My Youngest Keeps Bringing Home Male Leads - Chapter 48

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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 48
“I was tasked with teaching the two young masters of Valdemar House, so I retain the general knowledge.”
“But that’s more than just one or two people!”
Then Ronetra, who had been listening quietly, drew up her crimson lips and asked.
“How intriguing. If you don’t mind, might I ask you to demonstrate briefly?”
She seemed to suspect that Agnes couldn’t possibly remember people she’d never met.
But truly, it was not difficult at all.
As Agnes answered every question without omission, Ronetra’s eyes took on a peculiar gleam.
“The young masters of Valdemar must have studied excellently under such a fine instructor.”
“You are too kind.”
“As if I would choose just anyone as a governess. She must be fit to teach our children.”
The Countess smiled with satisfaction, applauding her own choice, when Chaebet interjected once more.
“Now that I’ve met you in person, I understand at last. You see, in Kalburn City, whenever people gathered, what Laberose House had purchased was always the topic of conversation.”
“You are aware of everything I’ve bought?”
“My goodness, didn’t you know? For the ladies present here, it would be unimaginable hardship, but the people I know are scarcely well-off—finding good items within a limited budget is frightfully difficult. And yet…….”
Agnes sensed what would come next.
‘It means I bought decent things for a fair price.’
Whether it was praise or censure, she could not tell, but Chaebet continued with what seemed a kindly disposition.
“I hear Laberose House has had the entire Mansion renovated—wallpaper this way, curtains that way, and the roof tiles done with such-and-such. Everyone wanted to buy the same things, I tell you.”
“How curious that such matters should become common conversation.”
As Ronetra spoke with a smile, Chaebet replied matter-of-factly.
“Well, naturally. The very notion of a noblewoman who obtained sudden great fortune at the Rift and overcame hardship is captivating, don’t you think?”
“Is it truly the case that your sister returned alive from the Rift?”
This time it was Anelia, Ronetra’s daughter, who asked with curious eyes.
Agnes nodded.
“In truth, I have not yet met her myself, but guests who have visited our home told me they met her. They also said she would return soon.”
“Right, I heard rumors that there’s a Marquis Celesta, plus a fairy and a giant……. Is it true?”
Agnes gave a wry smile.
For the past month, she had been so busy that she hadn’t cared at all what people might be thinking.
‘Should I have managed the merchant guild more strictly?’
It was a useless thought.
Even if she had, the information would have leaked out.
With supplies being transported to the Mansion and orders passing back and forth, she could not control every step of the process.
Again, Chaebet’s eyes sparkled as she asked.
“So, was everything you bought selected by Agnes herself?”
“The Marquis kindly introduced me to a reputable merchant guild, and I selected items based on their recommendations.”
“That cannot be. I do business with the Brook Merchant Guild as well. Gallus is faithful enough, but he has no eye for artistic sensibility.”
It had to be that way.
She could not squander the money Amy had earned.
Agnes felt deeply grateful that someone had noticed the countless hours she’d spent poring over thick catalogs, comparing items that looked promising again and again.
“Chaebet.”
The Countess, who had been listening quietly, called to her in a low voice.
“Do not interrogate the young lady so. This is not a first meeting, but still.”
“Oh my, you’re right. I was simply so fascinated that I…….”
“Even so, it appears the money Amy brought back from the Rift was not quite sufficient. To economize so carefully with the budget.”
Agnes paused for a moment, then fixed her gaze upon the Countess who had spoken thus.
Her expression was gentle.
Yet somehow her eyes seemed to tilt with a cool edge.
It was a face she remembered.
‘When was it?’
When the twins had played a mischievous prank and she’d explained, hoping they would be well looked after.
It was the expression she wore when something displeased her.
For reasons she could not discern, Agnes replied calmly.
“Regardless of the amount, it is only right to do so. My younger sibling, who is merely six years old, brought it from the borderlands.”
“Still, it would have been nice if you’d bought yourself some proper clothes. If you don’t mind, I could introduce you to a dressmaker.”
