The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 15

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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 15
On a bright, clear day.
Rachel lifted the steaming tea cup to her lips, her eyes drifting toward the man seated on the opposite sofa.
The well-dressed gentleman sitting on the worn sofa—weathered by years—sipped his tea with an air of composure. He was Rachel’s principal client and the guardian of a troublesome student: Lucas.
Today marked their third meeting.
Unlike his usual appearance in a uniform as precisely cut as a blade, today he wore casual formal attire that seemed far more relaxed.
Perhaps because of his clothes, his expression too appeared languid and unhurried.
Moreover, his black hair seemed to gleam with particular brilliance today. The sight stirred something in Rachel’s chest.
In that moment, her reflection in the mirror by the window caught her eye. Not just her ears, but her entire face had flushed crimson, and Rachel felt a flutter of panic. Fearing he might misunderstand, she hastily began explaining the matter at hand.
“Fortunately, Mare’s parents have offered their sincere apologies for what happened.”
Even after Rachel finished her explanation, Lucas offered no response. He simply gazed into his tea cup.
“Your Highness…?”
Unable to endure the silence, she spoke up. Only then did he slowly raise his gaze to her.
“You must have had a difficult time.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I’ve always felt apologetic for burdening you with such an inadequate brother, and now he’s caused yet another grave incident. I offer my sincere apologies—to you, and to Mare’s parents alike.”
He did not speak lightly. Despite his position as crown prince, he offered his apology with genuine feeling.
Unsure how to respond, Rachel held her tongue.
“I’d like to speak with Noah for a moment, if you would permit it.”
“Of course, whenever you wish.”
Rachel rose with a bright smile—and that was when he, too, stood, suddenly closing the distance between them.
“Rachel.”
“Yes?”
“Stay still for a moment.”
What? What is he saying?
Rachel blinked, tilting her head in confusion, while Lucas slowly extended his arm.
“There’s an insect on your—”
“Ah!”
Before he could finish, Rachel spotted a large bug crawling on her waist. She leaped back with a shriek, instinctively grabbing the man in front of her.
In the same instant, the insect spread its wings and fluttered lazily away.
Rachel found herself with her arms wrapped around the crown prince’s waist, her body suddenly stiffening.
‘Have I lost my mind?!’
Embracing the crown prince of all people—she could be executed for such disrespect.
Yet Lucas did nothing. He simply remained still, as if deep in thought.
The moment his hand began to reach for her waist, Rachel suddenly pulled away. Shame and confusion flooded through her all at once.
“I—I’m terribly sorry, Your Highness!”
“There’s no need to apologize.”
With only those words, Lucas turned and left the reception room.
Rachel did not see the faint smile that played at his lips as he departed.
* * *
What on earth had just happened?
Dazed and hollow, Rachel sank onto the sofa, staring blankly up at the ceiling.
“Miss!”
Had Henry not called for her, she likely would have remained there until sunset.
Rachel slowly turned her head to face him.
“You’ve been in the reception room for so long without coming out… Is something the matter?”
“No… nothing happened.”
Her vacant, unconvincing voice belied her words, though she answered as best she could manage.
Henry seemed to want to ask more, his lips parting—but ultimately he closed his mouth.
Rachel couldn’t bring herself to tell him the truth. Admitting what had truly occurred would only deepen her embarrassment, and she certainly couldn’t speak of such things to Henry, who harbored feelings for her.
She repeatedly assured him she was fine, then hurried out of the reception room with her face hidden.
‘What was that, really.’
Rachel cried silently to herself, burying her face in her hands.
“Teacher, what are you doing?”
Someone had spotted Rachel and called out to her.
Coming back to awareness a beat too late, Rachel opened her eyes to see Theo descending the stairs with Eckerd and Roca close behind him.
‘These three don’t normally keep company together.’
Theo was adapting to the School faster than Noah had, surprisingly enough.
He hadn’t caused any serious trouble and got along well enough with the other students, yet his pairing with Roca and Eckerd—both problem cases—struck her as unusual. Roca and Eckerd weren’t particularly close to each other, after all.
