The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 19

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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 19
“I believe you’re well enough to be discharged now.”
The moment the Doctor gave his approval, neither Colo nor Henry could hide their relief.
“What a blessing.”
“Miss, congratulations on your discharge.”
Rachel shouldered her bag and nodded, already thinking ahead to the next step.
‘Now that I’m discharged, it’s time for home visits.’
She didn’t expect home visits to be easy. She’d certainly hear some harsh words. She might even have to part ways with several students.
She steeled herself to accept the worst-case scenario with as much composure as she could manage.
“Miss, are you really going to visit with the Crown Prince?”
“Yes, that’s the plan.”
She couldn’t shake the thought of using Lucas, but she wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away. Rachel exhaled softly.
“I’d do anything for this school.”
It had started as work for money. But somewhere along the way, it had become part of her life.
Saving troubled students, setting them back on the right path—it was far too rewarding.
“I’ll admit it’s embarrassing to rely on the Crown Prince’s influence, but I’ll do my best.”
Rachel clenched her fists and walked briskly toward the Hospital’s reception room to meet the Crown Prince who was waiting for her.
‘I’m so sorry he’s making time for me when he’s so busy, and so grateful too.’
He was the Crown Prince who handled all the substantial duties in place of an ailing Emperor.
Not only did he look after his younger brother, but he also had to manage countless state affairs, yet he was carving out an entire day to accompany her to parent consultations. And he’d volunteered to do it.
‘I really am grateful. Truly.’
She didn’t want to waste his time. Rachel quickened her pace.
She took a short breath before the reception room door, then knocked softly. The moment she reached for the handle, the door swung open.
“Oh, Lucas.”
“You’re here.”
Lucas wore a pristinely pressed uniform, a far cry from the casual clothes she’d seen him in before.
Rachel found herself staring at him almost without thinking.
“I’ve been thinking about something.”
He spoke to Rachel, who was still gazing at him in a daze.
“What might that be?”
“You seem weak when it comes to me.”
Rachel’s face flushed crimson in an instant. What he said was entirely true.
She was weak to his face. Whenever she saw it, her heart raced without her control. All the more so when he was kind.
‘Who wouldn’t tremble when he says things like that with that face?’
She could only justify her reaction that way. Even so, today’s Lucas was so handsome she was at a loss for words.
“How’s your body feeling?”
At his concerned question, Rachel nodded hastily.
“Then let’s go.”
With those words, he extended his hand. Rachel hesitated, staring down at it.
‘I think he wants me to take his hand…’
Holding his hand felt awkward, but if she thought of it as a ball, it wasn’t terribly strange.
Rachel rolled her eyes for a moment before tentatively placing her hand on his.
Before the awkwardness could fade, the two of them were boarding the Royal Carriage.
Rachel sat across from him and glanced sideways at his silent figure. With his forehead fully exposed, he carried a colder air than usual, yet his handsome features seemed all the more striking.
They’d been alone together several times at school. But why did her heart pound and her face burn so intensely today?
He was merely a student’s guardian, after all.
While she stole glances at his face, the carriage gradually slowed.
They had arrived at Chase’s Residence, their first destination. Rachel took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.
“My goodness, the Crown Prince!”
As the two descended from the carriage, the Duchess Regan, Chase’s mother, came out to greet them but froze in astonishment when she saw Lucas, her eyes widening.
“I thought only Miss Rachel would be coming, but Your Highness—what brings you here?!”
Regan himself was equally shocked, staring at Lucas.
In fact, the Regan family and Crown Prince Lucas were politically at odds. Because of this, Lucas’s visit seemed far from welcome to Regan.
“I had some matters to discuss with you, so I came along with Headmistress Rachel,” Lucas said evenly.
The couple exchanged glances with Lucas and Rachel that suggested they were trying to figure out what connection the two might have.
While Rachel could do nothing but laugh nervously, Lucas’s expression remained perfectly composed.
It was fortunate she’d let go of his hand when stepping down from the carriage; if she’d still been holding it, they would have drawn far more curious stares.
The reception room to which the couple led them was extraordinarily lavish. Rachel had known the Regan family possessed considerable wealth, but she hadn’t imagined it to this degree.
An expensive-looking Tea Set sat on the table, and just as Lucas lifted a cup, Regan finally spoke, as if timing his words carefully.
