CH 26

As an educator, she had widely assumed what Benjamin would be like: warm, and calm. However, when she saw him in person, she could see where the resonant box was located in that skinny body. His voice resonated clearly and deeply, and his eyes shone intelligently.

In addition, a face that is well-studded with pride and culture. It seemed far from warm. Benjamin had a pitiful appearance, thin and sunken cheeks. The curious thing was that the elegance that radiated from it was ‘aristocratic’.

“Aren’t you supposed to wear clothes?”

Benjamin was the first to ask a question.

“I managed to somehow keep the bottoms on, but the tops will take some time.”

“You seem frustrated.”

Benjamin was not surprised by Adler’s answer and nodded his head. Is it because he taught a lot of children? His determination not to be surprised by anything stood out.

“By the way. You seem to have a lot of hostility.”

Benjamin murmured. On the side he looked sideways, Leone was on his stomach, staring at Benjamin. No, she was staring.

“He is a bit wary of strangers.”

“It is a warning to strangers… It seems to me that it is more than that.”

During her conversation, Adler came over to put on Benjamin a leather vest.

“It’s okay.”

“It could be dangerous.”

“Nobles must not be intimidated and lose their dignity under any circumstances.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t know if it’s a commoner child, but since I’ve been asked to teach that young boy an aristocratic culture, I have to set an example.”

Benjamin firmly expressed his will. Standing upright, he was gloomy like a bird.

“Yes…”

Benjamin gave his old but well-maintained suit a look.

“Then let’s go say our greetings.”

He was a bold man. When she first saw Leone, she was scared and trembled.

“I will go first. Sir Leone is very wary.”

“All right.”

As she approached Leone, he got up from lying on his stomach.

She reached out to him.

“Leone.”

“Yes.”

“That is the teacher. He will teach Leone everything.”

Leone’s eyes widened at her words. He was happy… She didn’t think so.

“Leon?”

“Line… raw.”

“Benjamin. You can call me Mr. Benjamin.”

“No.”

“… yes?”

“Trixie.”

“Yes?”

“Monster, beast, spy.”

Leone frowned in frustration and spat negative words. She heard from Adler that those were all ‘swear words’ that Leone learned. He meant it’s unpleasant…

Leone looked at Benjamin and me alternately.

“Leone, you hate him because he is a stranger? That person is also a good person.”

“Trixie.”

It was a moment. Leone grabbed her hand and pulled her. Her body collapsed into his arms.

“Oh…!”

Naturally, she didn’t say anything. Leone hugged her tightly with his strong arms. She was frozen in his wide arms, and his swollen hands hugged her shoulders dearly.

“No.”

Leone’s voice, which only repeats the same words, was not as high as usual. But it felt frustrating enough.

“No. teacher.”

Leone’s arms smelled good. It was very hot. She couldn’t have been this hot. Probably Leone’s fever.

“Trixie. May I come closer?”

It was Adler’s voice that brought her to her senses.

“Oh, no. Wait.”

She hurriedly answered and rose from Leone’s arms. But Leone wouldn’t let her go. Normally, he was a child who would let go if she wanted to.

“Leone. What’s the matter?”

“Trixie… ”

“I want to see your face. Will you let me go? That way we can know what Leone is thinking.”

Leone seemed to be thinking for a while, then carefully let her go. He only had his arms removed, though he had his legs wrapped around her so he could pull them back up anytime. It was quite embarrassing to put her hands on his bare chest and push him to get up.

‘Well… It’s solid.’

Was a man’s body such an unfamiliar touch?

“That…”

“Trixie.”

Soft texture that touches the palm of her hand. She couldn’t make eye contact with Leone, but he reached out his hand to her. She was out of breath and swallowed.

“Tree.”

His fingers touched the tip of her chin.

‘What? What? Why? What are you doing?’

That man was trying to devour her right now…!

Embarrassed for a while she stared at him stiffly. Leone gently pushed her chin up without exerting much force. In that moment, she could understand his heart.

“Leone… Are you anxious?”

