Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil

‘Dilua Academy…’

I looked back at the seat where Merlin was sitting and slowly looked back on the story I had heard a while ago.

In a typical aristocratic family, when a child is three or four years old, they hire a tutor to start their education.

Escal was already six years old, so compared to the other children, it was quite late.

Helios didn’t intend to send the kid to the academy with good intentions, but it was time for an education.

“Even so, there would be no way to teach otherwise.”

As I was contemplating why he wanted to send the child to such a place, the contents of the original came to my mind.

‘If you’re serious about not having Escal as your successor, you can get him into Dillua Academy, right?’

“Oh, right!”

The place where Lenia in the original was going to send Escal was to Dillua Academy.

The fact that Duke Anthemion’s son is living with commoners is proof that Escal was excluded from the nomination of successors.

Although he did not enter the Academy due to the fierce opposition of the Marquis Melks, it became widely known that Escal was in trouble.

You’ve done a lot of bad things, Lenia Evelyn.

“Should I rather take the initiative?”

Wouldn’t it be better to hire a decent tutor without Helios’ knowledge?

The problem is, there’s no way to hire the tutor without Helios’ knowledge.

Of course, there was no such thing as an intimate nobility for me, the possessor, and the same for Lenia in the original story.

However, I’m not sure what kind of great friendship I can make as the wife, who has no power.

In any case, Merlin, the butler, was the only person I could turn to for advice, but I couldn’t put more burdens on him, who was already overworked.

It would be nice if Helios opened up his heart to Escal a little.

I decided to persuade him slowly, fearing that I might hurt his wounds, but if I did, Escal would be kicked out of the Duke’s residence, so my insides were boiling.

It’s not a problem that can be solved by turning it round, so the moment I came to the conclusion that it would be better to look at Helios’ intentions first and leave the library.

Suddenly, the door opened, and the boy poked his face out through the cracks in the door.

“Uh?”

“Escal?”

The child, who was holding a book the size of his upper body, rolled his eyes as if he didn’t think there would be anyone here.

“So-sorry to disturb you.”

I thought we got closer.

The child still looked back at me as if I was having a hard time and stepped back.

“It’s okay. You didn’t disturb me, so come on in.”

I took Escal’s hand and led him into the room.

When she put the hesitating child on the sofa, Escal finally put down the book he was holding.

His cheeks were flushed red, probably because he was having a hard time carrying a heavy book.

Although not as plump as children of their age, the white, convex cheeks were as coveted as a ripe peach.

I want to touch it, but I have to be patient.

I asked, waiting for the child to breathe slowly.

“Why are you going to the library?”

“I want to return this book.”

In response to Escal’s answer, I turned my gaze to the book on the table.

A faded title and a fine sword were drawn on the worn leather sheepskin.

[Introduction to swordsmanship]

“Swordsmanship?”

Can you learn swordsmanship from a book?

I turned the bookshelf in a strange thought.

‘Chapter 1: What is Swordsmanship?’

As the title suggests, it was a book that contained everything about swordsmanship.

The mindset to prepare before holding a sword, the qualities to become a good swordsman, how to choose a good sword, etc.

It was difficult to understand for me, who was not familiar with swordsmanship.

Isn’t that too high level for a child to read?

Of course, Escal is smart, so just because I don’t understand doesn’t mean Escal is the same.

I asked carefully so as not to sound like looking down at him.

“Escal, do you understand everything in this book?”

“No…. this.”

Escal wiggled his fingers and clapped.

“I can’t read.”

Oh, so it is.

An ordinary nobleman would be old enough to learn to read, but in this mansion, no one would have taught him how to write and read.

“Then how did you read the book?”

“I just saw the picture.”

“Picture?”

As I tilted my head, Escal turned over the bookshelf and pointed to the illustration.

“This one.”

There were crude illustrations throughout the book.

As if to prove Escal’s words that he only saw pictures, only the pages with illustrations were crude.

“Did you study by looking at the pictures?”

“Yes.”

“Since when have you been reading this book?”

“Since last spring. I hid in the library and found it by chance.”

