My Youngest Keeps Bringing Home Male Leads - Chapter 47

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 47
The children listening to Agnes with vacant eyes soon let out scornful laughs.
“What are you talking about?”
“Isn’t it obvious? We’re the noble Valdemar House. Why should we care about people who barely survive because of us?”
“They’re lucky to be born on our land and work under our patronage—of course they should pay taxes, right?”
An unshakeable conviction dwelt in their innocent eyes.
‘They are entirely different people from you. There’s no need to treat them the same.’
Perhaps it was because Valdemar House possessed a territory far vaster than Laberose.
Because the gap in status was so absolute, unlike in Laberose.
The world seen by a great noble house like Selecta and Valdemar—one that could never crumble—might be altogether different.
‘How did I end up saying such a thing?’
Agnes, retracing the context of the conversation, soon understood.
‘I’ve changed.’
She thought of the village children.
At the same time, she saw Leonard and Cedric.
All of them were children she felt compelled to care for.
Yet their lives would be vastly different.
Divided from birth.
The rulers who could wield power freely, and the territory’s people who could only be swept along by their every decision.
‘Isn’t that fundamentally wrong?’
Must one accept even injustice simply because it was decided at birth?
She didn’t want to think that way.
That’s why she wanted to tell them.
Even knowing it overstepped her bounds, because they would come to rule far more people than she could ever compare to.
Agnes spoke in a heavy voice.
“Think of this as my last lesson. If you’re going to enjoy the privileges you’ve been given, you must also bear the responsibility that comes with them.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re not going to stay with us?”
As if they’d heard something unbelievable, both children’s eyes widened.
Agnes continued slowly.
“That’s right. I won’t be here. I have to take responsibility for the Laberose Territory as well.”
“Don’t be ridiculous!”
Leonard glared with eyes full of defiance and cried out.
“We know all about it! Agnes, you’re drowning in debt! The servants said the Laberose Territory will soon be our land anyway! Don’t you think people would prefer that? Wouldn’t it be better to have a lord from Valdemar than from Laberose?”
“L-Leonard…….”
Cedric seemed to think Leonard’s words had gone too far and tried to stop him.
But Leonard paid him no mind.
“Laberose was our vassal anyway, wasn’t it? When Laberose becomes our land again, it’ll stay that way, so Agnes has to listen to what I say! I’m going to be the Count of Valdemar!”
Agnes stared at Leonard without speaking.
Though she had already suspected as much, the boy’s words struck her as somehow new.
‘So to them, I was always someone beneath them.’
The reason the children had treated her carelessly wasn’t only because they were spoiled.
Just as Roni was beaten until her skin was torn to pieces as if it were only natural for her to pay for their misdeeds, they believed Agnes should naturally be at their side whenever they commanded her.
Because they had been born into absolute station.
It was strange.
Leonard’s words stirred neither sorrow nor anger in her.
Rather, her heart felt light.
‘Even though I taught them only out of financial necessity, I did care for both children in my own way.’
She felt no pity for them, no resentment.
‘Why is that?’
Agnes, quietly searching for the reason, soon found the answer in her own heart.
‘Because I did my best.’
Over the past two years, she had taught them genuinely and earnestly.
She had believed that was what she owed to growing children.
As a teacher responsible for both of them, regardless of her original purpose, she had cared for them as she did for Amy, whom she’d embraced as a replacement for a mother.
‘What more could I possibly do here?’
She had striven desperately to act in a way she wouldn’t be ashamed of later—if it still didn’t work, that was beyond her control.
Agnes smiled calmly and spoke.
“Even if you truly came to own the Laberose Territory, I still wouldn’t be at your side.”
“Why? A proper vassal should listen to her master’s words, shouldn’t she?”
Agnes, Valdemar House’s tutor.
She’d fretted over the twins, desperate to make them study, but now the time had come to leave that chapter behind.
“If you’ve come to care for me, it’s because I treated you with genuine sincerity. Regardless of any debt I owe Valdemar House, as your teacher I did my best to instruct you well.”
There were many times she’d wanted to leave, frustrated by their stubbornness, yet she’d also known joy in their small triumphs.
Agnes continued, her voice steady.
“But I’m human too. If you try to manipulate me like this, I won’t be able to love you anymore. Then perhaps you’ll wonder why I won’t treat you as before. But I can’t help that.”
Agnes smiled softly at the bewildered children.
“Because I’m someone capable of feeling. The same is true for Roni, for the people in this mansion, for everyone in Valdemar Territory.”
