The Prince's Nanny, Her Specialty Is Assassination - Chapter 54

Chapter 54: The Duke and the Nanny (1)

“You’re saying I’m angry?”

No, just moments ago, it was Princess Emilia who had been enthusiastically squeezing the prince.

And yet, why is he throwing a tantrum at me? Children are impossible to understand.

“…Me? At Your Highness? Of course not.”

When I replied while rolling my eyes, Edwin narrowed his fish-like eyes.

“Really? Really? You’re really not mad at me?”

Persistent little brat.

“Ack!”

When I firmly pressed the center of his calf, he screamed.

“Hey! You! What are you doing!”

“Well, why did you talk about the Commander in front of me?”

“What about Sir Jerome?” Edwin asked again, looking wronged. “Didn’t you say you liked Sir Jerome too?”

What is he talking about?

I frowned deeply. “Why would I ever like that man?”

“But you’re the one who sent me to the Gloria Knights…”

Edwin glanced at me as he continued, “I thought you respected Sir Jerome.”

“I sent Your Highness there solely because the Gloria Knights is the best knighthood in the Empire.”

I had heard vague rumors that the Gloria Knights’s training differed from other orders.

The best always has a reason.

I added in a displeased tone, “Not because I admire Duke Jerome Crowner.”

Edwin hesitated for a moment before speaking in a small voice.

“Then you hate Sir Jerome?”

“There’s no way I could possibly like a man like that.”

At my response, his eyes widened. “Why not? Sir Jerome is strong, honorable, and righteous. Isn’t he cool?”

“…You really want to know why I hate him?”

Instead of answering, Edwin gave a big nod.

His big eyes were filled with curiosity.

I stared at him briefly, then applied pressure with my grip.

“Aaaaagh!”

“If you’re still awake after the massage, I’ll tell you.”

“Mfffh!”

Edwin once again buried his face under the blanket, writhing in pain.

About thirty minutes passed.

“Your Highness, it’s all done.”

I wiped my hands and stood up from the bed.

“Your Highness?”

“Achel, Brother’s snoring! Snore!”

At Emilia’s words, I looked closely at Edwin.

Judging from the steady rise and fall of his back, he seemed fast asleep.

‘Well, it’s understandable that he’s exhausted.’

The knighthood training was even tougher than I had imagined.

A single tear clung to the corner of the sleeping boy’s eye.

‘Was I too rough on him?’

I felt a bit sorry for acting so childishly.

‘That’s what he gets for taking Jerome’s side. What a cheeky brat.’

I lightly poked his nose.

“Mmm…”

Edwin furrowed his brow and let out a faint whimper.

‘That man isn’t as great as you think.’

I dressed him in his outerwear and tucked him under the covers.

‘And I’m stronger than that guy.’

I gave Edwin’s forehead a light flick and quietly left the room.

Careful not to wake Emilia, who was dozing in my arms.

***

“Nanny! Nannyyyyy!”

Someone banged furiously on my door at the break of dawn.

“…What is it?”

I had just been about to go to bed.

Frowning, I opened the door to see Catherine’s pale face.

“Th-there’s a guest here to see you.”

“A guest? At this hour…?”

Just then, a large hand caught the door.

“Mind if we talk for a bit, Lady Rachel Brown?”

A massive man cloaked from head to toe.

The uninvited visitor at dawn was none other than Jerome Crowner, Commander of the Gloria Knights.

***

To think I’m out walking in the garden at dawn with the very man who once had me as his target.

I come back from the dead, and it’s one thing after another.

“It’s my first time at the Third Prince’s palace. It’s quite grand.”

Jerome made some useless remark about the palace scenery.

I eventually lost patience and got straight to the point.

“What brings you here to see me?”

“Are you always this blunt?”

“I’m not interested in hearing commentary about the palace when I could be sleeping.”

At my curt reply, the duke let out a chuckle. “Haha, you really are no ordinary person.”

He placed a hand on his chest and continued, “How is Prince Edwin? I heard he fainted during training today.”

“He recovered quickly. Said he has some muscle pain, though.”

