After Valeria left, I remained alone in the estate with Julian.

  “Cousin, teach me how to be that strong!”

  I smiled at his innocent enthusiasm and spent some time playing with him. I showed him a few basic sword movements and told him a couple of exaggerated adventure stories. Julian listened with sparkling eyes, completely absorbed in every word.

  About an hour later, a knock sounded at the door.

  “Mrs. Valeria? I’m Serah’s daughter!”

  A sweet, slightly immature voice called from outside.

  I signaled Julian to wait and walked to open the door.

  When it swung open, I was greeted by a young girl.

  She was fairly tall—around 1.7 meters—with a slender build and delicate features. Her short black hair framed her face neatly, and her brown eyes carried a timid softness. She wore a simple white dress that suited her modest appearance.

  She wasn’t breathtakingly beautiful—but she possessed a quiet, humble charm.

  The moment she saw me, she froze slightly before blushing.

  “You are?” I asked calmly after observing her for a moment.

  She flustered.

  “I-Is Mrs. Valeria at home? I-I’m Serah’s daughter. The nanny…”

  “Ah.” I nodded. “My aunt had to leave early today. She mentioned someone would come to take care of Julian.”

  “Y-Yes… M-Mother couldn’t come today, so she sent me instead…”

  She lowered her head and nervously clutched the hem of her dress.

  “I see. Please, come in.”

  “E-Excuse me…”

  She stepped inside cautiously, still visibly tense.

  I couldn’t help but smile faintly. It seemed this was her first time interacting with a noble.

  “Is this your first time speaking with someone from a noble household?” I asked casually.

  “Y-Yes! I-I apologize if I’ve been disrespectful!”

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  “Relax,” I said with a small wave of my hand. “I’m not going to eat you. Calm down. I’ll bring Julian.”

  Her cheeks flushed crimson, and she nodded repeatedly.

  When I returned with Julian, she had regained some composure. She bowed slightly.

  “I-I’m sorry about earlier. I was just nervous. Mother didn’t mention there would be a young master here.”

  “And please don’t call me that,” I replied lightly. “This is Julian, my cousin.”

  “Yes, Mother told me about him.”

  I nodded.

  “And your name?”

  “S-Susan,” she answered softly. “I’m sixteen this year.”

  “I see. I’m Edric Valemont.”

  Her shoulders stiffened at the full introduction.

  “Tell me, Susan. Have you worked as a nanny before?”

  She hesitated.

  “I usually take care of my younger brothers… but this is my first time officially working as one.”

  I frowned slightly.

  Susan immediately panicked.

  “I-Is something wrong?!”

  “Nothing,” I said with a faint smile. “I was just wondering whether it would be safe to leave Julian in your care.”

  “D-Don’t worry! Mother explained everything to me! I know what to do!”

  “Mmm…”

  I deliberately maintained a doubtful expression.

  Her eyes grew watery as she looked at me helplessly.

  Inside, I was amused—but my face remained neutral.

  “Very well,” I said after a moment. “I’ll stay for a while and observe. If everything is fine, I’ll leave afterward.”

  “O-Of course! I don’t mind!”

  Relief washed over her face.

  To my mild surprise, Susan performed quite well.

  She was attentive to Julian, patient with his questions, and efficient with household chores. Her movements revealed she was accustomed to this kind of work.

  Perhaps her mother, Serah Frost, had trained her thoroughly.

  Though her first impression had been somewhat unreliable, she did not make a single mistake.

  Occasionally, she would glance at me nervously while cleaning. Whenever our eyes met, I offered her a reassuring smile.

  Each time, she blushed and quickly looked away.

  Innocent.

  After a few hours, she finished most of the chores and approached me timidly.

  “Y-Young master… I’ll start preparing lunch. Will you be eating here?”

  “No,” I replied. “I’m visiting my grandparents today. And I told you not to call me young master. Call me Edric.”

  “I-I’m sorry, young master—”

  “…”

  “E-Edric…”

  She looked utterly embarrassed.

  I chuckled softly and reached for her hand, lifting it gently.

  “Well then, Susan. I’ll be leaving.”

  Her face turned bright red.

  She walked me to the door, still flustered.

  As we stepped forward, I subtly extended a nearly invisible thread of mana near her feet.

  A commoner without mana would never sense it.

  Just as planned—

  She stumbled.

  “Ah!”

  Instinctively, she grabbed my arm.

  I moved to steady her—but deliberately misstepped as well.

  We fell together.

  When Susan opened her eyes, she realized she was on top of me.

  “S-Sorry!” she squeaked, attempting to stand.

  But my hand rested lightly at her waist.

  She froze.

  “Y-Young— I mean… Edric?”

  I looked at her quietly, my gaze lingering.

  Her face burned as she turned away.

  Leaning closer, I whispered softly near her ear.

  “You’re beautiful.”

  Her entire body stiffened.

  She had likely heard compliments before—but never from a noble, and certainly not in such a position.

  Her breathing grew uneven.

  For a brief moment, I tightened my hold slightly.

  Then—

  I released her waist and helped her stand.

  “There. Be more careful next time,” I said lightly, as though nothing had happened.

  Susan nodded rapidly, unable to meet my eyes.

  Without another word, I stepped outside.

  As I walked away, a faint smile formed on my lips.

  Innocence was a fragile thing.

  And fragile things were easy to shape.