Chapter 13

Liv could only rely on Brad’s words. Nothing would change even if they found out the ulterior motive behind this incomprehensible situation.

They couldn’t stop the work, so they had no choice but to draw as soon as possible and hand it over to the Marquis.

“Teacher!”

Liv, who sighed inwardly, snapped out of her reverie. She came to realize where she was, and she quickly shook off her thoughts. It was Millian who called her in a loud voice.

Millian was dressed to the nines. The sky blue dress, the colorful flower arrangement, and the expensive-looking accessories. Anyone would recognize that today’s star was Millian.

Today was Millian’s birthday.

“Thank you for coming, Teacher!”

The birthday party was held as an outdoor party in the backyard of the Vendons’ mansion. It was an elaborate birthday party for the only precious daughter of the Vendons barony.

There were many adults and children attending, so she could have missed Liv’s presence, but Millian managed to run straight to Liv as soon as she entered the party.

Some eyes followed behind Millian, who was running with a big smile. Liv tried to ignore those curious gazes and smiled at Millian.

“Happy birthday, Millian.”

She couldn’t ignore the invitation to the birthday party of the student she was teaching, but Liv was mortified.

The reason was that while she was well-dressed, she hardly looked enough to be a party participant. On top of that, she barely managed to put together the birthday present she prepared in a hurry. It even led her to think that she should secretly put it on top of other presents because she wasn’t sure to give it directly.

“My parents are over there!”

If she could, she just wanted to give the present and go back. Baron and Baroness Vendons knew that she had a sick sister, so if she used Coryda as an excuse, she would be able to leave the party a little earlier.

Liv felt a little sorry for Millian, but she assured herself that there wouldn’t be a good thing if she stayed for a long time.

“Dad, Mom. Teacher is here!”

In the place where Millian’s hand led her to, Baron and Baroness Vendons were busy entertaining guests. Baroness Vendons, who was welcoming someone, noticed Liv and smiled brightly.

“Miss Rhodes!”

The Baroness grabbed Liv’s hand and led her to her acquaintances.

“This is Miss Rhodes, who is tutoring our Millian’s liberal arts class. Say hello, Miss Rhodes. This is Countess Blaise.”

Countess Blaise was the mother of Adrienne, Millian’s best friend. Liv quickly greeted her politely.

“Nice to meet you, my Lady. It’s Liv Rhodes.”

“Oh, my, you’re the beautiful teacher that Millian is so proud of, aren’t you?”

Countess Blaise smiled cheerfully and accepted Liv’s greeting. Liv had always thought that Adrienne, who always had a bunch of friends around her, had good social skills, and it must have been because she took after this lady.

Liv felt a feeble affinity for the Countess, who was approaching without hesitation, regardless of their difference in status.

“I would have asked you to come right away if my Adrienne didn’t have a teacher who has been teaching her for a long time!”

“Thank you for your kind words, ma’am.”

“Miss Rhodes here is from Clemence Boarding School. You have no idea how knowledgeable she is.”

Another lady next to the Countess exclaimed when Baroness Vendons said it proudly.

“Oh, my God, are you from Clemence? I’ll definitely keep that in mind.”

Liv, who only intended to give the present and to leave quickly, adjusted her plan a little. She thought it would be nice to stay a little longer and impress a few people because those who attended Millian’s birthday party would likely have children of similar age.

From then on, Liv had spoken with several ladies, relying on the kindness of Baroness Vendons. All of them seemed to be moderately cultured, at a level similar to that of the Vendons family. Liv stayed there, trying her best to keep the face of a dependable tutor.

The interest in a young and beautiful tutor from Clemence Boarding School didn’t last very long. The topic talked by the ladies quickly shifted to another one. Liv stayed a little longer and sneaked out of the group as she watched a new figure join in. Millian was busy being showered with birthday wishes, surrounded by friends her own age.

Liv pondered for a moment. About whether it was the time for her to leave the present and go home. She thought it wouldn’t be noticeable even if she went early because there were a lot of guests.

She was pondering about it while touching the small present in her arms, but then someone came to Liv’s side.

“Miss Rhodes?”

There was no one else to call her but Baroness Vendons or Millian, so Liv looked up with a slightly surprised face.

The one who called her was a man with black curly hair and blue eyes with low pigmentation. Pale freckles were seen on his moderately flushed cheeks, looking pretty good on him.

Smiling at Liv, who opened her eyes wide, he greeted her politely.

“Hello, my name is Camille Marcel.”