“Really?”Viscount Espenser rubbed his face in a rush of exhaustion.‘Where do I begin to explain this?’Tiaris is the granddaughter of the person who saved Escal, so it could not be said that it was strange that she had a favor with Escal or Lenia or that child.The problem, however, was that Viscount Espenser’s favor seemed excessive.‘The Duke of Anthemion must know of your favor with Escal.’He can’t believe that they even had a luncheon with the Emperor and Empress at the country house at the invitation of Grand Duchess Crawford a while ago.Knowing that the Emperor would tolerate rejection, Lenia’s attitude made him even more puzzled.“What happened in class?”“No.”It is ridiculous to think too deeply about children who are not yet ten years old.Duke Anthemion will take care of it.Deciding that further interference was out of the question, Viscount Espenser ended the conversation.“I’ve been talking nonsense. Let’s stop.”“Go back carefully.”The moment he left the mansion hoping that this nuisance would disappear.“Excuse me, Viscount Espenser.”A group of burly knights stopped in front of him. ***** “I see Her Majesty the Empress.”“Welcome, Viscount Espenser. It’s been a while.”Viscount Espenser, who was taken to the Imperial Palace after being captured by the Imperial Knights, sighed.The Empress said with a very artificial smile.“Isn’t this the first time I’ve seen you in the Imperial Palace since you quit being our Fred’s tutor?”“That’s right.”“I thought you had given up being a tutor because you found Fred so difficult to handle.”The words were sharp.Viscount Espenser did not answer. It cannot be said that the reason for leaving the Prince’s tutor was because of the Prince’s arrogance.“Anyway, do you know why I called Viscount?”“… Is it because of the young master Escalium?”“Right.”The Empress nodded while holding a teacup. Viscount Espenser secretly bit his tongue.From the fact that it was not an audience room or a drawing room, but a private room, I felt strongly that this meeting was unusual.“What do you think, Viscount?”“What do you mean by that?”“Everything. Tell me what the Viscount felt while teaching the child.”The Empress arrogantly ordered. Viscount Espenser chose his words carefully.“He is still young, but he is a good and smart student.”“And?”“He is serious and caring for his age. A mistake pointed out once is never made twice.”“Again?”“He is very patient and has a great ability to learn.”Viscount Espenser praised Escal in a blunt tone.The eyes of the Empress, who knew the character of the Viscount, who rarely praised others, turned different.“That’s quite a compliment. Is young master Escalium that good?”“It’s not that he has no flaws, but overall he’s good.”“What are the downsides?”Viscount Espenser, holding the teacup, put the teacup to his lips and then lifted it.Seeing the Empress summoning him all the way here and asking about Escal’s reputation, it seems that she has already reached a conclusion.He answered bluntly.“The downside is that he’s not overly greedy and he looks at other people a lot.”“Is that all?”“The character of children can change depending on their parents and education, so I can only say that for now.”The Empress nodded her head in response to the Viscount answer. As if she was satisfied with the answer, her stiff expression softened.“And what do you think of our Adela’s partner?”“……”Viscount Espenser swallowed dry saliva at the blatant question. For some reason, Tiaris Hazel’s face appeared in front of him and then disappeared.“I’m sorry, but I don’t think that’s something I can judge.”“Didn’t the Duchess of Anthemion not give you a word?”“I am just the child’s tutor.”“I heard that the Duchess sought advice from the Viscount quite a few times?”“It is true that I have given madam little help because she is not familiar with the social world, but what advice would I dare to give to a member of the Duke’s family?”“Really?”The Empress’s eyes shone meaningfully. Viscount Espenser tried to keep his composure.“Then let me ask you one last question.”“Please speak, Your Majesty.”“I heard that Baron Hazel and his granddaughter are staying at the Duke of Anthemion.”… She knew.Viscount Espenser answered in silence.“What kind of child is she?”The Empress asked with a sharp tone.Maybe it was Tiaris, not Escal, who called him out of curiosity.He slowly opened his mouth.“She’s just a normal kid.”“A normal kid?”“I’ve met her on my way here, but I didn’t feel anything special about her.”“I heard that child took care of young master Escalium when he went missing.”“How could a four-year-old take care of someone, I’m guessing they just stayed together.”“Is the child 4 years old?”“Yes.”“I must have been worrying about a child for nothing.”The Empress’s eyes softened as if she was finally relieved.“Thank you, that answers some of my questions.”