“Hiding in the library?”

When I asked a question because I did not understand it, Escal added quietly.

“I accidentally broke the vase…”

The boy’s expression darkened as he recalled the incident.

Last spring was when Charlet Melks was alive.

Even though he had a mother, he was so afraid that he hid when broke the vase.

I felt like my stomach was tight, and I barely changed the topic.

“So, is your swordsmanship practice going well?”

“Well… It’s a bit difficult doing it alone, but it’s still fun.”

“Fun?”

“Yes, I can copy everything in that book!”

Escal, who had shaken off his gloomy look, answered with his eyes shining.

As I stroked his head in wonder, the child reflexively shrugged and straightened his neck.

I quickly put my hand away and asked again.

“You don’t even have a sword, so what did you practice with?”

“A tree branch.”

“Branch?”

“I picked up a branch that fell in the garden and practiced with it.”

Duke Anthemion’s son picking up branches and practicing swordsmanship.

It was sad enough to let out a sigh, but on the other hand, the child was proud.

“Do you like swordsmanship practice?”

“Yeah, I love it.”

Come to think of it, Escal was a genius. A swordsman genius.

Helios’ swordsmanship skills were also outstanding, but Escal was the only sword master that had no rival.

After being chased by an assassin sent by Lenia and saved by Tiaris, Escal learns the sword from Tiaris’ grandfather, a retired knight commander.

He volunteered to subdue monsters and returned with a great achievement after two years.

In the novel, the full-fledged story begins when Tiaris runs away with the marriage between Escal and Tiaris, who became heroes and improved.

It is said that talent should be discovered from a young age, but you can’t rot your talent knowing that your child is a genius.

“Escal, don’t you want to study swordsmanship properly?”

“Studying swordsmanship?”

“Yes. As long as you want, you can learn as much as you want. But before that, you have to learn how to write.”

“Can I really learn swordsmanship?”

“Yes.”

“I want to do it!”

Expectations spread on the child’s face when he heard that he could learn swordsmanship.

I liked to see the lively expression on his face, and I said with my eyes wide open.

“Okay, I’ll discuss it with Helios.”

“Duke… huh?”

“Well, he’s Escal’s father. Of course we should discuss it.”

“He would hate it….”

The child muttered with a gloomy face, thinking Helios wouldn’t allow it.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ll tell him.”

I can’t guarantee it’ll go well, though.

I can’t betray his eyes full of anticipation, so I have to do your best.

I smiled broadly at Escal, who looked at me with half anticipation and half worry.

“Then shall we have dinner together?”

 ****

Escal returned to his room and I headed straight to Helios’ office.

Helios must be in a good mood.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

“It’s me, Helios.”

“Lena?”

Helios, who immediately recognized my voice, greeted me warmly.

“What’s up? Is there anything urgent?”

“I’m curious because I can’t see you all day.”

“Sorry. I’ve been busy with work, so I haven’t been paying attention to you.”

Helios said he was really sorry and put his lips to my forehead and then lifted me.

“Shall we go to the room?”

“No. I was going to have dinner with Escal, but I stopped by to ask if you would like to eat too.”

“Escal?”

“If you don’t like it, you can say no. Because Escal and I can eat together.”

“No, let’s eat together.”

Helios unexpectedly accepted the invitation to dinner.

I don’t know if Escal will like this meal, but if we dine together, maybe they will get along a little better.

“I’ll tell them to prepare what you like.”

 ****

In the evening a little earlier than usual, a message came from Merlin that the meal was ready.

I got dressed and headed to the dining room with Helios.

As soon as I entered the dining room, I could smell the delicious food.

The table was beautifully decorated with flowers and decorations, as if special care was taken as it was the first time the three of us had a meal together.

“Sit down, Lena.”

“Thanks.”

Helios, who escorted me, pulled out the chair.

As we sat down, Merlin poured us wine.

Before long, salads, soups, and all kinds of appetizers were plentiful.

I looked appetizing enough to swallow my mouth, but we waited for Escal to come without lifting a fork.

“He’s late.”