Chapter : 29
Click. Click.
A faint, ominous sound came from Jacqueline’s fingers. Elizabeth’s face flushed red with anger.
“You, you—Jac—!”
“As you know, I no longer have any reputation left to lose. If I truly wanted, I could grab your hair and tear it out right this moment. So, how about it? Shall we start?”
At that, Elizabeth hesitated for the first time. No one knew better than she did that Jacqueline was the type to follow through on her words.
“Last piece of advice, Liz. Don’t make Mr. Walter sad.”
“Don’t you dare interfere with my father!”
Elizabeth snapped back sharply, then took a deep breath, swallowing the rage rising to her throat.
It had been the same at Bristol Girls’ Boarding School. Jacqueline had always endured Elizabeth’s provocations, ignoring them for Walter’s sake.
But when she reached her limit, she would issue a cold warning. And after that, Elizabeth would inevitably end up surrendering.
There were many ways it could happen—pulling hair, dueling in the gymnasium. Many methods existed.
And yet Jacqueline was still loved by friends and teachers alike. Elizabeth hated how Jacqueline received everyone’s attention without even trying.
Samantha clicked her tongue. “Seriously, I don’t get why she keeps picking fights she can’t win.”
Elizabeth shot her a glare and gritted her teeth.
“Just you wait, Jacqueline. This won’t end like this.”
“To anyone watching, it looks like I’m the one starting it,” Jacqueline replied calmly.
Elizabeth turned on her heel. As if she had never been angry, she descended the stairs gracefully.
Victoria, glancing between the two, hurried after her. “Wait, Liz!”
Samantha scoffed. “Honestly, who’s serving who here? Victoria graduated ages ago, and she’s still following Elizabeth around like a servant.”
Jacqueline shifted her gaze from Elizabeth’s retreating figure—escorted by her fiancé—toward Samantha.
“I need to go see Benjamin. I’m not finished yet.”
At that word—unfinished business—Samantha’s smile stiffened briefly before she nodded.
“Fine. Now that I know you’re here, I’ll come find you again. Don’t just ignore me like I’m a nuisance.”
“I would never, Samantha. You’re my closest friend.”
“Me too, Jackie. I’ve always missed you.”
Jacqueline smiled warmly and left the hall. Yet today, she felt strangely small and worn down.
The moment she stepped out of the banquet hall, the smile that had clung to her lips vanished without a trace.
“Phew.”
A sigh escaped her. Her stiff shoulders slumped like wet cotton.
Thinking of Elizabeth’s last words, Jacqueline gave a small shrug.
“I really did turn a small enemy into a big one again. At this rate, I’m unfit to advise Lord Preston.”
Letting out an embarrassed laugh, she headed straight for Benjamin’s playroom—imagining the child smiling brightly over the birthday gift she had received from Lord Preston.
Right now, she needed something comforting. And the child’s smile would be enough solace.
“…Huh?”
But what awaited her there was Benjamin—with a gloomy expression.
“Ahhh!”
“No, you can’t run in the room….”
“What is this? Ugh, boring!”
“No, that’s my book…!”
“And what’s this drawing? It’s hilarious! Even my little brother could draw better!”
“No, that’s Somer—”
Crash, bang! The room was in chaos. A dozen children ran wild, shrieking like untamed colts.
Benjamin stood frozen, watching his room fall into ruin in despair. The nannies were gathered in a corner, chatting idly, paying no attention.
Hooosh.
Jacqueline inhaled deeply, then released the air in one powerful shout.
“Everyone, quiet!”
“!”
The children, mid-chaos, froze. They turned toward the door and finally noticed Jacqueline standing there.
The nannies also looked over, their expressions shifting as they belatedly recognized her.
The largest boy pouted.
“What? It’s just a tutor.”
“Show some respect, Oakley. She’s Miss Somerset,” Benjamin corrected.
But Oakley only sneered more arrogantly.
“So what? She’s just a tutor. My tutor can’t even breathe without my permission.”
That was natural—Oakley was a viscount’s son, while his tutor was from a fallen baron’s family.
Benjamin bit his lip and clenched his tiny fists, trembling with indignation.
Jacqueline, watching him, smiled faintly in resignation.
Let’s make today the day I turn small enemies into big ones. An anniversary of sorts.
She stepped forward slowly, while Oakley smirked, as if to say she could do nothing to him.
“Haa…”
I can’t exactly fight children.
She placed a hand gently on Benjamin’s shoulder, calming him. Then she walked past him.
Oakley raised his chin smugly. The nannies still didn’t intervene.
“Humph!”
Jacqueline suddenly reached out.
Oakley flinched—but her hand wasn’t aimed at him. It went to the table beside him.
She picked up a box of sweets.
“Don’t think you can bribe anyone with candy. Our house has far better ones.”
Oakley scoffed, trying to hide his fluster.
Jacqueline ignored him and looked around at the other children instead.
“Now listen carefully.”
“……”
“Everything in this room belongs to Benjamin. You must ask permission before touching anything. Young ladies and gentlemen, please remember whose room this is and behave properly.”
“It’s not even expensive. My father could buy dozens of these,” Oakley muttered.
Jacqueline continued as if she hadn’t heard him.
“From now on, I’ll give a candy to any child who listens well.”
“I don’t have to listen to a tutor like you. I can give better candy,” Oakley scoffed.
“But the candy I give isn’t for eating. It’s for collecting.”
“Collecting?”
A girl holding a doll’s eyes sparkled.
“Yes. You collect them carefully.”
“Why?”
“The child who collects the most will receive a very special gift when they go home today.”
“A ranking?”
“What kind of gift?”
A boy with missing front teeth stepped forward eagerly.
The children were already hooked.
So simple, really—just children.
Jacqueline, skilled at coaxing even Benjamin, easily captivated them. Their patience was far thinner.
“I’ll give better gifts!” Oakley shouted—but no one listened.
Competition ignited instantly among the twelve children.
Jacqueline handed a candy to a girl standing quietly.
“Good job listening. You’re currently in first place.”
“…First place.”
A boy named Justin raised his hand.
“What about me? I listened too!”
“We’ll see about that.”
“What’s the prize?”
“It’s a secret. But I’ll tell you this—it’s one of Benjamin’s most treasured possessions.”
“Really?”
“Wow!”
Benjamin, previously sulking, blinked when Jacqueline subtly winked at him—and nodded reflexively.
He worried about what “treasure” she meant, but said nothing.
As the children crowded around her, questions poured in.
“How do we get candy?”
“I want one too!”
“Just one! No, ten!”
Jacqueline smiled calmly.
“First, let’s clean up the mess you made.”
“Yes!”
The children immediately began tidying the room.
One by one, Jacqueline handed out candies as they cleaned.
“Good. Put that book back there.”
“I cleaned all the paint! Candy, please!”
“Here you go.”
“Thank you!”
No matter how spoiled, they were still children.
Soon, everyone except Oakley had received a candy.
Jacqueline spoke again.
“Now I’ll read you a story. The child who listens most attentively will get another candy.”
“I will! I will!”
“No, me!”
In an instant, they surrounded her.
She opened a storybook and sat down. The children crouched around her. Even Benjamin sat beside her.
Only Oakley stood alone.
Jacqueline smiled at him.
“You can get candy too if you listen carefully, Oakley.”
“!”
Oakley, thinking he had already been rejected, blinked in shock and hurried forward, taking the front seat.
“Once upon a time…”
Jacqueline’s voice flowed softly.
The children fell completely silent.
Even the nannies, startled by the sudden quiet, stared at her in disbelief.