Chapter – 22
“Yes. It seems that Marquis Leonardo has looked into it for us.”
“That’s something.”
Schurman leaned back in his chair, surprised. Even a complete rogue cares about educating his children, huh?
“But it seems there’s no tutor or lessons. They say he’s just been playing hide-and-seek or enjoying afternoon tea parties until now.”
“…….”
Schurman’s fists clenched on their own.
“Of course, that’s what rogues do. Next!”
“A letter has arrived from Arte Castle. It seems they’ve finally decided whether to allow Lord Oscar to attend.”
“Is that so?”
Only then did Schurman lift himself from the armchair. Oscar was the child of his second son, Freddy Chablain. Unlike the absent-minded and always frustrating Freddy, Oscar was intelligent, diligent, polite, and composed.
He was Schurman’s dream and hope for the rest of his life—the single ray of sunlight from a failed line of offspring.
Although not officially announced yet, Oscar was clearly superior to his other children, both in character and ability, and was destined to become the next Duke.
“How did it go? Surely, since the head of the Chablain family personally visited, he must have been accepted, right?”
Schurman’s eyes flashed sharply.
Arte Castle was a study group for parents hoping to enroll their children in the Sozinius Academy, and he had only recently learned of its existence.
Had he known earlier, Oscar might have been accepted last year.
Recently, Freddy and Oscar had visited Arte Castle, but absurdly, they failed to gain entry.
Learning of this caused Schurman great shock, and he personally went to the group. The results had just now arrived.
Arte Castle had kept its very existence a secret, yet its arrogance seemed sky-high. Still, the disadvantage lay with them, so there was nothing to be done.
“Give it here.”
Frustrated, Schurman snatched the letter from Nocturne’s hands. His eyes scanned the words quickly, and deep wrinkles formed on his forehead.
Could this really be true?
“This is outrageous.”
As soon as Schurman spoke, all the attendants flinched. Nocturne, ashamed, just lowered his head silently.
Clenching the letter, Schurman’s frown deepened. Harsh words flowed from his mouth with an elegance and sharpness that startled everyone.
“How dare they refuse the Chablain family’s request. Are they too afraid because no Sozinius alumni exist in their ranks? Concerned because it’s a rogue-holding family?”
“…….”
At that moment, not a single person dared to speak. They all knew exactly how disappointed and enraged he would be.
Duke Schurman had many wishes, and among them, his desire for the Sozinius Academy ranked in his top ten. It was directly tied to the family’s honor.
“This damned child of Leonardo’s.”
As Schurman tore the letter apart, Nocturne stepped forward.
“Please calm yourself, Your Grace. We must explore other options.”
“Then do so. Find a hundred ways, a thousand ways, whatever it takes.”
Schurman’s eyes glinted sharply.
He couldn’t believe it. His child couldn’t even get into Arte Castle, let alone Sozinius! Thinking that this was all Leonardo’s doing made his blood pressure skyrocket.
Had Oscar already heard this news? If he did, the child would be extremely disappointed. But knowing Oscar’s usual temperament, Schurman suspected the child would worry even more about him.
Schurman called Nocturne with a calmer voice.
“Nocturne.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Ask Oscar if there’s anything he wants. But don’t let him know how disappointed I am.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
With that, Schurman lay back down and closed his eyes gently.
Could he fulfill this wish before he died?
It seemed unlikely before Leonardo passed away.
‘If even one of my descendants could enter Sozinius, I would have no regrets.’
On a snowy-white garden table lay cakes, tarts, sandwiches, and all sorts of desserts, displaying their vivid colors.
Not only that, but refreshing drinks infused with herbs, black tea, milk, and strawberry syrup filled the table.
I sat in my chair, my eyes sparkling as I looked up at Limerick, who couldn’t close his gaping mouth.
“What is all this?”
“This is all for your first Sandseeing.”
“My goodness.”
Limerick buried his face in his hands.
I scratched under my nose, slightly worried. Had I gone too far?
At that moment, maids approached from behind Limerick, intending to put a flower necklace around his neck. I gestured for them not to come closer. They paused for a moment and then backed away.
“Sandseeing.”
“Yes?”
At my call, Limerick cautiously lifted his head. His eyes trembled with uncertainty as I held both of his hands tightly.
“Sandseeing is on your side?”
“Yes?”
“You want to go, right? Our grandfather likes smart children… (Erusha wants to have something you like. Our grandfather likes smart children).”
“…….”
“I also want grandfather’s love. I don’t want to be pushed away because of Dad. So please, help me, Sandseeing (Erusha wants to receive grandfather’s love. I don’t want to be pushed away because of Dad, so please help).”
“Oh, my lady.”
Limerick’s pupils shook. He bit his lips, unable to speak, while his amber eyes were already glistening with moisture.
“I see… so that’s why you wanted to study so hard…”
“…….”
“Then, what can I do to help? Except for lessons, I can do almost anything for you.”
“Really?”
I asked again, and Limerick nodded once.
Since lessons were excluded, it was clear that Leo had issued some kind of warning not to teach me.
“…Erusha, what is your dream?”
“Dream?”
“Ah, a dream…”
I narrowed my eyes at Limerick, but I let it pass, since the disappointment would have been mine otherwise.
“What is your dream?”
“I want… at least one of my children to enter Sozinius Academy.”
“Sozinius Academy?”
“Yes.”
Limerick visibly brightened. Perhaps he hadn’t expected to hear the name of his alma mater.
“Well, having a descendant enter a gifted academy is every noble’s wish. Now that I think of it, the Chablain family hasn’t had anyone yet.”
“Yes. That’s why I want to go!”
“!”
“I want to give happiness to Harabuddy… (Erusha wants to bring joy to grandfather). That’s my wish.”
“But that place isn’t somewhere you can just go because you want to. Even with money, connections, or genius, it’s not guaranteed. Sometimes, you pass the exams by sheer luck, sometimes you fail. There are ten tests, but no one knows exactly what they are. Certificates can even arrive out of the blue.”
“Is that so?”
Indeed, to catch a tiger, one must enter the tiger’s den. By asking a graduate, I learned many details. Yet it was odd that he still didn’t reveal his own alma mater. Was he trying to hide it?
“Is that true, Sandseeing?”
“Yes?”
I nervously wriggled my fingers and continued speaking.
