The Princess's Private Tutoring - Chapter 4

Episode 4. Take It, Then

***

“Will you be all right, Killian?”

As Killian was about to leave the White House, the estate of House Eustia, his aunt Roxanne stopped him.

Killian looked at her and smiled. His slightly cold features warmed with just a lift of the corners of his lips.

“There’s no need to worry, Aunt.”

Roxanne’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t understand why a busy duke with a household to manage must play the role of the princess’s private tutor. You haven’t even recovered from your travel fatigue. Couldn’t you have refused His Majesty’s request?”

Though he was a subject of the king, the relationship between House Eustia and the royal family was not one of simple subordination.

House Eustia’s unwavering support was the foundation that allowed the monarchy to remain stable.

Of course, like any other noble house, House Eustia was obliged to obey the king’s orders, but they could decline if there was sufficient justification.

And Killian had such justification. It was an order the king himself had given him.

“Do not go near my daughter.”

Five years ago, when Celestia was about to make her debut, Perriorson had summoned Killian and said those very words.

Killian had left the Kingdom of Mason immediately afterward, and thus he had no idea about the circumstances that delayed Celestia’s debut by a whole year.

He had discreetly asked Houston about it, but he too seemed unaware of the full story.

Yet now, Perriorson had called Killian to the palace—through Houston.

“We must save the princess. You must help her. The princess is afraid of men. She mentioned an incident from a few years ago—at my villa. Do you know anything about it?”

Killian had something immediately come to mind, but he kept a straight face.

If the incident he suspected had truly caused Celestia’s aversion to men, then it was right for him to take responsibility.

Still, there were too many unresolved issues.

“I’m not asking for anything extraordinary. Just spend time with the princess, ease her aversion to men, and if possible, teach her how to get along with them. Perhaps even introduce her to some suitable friends. Officially, you’ll be her tutor in diplomacy and international affairs.”

Though officially titled her tutor in diplomacy and international affairs, what Perriorson was really asking for was a matchmaker for the princess. Killian immediately refused.

He couldn’t understand why Perriorson had suddenly changed his mind.

It was wise not to accept offers from someone with unclear motives.

He didn’t want to deceive Celestia either, and he didn’t trust himself to introduce her to a good man.

‘There’s no man in the world who would suit Her Highness.’

Celestia was, objectively, far too noble.

‘And…’

He stamped out the thought that began to surface from deep inside.

That reason alone was enough to keep him away from Celestia.

He was not someone who could be of help to her.

But Houston was persistent. And finally, he said it.

“Are you going to let Celestia die? The day of the prophecy is drawing near. This may be our last chance to save her.”

He couldn’t simply stand by and watch the prophecy come true.

As a subject of the king, and as the head of a noble house that must protect the kingdom, he couldn’t allow it. Personal reasons aside.

In the end, Killian accepted the offer. Houston left the duke’s residence with a very satisfied look.

That was three days ago.

“Killian, please reconsider. Spending time with the princess at a time like this is not right. More than anything, you have more urgent matters. Continuing the family line.”

Roxanne’s concern pulled Killian out of his thoughts.

“Aunt, I’ll handle it myself.”

His words were as good as a warning not to interfere any further.

Though she was his aunt, Roxanne was also a vassal of House Eustia. She said no more, but couldn’t hide her worry.

She watched as Killian boarded the carriage embroidered with the wolf crest, the emblem of House Eustia.

Even as the carriage passed through the vast garden and disappeared from sight, the worry on her face did not fade.

***

The morning of the first tutoring day dawned.

Killian was coming as her private tutor.

Celestia got up early and diligently prepared herself.

“You’re so beautiful!”

The maids gasped in unison when they saw the fully dressed Celestia. Hearts seemed to pop from their eyes.

“You girls like me too much,” Celestia said, trying to suppress her rising cheeks.

“We’re not saying it because we like you, Princess. We’re being perfectly objective.”

Anne grabbed Celestia by the shoulders and pulled her in front of the full-length mirror.

“Look, even Your Highness would fall for yourself, right?”

Celestia faced her reflection in the mirror. The corners of her mouth lifted.

To be honest, she looked pretty.

But the one she had to look good for was Killian. The moment she thought of him, Celestia’s confidence dropped.

He had never once called her pretty. Not even as a shallow compliment.

Was he just stingy with praise? Not at all. He often gave appropriate compliments to other women regardless of age.

Only Celestia had been excluded from his praises. Even when she directly asked, ‘How do I look today?’ it was the same.

It was as if he had sworn to God never to praise Celestia—his lips never moved.

He would probably be the same today.

Tears welled up in Celestia’s eyes. She was happy to see him again, but at the same time, she was scared.

“But what’s with Sir Killian today? He flatly refused a ministerial position, didn’t he?”

Celestia snapped out of her thoughts at Lyla’s question. As she looked at her blankly, Lyla added, “It’s just strange that someone who declined a high office would accept a tutoring position. Did they offer a lot of money?”

Celestia answered Lyla’s question with a shrug.

‘He’s not someone who moves for money. I appealed to his patriotism and humanity.’

And it was Celestia who orchestrated the setup that would spark such feelings in him—roping in Houston, who was off playing somewhere.

“There’s still a bit of time before the appointed hour. Shall I bring some tea?”

“No. I want to be alone, would you leave me?”

Lyla and Anne exchanged glances and quietly withdrew. In the now-quiet room, Celestia recalled what she had to do to survive.

‘I have to seduce Killian.’

The best scenario would be him falling in love with her, but that was a high hurdle.

Killian saw Celestia as a child, or as his future liege.

‘I have to make him see me as a woman.’

Still, if he insisted on seeing her as a liege, she planned to propose a political marriage.

‘And for that, I need to figure out what Killian needs. But even that… won’t be easy.’

Celestia gave a soft, crumbling smile.

“As if he could possibly need anything.”

He was called the perfect creation of God, a man spoken of as His incarnation.

And others called him that without even having seen his large manhood!

There was no way such a man could have any shortcomings.

Celestia imagined the rather hopeless path ahead and wilted. But only briefly.

“That doesn’t mean I should give up.”

With a fresh smile, Celestia sharply snapped down her dress hem and stood.

It was time to meet Killian.

If it doesn’t work, then make it work.

***

“Please wait here.”

The attendant’s role was to escort Killian to the drawing room of Stella Palace, where Celestia stayed.

Having finished his task, the attendant bowed to Killian and withdrew.

In the quiet drawing room, Killian looked at a portrait of Celestia hanging on the wall.

The painting didn’t quite capture her beauty, but it did reflect her lively charm.

As he looked at her bright smile, it felt like he could hear laughter coming from the canvas. Her voice, too.

“Do you like it?”

“Yeah.”

“Take it, then.”

A white hand touched the frame, and long, wavy curls down to the waist came into view.

Killian stepped back instinctively. So the voice he’d heard wasn’t an illusion.

“Will you help me?”

Celestia, firmly gripping both corners of the large frame, turned toward him.

“It’s a bit heavy.”

Celestia—his princess—smiled at him. The same smile he’d seen 16 years ago, 5 years ago, and 4 years ago.

In that moment, Killian’s blood surged hot.