“Did you draw up the learning plan yourself, Teacher?”
Roca asked a question. When Rachel confirmed it, Roca’s face darkened.
“Why is there so much to do?”
“Because we need to fill in the gaps where we’re lacking.”
“Ugh, I hate studying math.”
Roca exhaled sharply, almost aggressively. Then Eckerd, who had been quietly observing their exchange, suddenly interjected.
“Look, honestly, you’re bad at math and the teacher noticed. You should be grateful.”
What was this?
Genuinely moved, Rachel gazed at Eckerd with affection in her eyes.
Finding her stare too much, Eckerd quickly turned away and clattered down the stairs.
‘I’m so relieved the children are growing.’
That a boy who used to mock everything people said could speak like that—it was something.
Rachel couldn’t help but let her lips curve upward. Roca and Theo watched her in silence, their eyes fixed on her face.
“By the way, where are you two headed right now?”
“Just… somewhere.”
In this School, few phrases were as dangerous as “just somewhere.” Usually, when the children spoke that way, they had other intentions.
Rachel fixed them with a steady gaze, hoping they would confess if they had anything to confess.
Then Theo lifted his lips slightly and spoke.
“Teacher, you suspect me? Are you worried what I might do?”
“I don’t suspect. I’m just curious.”
She replied casually while observing Theo’s hands. From the way his fists were clenched tightly, it seemed something lay within them.
‘Should I ask him to open his hand?’
If she knew what was inside, she’d understand what Theo was planning. But this action had a fatal drawback: it would openly reveal that the teacher doubted the children.
They were barely building trust—was there any need to deliberately damage that?
“Whatever it is, do well and come back.”
When Rachel smiled, the children felt slightly embarrassed and quickly averted their eyes, hurrying away from their seats.
‘It shouldn’t be anything serious.’
After the children vanished from sight, Rachel climbed the stairs.
She still needed to organize her tangled thoughts.
* * *
Night arrived without fail.
Rachel stretched and gazed out the window. Today, the School felt unusually quiet. Chase hadn’t run away, and Kana hadn’t made any strange inventions.
She wondered how long it had been since she’d felt such tranquility. The desire to check on the children and the wish to savor this moment washed over her simultaneously.
Weighing both impulses in her mind, Rachel ultimately collapsed onto the Sofa.
Sitting still, Lucas’s face began drifting lazily through her thoughts. She shook her head firmly.
She grabbed a pen, trying to focus on her paperwork. Even after finishing everything, his image lingered in her mind.
‘What is this?’
Was it like that time in middle school when she fell head over heels for an idol at first sight? Well, Lucas was incredibly handsome, after all.
‘No, it’s subtly different from that.’
The feeling she’d experienced when she accidentally embraced Lucas couldn’t be put into words. Different emotions, each a spoonful of this and that, filled her chest to the brim.
Though the tangled feelings pointed to one thing, Rachel shook her head, trying hard to push the thought away.
Knock, knock.
Fortunately, the knock cut short her reverie.
“Miss.”
It was Henry who entered after opening the door. As before, he held something in his hands.
“Henry, what’s the matter at this hour?”
“Well…”
Henry couldn’t meet Rachel’s eyes properly, and his words trailed off.
“I thought that having something sweet before bed might lift your spirits, and since you seemed to enjoy it last time, I prepared something small.”
Rachel sought out sweets whenever stressed. Henry knew this all too well and had shown his sincerest consideration before.
For Rachel, it was both deeply embarrassing and truly appreciated.
“Miss, I hope you rest well tonight.”
Henry set down what he’d brought on the table and bowed deeply.
Rachel found herself at a loss for words in moments like these. Like last time, she felt she ought to express her thanks for his constant consideration.
‘But what if my gratitude deepens his feelings further?’
Since she felt nothing more than friendship toward him, she couldn’t reciprocate his sincerity.
“…Um, Henry.”
Still, shouldn’t she offer at least a light word of thanks? As she gathered her thoughts to speak—
Bang!!!!!!!!
An enormous crash echoed through the air.

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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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