MHYFMAMD Ch 43
by rosey“Lady’s suggestion doesn’t seem so bad.”
“Is that so?”
Tenesia smiled lightly. She had already known that the financial situation of the Olbeira family wasn’t good since the time of Grace.
The reason for Countess Olbeira’s dedicated education of Arden was likely to secure more funding from Dietrich.
Tenesia had offered her a place, allowing her to demonstrate her role more prominently.
Of course, if Dietrich didn’t approve later, it would be another matter.
However, it seemed that Countess Olbeira saw things differently.
She was the one who Dietrich after rejecting countless marriage proposals suddenly brought her in, deciding to marry. She likely believed that Dietrich had fallen deeply for Tenesia.
“But if it appears that it’s not good for Arden’s education, I’ll take him back anytime,” Countess Olbeira said.
“Yes. It will be better for the young master that way,” Tenesia nodded.
After a few more exchanges where Countess Olbeira insisted on conveying to Dietrich how diligently she had been educating Arden, she left.
Once the carriage carrying Countess Olbeira had driven off in the distance, Tenesia sighed.
She wasn’t a bad person; she just cared deeply for her family. She had raised Dietrich, who had lost his parents, and had once briefly led the Haberfeld family.
“But what was that look Arden gave toward Countess Olbeira?”
What the child had shown wasn’t joy or affection but fear or anxiety.
She only had two years. For now, she could protect Arden from Countess Olbeira, but once she left, the child would likely be placed back in her care.
She had to act before that happened. Tenesia turned and walked toward the castle. The increasingly cold air crawled up her arms.
Having heard that Arden was in his room, Tenesia immediately headed that way.
“Young master.”
With a light knock, the door opened, and Arden appeared.
“Tenesia!”
Arden greeted her, but at the same time, he looked around nervously.
“Where’s Countess Olbeira?”
“She said she’d come back after the wedding to see you.”
At the news that he didn’t have to go to the Count’s house right away, Arden’s face lit up. His bright smile made Tenesia smile unconsciously.
“Where did Margrave go?”
When she mentioned Dietrich, who was not present, Arden fidgeted his hands awkwardly.
“Father said he went out for work. He’ll be back soon…”
It seemed that Dietrich had quickly left, even though she had hoped they could spend time together. That told Tenesia much about the five years she had not been there.
She was wondering whether to blame his lack of holidays, or his inflexible character?
“Then shall we practice? We can’t waste the time Aunt has given us.”
“Yes! That sounds great!”
Arden nodded vigorously. His enthusiastic words made everyone around him smile.
‘This is our son!’
Tenesia held Arden in her arms and struggled to suppress the urge to brag about the lovable child. His adorable behavior even made her forget the chill in the air for a moment.
Tenesia and Arden headed toward the garden. Instead of going to Grace’s greenhouse which was still just bare ground, they stopped at a nearby garden.
“You just need to walk straight, as if this is a path. The only difference is you have to walk slowly while scattering flowers.”
Arden, with the smallest basket full of flowers, nodded eagerly. She couldn’t help but feel proud.
“Shall we give it a try? From here, all the way to the bushes.”
“Got it!”
With his eyes wide open, the child took his first step carefully. He seemed quite nervous, with his shoulders tense.
And when he returned, his expression was full of determination from start to finish. Anyone could tell he was determined to do well.
“…How is it? Did I do well?”
“You did well for your first time without being nervous.”
Tenesia smiled and praised him, holding back her laughter. Compared to before, the fact that the child wasn’t intimidated by her was progress. Tenesia gave him advice in the softest tone possible.
“I think you just need to adjust your posture a little.”
“How?”
As expected, when Tenesia mentioned something to improve, Arden straightened up even more stiffly. She gently placed her hands on his little shoulders, which had tensed up, and tickled him.
“Wait, stop! It tickles!”
Luckily, Arden had a low threshold for laughter. Just a little tickling on his sides made his face brighten immediately.
“It’s a happy day, so we should laugh. Both you and I should smile brightly that day, so we need to practice first, right?”
“But it’s so ticklish… Haha! I’ll laugh, I’ll laugh!”
While holding the basket tightly to his chest not wanting to lose it, Arden laughed freely under Tenesia’s touch. For a while, their laughter echoed through the garden.