# 37
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The two went out to a nearby park.
Once they arrived, Matthias ordered everyone around them to leave.
The place became quiet, and all that could be heard was the cheerful chirping of the birds and the trickling water of the fountain.
When they were finally alone, Matthias suddenly spoke up.
“Why don't you deny it?”
"What?"
Elinor tilted her head as if she didn't know what he was talking about.
Matthias frowned.
“The words of the sister-in-law and nephew. Because you, the child’s mother, do not deny it, Tidian believes it is true.”
“Oh, this.”
“Are you taking revenge now? Because I pretended to be the father of the child in the village, are you?”
“It's impossible to do that.”
“This is my home. Tidian is my family, and everyone who works here is my people. Isn’t it unfair to spread lies in a place like this?”
What a talk from someone who had disrupted her peaceful life in the village by suddenly appearing and claiming to be the child's father.
said Elinor in an elegant tone.
“I didn't say anything.”
“Listen, mother of the child.”
“When did I say you were the baby’s father? I don’t remember saying that even once.”
“You should have denied Tidian’s words.”
“The young master was so convinced. I couldn’t do anything.”
Of course, at first, she found it difficult to explain why she was being held in the ward to Tidian, someone not directly involved.
She couldn't share Charlotte's story with a third party.
But recently, Elinor has been actively exploiting Tidian's misunderstanding.
‘If rumors spread that I and the child are your wife and son, it will restrict the Duke’s actions.’
He had to care about his social reputation because of his status.
If he didn't want to gain the stigma of being cruel to an illegitimate child, he would have no choice but to leave her and the child alone.
Of course, he could camouflage an accident and transport her to another place that no one would know about.
“The doctor said that rest is most important for recovery. If I suddenly revealed the truth, how would the young master feel?”
“So you lied?”
“Otherwise you will become the Duke who detained a weak woman and a young child for no reason? The young master seems to have great respect for his older brother… How disappointing it would be if he knew the truth.”
"And I didn't lie. I just didn't reveal the truth."
Mathias let out a moan.
He pressed his fingers to his forehead as if his head hurt.
"Don't worry. I'll take all the blame."
"What?"
“When the time comes, I will say that you were protecting a woman in danger. Of course, you did not detain anyone.”
“…You mean when we find Miss Charlotte?”
“If you hurry, my lord Duke, the day will come when the misunderstanding will be corrected more quickly.”
Elinor fiddled with the leaves of an ornamental tree.
The green leaves, untainted by black magical energy, were vibrant.
“I also want to meet Charles quickly.”
Being with someone who is not his mother, the child appears to be in constant danger.
Elinor shuddered slightly as she remembered Gilbert holding the child violently.
'I no longer know where the safe place is.'
When she was locked in the ward, she thought it was a dangerous place, but once she escaped, she ran into a big problem.
In the rural village she had carefully chosen, a fire broke out.
At Count Winston's palace, her parents tried to kill the child.
'If every place was equally dangerous.'
It is better to stay in a place that owes me even a little.
“You saved the young master.”
Mathias raised his eyebrows.
“What next?”
“As a reward, I hope the Duke will guarantee my safety.”
“I never threatened you.”
“The last time, the knights pointed their swords at me...”
“This was according to the rules. Knights must prioritize the safety of their master and his family.”
“Otherwise, you already detained me.”
Elinor put her hands on her waist.
“I hope it will not happen again. I may have misunderstood your intentions, my lord Duke.”
Matthias looked at Elinor steadily.
But Elinor, who had an ally in Tidian, was not afraid.
From Elinor's point of view, Matthias' weak point was his family, nothing else.
Especially his younger brother.
He cared deeply for Tidian, more than ten years his junior.
After a few moments, he sighed quietly.
“Okay. I will try to ensure your safety.”
“I will trust you.”
“In that case, can’t you now clear up Tidian’s misunderstanding...”
“The young master was very excited about having a nephew. Do you intend to deprive him of the honor of protecting his nephew as an uncle?”
“Once I find Charles, I will return everything to normal.”
That's Matthias again.
He has a feeling that he is being dragged into the trap of the child's mother.
Without realizing that this was a situation that would shock those who knew the usual Duke, Matthias nodded.
* * *
Recently, the young woman and child residing in the main building of the palace had become the focus of much attention to the servants.
“She is a special teacher to teach Tidian.”
Even though Matthias introduced her as a special teacher, people didn't believe it.
News that Tidian calls them “my brother’s wife” and “my nephew” has spread throughout the palace.
“It must be the duke’s woman, right?”
"Look at that blond hair. Have you seen anyone but the Hilliards with blond hair like that? They say illegitimate children are impossible, but it's for sure."
“It is said that Monsieur Tidian adores his only nephew.”
Although the servants were afraid of the Duke's strict separation of public and private, they actually considered Elinor a mother to the Duke's son.
The reactions were varied.
“Maybe she will become a duchess in the future. We should be nice to her from now.”
There were those trying to get close to Elinor in anticipation of her ascension.
“If she were to be the duchess, she would not have hidden her identity. Nothing is known about her except her name. Doesn’t that mean she is a commoner? The love between Ami and Nabil has a clear ending.”
There were those who believed that she would soon be abandoned.
“Isn't she stunningly beautiful? Maybe I am too...”
There were those who began to aspire to become the second Eleanor.
Anyway, everyone treated Elinor with caution.
And also when they dealt with her child.
Thanks to this, Elinor was able to live a comfortable life for the first time in a long time.
Meanwhile, when Tidian heard that Matthias had offered Elinor as a tutor, he applied.
“I want to learn from my sister-in-law.”
Introducing her as a private teacher was just a way to hide her identity, because it was the easier option.
Matthias, who did not want to increase the interaction between Elinor and Tidian, was not happy with this request.
but.
"Why can't I? My sister-in-law helped me with my studies before. I understand very well when she explains. Do you hate for me to study, brother? Didn't you say that I have to study hard if I want to become a great knight? Am I just living like a fool?"
Matthias, who was already in a difficult situation with his beloved younger brother, could not bear this harsh criticism.
Eventually, Elinor taught Tidian twice a week.
“Teddy, stop playing and study.”
With Matthias, the overzealous guardian, as an escort.