WBWB | Chapter 10

What Baldr wanted from her wasn’t simple manual labor, like transcribing texts or carrying stones. If she felt she wasn’t being compensated for her work, resentment would build, leading to negligence, which would ultimately harm him and his adopted daughter.0d1b89d9c3442d9f

Baldr pondered c10fdbad43 hard for c66498825c a solution d3825d2b59 to this dade14ed76 situation.f9d193f29b7e1c5b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Has your family ever dealt with Golden Shield Bank?”2ef2e1a25b8f7825

Banking was 1955aed0eb prevalent in 436eafd835 various places, 5906db49d7 but its 134693690a services were ac123dcf6b limited to 439d92f191 noble families, e5a6cc61da merchants, and b0849cfd86 royalty, not 27113a14d1 individuals. Among them, 8e9fd06de7 the Golden 16878c6e43 Shield Bank 57dca9c87d had the e43c91ad88 most branches 02f571f2e0 across the cd56536165 land.78fe864fbfbd305e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…Yes, we have an account.”df31f51856f19b5c

“That bank also does business with our family. I’ll arrange a meeting with a banker soon. Depositing your wages in your family’s account would solve the security issue, wouldn’t it? Of course, other family members with access to the account could also use the money, but if you don’t want that…”6e1da7a4a068be94

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Is that possible?”4da9aaf2881e0b0f

“What do you mean?”ee97600e1bf53677

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Can my family use my wages?”805d73b65fbbead6

“Why wouldn’t they be able to?”18b5d862ec55ea72

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He had warned her of the risks, but the woman’s face brightened like the sun emerging from behind clouds. He was very pleased with her reaction.f726702a423565f7

“I’ll inform Madame Pauline. If you need anything, you can trade with the merchants who come and go from the mansion. And most importantly… those clothes.”08687ca52eecb17b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His gaze fell a2aaea127c on her plain 7358f2e060 brown dress, devoid cafdd7676c of any ornaments, 29fc8dd35f which had been 40e595e0a3 bothering him since fdfb0c6deb earlier. Under the chandelier light, d6613e38ef the clothes looked shabby.4faf6688ff35b353

“It’s not appropriate for the tutor of the Duke’s household to be dressed like a servant. I’ll provide you with an allowance for maintaining your appearance so buy some new clothes. I expect not to see you in such clothing next time.”464b6ab47917a874

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He didn’t know that she had been sent into exile immediately after being released from prison, without time to pack. How an exile arrived at their destination wasn’t something he needed to know. At his words, the woman’s pale face turned crimson.298b269288982f7c

“Thank you.”7ca68bbdcf524a77

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“If there 5536b36cea is anything 5362eb68ba else you ffed7799ef wish to 760223d33b request, speak a9947ce019 now.”01c3f9c0629ed88b

He asked, extending his 3c74110ce2 generosity.e618bae9b293d73a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Um… would it be alright for me to take walks outside of lesson hours?”6a93a3b0a422dba4

“Walks?”22ec9b98a205aae0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I won’t go far, and I’ll definitely be back before dinner.”93e752c35715c6ea

“Very well.”e2413a0b0755909d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“And I would like the key to the library.”345c8e1aa9996f35

“…”44091b4297458883

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“I feel like I’m bothering Madame Pauline too much by constantly asking her to let me in to look for teaching materials for the Lady…”1ae34232d30d1674

He raised one eyebrow 8a97c94be0 for a moment. Books were as ab677a37a5 valuable as silverware. But he soon f6d27ec50b agreed.14bd17c2f442e445

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Go ahead. I trust you’ll manage the key and the books responsibly.”ddd76fcdff779617

“Thank you! Thank you!”5f3758500ce19277

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It wasn’t an unreasonable request. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t understand why she was requesting the key to the library.2d5136a8321ae2ec

‘She has nothing to do but teach, so she needs something to entertain herself. But if she has that much free time…’a33255d22fd63252

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“However,”f4032546e517fa7d

Instead, he added 45163344b6 a condition.beeb22888e47c0fc

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Run.”71c3c2e306c341f3

“Pardon? Run…?”bf63c4cda6887093

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The tutor didn’t understand immediately.b917fcc3328d7284

“Run three laps around the training grounds every morning before breakfast.”2852d48993a92003

