Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Theodore's Restlessness
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Same time, in Theodore's study.
Theodore was just as unable to sleep.
His thoughts kept chaining one after another.
What on earth was I trying to achieve?
Honestly speaking, he still hated the idea of Claude becoming Lara's tutor. The moment he'd heard the proposal, he'd scoffed and shoved it far back into his memories.
But things were different now from back then. With the lycanthrope's apparition appearing in Aren, he knew bringing Claude into the mansion was the better choice for Lara's safety.
So it had been a wise decision, and Lara had accepted it too.
'......'
But why did his mood sour the moment Lara actually permitted it? He was the one who'd given her the choice in the first place.
He knew he was being ridiculous, even to himself.
Life hadn't been peaceful, burdened by the Diarc family's curse and his half-formed constitution, but Theodore had never once agonized over something like this.
There was truth to the public perception that Theodore Diarc was excessively cold and arrogant.
Succeeding his grandfather as duke and family head, Theodore rarely bowed his head even to nobles of similar rank or the emperor himself.
He performed his duties flawlessly from his position but took interest in none of it.
Though he spent most of his time in the northern Diarc territory, far from the capital, rumors inflated his solitary demeanor, trailing after his name.
Thus, whenever Theodore appeared at the imperial palace, all eyes turned to him. Towering height, perfectly balanced physique. Jet-black hair. Cool red eyes unmoving like stone, and handsome features sculpted by the gods themselves. He was one of the empire's most captivating men, the sort you could stare at endlessly.
But that personality of his.
They'd send lavish gifts to curry favor with the duke, only for him to return them untouched, making fools of the senders. He'd even scare off overnight companions. Everyone wondered if the real Theodore Diarc matched the rumors.
Now the youngest family head in Diarc history, interest in him hadn't waned—it had only grown.
Noble parents with daughters sighed at the fantasy of a perfect husband prospect stuck in the north. Theodore ignored the capital's chatter, but that only fueled the young ladies' imaginations.
Had Theodore ever acted this emotionally, even once?
Even Claude, who knew him longest, was stunned—so it was undoubtedly rare.
It was strange. Whenever Lara was involved, everything turned into chaos. And she looked up at him with that innocent face, oblivious to how he was suppressing it.
Every time, Theodore found himself swept in unfamiliar emotions.
Emotions whose names he didn't know.
"Haa."
His chest tightening, Theodore let out a short sigh and irritably unbuckled his leather gloves.
He hadn't told Lara everything yet. Right after the incident, he'd headed straight to the Lepayrun imperial family, leaving no time.
'Though Lara never asked either.'
He'd stayed by her side all night, waiting for her to sleep. There had been plenty of chances then, and before.
Even riding on his wolf form's back, Lara hadn't asked a thing.
She was strangely calm and composed for her age. Was that normal for human girls?
Theodore, who'd only known his mother among humans, had no idea.
Even comparing to wolfkin girls her age, it seemed off. They might be a bit more...
'Troublesome, even.'
He hated being troubled by anyone. It wasn't his nature, and few could trouble him anyway.
Yet here he was, plenty troubled by Lara—who wasn't even trying.
If this wasn't 'trouble,' what was? She did nothing, and he was the one suffering.
All eyes lingered on a mere human child. All emotions shaken by a single human girl.
Even when he'd appeared before her in full wolf form, she'd treated him the same as always.
No explanations, vanishing for three days and returning—she hadn't resented or pressed him.
On the contrary...
'I'm just glad you returned safely.'
Theodore ended up scoffing at himself.
A half-formed wolfkin who couldn't even live normally without barriers blocking external contact. Theodore Diarc.
He removed his gloves and clenched his bare hand in the air.
Hands untouched by warmth remembered and longed for that one instance.
Still.
Rin's confinement was lifted.
After growing up in a rural village, she'd been thrilled to work in such a grand city mansion—making this stifling week all the more colorless.
Rin desperately wanted to shift into crow form, spread her itching wings, and stretch. But she held back. She couldn't risk confinement again.
"Rin, be careful with your behavior. You've already been confined once, so you need to be extra cautious. Understand? No eye-catching actions, no rowdiness."
Breina sat Rin down for a lecture. As distant kin, Rin's antics fell on her to handle.
Thanks to Young Master Theodore and Miss Lara's leniency on her first-day blunder, Rin could work again.
'And she actually got permission. Lucky girl. But this is her last chance.'
Butler Marsha had relayed that Young Master Theodore approved Miss Lara's request. So Rin became Miss Lara's exclusive maid right after release.
And today was the first day. Seeing Rin's excitement, Breina worried.
"Rin, be prudent and calm in everything..."
"Of course! I won't let you down this time, Breina! You can trust me!"
Rin clenched her fist determinedly—her positivity was top-notch.
"Alright then, Breina! I'll do my best! I'll make you proud!"
She talked like she was off on a distant trip, though still in the mansion. Finalizing her outfit, she dashed out after a bow.
Her sparkling eyes suggested she'd long awaited seeing Miss Lara again.
'I hope Rin's personality rubs off positively on Miss Lara too.'
That was all Breina could hope for.
"Rin."
Marsha, waiting at Lara's door, pocketed her watch. It was early. Rin wasn't late—good.
"Hello, Butler! I-I'm not late!"
Marsha eyed the overly tense Rin.
"Good. If you're ready, let's go in."
Rin took a deep breath and nodded. Marsha knocked and opened the door.
"Miss Lara, good morning. Did you sleep well?"
As Marsha greeted her usual way, Lara—sitting on the bed—returned it.
"Good morning, Marsha."
"H-Hello, Miss Lara! I'm Rin! Of course you know that!"
Rin jumped in eagerly for her greeting. Lara's eyes widened at the vigorous voice.
"From today, I'm your maid! You spoke up so I could keep working... Thank you then and now! I'll repay the favor! I'll protect you, Miss!"
Marsha flustered at Rin's rambling; Lara smiled softly watching her.
"My name's Lara. Nice to meet you, Rin."
"Y-Yes, Miss Lara!"
Seeing Lara's doll-like face smile, Rin stammered then replied energetically.
Marsha could tell clearly.
This girl Rin was utterly smitten with her young mistress from this moment on.
Claude's official first day at the Aren mansion started late. High-proof wine from his sleepless night had given him a headache.
"Ugh, my head..."
"What's a tutor doing here at this hour? Rising later than the master? Pathetic."
Theodore sneered at Claude's obvious hangover.
Claude glared. Nauseous, leaning on a corridor pillar, while that irritating face looked down coldly, hands behind back. Perfectly composed unlike his mess—it irked him more.
"Ugh. My head's pounding—don't yap. And what? Master? I'm your equal—"
His voice trailed off spotting Lara close behind Theodore. She gave an awkward greeting as their eyes met.
"Hello, Teacher Claude."
Claude's eyes snapped wide at 'Teacher.' The winter breeze brushed his cheek, but the hangover fled faster.
Straightening, fixing his vest buttons, he acted casual.
"Uh, hello? Little miss. Good morning?"
"Last warning. Don't drop honorifics with Lara."
Theodore warned quietly. Claude swallowed, rephrasing with a grimace.
"...Good morning, little miss."
"Yes..."
Lara struggled with 'little miss' too—her confusion plain. Theodore sighed shortly, warning Claude again.
"One more time like this, and you won't leave Aren even if you want to."
"Agh, got it! I've got the curriculum ready—don't worry."
Claude massaged his throbbing head.
'Curriculum' sparked interest in Lara's eyes.
Not missing it, Claude grinned.