The Student Guardians Are Obsessed With Me

 

“…It’s because of me.”

 

Eleanor flopped down on the chair. Her legs became weak, and her fingertips began to tremble.

 

“What?”

 

Adrian frowned as if he didn’t understand.

 

“It was all because of me.”

 

Eleanor buried her face in his hands. Her head was pounding.

 

It was clearly retaliation for what happened at the tea party. If not, maybe the relationship between Kaidel and her was unsatisfactory for her.

 

Whatever it was, it was clearly Eleanor herself who started it.

 

She would have been better off if that arrow had been pointed directly at her. But it was difficult for her to bear the loss of those who had always cared and loved her.

 

“The Duke Izent family’s sudden withdrawal of investment and this ridiculous sabotage.”

 

“What?”

 

The Marquis, who had just returned to the office, heard this and frowned. Eleanor, startled, jumped up from her seat.

 

“I’m sorry, Claude. It’s because of me. I’m really sorry.”

 

“Let’s sit down and talk first.”

 

After taking off his coat and hanging it up, Claude sat Eleanor down and sat down next to her.

 

“Say it again slowly. Rian, please bring some tea.”

 

Eleanor began to tell Claude everything that had happened one by one. As she held the warm teacup that Adrian gave her with both hands, her mind gradually calmed down.

 

“So, it happened at a tea party you were invited to, and you attended a ball with the Duke she liked.”

 

When the story ended, Claude’s expression was stiff.

 

“Yes… I’m sorry.”

 

Eleanor answered in a tearful voice.

 

“I don’t know why you’re apologizing, Ellen.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I’ve heard it several times, but I can’t find anything you did wrong.”

 

Eleanor’s sullen face didn’t brighten despite Claude’s words.

 

“But because of me, Claude, Rian, and the people at the merchant, who have nothing to do with this, suffered harm for no reason. I should have acted with more care. I should have expected it.”

 

“How could you expect that if you aren’t a god?”

 

Claude pinched sharply. Adrian, sitting slightly on the desk, nodded his head and added.

 

“You are our partner, Ellen. “One of us.”

 

Eleanor’s big eyes filled with tears.

 

“Yes, Eleanor. You’re my best friend’s daughter. When you were born, I made an oath to your father and mother that if anything happened to them, I would take responsibility and take care of you for the rest of my life. Your business is also mine.”

 

Claude’s large, strong hand overlapped the back of Eleanor’s hand. The warmth made her burst into tears.

 

As Eleanor began to shed tears, Adrian took a handkerchief from his arms and handed it to her. Claude tried to lighten Eleanor’s mood by telling her various stories.

 

“And crises like this come up a lot in business.”

 

“Really?”

 

Eleanor asked, sniffling.

 

“Of course. Did you really think that this would be the biggest crisis of my life?”

 

“A little…”

 

Eleanor blew her snot out of Adrian’s handkerchief.

 

“It won’t even be in the top 10.”

 

No, now that I think about it again, it could probably get 10th place.

 

She laughed at what he muttered.

 

“If a crisis like this is forgettable, it comes back once in a while. What a bunch of filthy guys. But Eleanor, if you solve the problem, that’s it.”

 

Claude continued, leaning back comfortably on the back of his chair.

 

“So stop blaming yourself for things that aren’t your fault. Because it doesn’t suit you. It’s the fault of those who have no morals and don’t know how to treat people like people.”

 

Eleanor nodded her head. Leaning around like this wasn’t going to help anything.

 

“What should we do next?”

 

“Well. I guess we’ll just watch for now.”

 

Claude answered, stroking his bearded chin.

 

“There will definitely be a way.”

 

“Yes, I will never be as discouraged as those over there want me to be.”

 

The energy inside Eleanor began to burn brightly like fire. In her previous life, she had risen from the bottom, surviving on her own strength alone.

 

Eleanor swore, clenching her small fists. She would overcome it and show off. She’ll show them how far she can go.

 

“Great. That’s our daughter.”

 

***

 

The day for Hildegard to leave was just around the corner.

 

Thanks to this, Izmel’s face became brighter day by day. Although none of her actions offended him like at first, he still didn’t get along well with Hildegard.

 

[There isn’t much time left for this awkward meal. In the meantime, I have also learned quite a bit about Mözen.]

 

Usually, Hildegard’s irritated answer would have come back at this point. However, there was only the occasional sound of plates and forks clashing on the table.

 

Izmel called her.

 

[Hildegard?]

 

[…]

 

“I never dreamed I would say this. Dwight, did something happen to the Princess?”

 

Izmel asked. Dwight, who was standing up straight, shook his head and answered.

 

“As far as I know, there’s none.”

 

Izmel, who was pondering recent memories, suddenly muttered.

 

“Now that I think about it, it’s been quite a while.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“The Princess was getting on my nerves. It’s definitely something that should be welcomed, yet it’s strangely annoying.”

 

Izmel, who was staring at Hildegard as she emptied her plate, asked Dwight.

 

“What did she want to do today?”

 

“She said she was going to see Eleanor.”

 

Izmel’s eyes widened at the pleasant name.

 

“Eleanor?”