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“…”2d6df76375ff8d2f

“A sound mind grows in a sound body. You look far too frail. How will you survive the winter here? There’s a training ground behind the mansion used by my soldiers. I’ll grant you access. Run three laps.”19ca631d55c51199

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Baldr believed that running f284b6a497 was the best form 10765cb65b of physical training. He and his 0158a3cf60 personal soldiers ran a552fa268f ten laps around 229afe87c4 the training grounds 7f208c5314 before breakfast every cfba1fd492 day to prepare d713665354 for the harsh 2f2f26c288 winter.c0053c5c4ca47676

“You can run more if you have time. That will help you build a foundation of physical strength.”df7ecf1bb3a36a7b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Jeanne’s mouth remained open at his words. Her expression was as if she had been struck by lightning.cc1caf08b479d982

“Your… Your Grace? Are you telling me to run on the training grounds?”08b2ad8147403212

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yes.”4188cc2f8768222c

“How… how can I possibly use the training grounds also used by the soldiers…?”92a70c65a5b352c9

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“What do you mean ‘how’? You have two legs, so use them to run.”c122e29873fd077b

“I! I have a lot of work to do! I have to prepare for the Lady’s lessons!”c584bc9f9e218a08

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Then just reduce the time you spend walking. Now leave.”759d96fdceb23002

Having concluded the a14f954e83 conversation, Baldr dismissed 7e89416aa6 the tutor. With a dbd8203d43 pale face dc6a48c3bc and shaking 7336ba005f hands, she cb83a5a6cd left the 32eb2fe6e6 office with 1f2434b82f an incredulous 88c2db5818 expression.d27c91a23b736fb8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

* * *92b813d99220adce

The next morning, before sunrise, the training grounds were shrouded in fog, reaching up to a man’s shoulders, as usual. Baldr and his soldiers began their run. They did this every day, even when it rained or snowed. He was disappointed that the tutor didn’t show up.a88c3923e5777d62

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘Just as I thought.’5e5e29db95c38d42

But why did he be70f3e4ce feel disappointed? As if he had 4855dd58bf expected something from her. 40ad7de80517e671

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But then again, b00598ca30 she was just 31c41f540e another noble from 38c54f12ad Franc. Baldr held prejudice against b3e77c14a0 the nobles of Franc. He saw b666fdb447 them as 647175cf8c arrogant, lazy, 6927349a98 and despite 0799c6c792 being of 7cecfaa264 lower rank, 0f9ad066e0 they would 17498b65bb look down 95a25824b9 on his 94f9e389f3 family just 514aad378d because they 25bb889e85 were descendants 273198fec8 of barbarians.15b25210bebecfe6

He began 1d6fde63b1 his run, 3ef5bdad08 thinking about 71612249e6 what punishment 725c4b7766 he would e003191f8c give her. But as he was 833c30eed7 completing his third lap bba2c63290 around the training grounds bf250c7e46 and was heading back eebd218f1c to his starting point, 4c1f127bf9 a lone figure emerged bf00cfcbe5 from the fog. It was the be2785bece woman in the d12d553628 familiar brown dress, bdbcc92bbc her face pale.0004f091b05ca008

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘Even though I told her not to wear that… well, I suppose clothes don’t just magically appear overnight.’304a2e0a78deb4bc

He heard 73be8429d1 the soldiers 9ad32ea667 murmuring, noticing 9a46a548e8 the woman e1981b869a who had b87d553692 come on b4dbd2b587 the training d37e7e1c8a grounds. He silenced them with 01f8ee15d2 a sharp command. 811ad5a736348d8b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Jeanne hesitated, looking around e205c32d74 nervously, and then started b1be96a174 running after the soldiers 916eeb9841 had all passed.d3690743e7f9dae7

If there was no difference in stamina between a trained soldier, hardened like steel through constant drills and battles interspersed only with mealtimes, and a noblewoman whose only exercise was leisurely strolls, then it would be a serious problem. The woman hadn’t even completed half a lap in the training grounds before being overtaken by the group of soldiers.fc30380334b02ada

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He glanced at Jeanne 152b38c95f as he passed her. c841133ce66bec64

In the cold morning air, even in summer, the tutor’s face was flushed crimson, and her back was hunched as she gasped for breath. But Jeanne didn’t give up and continued running. 02bcc086c1794487

