Chapter 14
14
The next day, Vincent's class began.
After a quick lunch, I gathered the lesson materials and headed to Vincent's room.
Thump, thump.
I was worried because I hadn't slept well the night before due to the series of events, and my condition wasn't great.
'But now that I'm about to start the class, I'm so nervous I can't think of anything.'
Actually, this wasn't my first time teaching.
While attending the Academy, I had taught young children from noble families a few times during vacation breaks.
'They were about Vincent's age.'
So, I was somewhat experienced.
'I don't think I was this nervous back then.'
Unlike back then when I didn't feel much, now I was so nervous that my palms were sweating.
'I wonder how Anna's classes went.'
I heard from Winston that Vincent's rejection was so severe that Anna hadn't been able to conduct a proper class yet.
'It's good news for me, but...'
It's fortunate that Anna and Vincent haven't formed a bond yet, but I'm still anxious because I'm not an exception.
'Besides...'
I know Anna's tendencies better than anyone, so that also bothered me.
'Anyway.'
Let's do well.
Standing in front of Vincent's room, I took a deep breath and went inside.
And the moment I checked the room.
I couldn't speak.
"..."
There was no one in the room.
A leisurely afternoon.
Anna, having finished her morning class, was leaning back in an armchair, leisurely swirling a glass of wine.
"Hmm."
She hummed and savored the wine.
Since entering Mercedes Manor, she was having the most satisfying day.
Anna recalled the morning class.
She hadn't been able to teach because Vincent had been refusing classes, so Anna was half in doubt.
Anna didn't trust Vincent at all.
If he refused the class again, she was going to protest properly.
But contrary to Anna's expectations, Vincent was sitting at his desk, waiting for Anna.
He looked very nervous and frozen, but throughout the class, Vincent stayed in his seat and tried to follow the lesson.
'Hmm?'
Anna found Vincent's behavior rather strange.
Anna was also a noble, so she knew through rumors how uncooperative Vincent Mercedes was in class.
But.
So what?
She didn't care if the Young master was a troublemaker or not.
Anna's goal was not the Young master, but his father, Duke Cadienne Mercedes.
Vincent's class was only a means to get Cadienne.
But she was curious about Vincent's sudden change in attitude.
After finishing the class and organizing the lesson materials, Anna asked.
"You were very focused in class today, which is unexpected. Is something the matter?"
Vincent, startled by Anna's question, fidgeted with his fingers and hesitated.
Anna was curious about the reason for Vincent's change, but she wasn't willing to wait long, so she was about to leave the room when.
"Because we decided to be friends..."
The faint voice caught Anna's attention.
Anna turned her head.
Vincent, with flushed cheeks, looked flustered with a lovely expression.
The moment she saw that, Anna's expression turned cold.
She realized it instinctively.
Vincent's change was-
"Friends?"
Nod.
"Are you talking about Livia Plington?"
It must be related to Livia.
Vincent's eyes widened at the name 'Livia'.
As if wondering how she knew.
Click.
Anna gritted her teeth for a moment.
'Again, Livia.'
Livia, Livia, that damn Livia!
Livia was always like that.
She wasn't any more special than her, but she always made her feel miserable, a haughty and hateful existence.
Anna was always compared to Livia wherever she went. Every time, Anna received a lower evaluation than Livia.
That fact made Anna miserable.
But as her father's relationship changed, so did Anna's relationship with Livia.
Anna alienated Livia and thoroughly isolated her.
She felt a great sense of satisfaction watching Livia become an outcast.
Yes, Livia Plington.
No matter how much you struggle, you'll never reach my toes.
...But...
Vincent nodded repeatedly.
"We decided to be friends... so I'm trying to make an effort..."
Reddened cheeks. Red eyes with a strange expectation. Even the shyly clasped fingers.
Anyone could see that Vincent was trying to please someone.
If that someone wasn't Livia, Anna might have just let it go.
Seeing Vincent shyly speaking with a flushed face, Anna felt her stomach churning.
She couldn't bear to see Livia and Vincent getting closer like this.
So Anna turned back to Vincent, who was about to leave.
She bent down to meet his eyes and smiled brightly, like an angel.
"I see. But what a pity, no matter how hard you try, Young master and Livia can't be friends."
"......?"
Vincent looked at Anna as if asking what she meant.
At that moment, the corners of Anna's lips twisted. Eyes trying to send the most pitiful look and lips from which an unbearable smile was peeking out created a grotesque expression.
"Livia hates stupid people."
"......!"
"I know Livia well because I've known her since childhood. Livia has been called a prodigy since she was young. She was recognized as a prodigy from Young master's age and received a lot of expectations from those around her. Not just when she was young. She always maintained the top spot during her time at the Academy."
"......"
"So, I shouldn't say this as her friend, but Livia is very, arrogant and two-faced. Especially, she hates very, very stupid people. So much so that she didn't want to hang out with stupid people during her time at the Academy and went around alone."
As Anna continued to speak, Vincent's expression gradually turned pale.
Anna, glancing at Vincent, smiled triumphantly and hammered a wedge into Vincent's heart.
"But after today's class, Young master's level is below average compared to his peers... to be honest, it's the worst."
It's a lie.
Of course, it's true that he's behind his peers due to a long absence from school, but his understanding and application skills are excellent, so he'll be able to catch up quickly with a little effort.
Rather, she was surprised that he was following the class better than she had expected.
But Anna whispered in a gentle voice to instill despair and frustration in Vincent's heart.
"If you take Livia's class with those skills, Livia will surely be disappointed in Young master and leave this place."
Vincent's face turned pale, and his large eyes were filled with tears.
His mind was filled only with the image of Livia being disappointed in him and leaving.
"I'll help you, Young master, no, Young master."
At those words, Vincent looked at Anna with trembling eyes.
In contrast to Vincent's desperate expression, Anna was smiling very brightly.
"Run away. Refuse Livia's class for now. And then take my class to improve your academic level before taking Livia's class. Then Livia will definitely like Young master."
"But, but if I refuse the class, Teacher Livia will..."
Anna's eyes turned coldly for a moment at Vincent's concern for Livia's well-being, even though he had refused her class so much.
But soon she smiled as brightly as spring, as if nothing had happened.
"I'll tell the butler. Then the butler will surely understand."
Vincent thought of Winston's kindness to Anna.
Winston had been kind to all the tutors so far, not just Anna.
It seemed that Anna could really persuade Winston.
Anna, who had risen, approached the door and opened the tightly closed door wide.
"Hurry. Hide where no one can find you."
Vincent's eyes shook violently at Anna's whisper. Soon, Vincent ran out of the room as if being chased by something.
Anna, having confirmed that Vincent had run away, smiled contentedly.
"Livia, you can't beat me after all."
She was confident that she would win this time as she did at the Academy.
I stared blankly at the empty room.
Vincent was nowhere to be found.
'Class refusal?'
It's possible. Vincent had been refusing classes until now. My class wouldn't be any different.
But...
'I was told that he definitely took Anna's class properly.'
It was a report delivered through Chelsea.
He takes Anna's class but refuses mine?
'Was the betrayal of being a tutor too great?'
Was I too hasty?
I felt a moment of regret, but I clenched my fist and shook my head.
'Let's not be discouraged yet.'
It hasn't even started yet. I was already expecting this much.
'I need to find Vincent first.'
I could tell Winston about this and ask for his understanding, but I didn't want to.
This fact could reach Cadienne's ears, and I wanted to hear Vincent's story first.
I left the room and headed straight for Western Hill.
