My Child Is A Villain

“A job?”

Madeleine asked Adele’s question back with a surprised expression.

“Yes, is there anything I can do in the mansion?”

“Now that you feel better, you want to work? Why all of a sudden?”

“Because I can’t just do nothing and be taken care of forever.”

“There is one vacant position.”

“Please!” Adele bowed.

“But how can I make a guest work? If the young master says it’s okay, then I’ll think about it,” said Madeleine firmly.

Like it or not, Adele has to meet Lucas.

-knock knock.

“This is Adele. Do you have a minute?”

Lucas is in his study, where he spends most of his time after the gymnasium.

“Yes. But what’s going on?”

Adele explained her situation in a calm tone.

“So please let me work in the mansion.”

“You want me to let a guest to work? Whoever hears it will laugh at it.”

“Then you can treat me just like a maid.”

“That makes sense.”

Lucas paused. It was because Adele’s expression was serious enough to be considered a joke.

“Besides, the room I’m using is too big. So I will also stay in the maids’ quarters.”

“Then what about Ronschka?”

“He can sleep with me.”

Since Ronschka is still young, it should be fine, but that doesn’t feel right.

“Anyway, maid work is not acceptable.”

“But I need a job.”

Lucas thought for a while and then said, “Then I’ll compromise. Why don’t you help me with my work instead of the maid’s work?”

“Your work?”

What he asked for help was, at best, light paperwork. If that’s the case, it won’t be hard and it’ll be fine.

Thus he suggested it, but Adele hesitated.

“l am illiterate.”

I forgot that this woman is from a small village deep in the mountains.

People are influenced by where they were born and raised. He didn’t mean to criticize her background, but those who didn’t study would definitely have their flaws obvious.

But he didn’t see that in Adele. He forgot because she looked like someone who was brought up properly in a decent family.

She is illiterate.

Lucas hesitated, then went over to the bookshelf and pulled out an old book, and handed it to Adele.

Adele blinked blankly at his sudden action, wondering what kind of book it is. The cover is faded with age, but it is a well-kept book.

“This is a book I wrote while learning letters when I was young. It’s pretty easy to explain, so it should be fine to look at.”

Then it might be a precious book for Lucas.

“Can you give me this?”

“I’m lending it to you. Give it back when you’re done.”

I’m not sure how fast she can learn it. Even if she managed to pull it off, it would take more time to apply it to reality. What can she do with a single book without a teacher?

‘I’m sure she’ll be stuck studying, so she’ll be quiet in the meantime.’

Lucas thought so.

* * *

“It’s really easy.”

Adele opened the book and smiled slightly. Various objects are drawn with explanatory words beside them. And the character that can be known in relation to it.

Most of those who lived in Korea with high educational enthusiasm go through the third year of high school. And Adele is one of them. It means she already has a habit of studying.

Adele eagerly picked up the pen and began to learn the book at a rapid pace.

Ronschka, visiting later, noticed his mother studying and widened his eyes.

He asked, “M-mom studying too?”

“Yeah? Yes, I’m studying too.”

“S-same with me?”

“Yes, same with you.”

Even Adele is a little embarrassed here. Everything in the world is said to be a teacher to a child, but Adele is an ordinary person to apply that.

“D-do you want some help?”

She could have done it alone, but the sight of Ronschka offering to help was so cute that Adele nodded her head.

“Can you help me a little?”

“I-I don’t mind helping you a lot!”

“A lot, then.”

The two looked at each other and laughed. And the warm atmosphere continued between them.

* * *

“I memorized everything.”

Adele, who appeared with a blank face, put on a triumphant expression for the first time in a while.

How crazy she had been studying to memorize and write over the last month.

Except for when she was taking walks for her health, she only looked at the book. Later, Ronschka even secretly tried to burn the book.

“You have to be able to use it, not just memorize it.”

At Lucas’ words, Adele said confidently, “I can do it!”

“Then can I test you?”

“Sure.”