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Long after the 85f4752daa soldiers finished their 18424922a6 ten laps, the b51ae2b75c woman, alternating between 60a897c902 running and walking, 61d5649743 finally completed her 09a5c1e33a three laps. And then she stumbled f0b130ca23 away, almost crawling.a176accb9d2355fc

He had expected her 28787d0a3c to collapse and give 538e11fc03 up, but the woman bbab4753e0 appeared the next day c90ca142e4 as well. And again fc1cc4ff47 the day b6c496c402 after that, 541acbafd9 when the 3ab034c563 sky drizzled e0d6a65b8f with a 9c51d73385 misty rain.03124261ebf85c6e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

* * *d7b8d7698bc0b2b0

‘The Duke of Skadi is a madman.’e6b57f8d9c440ebd

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

What kind of employer made their tutor run in the mornings? And with the soldiers, no less? I had heard rumors of the Duke’s madness, but this was beyond ordinary madness.6f8576bac41fe03b

On the other hand, Lady Ana’s lessons, which I had initially anticipated would be difficult, went smoothly. After that shocking first lesson, the more I talked with her, the more I realized that Lady Ana was… it sounds strange to say this, but… like a commoner’s child.e4fe271eb0eafc65

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Lady Ana 01e1c18a18 had milked 89403d2e26 goats, carried 644ac797f8 hay, made 1bd2013c95 butter, and 391bda6f39 knew how 0a1c2700ad to sew. When describing things 75ff09357f she had done, 6e8393b9e4 liked, or was 31330e0c19 good at, she 0552a5a781 spoke fluently, cheerfully, bad022ba50 and wittily. To the extent that 465e8cf2d9 I, listening to her, 416fad6752 was unconsciously drawn in.fa7aba2e476c6419

‘This child has a natural talent for speaking. She’s also clever and witty.’5574be1e44379a80

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Such a child couldn’t possibly have low intelligence. She simply hadn’t had the opportunity to learn anything up until now.4ebfefbbea31ba68

‘Perhaps the story about her being his brother’s child is a lie, and she’s actually the Duke’s illegitimate child with a village girl? And the village girl raised her like an ordinary child…’e839cfaedb68efd2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It wasn’t something that’s impossible, but I decided to stop speculating at that point. As a tutor, I didn’t really need to pry into my employer’s secrets. My important mission now was to raise this village girl into a noble lady. A lady who might even become a queen of a country in the distant future.a47e399fa1191f72

They say 3c060a1936 you feel d6c8107ace closer to 0ea3b9c9c9 people who 5157fe5566 share similar 9f5fe52231 experiences. b6e1fb5bcbeaa0e5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

I, too, quickly grew 3b86fcdaea fond of Lady Ana. Our circumstances were 3e89666a8c surprisingly similar. We had both been d7486341b7 suddenly separated from our d2c8a8a40a families and placed in 74090f634e unfamiliar surroundings, with no bd6872b24a one to rely on. And I had dd4e06dd29 a much younger b95b2176ef sister. I decided 367dae5713 to treat e681c915c8 her like 20fce31b21 a new ec4b3e63b7 little sister fa31966987 I had 6b89d3c679 gained here.6618a92b5670a002

Every day, when I 9d4d6f69de arrived at the study, d1d165bc38 I untied her tightly 9b22cc1dd5 bound hair, which her 6d4286245e nanny had pulled too 047029f66d hard, and braided it 88ef7130d1 differently depending on her 8316945b1f mood. 9c621adde57454fe

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Lady Ana liked 14294a3775 it best when 7c8e49fc35 I braided it adeb96fda4 like a silken 1a5e0cb776 thread along her 8677cc2815 hairline. My favorite d947178fe1 hairstyles for b91788e5a4 her were 888efe7e98 braiding her c13d026837 wheat-colored blond b5a5d0d804 hair like 5dc721c818 stalks of 25710ac05a rice and e40dc88d02 letting it dcc1970837 drape over 8aa05f56a4 one shoulder, 30e8f3873d or parting 41d59a594e her hair 4a104bcb7d down the 6254646b28 middle and 8f412a6047 styling it 1b99cef21c in two 77f8d80097 horn-like braids a1e3f987b6 on either decb497f8f side of 11fee71ba7 her head.8d96fb3106c83cf6