The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 50

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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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Episode 50
A low hum of disapproval.
The attendants and handmaids drew sharp breaths. The atmosphere curdled into shock in an instant.
Rachel could not have failed to sense that the mood was about to freeze. Yet she did not hesitate; she opened her mouth again.
“You’re welcome to criticize me. But I find it difficult to watch you turn on children so young.”
How could one speak such words without trembling? Rachel forced her entire body rigid and continued.
The Empress looked at Rachel as if she might tear her apart on the spot.
“So you’ve lost your senses entirely now that you have the Crown Prince as your backing.”
“To hear you speak that way, one would think I’d committed some grave transgression.”
“And what greater transgression could there be!”
“I….”
Rachel was about to offer a rebuttal.
“It seems Your Majesty has grown short on duties of late.”
Lucas appeared before her then.
“Coming to where children play and inserting yourself into their affairs, as I see it.”
Lucas met the Empress without flinching, his composure intact.
“Crown Prince! Is that how you speak to your mother!”
“There’s nothing preventing me from doing so.”
Lucas answered flatly. Then he turned at once to face Theo and Noah.
“You two—go finish your lessons for today.”
There was no good in letting the children witness adults at each other’s throats. Sensing the unusual tension, Theo and Noah left their places without delay.
The servants and handmaids slipped quietly away as well. Before long, only Rachel, Lucas, and the Empress remained.
“Crown Prince! I cannot forgive your insolence!”
“How gracious of you to volunteer an apology I never requested.”
Was this truly who Lucas was? Rachel found herself bewildered. The Lucas she knew was always tender and kind. Yet here, before the Empress, he was cutting and cynical without equal.
‘I’ve never seen him like this before….’
Confused, Rachel could only dart her eyes between them. Lucas continued to regard the Empress with an icy gaze.
“Do you think I’ll forget this?”
The Empress trembled, her eyes fixed on Lucas with venom pooled within them.
“That is Your Majesty’s prerogative.”
Lucas would not yield to the Empress. He finished his words with perfect calm, then turned a smile toward Rachel.
“I hear you were touring the Imperial Palace. If we haven’t overstayed our welcome, I’d like to join you.”
“Oh… yes… yes!”
Rachel, gathering her wits belatedly, answered in haste. She then took her place beside Lucas, lowering her head slightly. She hadn’t the courage to meet the Empress’s gaze.
“Then let us take our leave.”
As Rachel turned to walk with Lucas, she held her breath. Behind them came the sound of teeth grinding—proof that the Empress was seething with rage.
Yet this situation had long since been decided in Lucas’s favor. Whatever anger the Empress vented would avail her nothing. She knew it, and that was precisely why she burned so fiercely.
‘What a temperament she has….’
Rachel bit back a smile. To work herself into such a state over an outcome already lost—her nature must ordinarily be volatile as flame. She’d wanted nothing to do with such a type, yet it seemed her unlucky stars had marked her firmly in the Empress’s mind.
“I didn’t expect to meet the Empress so soon.”
Lucas exhaled softly, almost like a sigh.
“Is Her Majesty inclined to be… sensitive by nature?”
Rachel, unable to say directly that the woman had a sour disposition, chose her words with care. Lucas nodded, smiling clearly.
“Sensitive doesn’t begin to cover it. She’s quite sharp—especially when it comes to me and my siblings.”
“Ah….”
“She wishes her own child to become Crown Prince. Yet there are several standing ahead of that possibility. She can only resent it.”
The Crown Prince’s seat was solidly occupied by Lucas, with Theo and Noah securing those positions behind him.
The probability of the Empress’s child inheriting the Crown Prince’s position was vanishingly small. Facing such a reality, it was natural she would harbor resentment toward Lucas and the other princes.
“Even so, a grown woman turning her anger on children without cause—that I cannot accept.”
“Nor can I. Which is why I protect my siblings absolutely. For Her Majesty, it must be like watching her hopes burn to ash.”
Rachel listened quietly to the Crown Prince’s words.
“Now that you’ve entered the Imperial Palace, you must walk the line with everyone—Her Majesty foremost among them. That much is certain.”
Lucas spoke quietly.
“I knew this when I summoned you here.”
“Then why….”
“Because I wanted you here that badly.”
…….
“I’m sorry you’ve had to endure this the moment you arrived.”
Lucas laid bare his feelings. It might have sounded like words born of regret, yet somehow it was not. Rachel found herself simply wishing that he carry no burden on his heart.
“I’m all right.”
Rachel answered briskly. Her boldness was not merely for show—it was a message to herself, an affirmation.
“Does that mean I can call myself one of the Crown Prince’s people now?”
Rachel posed the question lightly, yet it carried an unmistakable tremor she could not hide.
“If you are not mine, then who in this world could claim to be?”
Lucas spoke with certainty. You are mine. At those words, Rachel felt a profound sense of being protected by him—deeply so.
“Thank you, Lucas.”
Rachel offered her gratitude carefully. Lucas fixed his gaze upon her, and in his eyes, she saw herself reflected. She clasped her hands before her, searching for words.
“I know it’s not easy to trust me like this. I promise I won’t disappoint you.”
It was spoken with perfect sincerity. She smiled faintly, waiting for his reply.
“Lucas!”
But the voice that reached Rachel’s ear was that of a middle-aged woman. Rachel turned reflexively. There stood a woman with warm features and chestnut hair.
“I’ve searched everywhere for you!”
The woman, who introduced herself as the Nanny, stepped before Lucas. She planted her hands on her hips and gave him a sidelong look.
“You said you’d tell me when a new teacher arrived.”
“Forgive me for the delayed introduction. Rachel, this is my Nanny. Nanny, this is Rachel Swan, the new teacher for my younger siblings.”
“Hello.”
Rachel greeted her awkwardly. The Nanny promptly wrapped both of Rachel’s hands in her own.
“Hello. I’m the Crown Prince’s Nanny. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you more than anyone.”
“Me?”
“Of course. I’ve heard so much about you—I couldn’t wait to meet you.”
What could all this talk about her mean? Rachel was utterly bewildered. Yet the Nanny linked her arm through Rachel’s with easy warmth.
“I know it’s sudden, but would you care to join me for teatime?”
“Teatime?”
“Yes. I’ve prepared some lovely pastries.”
She looked up expectantly, waiting for an answer.
He replied with a gentle smile—permission to go. Rachel bowed lightly to Lucas and followed the Nanny away.
* * *
The Nanny led her to a small pavilion within the palace grounds.
True to her word, an elaborate table had been prepared: an array of cookies and cakes adorned the fine linens, along with tea service.
“Please, sit.”
The Nanny spoke kindly. Rachel settled carefully into her chair, studying the woman before her. She still wore that approachable, gentle expression.
“I really have been waiting for you.”
“May I ask why…?”
She would not have waited without reason. There had to be some compelling purpose behind it.
“Well, the explanation is rather long, but I’ll tell you what I can.”
The Nanny poured tea into a cup as she spoke. Her face had grown serious—almost grave. Rachel sensed she was about to hear something of great importance.
“I hope you’ll become more than just a teacher.”
“More than a teacher?”
“For instance…”
The Nanny drew out her words slowly.
Rachel tensed at the weight in her voice.
“I hope you’ll become the Crown Prince’s right hand.”

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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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