MLCP 09

Chapter – 09

“I promised. Just one day on Sunday, together.”

“Yes. Just one day.”

Satisfied with her firm answer, Asher left late at night. Eleanor only turned around after the carriage carrying Asher passed through the gate of the duke’s estate and completely disappeared from view.

“Ellie.”

By the time she reached the front door, Olivia, with red, tear-streaked eyes, was hesitating as if ashamed. Behind her stood Logan, like a grim reaper. There was no aggression in his expression, but his stoic face alone was intimidating.

“I’m the one at fault, Olivia.”

Her voice still choked with sobs. Logan had never once scolded Olivia, but this time, after such a serious incident, he clearly could not let it slide.

“It’s okay. The teacher isn’t angry.”

Eleanor bent down to meet Olivia’s gaze. Olivia, still pouting with a forlorn expression, glanced sideways to gauge her brother’s reaction.

“I’m fine.”

“Olivia, go upstairs first.”

As Eleanor carefully expressed her wish, Logan stepped in with firm authority, instructing Olivia—who was clinging to Eleanor’s skirt—not to resist and to go to her room to get ready for bed.

The shock of Logan, who usually only comforted and held her, acting sternly was clearly overwhelming. Olivia nodded reluctantly, ascending the central staircase. Though she glanced back a few times as if hesitant, once she realized Logan was standing there, expressionless, watching her, she went to her room without turning again.

“I apologize, Miss Hudson.”

Logan’s brief apology left Eleanor blinking awkwardly as she stopped at the stone steps in front of the entrance.

“After this, she won’t recklessly run out during class again.”

Eleanor had planned to start lessons tomorrow anyway. She felt a twinge of guilt for having made Logan play the “bad cop” role.

“Olivia’s actions weren’t intentional.”

“I just realized I had spoiled her too much, so I felt the need to step in.”

Yet Logan’s explanation was calm, almost as if saying it was simply the right time, rather than blaming Eleanor for being negligent.

Perhaps it was partly because he disliked causing inconvenience to others, but it wasn’t solely for that reason. Beneath his sharp, slightly sensitive, sculpted features, there was a gentle side.

“I just wanted Olivia not to suffer from the stress of learning as I have.”

From one sentence, Eleanor could sense the hardships he had endured.

At twenty-four, Logan carried a heavy burden. That he could lead such a grand family with such composure was only possible because of the immense effort he had invested. From an early age, he had been trained to be the heir without showing any weakness. Eleanor imagined he might not even know how to rely on anyone.

“I worry I may have realized too late that she is different from ordinary children.”

He likely wanted to give his younger half-sister the freedom he never had. Although their circumstances differed, Eleanor felt she understood his intentions. She could even guess the depth of affection he had for Olivia.

“Even when unseen, children grow. There comes a moment when you think, ‘When did she get this far?’ It’s remarkable.”

So he wanted to reassure her.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll teach her, and you just need to remain the reliable brother you’ve always been.”

Considering she hadn’t even started teaching properly yet, Olivia must have been quite startled by this single scolding. Moreover, Logan was the only person Olivia could rely on in this household, so the shock would have been doubly intense.

But Eleanor knew better than anyone that reprimanding was hard even for the person giving it. So she assigned him the role he would most want to take.

“That’s probably why you hired me as her governess.”

A lukewarm breeze brushed from behind. Logan, leaning slightly, faintly smiled—a subtle difference in his almost expressionless face.

“Did you finish your conversation with Asher?”

“Yes. It would be dishonest to say I wasn’t surprised… but it wasn’t intentional, seeing or revealing skin like that.”

Unlike Asher, who had been flustered just by seeing a hint of Eleanor’s skin, Logan remained indifferent to the incident.

“He said, as an apology, he would take her sightseeing on Sunday.”

“Ah, as an apology.”

Sunday was a day off anyway, and Logan, as her employer, had no authority over it. He simply nodded knowingly.

“You may go out and return as you like.”

“Actually, there’s something I’d like to request.”

But Eleanor’s next, unexpected statement made him tilt his head slightly in surprise.

“Asher!”

Was it already time for him to arrive?

From her office window, Logan heard Olivia’s bright voice. She was speaking from outside with a letter from the Percys’ residence in hand. The blue garden and the driveway leading to the gate were visible through the fluttering curtains.

“Hello. Olivia’s here too.”

Eleanor opened the curtains halfway and stepped onto the terrace, where Butler George, Eleanor, Olivia, and Asher—just out of the carriage—were waiting. Asher, neatly dressed in formal attire, awkwardly smiled at Olivia.

“Eleanor.”

“She gave permission for Olivia to accompany you.”

He likely wanted to ask if she meant to take Olivia along, but Eleanor calmly asserted that Logan had already approved it.

“I thought Olivia would enjoy seeing the town.”

Asher, unable to refuse, looked up at Logan, who watched the scene with casual interest.

Naturally, since they were not together as a couple, Asher could not read Logan’s intentions, but his expression was clearly stern. Logan, with arms crossed, shrugged slightly as if saying, “I have no choice.”

“May I take Olivia with me?”

It was not Logan who passed her along. It was Eleanor who requested to take Olivia out.

“Sunday is Miss Hudson’s day off, and you don’t need to dedicate it to Olivia. You are paid for your work.”

Asher’s suggestion could have easily been interpreted as a date, but Eleanor insisted she wanted to take Olivia along. Though this was good news for Olivia, it was a shock for Asher. Logan, however, could not refuse, valuing his only friend less than his sister.

And above all…

Logan leaned against the terrace railing, looking at Eleanor in a neat navy dress with a pink corsage at her chest. Unlike the bright pastel yellow dress Olivia wore, Eleanor’s outfit was somber.

“Logan! Olivia and I will go out!”

Olivia raised one hand high, catching Logan’s attention.

“Olivia, we’re going out!”

At Eleanor’s whispered reminder, Olivia switched to more polite language. Seeing her behave obediently toward someone she trusted made Eleanor smile.

Logan relaxed his arms and waved with one hand. Olivia, grinning, got into the carriage with Asher’s help. Eleanor bowed briefly to Logan, who returned the gesture.

The carriage, carrying Olivia and Eleanor, smoothly followed the neatly paved road. Only after the carriage passed the gate did Logan turn back to return to his study.

Actually, I impulsively accepted this proposal. To be honest, Olivia acts as a kind of shield for me. She’s necessary.

The thought of using Olivia’s “sightseeing” as a pretext to maintain his own focus came to mind.

If Olivia is with me, I won’t get distracted by other thoughts.

Eleanor knew the tension between herself and the Fitzman family and wanted to prevent unnecessary desire from arising. Logan, too, wanted to respect Eleanor’s position.

His seemingly partial decision made sense. Logan thought so. Whatever happened, the one at risk of harm or distress would be Eleanor, not Asher.