This was truly the last thing.
The sum of all she could offer them as their teacher.
“I cannot love someone who refuses to take responsibility for my heart. I can force it, but that would be very different from before.”
Regardless of what one was born as, that freedom alone was given to all.
Then Agnes took her leave of the twins.
“Goodbye.”
She spoke the word as though casting it aside, turned away with resolve, and walked past them.
Lilia, who had been standing uncertainly beside them, followed after Agnes.
The two children, who had made such a fuss when they first saw her, did not come running after her.
They seemed to remain standing there still.
But that was no longer her concern.
She felt no curiosity whatsoever about the children’s feelings or expressions.
Passing through the corridor where the servants’ quarters lay, Agnes—now alone—was soon shown to a room by one of Valdemar House’s maids.
It was not the small room that had been given to her as an employee.
It was a spacious guest room, with a broad garden visible through the windows.
‘So they intend to treat me as a guest now.’
After Lilia had tidied the room, Agnes sent her out to inquire when the Countess might receive her.
“Miss Agnes.”
Lilia returned shortly, speaking with a worried expression.
“The Countess says her meeting with the guests may run long, and asks if you would like to join them.”
“Is that so?”
Agnes looked surprised and paused in thought.
This had never happened before.
“Well, I suppose I should begin socializing with people now.”
Though circumstances had prevented her from having a proper coming-of-age ceremony, she was now twenty years old and could claim the status of an adult.
She could meet people on her own, without parents, and feel no shame.
Agnes nodded.
“Tell her I’ll come shortly.”
“Yes, Miss Agnes.”
Agnes then changed her clothes and made her way to the Countess’s drawing room.
From beyond the door came the sound of ladies’ laughter and conversation.
A servant announced Agnes’s arrival.
“Madam, Miss Agnes has come.”
The voices inside fell silent at once.
As Agnes stepped in, all eyes turned toward her in unison.
In the drawing room sat five people, including the Countess.
Curiosity.
Disdain.
Or perhaps surprise.
‘They’re all people from Valdemar House.’
They did not know Agnes well, but Agnes was different.
‘Why do we have to memorize the names of such people?’
‘Of course you do. They all belong to Valdemar.’
She’d even brought simple portraits and taught the children about the characteristics of each region.
Of course, Agnes herself had memorized everything beforehand, burning the midnight oil.
She’d wanted no flaw as a teacher.
From those important to Valdemar House to influential nobles in the capital of Kavas.
She’d believed that if she should ever meet them, she must not make a mistake.
As Agnes bowed lightly in greeting, she recalled the information about each of them one by one.
The guests were arranged with the Countess of Valdemar House in the center, two on each side facing one another.
The woman clinging to the Countess was Lonette, an aunt figure to the children.
The young lady beside her would be Anelia, her daughter.
Across from the two of them sat two more.
The woman nearest the center was Idra Chaveot.
She was the wife of Baron Chaveot, who served as administrator of Kalburn City.
Beside her was Baroness Solene, who dwelt in the distant Glorant Territory to the south, with its fertile lands.
“It’s the first time I’ve been properly introduced. I am Agnes of Laberose.”
“Welcome, my dear! Have you met Leonard and Cedric? The boys have been waiting for you so eagerly.”
“Yes, ma’am. In fact, they came out to meet me.”
“They’ve been fretting about seeing you. You must have had quite the time of it.”
“Both boys have tender hearts and kind dispositions.”
“Well, they’re grown now—they ought to be more dignified about it.”
At that, a subtle shift passed across the four faces.
The twins’ temperament was renowned.
Yet “tender” and “kind”—that was utterly incomprehensible.
Agnes took her seat across from the Countess of Valdemar House.
“We haven’t met before, Agnes. Everyone knows your name, so let’s exchange proper greetings.”
Eyes bright with curiosity.
Baroness Chaveot, whose husband administered Kalburn City, watched with particular keenness.
“To meet in person the young lady who’s become quite famous in the city of late—when we heard you’d come, I made sure to ask most urgently that we be introduced.”
“Thank you, ma’am. It’s only through your kindness that we have this meeting.”
“I am Idra Chaveot. My husband administers Kalburn City.”
“Yes, I know.”
“You know me?”
“Yes. I once studied to teach the boys, and learned of you then.”
At this, Baroness Chaveot exclaimed with wonder.
“You can recognize people by sight alone, even ones you’ve never met? Do you remember everyone in these parts?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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