The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 68

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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 68
The words were so startling that Rachel’s hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes widened as she stared at Lucas.
Unlike Rachel, who couldn’t compose herself, Lucas’s expression remained perfectly serene. He appeared genuinely intent on marriage with her.
“Wow, Kane. You really are ready for this, aren’t you?”
Lucas’s friends whistled at him, yet his face betrayed no shift in expression. He simply smiled, steady and sure.
“And what about you, Nancy? Would you consider marrying Kane? If so, when?”
“Ah, well… I…”
Rachel chose her words carefully. No matter how much they went by the names Kane and Nancy, the fundamental truth between them hadn’t changed.
Seeing Rachel so flustered and reading the room, Lucas turned to her with a warm, genuine smile.
“Nancy, we’ve already decided to marry—what does anything else matter? I’m happy whenever you choose. Isn’t that so?”
“Oh, Kane’s really something, isn’t he?”
At Lucas’s casual remark, his friends erupted in cheers. Rachel managed an awkward smile. She wished someone would tell her how to handle this.
“Come to think of it, we’ve been pretty mischievous, haven’t we? Time to stop.”
“You’re right. I apologize. We got carried away and crossed a line.”
“Not at all! I’m perfectly fine with it!”
Rachel waved her head in protest. She could feel the others relax somewhat at her reassurance.
“Is there any particular dish you enjoy, Nancy? I’ll do my best to prepare something similar for you.”
Ross planted his hands on his hips, speaking with unmistakable confidence. Rachel, momentarily startled, carefully opened her mouth.
“I like Stew.”
It wasn’t that she actually loved Stew very much. But from a cook’s perspective, it required less effort and almost always turned out reasonably palatable. That was why Rachel had mentioned it.
“Stew, then? I’ve already got a pot of it brewing.”
Ross vanished into the kitchen without delay.
“You can trust his cooking skills. It’ll be good.”
Michael spoke with a bright smile. Something about his expression inspired confidence. Rachel nodded and glanced around the Tavern.
People playing cards, others speaking loudly about their thoughts, some passed out from drink—a jumble of humanity everywhere.
Time passed. Ross emerged from the kitchen, carrying several bowls of Stew.
“Eat while we talk things through slowly.”
With that, Ross returned to his work. Rachel thanked him and stared at the Stew. The vegetables looked cheap, and her appetite died at the sight alone.
‘Have I become this fussy?’
She used to happily buy street food, yet now she was overestimating her own delicate tastes.
‘The hygiene…’
She didn’t want to be difficult about something she’d ordered, but the smell was genuinely hard to bear.
Rachel glanced sideways at Lucas. To her amazement, he was spooning the Stew into his mouth without a trace of concern.
“It’s quite good.”
“Really. Did he add pork fat? The flavor is smooth.”
“At this rate, he’ll be famous soon.”
Lucas’s friends each offered their own assessment. Rachel, who hadn’t even tasted it, couldn’t begin to understand their praise.
“How do you find it, Nancy? Isn’t it delicious?”
“Yes… yes! It’s delicious!”
“You hardly seem to be eating. Is this your first time in a Tavern like this?”
Michael’s question was sharp and perceptive. Rachel had no choice but to panic. He’d hit on the truth, and she’d had no time to compose her expression.
“That is… well…”
“Nancy had a light meal before she came here. That’s why her appetite’s a bit off.”
Lucas came to her defense. The others nodded as if they’d never doubt his word.
“Seems like Kane’s palate approves.”
“Yes. I rather like it.”
Lucas spooned more Stew into his bowl as if it were nothing. Rachel didn’t want to be this sensitive, but the smell kept rising up, impossible to ignore.
“Nancy, would you like some tea?”
Just as Rachel was wondering how much longer she could endure, Lucas gently offered her a cup of tea.
“There’s tea… at a Tavern?”
“Ross likes tea. I’m sure there’s some.”
Lucas rose naturally from his seat and approached Ross. After exchanging a few words with him, he returned with a mug in hand.
“Just as expected. If you’d prefer something different, just say so.”
Lucas set down a cup of Chamomile Tea before Rachel. The soft herbal fragrance wrapped around her, and just breathing it in seemed to settle her stomach.
“Thank you.”
Rachel smiled faintly. Speaking informally was becoming a bit more natural with practice. Embarrassment still filled her heart, but somehow she was managing to adapt to the situation.
“Oh, did you hear?”
A man with a small mole beside his eye opened his mouth. All eyes turned toward him.
“Hear what?”
“That the Imperial Princes were driven out of some estate and just returned to the Imperial Palace?”
Hearing those words, Rachel felt a peculiar sense of bewilderment. Expelled? She had come to the Swan Estate specifically to serve as a tutor, and she never imagined the story would have twisted so far from the truth.
“I don’t know what happened at the manor, but apparently he’s changed dramatically. For the better, too.”
“Is that so? That’s rather curious.”
The conversation drifted away from Rachel toward Theo and Noah. Deciding it best to listen quietly for now, Rachel kept her attention fixed on their words.
“From what I hear, the steward of that house is quite fierce. They say the princes can’t move an inch under him.”
“Oh, come now—how scary can a steward really be? There must be limits to how strict he can be with royalty.”
“No, I’m telling you, the steward of that manor is absolutely formidable.”
“That’s odd. What I heard was rather different.”
Lucas, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth. The attention of everyone present immediately shifted to him.
“Kane, what story did you hear?”
“From what I gather, the tutor at that estate is quite capable—skilled enough to bring the princes to heel all at once.”
“A tutor?”
“I don’t know all the details, but one thing’s certain: that tutor wields enormous influence. Without that, it would be nearly impossible for the princes to have changed so much.”
Lucas answered with ease. At his words, Rachel’s face flushed slightly. Such praise was impossible to receive without embarrassment.
“It’s probably just that the princes have grown considerably.”
Rachel spoke hesitantly. At that, Lucas drew her shoulder gently into an embrace. Immediately, cheers erupted from those around them.
“Kane, you’ve got quite the touch, don’t you?”
Ross, who had arrived at some point unnoticed, burst out laughing. Lucas waved his hand dismissively, as though it were nothing at all.
“Well then, I’ve heard plenty of what happened while I was away. Nancy and I were thinking of taking a look around the Night Market. Would it be all right if we left now?”
Lucas rose from his seat naturally. Rachel stood as well.
His friends looked reluctant, but Lucas offered a polite farewell and left the tavern with Rachel.
“Rachel, is there anywhere you’d like to go?”
“Anywhere is fine with me.”
If this had been twenty-first-century South Korea, she likely would have suggested a café or a curio shop—those delicate, charming things always lifted her spirits. A slice of cake from a café, in particular, was among the things that brought her joy.
“There must be something you enjoy.”
“Well… uh…?”
Just as Rachel was about to give a measured reply, a considerably antique-looking shop caught her eye.
“What sort of place is that?”
Rachel asked Lucas.
“A place that sells sweet cake. Shall we step inside?”
Lucas drew her shoulder close once more as he spoke.
Sweet cake—there was no reason to decline. Rachel nodded eagerly. If the cake was good, she wanted to bring some back as a gift for the two children.
“Yes, I’d like that.”
There were real advantages to being outside the Imperial Palace.
Cake was common enough. She could procure it within the Palace if she wished, but to the children, it would feel like a precious gift.
Rachel’s heart was set on giving the children some small token of affection. And so, willingly, she stepped into the antique shop.
Merely a few slices of cake.
Not knowing what change those slices would bring.

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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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