From short words to sentences, Lucas acknowledged Adele’s ability through a simple test.

“Have you ever learned to write before?”

“No, this is my first time.”

I only learned it in my past life, but it’s true that this is my first time learning to write this world’s language.

“Awesome,” Lucas let out a short exclamation.

“Now then, give me a job.”

Seeing her eagerly asking for a job, Lucas’ lips felt itchy for some reason. He felt like he saw a part of Adele that she had been hiding all this while.

“Okay. But before that, do you know how to operate numbers?”

“Yes, I do.”

“It’s not just about reading, it’s about adding and subtracting.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm?”

Did I go too far?

‘Actually, I can also multiply and divide. Besides, I can do mental math too!’ She wanted to say this, but she held it in and put on a humble expression.

“I know a little,” she replied calmly, trying not to speak her mind.

“I see. A promise is a promise, so I’ll give you a job.”

Lucas tugged on a rope dangling on one side of the wall. Shortly thereafter, the butler, Kish, came.

“Did you call me?”

“Ronschka’s mother has decided to start working today. Please prepare what she needs.”

“May I ask what her job is?”

“She will help me with the paperwork.”

At those words, Kish put on a slightly perplexed expression. He was sure his master wouldn’t entrust any really important papers, but still, he wondered whether it was okay to entrust them to an outsider.

But he didn’t say a word about it. Because he trusts his master, Lucas.

Kish asked, “Where can I prepare the desk?”

“Here.”

This time, both Adele and Kish looked surprised.

“Here?” asked Adele.

“Yes, here.”

No matter how trivial a document is, how could he let an outsider see it? So that’s why Lucas will keep an eye and spy on me from my side, Adele thought.

Adele also roughly guessed the situation, so she didn’t say more.

“There won’t be much initial weekly paycheck. But I’ll raise it even more when I get your results.”

Lucas was the first to talk about the money she really wanted. Adele is determined to work hard!

* * *

On a sunny afternoon, Adele was diligently flipping through documents. She was so fast that he doubted she was seeing it properly.

Lucas was about to ask but decided not to. Because he could feel the sincerity of how hard Adele worked.

Now, in a little while, the children’s class time is approaching.

After Adele and Ronschka came to the mansion, Leon became more active. At the same time, he did not neglect training, so his skills were improving.

It was the same with Ronschka. Now, his ability to handle fire spirits has improved greatly, and he can also make them visible to others.

‘The way he talks is also steadily improving.’

One day, Adele asked if she could visit Ronschka during his speaking class. Of course Lucas allowed it.

And when Adele came into the class, she said with a red face, “I will teach him.”

“You?” asked Lucas.

“Yes.”

Adele looked determined, and from that day on, she took the time to do something with Ronschka. Sometimes Leon got in between.

Madeleine and Kish also often joined them as if they had been asked to do something by Adele. And at the end, she asked Lucas as well.

“For the time being, please don’t speak too fast when talking to Ronschka. You are not allowed to interrupt or interfere while Ronschka is talking. Please refrain from pointing out his mistakes, correcting him, and openly asking him questions.”

“And?”

“Please avoid using too difficult words, and lastly-“

Adele continued with a faint smile, “Listen carefully while Ronschka is talking.”

“It is not difficult.”

“But it helps him a lot.”

These are all good ways to deal with children.

“I will follow if it helps. But before that, can I ask you a question?”

“What is it?”

“Is it true that you were born in a small village in the mountains and never learned to read or write?”

Adele replied, “That is a very blatant question.”

“So what’s the answer?”

“That’s right.”

“Then where did you learn about that?”

“That’s…”

Adele hesitated, then took a deep breath. Then she smiled which seemed somehow sad.

“It’s a secret.”

That was Adele’s only answer. Lucas decided not to ask anymore.

Since then, Ronschka has gotten better, sometimes he doesn’t even stutter. His mother’s class seems to be effective. Leon, who occasionally participated, also seemed to be enjoying it.

It was a peaceful afternoon.