Chapter – 02
It took two days by train to reach Sudden.
The two days in the third-class car, filled with unpleasant smells and noise, were quite exhausting. Eleanor got off the train with a somewhat tired expression. Sudden’s train station was crowded with people.
“Move! Move!”
Eleanor was startled when she saw a boy running roughly toward her and quickly stepped aside. However, the boy was eventually grabbed by a station worker by the back of his collar and dragged away.
It seemed he had been caught trying to ride without a ticket. But Eleanor was the only one surprised; the others only glanced for a moment and then turned away coldly.
After checking her surroundings for a moment, Eleanor naturally turned and walked in the direction where the crowd was heading. As expected, the exit of Sudden station came into view.
“…….”
Stepping out of the station revealed the central streets of Sudden. Wide roads, well-maintained streets, and three-story buildings with stalls on the first floors selling fruit, food, and flowers created a bustling city. It was incomparable to Kent.
Eleanor could resist only so much the urge to gasp in awe, covering her mouth with one hand—uncontrollable.
“Are you Miss Hudson?”
She regained her composure when someone called her name. Eleanor turned toward the voice, startled.
“Yes. Excuse me, but who are you…?”
“I’m Ash Manderthon, the driver for the Claven Duke family.”
“Oh, Mr. Manderthon. Nice to see you.”
Eleanor greeted him, and Ash smiled gently. Wearing a vest and jacket, he gave off a respectful air, more formal than a mere servant.
“You may call me Ash. The Madam sent me here.”
“I didn’t expect someone would even come to meet me in advance.”
“Give me your luggage.”
Ash took Eleanor’s bags and placed them in the seat. Not being familiar with cars as a means of transport, Eleanor awkwardly got into the vehicle with Ash’s help.
As the car moved, the view of Sudden began to change. Everything felt different.
The car drove for some time before entering the approach to the Duke’s secluded mansion. Platanus trees lined the stone-paved path, their green leaves swaying as if welcoming the guests.
The rustling of the leaves in the breeze, sunlight filtering through—it all felt warm and pleasant.
“……It’s huge.”
Eleanor paused in her enjoyment of the scenery when she saw the gates protecting the mansion.
The iron gate, delicately decorated with the Claven family emblem, was impressive, but the sight beyond it was even more breathtaking. The three-story building loomed like a mountain, all carved from stone, naturally aged by time.
“That’s because it’s the Claven Duke residence.”
Ash smiled gently at Eleanor’s whispered remark. The car slowed as it reached the mansion’s entrance. The guards checked the license plate and opened the gate.
“Still, the Claven Duke and his family are all kind, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
The car passed along the long road connecting the main building to the gate, flanked by lively, beautifully landscaped gardens, making the long stretch anything but boring.
It was a different world. Eleanor’s previous home had been sufficient for her, but compared to the Claven mansion, it was less than a mere annex. The thrill of anticipation was mingled with a sense of intimidation.
‘The Madam has sent word that since Olivia will be out, Miss Hudson should rest comfortably. A maid will guide you to your quarters, so please make yourself at home.’
As Eleanor stepped out of the car, George O’Neil, the head butler, approached her, delivering Syndy Claven’s message. Eleanor was relieved—she would not meet her employer just yet. Thanks to Olivia being out, she could clean up after two days in a cramped train car.
Her room even had an attached bathroom, surpassing what she had experienced at the Hudson estate. With such amenities, her satisfaction could easily peak—if only she stayed employed.
“Miss Eleanor, I’ll bring you your meal.”
Eleanor’s thoughts were elsewhere, pondering how to teach eight-year-old Olivia. A maid arrived with a large tray carrying a simple meal.
“The Madam hasn’t returned yet.”
Even though Eleanor was to be the tutor, she was still technically a guest. She could not be seated in the dining hall, nor should she eat with the other servants. Therefore, Butler George ordered that her meal be brought to her room.
“Thank you.”
Eleanor expressed her gratitude as the maid awkwardly smiled and hurried out.
Despite all the societal changes, the position of a noble-born tutor remained an isolated island. It was considered a respectable job for unmarried women who did not wish to work as servants. Without the family’s wealth to rely on, they earned money while maintaining the dignity of the upper class—an uncomfortable compromise.
Still, Eleanor wanted to escape the Hudson estate. Kent was too small and stagnant, and living with Charles, perpetually drunk, was exhausting. More importantly…
‘Do what you want, Eleanor.’
Using her deceased mother’s words as motivation, she wanted to attend university. Charles had insisted that women should marry wealthy men for a comfortable life, but Eleanor, having grown up with him, thought otherwise.
She wanted to earn money herself rather than rely on a man. She was tired of unknown men controlling her life like a father figure.
“So I must earn money.”
As much as possible. In that regard, working as a tutor in the Claven household was perfect. The Dukes spared no expense in hiring staff for their mansion.
Olivia was only eight, and to become an adult, she had eight more years. If Eleanor could hold onto the position, she would earn a substantial sum over that time.
“Do not be swayed by sentiment, Eleanor.”
Resolute, Eleanor began her meal. Though simpler than what the Claven family would eat, it was a heaven compared to the dry, tough bread of the Hudson estate.
Feeling full, she chose to take a walk in the garden to ease her discomfort. Though she had not been explicitly allowed to wander, a brief stroll in the garden would not bring reprimand.
“The weather is nice.”
Though it was midsummer, the early part of the season and the low humidity in Reden made the evening pleasantly cool. Eleanor walked leisurely along the lamplit paths, inhaling the fresh air deeply.
“Hic.”
At that moment, she paused at the sound of soft crying. Initially thinking it was an animal, she realized it was definitely a child. Eleanor cautiously scanned the surroundings and moved toward the sound.
It was unusual for a child—especially one not part of the household staff—to be alone in the garden, crying.
“Is someone there?”
At Eleanor’s voice, the rustling stopped. She moved aside the branches, revealing a small dark figure moving restlessly behind neatly trimmed bushes.
“……Ah!”
The figure dashed forward like an animal, colliding with Eleanor. Though Eleanor only stumbled, the child—a young girl—fell to the ground.
Startled, the girl cried loudly. Eleanor, trying to calm her, did not notice the heavy iron gate opening and the car entering the garden.
“Are you alright?”
Eleanor quickly helped the child to her feet, dusting off her dress. Her hair was messy, and her tear-streaked face unkempt, but the dress was clearly of high quality.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just came over because I heard crying.”
While Eleanor fussed over the girl, a man’s voice called out:
“Olivia?”
A man, neatly dressed in a suit, stepped out of the car on the road leading to the mansion. Eleanor looked at him, adjusting to the headlights.
He was taller than most men, with a solid build, long limbs, and an aura that made his suit look like a uniform—commanding and imposing.
“Logan!”
The girl ran to him, throwing herself into his arms. He calmly lifted her up and patted her back. Eleanor blinked, recalling the scene.
The child who had been rolling in the garden was Olivia, a young member of the household. The man holding her, with brown hair and light-colored eyes, was Logan.
“He must be the Claven Duke.”
There was no other possibility.