Agnes glanced down at the one-piece dress she wore.
Compared to the other ladies, it had few ornaments and was quite modest.
Yet it was finer in fabric and brighter in color than the clothes she’d worn as a governess.
She needed no other dress.
“Thank you, Countess, but I am truly content. Though it may appear shabby to your refined eyes, I was nearly ruined and managed to survive only by your grace. I do not wish to forget the past, and I intend to economize as much as I can.”
“But wouldn’t that mean the young lady will inherit the Laberose Territory quite soon?”
“The young lady’s mother was such an elegant woman, too.”
Solene’s wife and Ronetra added their remarks.
Since they were all of her mother’s generation, they might have known her from childhood.
From what Agnes could recall, her mother had always worn the most beautiful dresses and had visited the Valdemar Mansion from time to time.
Agnes hesitated for a moment, on the verge of making another modest demur.
‘The mood has shifted.’
Chaebet, who had been asking Agnes questions with such enthusiasm moments before, now sat quietly with downcast eyes, merely sipping her tea.
Anelia, too—her eyes, which had been full of curiosity, now carried a trace of disdain.
‘It began when the Countess spoke.’
Because the Countess had directed pointed words at Agnes, they had all begun to draw a line between themselves and her.
‘They thought I was close to the Countess and treated me kindly on that account.’
But she could not remain silent about anything concerning her mother.
These were no longer the days when she feared losing her position as a governess if the lady grew displeased.
“It’s quite all right, madam. If my mother were present here, she would not fault me for wearing a modest dress.”
Agnes smiled gently, looking around at the others.
“She would certainly be proud of me. That is the kind of person she was.”
Above all, the fact that she could sit here at all was thanks to Amy.
That precious child whom her mother had protected even at the cost of her own life.
A girl not yet six years old had come to Agnes with a vast fortune in gold coins, determined to help her.
She had fallen into the Rift and yet lived to return.
‘Mother would surely pity and be so proud of Amy.’
A sharp ache bloomed across her heart.
When she returned, she would embrace Amy as her mother could never do.
Her mother surely wished for that too.
Agnes took a sip from her teacup to wet her throat, then met the gaze of the Countess seated across from her.
It was an expression whose meaning eluded interpretation.
Indifferent, yet cold as the night wind.
When she thought about it, the Countess had always been that way.
With her own precious children, with Agnes herself, and even when dealing with servants and attendants—it made no difference.
Like an actress in a theater troupe performing her assigned role.
She had never shown the warmth or affection that Agnes’s mother had given to her children.
‘Perhaps that is why the children clung to me so desperately.’
In any case, no matter how much trouble the two caused, she looked after them and cared for them with all her heart.
“Yet I believe I am here only because of your kindness, madam.”
Still, she could not deny the help the Countess had given her.
The Countess had made it possible for Agnes to endure from a girl of fifteen until her twentieth year.
“I am truly grateful for it.”
Agnes bowed briefly to the Countess, then rose from her seat.
“If I may excuse myself—I came here in such haste to express my gratitude that I fear fatigue has accumulated, and I would benefit greatly from rest.”
The Countess immediately nodded her assent.
“Of course, dear. Go and rest. We can attend to business tomorrow.”
“Thank you, madam.”
Agnes bowed once more to her and stepped out of the parlor.
As she walked down the corridor, Agnes recalled what Kesenor had said.
His suspicion that there was no reason for the Countess to help Agnes and the Laberose House without ulterior motive.
‘He’s right. She is not even affectionate to her own children, so it is strange that she would help someone entirely unrelated to her.’
Out of gratitude toward the Countess, and because she was in a position to receive help and thus could not bring herself to doubt her intentions, Agnes had never truly questioned this before.
‘Could it be that our Territory was her true purpose?’
Leonard’s words came back to her.
The servants had said that the Laberose Territory would become part of the Valdemar House.
‘But it would naturally have become theirs anyway, even if she had simply left it alone.’

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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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