“Might I ask what brings Your Highness to our humble home?”
“I’ve come to discuss matters concerning Swan Knights Academy.”
Since he’d arrived with Rachel, the school’s headmaster, it was natural enough that his business involved the academy. Yet the Duke’s face remained clouded with skepticism, as if he couldn’t quite bring himself to believe it.
“Your eldest son, Chase, attends Swan Knights Academy, I understand.”
“Yes, he’s been staying with us since the Fire Incident at the school.”
The Duchess answered with practiced grace. But Rachel caught the flicker of displeasure that crossed her face at the mention of the Fire Incident.
“As for that ‘fire’—I have a few things to say on the matter as well.”
Lucas seized the opening, moving straight to the heart of the matter.
“You’re already aware that one of the two children responsible for the Fire Incident was Prince Theo.”
Lucas made no effort to conceal Theo’s mistake. If anything, he laid it bare.
“Setting aside everything else, I offer my sincere apologies for the harm Prince Theo caused to the other children.”
His words carried genuine contrition.
Sincerity, it seemed, could bridge even political divides. The Duke’s expression brightened, if only slightly.
“The school reconstruction is nearly complete, so we should be able to reopen by tomorrow at the latest.”
“The work has progressed faster than expected.”
The Duchess offered polite agreement, yet Rachel noticed her eyes flicking repeatedly toward her husband, as if she’d already intuited what the Crown Prince was about to propose.
“All facilities have been restored. I’d like to send Chase back to school.”
The Duke and Duchess exchanged a look of visible discomfort.
“That is….”
The Duchess averted her gaze, choosing silence. The Duke, too, remained thoughtful and unresponsive.
“You’ve both witnessed the boy’s transformation. You know as well as I do that there’s no institution equal to Swan for educating children. I intend to send my two younger brothers back as well.”
Lucas spoke with unshakeable confidence in the academy.
‘Now it’s my turn.’
With Lucas having laid the groundwork, it fell to her to press the advantage. Rachel drew a breath, steeling herself, and began to speak the words she’d carefully rehearsed.
“I sincerely apologize for the Fire Incident and the alarm it caused the children. It was my shortcoming that allowed it to happen. But I assure you, such an incident will not occur again. We have strengthened Safety Education protocols and completed comprehensive expansion of fire suppression systems.”
‘Please, please let them reconsider.’
“Chase has changed considerably since being at the school. With just a little more education in this window of opportunity, I’m confident he’ll develop into a well-adjusted young man.”
Rachel shifted the bag on her shoulders, pulling a notebook from within.
“This is the Study and Behavioral Guidance Journal we’ve kept for Chase since his enrollment.”
She opened to the first page and held it out before the Duke and Duchess.
“You know better than anyone—when Chase first started, he couldn’t even sit still in a chair for more than a moment.”
His early days had been chaotic. Studying was out of the question; even remaining seated was a struggle.
“Please, just read through and see how Chase’s behavior has changed since coming to school.”
Rachel turned the pages methodically. At first, Chase couldn’t remain seated for more than five minutes, but gradually he’d progressed to reading poetry while sitting, and eventually completed entire novels, extending his attention span considerably.
“Haven’t you noticed the difference in Chase since he came home? I’m certain you have.”
Rachel spoke with quiet conviction. The Duke and Duchess exchanged a sideways glance.
“Hmm….”
The Duke cleared his throat. It seemed he found himself in an awkward position—hesitant to outright reject the Crown Prince’s proposal.
“It’s true Chase has changed considerably, but… sending the boy to a place that’s proven unsafe troubles us greatly.”
At the Duke’s words, Rachel’s lips pressed into a thin line. Even with the Crown Prince’s intervention, their hearts seemed sealed shut.
Then, from Lucas’s mouth came something entirely unexpected.
“I understand you’re in need of Mining Rights to the Epa Mine.”
“Your Highness…?”
Rachel had no doubt what the Epa Mine was.
Before inhabiting Rachel’s body, she’d read the world-building exposition from the novel’s opening chapters.
In the early parts of the book, mining had barely begun. Which meant no one yet knew how much gold lay buried there.
So why was he bringing up the mine now? Rachel’s eyes darted about, unable to fathom his intent.
“If you agree to cede the Mining Rights of the Epa Mine to me, will you send Chase back to school?”

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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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