Rosse didn't have many things to do today, and he didn't rush to talk about serious matters either, he simply played with the children for a while.
He wasn't showing favoritism. He wouldn't give Sanji extra attention just because he was his own child, nor would he treat Ace and Reiju differently because of their special identities.
They played happily for half the day, and it wasn't until after lunch that Rouge couldn't hold back anymore, "Don't you have other things you need to do today?"
"What, hoping I'll leave for other business?"
Rosse wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on top of her head, his lips curved in a smile.
"No, of course not. I really like having you here with me. But this is only your second day back, you must have a lot of things to take care of, right?", Rouge hurried to explain, afraid Rosse would misunderstand.
For her, it was already more than enough that Rosse had spent half a day with her, and in the way she liked best.
Her man was someone with great ambition. She didn't want to hold him back.
To be able to occupy even a small portion of his time, that was already plenty for her.
"Alright. Actually, today I really do have something important to do," Rosse said with a smile.
"Eh? Then, my lord, please go ahead. Don't let me delay you."
Even though she'd already half-expected it, Rouge still couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed. But in the end, she still urged Rosse to go handle his affairs.
"I am doing it right now."
Rosse's lips curved as he gently turned Rouge around to face him.
Meeting his gaze, Rouge blinked uncertainly and pointed at herself.
"Me? What could I possibly have to do with something important?"
She honestly didn't think she could be of any help to Rosse. Surely he didn't mean that being with her was the important thing, right?
"You're very important. Teaching these children well, that's the most important task of all."
Rosse gently ran his fingers through her soft pink-blonde hair, his gaze full of warmth.
"Teaching them well is part of my job. It's the only thing I can really do."
Hearing that, Rouge immediately understood what Rosse meant by "important."
Sora had talked to her before about education. Rouge herself didn't think she was doing anything particularly outstanding, she was just doing what needed to be done.
Rosse had discussed the topic of education with her many times. Childhood is the stage when a person's worldview and understanding are formed.
If they aren't properly guided during this period, if they don't receive good education, the chance of them growing up crooked is almost one hundred percent.
Rouge completely agreed, which was why she always tried her hardest to give the children the best possible guidance and keep them from straying down the wrong path.
"Besides, my way of thinking can't compare to yours. If I'm the one teaching them, the best I can do is raise them into people I think are good. But to meet your standards, I'm afraid I'm not qualified."
Rouge knew her weaknesses very well. Her knowledge wasn't as vast as Sora's, her heart wasn't as magnanimous as Otohime's, and her combat strength wasn't comparable to Gion's.
All she could really do was ensure the children didn't develop negative emotions and helped them stay positive and cheerful.
As for true capability, that wasn't something she could teach.
"You have your strengths. As long as you use them, that's enough. A child's growth can't rely solely on their mother, Sora and the others will also play their parts."
In truth, what Rouge could offer was early education and emotional support.
Whether it was Ace, Sanji, or Hiyori, what they lacked wasn't talent or effort. What they'd always been missing was proper mindset and emotional grounding.
And those were exactly the things Rouge could provide perfectly.
Otohime and Sora were also excellent in that regard, but both of them were so busy they could hardly find time to rest, let alone guide the next generation.
In contrast, Rouge was actually the most suitable choice.
"Just focus on your strengths. What you need to teach them is calmness, to remain composed at all times, not to be clouded by emotions. As for how you do it, that's entirely up to you."
Rosse leaned forward slightly, pressing his forehead against hers. Their eyes were only inches apart, they could clearly see the emotions reflected in each other's gaze.
"I understand. I'll do my best."
Rouge's eyes were filled with determination as she gave her word.
After all, this was her job, and it was something she truly wanted to do.
"Don't worry. I'll teach them well and make sure they don't grow up rash and impatient."
"Do it your way. I've prepared a Devil Fruit for you, you can use it to help with their training," Rosse said with a smile.
"Eh? What kind of ability fruit?"
Rouge looked curious but didn't sound surprised or refuse.
After being with Rosse for so long, she'd grown somewhat numb to material things.
Devil Fruits that ordinary people across the Four Seas might never see, Rosse had an entire warehouse full of them.
Anyone around him could have one unless they personally refused.
"The Book-Book Fruit, I got it on my way back this time. It's perfect for educating the children," Rosse said, smiling.
The Book-Book Fruit was one of the rare illusion-type fruits.
It allowed the user to create an illusory world through books.
The more detailed and realistic the book's content, the more realistic the illusory world became.
The more abstract the book's content, the more abstract the world would be.
"I'll make good use of it!"
Rouge hadn't heard of that fruit before, but just from the name alone, she could tell it had a strong connection to books.
Rosse had told her before. Books were an essential tool in education, and also the main source of knowledge.
A person didn't have to understand everything, but they had to have the ability to finish reading a book.
On this sea full of illiterate people and muscle-headed brutes, anyone who could calmly gather information and act accordingly was already ahead of 99.99% of others.
"Once you eat the fruit, you'll naturally understand how it works. If you need help, you can go find Sora, your two fruits together might produce some surprising results."
After explaining everything about the fruit, Rosse had basically finished discussing all the important matters.
Since he'd already talked to Rouge many times before about his plans for Ace's upbringing, he wasn't at all worried that she couldn't handle it.
Besides, for the next few years, he didn't have much to do and would mostly stay in the Holy Land.
If anything went wrong, he could always correct it in time.
But right now, since business was done, it was time for something a little more pleasant.
Rosse glanced toward Stella, who was standing by the palace door.
"Stella, Rouge's a bit tired from this morning. She needs to take a nap. Take the kids somewhere else to play for a while."
"Understood!"
Stella smiled and nodded without hesitation. She called in a few maids from outside and led the three children away.
"Eh? I'm not tired!", Rouge blurted, startled.
"No, you're tired, my dear Teacher Rouge."
A hot breath brushed past her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
Especially when she felt the warm hand that had been stroking her back slowly start to move downward.
"Mmm..."
Feeling a heat spreading through her body that she couldn't suppress, Rouge shyly lowered her head.
Alright… she admitted it.
She really was a little tired.
The blazing summer heat had its own kind of charm.
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