There was worry and anxiety in his eyes. He lifted her chin to ask her to read him and met his gaze.

“Yes.”

Leone probably wouldn’t know exactly what the word anxiety meant. Still, he nodded his head, probably thanks to the question she had asked countless times, ‘Are you anxious?’ as if he understood.

“Why are you anxious?”

“Teacher… no.”

He looked at Benjamin and her alternately. It was an expressionless yet earnest voice, as always.

“You hate the teacher, are you anxious? Is it because he’s a man? or…”

‘I’m anxious, I don’t like it. Try not to fall away from me.’

His behavior, like separation anxiety, reminded her of when she started teaching. Seeing him behaving like a puppy worried that his owner might never return, no matter how you look at it, it was separation anxiety. And… she didn’t know why, but even now…

“Leone, you can’t… Do you think I will leave you here?”

She asked in surprise. But it was impossible for him to understand. She asked him repeatedly, gesturing with her hands and feet.

“Were you worried that another teacher would come and I would leave?”

How many times had she asked? She even pretended to get up and go, and when she explained, he barely nodded.

“Yes.”

She finally got the answer right. Seeing Leone nodded, she smiled for no reason.

‘Such an innocent child… I thought that this man would catch and swallow me… It was a very, very strange thought.’

He was such a cute and bright child. Although Leone exudes such a strong aura, she never thought she would be hunted these days. Was she instinctively scared? Leone, who followed her well as a guardian, stroked her head in gratitude.

“Leone. I’m not going anywhere I’ll be by Leon’s side.”

“Lee…”

“Yes. I’m here. I’m not going.”

“Great.”

Here, he gave strength to the words and explained with his whole body. Soon Leone smiled faintly. The small smile that spread across his face, which rarely expresses emotion, was really precious. He looked very happy. The smile on his face made him beautiful. For some reason, he frowned and hugged her neck tightly, then let go.

“Okay, Trixie.”

“Ugh.”

He hugged her again. Leone’s heartbeat could be clearly heard in her ears. The sound of his heart running a little faster seemed to let her know that he was in a good mood.

At the same time, her heart started beating a little faster. Perhaps Leone’s feelings were conveyed.

“Leone. Shall we study now?”

She got up from his arms.

“Yes.”

Leone looked at her with round, innocent eyes and nodded. It was pretty.

‘He should get dressed as soon as possible.’

She felt it before, but Leone wasn’t wearing a top, so it seemed like he was constantly embarrassed. Every time she touched it, she was surprised to suddenly recognize that he was a person and not a puppy.

She turned her head and looked in Benjamin’s direction.

“Mr. Benjamin. Could you please come over here?”

He was making a strange expression. Something like a funny face. It was a very different expression from Adler, who seemed to be somewhat jealous, and Gourden, who was looking at HER with moved eyes.

“Mr. Benjamin?”

“Ah, yes.”

When she called again, he approached her with a quick but graceful gait.

“Leone, say hello. This is Mr. Benjamin. He will teach Leone a lot.”

“Teacher.”

“Mr. Benjamin.”

“Teacher.”

“… yes.”

Leone definitely knew how to speak, and he knew how to distinguish and recognize people, but once he decided on a title, he didn’t want to change it. Like he wouldn’t change calling Adler ‘damn knight’.

“If you know how to say it, say it properly every time. Same with Adler. You act like a bad dog. And why do you call a teacher ‘teacher’? You, in fact, know that ‘Sir’ is an honorific, right?”

While holding Leone and grumbling, Benjamin stood next to her. He placed a hand on his chest and bowed lightly at his waist. He was accustomed to the manners of aristocrats and was elegant.

“Hello. Mr. Leone.”

Leone did not respond to Benjamin’s greeting.

“Leone. You should say hello.”

As she urged, Leone turned his head to face Benjamin.

“Hello. Leone. My name is Benjamin.”

Benjamin bowed lightly at him again, and Leone opened his mouth this time.

“Yes. Teacher.”

He sounded a bit annoyed. Come to think of it, he never taught greetings. She broke out in a cold sweat from the pointless embarrassment.