 

How envious…

 

Izmel muttered to himself.

 

Although in the past, he was satisfied with just a few letters exchanged occasionally, these days, it felt like it wasn’t enough. He wanted to see with my own eyes how Eleanor’s expression changed every moment, and to hear with his own two ears her voice that was slightly muffled with laughter.

 

After the children learned all the dance moves, he saw Eleanor less frequently under the pretext of taking classes. The children’s learning ability seemed to be faster than a dry cloth absorbing water.

 

‘I have to find some other way…’

 

Izmel, who was lost in other thoughts for a moment, shook his head and returned to reality. He suggested, looking at Dwight.

 

“Dwight, how about you take charge of accompanying the Princess today? You’ve been staying at your desk lately, right?”

 

Dwight looked puzzled by Izmel’s suggestion.

 

“Do you mean at my house?”

 

“You’ve been working overtime all these days, haven’t you? I mean, you should go home and take a nap.”

 

Dwight was silent for a moment. He smiled politely and declined Izmel’s offer.

 

“It’s fine. I have some backlogged work left.”

 

“Really? If that’s what you want.”

 

Izmel shrugged his shoulders with an indifferent expression.

 

“Take it easy. Health comes first. Eleanor was worried that you looked tired these days.”

 

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Imperial Majesty.”

 

Dwight interpreted the conversation with Izmel to Hildegard. Hildegard looked up at Dwight’s gentle and straight face.

 

Since the day she met Kaidel, Hildegard had been avoiding him on purpose. For that was what she thought was her best course of action.

 

She didn’t go out as much as possible, and when she had to go out, she was accompanied by knights who had come from Mözen. Dwight accepted her decision without saying anything.

 

After hesitating for a moment, Hildegard carefully opened her mouth.

 

[Is there that much work? If you go and get some rest as Izmel suggested…]

 

[Yes. There are still a few things left that have been pushed back. Eleanor is fluent in Mözen, so you won’t need an interpreter.]

 

Dwight answered with a smile. Green eyes like cherry tree leaves reflected Hildegard clearly.

 

[Still, if you need me, I’ll be happy to go with you.]

 

His voice was as friendly as usual, yet somehow it felt a little cold to Hildegard.

 

[…No, I think it’ll be okay. Just go to work.]

 

[Thank you for your understanding.]

 

Dwight looked away from her immediately. He exchanged a few business-like words with Izmel.

 

At that moment, a corner of Hildegard’s heart tingled.

 

She wanted to hold his gaze.

Dewey,

she wanted to call him that and see his bright smile. It was a strange feeling.

 

‘I didn’t even mean it. He’s someone whose name I won’t even remember after I leave.’

 

Many men fell in love with her. All she had to do was smile sweetly. Sometimes even that wasn’t necessary. Because she was beautiful.

 

It was like a game where the winner was decided. Hildegard enjoyed the game moderately, and when the time came, she got up and left without hesitation.

 

However this time, something was a little strange.

 

***

 

[Hello, Ellen.]

 

[Hilde, it’s been a while. It’s a bit hot today, isn’t it?]

 

Eleanor smiled and greeted Hildegard as she got out of the carriage. The two talked for a while while drinking cool juice instead of tea.

 

[You will be returning to Mösen soon.]

 

[Yes, that’s how it happened. I came because I wanted to greet you one last time.]

 

She was such an uncomfortable person at first, but now she has grown attached to her. Eleanor was a little sad that she was leaving.

 

She felt like a disobedient student. She’s the kind of student you can’t truly hate, even if you get angry when she behaves unruly.

 

[I will miss you.]

 

[Me too. If I send you letters sometimes, will you reply? I won’t write it too often. You’re always busy.]

 

[I’ll be glad to.]

 

[Dwight must be very disappointed, too.]

 

At that moment, Hildegard was shocked and stiffened. Eleanor asked with concern in her voice.

 

[Are you okay? You don’t look good.]

 

[Ah, yes.]

 

Hildegard quickly changed the topic.

 

[What’s going on with you? Anyone can see that you have a lot of worries.]

 

[Ah…]

 

[What’s wrong? Among the three, who upsets you?]

 

Eleanor shook her head.

 

[It’s more about business.]

 

[Business?]

 

Can I tell her?

 

As Eleanor hesitated, Hildegard patted her chest and said.

 

[Feel free to tell me. I will be leaving in just a few days.]

 

I suppose so.

 

Eleanor, who was worried for a moment, told Hildegard about what had happened. After pouring out what she had been holding inside, her heart felt relieved.

 

[Such an unsightly… Shall I come forward and scold her?]

 

Hildegard was jumping up and down like it was her own business, showing off her enthusiasm. Eleanor had to struggle for a while to calm her down.

 

[No! And please never tell His Highness. Never.]

 

[Alright, alright.]

 

Hildegard hugged Eleanor tightly before getting into the departing carriage.

 

[Don’t lose, and don’t be discouraged.]

 

[Yes. Take care, Hilde.]

 

Eleanor let out a small laugh and hugged her back. Hildegard, who buried her head on her shoulder, whispered softly.

 

[Thank you and I’m sorry. Take care, Ellen.]