“I see. Well, boys his age usually have plenty of stamina.”

The duke’s expression darkened as he spoke.

Was he thinking of the sickly First Prince?

He walked in silence for a while, then stopped.

“You are of common birth, aren’t you, Lady Rachel Brown?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“I hear you were adopted by the Brown family. Do you stay in contact with your adoptive parents?”

He’d clearly done his homework thoroughly.

When I scowled instead of replying, he casually shrugged.

“My apologies. I had no choice but to investigate to know if you’re trustworthy.”

There’s nothing to uncover anyway.

‘Kyla Angel’ might be another story, but ‘Rachel Brown’ is just an ordinary woman.

Still, what’s he planning, digging into my past like this?

“So, did I pass your test?”

When I responded with a sneer, he gave a sheepish laugh.

“I apologize for the suspicion.”

“So, what is it you want to say?”

I shot him a glare, urging him to skip the pleasantries.

The duke glanced around, then lowered his voice. “Ahem, actually, I came to make you an offer.”

“What kind of offer?”

“Surely His Highness is training to strengthen his body, right?”

“…That’s correct.”

At my answer, the duke’s eyes curved.

“Strengthening the body naturally implies learning the sword.”

He puffed out his chest like a boastful goose.

“Truth is, after watching His Highness train today, I was quite moved.”

What am I supposed to do about your emotional moment?

When I stared at him coldly, Jerome continued, “Given your circumstances, it must be hard to recruit truly skilled talent.”

I still didn’t look pleased, but he carried on confidently.

“I’d like to personally instruct His Highness… as a special favor.”

“I must decline.”

“Yes, of course you decl… Huh? What did you say?”

The duke’s face froze.

“I just said I’d become His Highness’s teacher. Did you understand me?”

“Yes. And I said I decline. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Why!”

He looked genuinely baffled.

He even stammered as he grabbed my wrist.

‘Ugh, I hate being touched.’

But I couldn’t exactly twist a duke’s arm.

When I glared back and forth between his hand and his face, he quickly let go.

“Forgive me. But I must know, why are you rejecting my offer?”

“…Do I owe you an explanation?”

“No one else could possibly be a better teacher than I.”

How full of himself.

Arrogant then, arrogant now.

“Didn’t you say yourself you’d never become the prince’s teacher?”

“That was…”

“I, too, have no desire to endure the Second Consort’s wrath. And His Highness would be deeply anxious.”

When I gave a valid reason, the duke quickly fell silent.

“In fact, I’d like to ask you something.” I smoothed out the sleeve he’d wrinkled and asked in return, “Why the sudden change of heart? I thought you had no interest in His Highness.”

Jerome Crowner. A skilled knight, yes—but not a man known for quick thinking.

I said before he could come up with an excuse, “Participating in the knight order’s training. That’s what you promised, and what His Majesty approved.”

“Hold on, His Majesty approved? How do you know that…?”

“I happened to run into His Majesty at the dormitory. Had the chance to speak with him briefly.”

I had mostly eavesdropped, really.

At my words, the duke merely opened and closed his mouth.

“So that’s enough. Just being allowed to join the training is more than enough help. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

I gave a polite bow and turned away.

“Stop right there! I never said you could go!”

How irritating to the end.

I turned back toward Jerome, who was shouting behind me.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not your pet, Duke Crowner.”

“What?”

“I’m not a dog who comes when you call and goes when you tell it to.”

Jerome’s face twisted instantly.

He growled in a low voice, “There’s a limit to insolence. Do you even know who you’re speaking to?”

“I’m a little disappointed in you, Duke Crowner.”

I kept a straight face.

“I didn’t think you were the type to be bound by mere rank.”

Jerome raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

Did he think lowering his voice would intimidate me?

“Since you seem unable to understand why I declined, I’ll be honest.”

I stepped toward him slowly.

Before we knew it, we were close enough that our chests nearly touched.

“I don’t trust you, Duke.”

Jerome’s startled eyes reflected my face.

The ever-docile ‘Rachel Brown’ was smiling harmlessly.

“That is the only reason I’m turning down your offer.”