After that, Sebastian stayed with my mother in the living room, along with several staff making sure everything was recorded properly.
I watched from the corner, perched on a chair too big for me, my little legs dangling. Mother's face was calm. Even after hearing the news that Marie would be moved back to the main house, she didn't let her expression falter.
"Ma'am," Sebastian began carefully, bowing his head. "I will do everything I can to ensure another maid is assigned here. I will try to persuade Lord Ravien on this matter."
Mother smiled gently, her voice soft yet firm. "Sebastian…"
"Yes, ma'am?"
"You don't need to trouble yourself. If it's only food for me, or cleaning this small house, I can manage. Please don't put yourself at risk."
Her words were calm, but I felt the weight behind them. It wasn't pride—it was consideration. She didn't want him scolded, or worse, punished by Lord Ravien for overstepping.
"But, ma'am…"
"No buts, Sebastian. Please… listen."
Her tone, though quiet, carried an authority born not from power, but from grace.
Sebastian lowered his head further, his jaw tightening, but he said nothing more. Only a soft sigh escaped him, and then the same gentle smile returned to his face.
And of course… after hearing all this, I couldn't just sit still. Even if I was only three years old.
Well then… let's start it. Ehehe…
"Ma… ma! Bo…ok! Book!" I stretched out my little hands, pointing toward the thick tome on the table.
"Ara~ Jarius honey, wait a bit," Mother said with a small smile, starting to stand.
But before she could, Marie appeared at her side, already carrying the heavy tome. "Here, young master."
Sebastian raised a brow, his eyes glancing from me to the book. "Did young master… already can read?"
Mother shook her head softly, smiling. "Ah~ no, Sebastian. He only seems to love tomes like these. Perhaps he will truly love books when he grows up."
Sebastian hummed, thoughtful. "Hmm… in that case, perhaps next time I'll bring more storybooks for young master."
"Ara~ but Sebastian," Mother tilted her head, her smile gentle but firm, "Jarius doesn't seem to like storybooks. I've noticed—whenever I give him one, he pushes it aside and reaches for books like this tome instead."
Her words made the air still for a brief moment.
Sebastian looked at me again, his mustache twitching, his eyes narrowing in quiet calculation.
"Is that so, ma'am?" Sebastian murmured, stroking his mustache thoughtfully.
"Yes," Mother replied with a faint laugh. "Maybe you can help me with this, Sebastian?"
Sebastian's eyes shifted toward me, sharp yet amused. "Hmm… looks like young master has potential…"
Potential? Nope! I'm a genius!
Well… err, not really. But I definitely don't like reading kiddie storybooks. So, how do I persuade this Sebastian to bring me more useful books instead of bedtime tales?
Alright… time to act.
I opened the tome with my chubby little hands, flipped a few pages, and jabbed my finger at one of the illustrations inside.
"Ma…gic! Magic! Poof!" I declared, puffing my cheeks and waving my arms dramatically like a baby who just discovered fairy tales.
Mother covered her mouth, giggling. "Ara~ how adorable!"
Sebastian, however, leaned closer, eyes narrowing on me. His mustache twitched again, as though hiding a smirk.
"…Magic, is it?" he muttered under his breath.
"Hm… I will ask the staff to send more tomes like this," Sebastian mused, his tone calm but certain.
"Not mere storybooks, but proper works of knowledge. If it's only books, I don't think Lord Ravien will object. Besides, the library inside the main estate holds countless volumes that most commoners would never touch. It would be a waste to let them rot on the shelves."
Mother's smile softened, a glint of quiet gratitude in her eyes. "If you can, Sebastian, please help me with that."
"Yes, ma'am. And again, I am very sorry about…"
But before he could finish, Mother gently raised her hand, her voice steady.
"Don't worry about it, Sebastian. From the day Jarius was born, I've been careful. I managed to save some money… and I've already placed it safely in the bank."
Her calm expression never faltered, even as she revealed that small truth. It wasn't prideful, nor desperate—just the dignity of a woman determined to protect her child, even with the little power she had.
Sebastian's gaze lingered on her for a moment, his mustache twitching as if words threatened to spill, but instead, he only bowed deeply.
"...Understood, ma'am."
"You have all done enough for me and my son," Mother said softly, her voice carrying both warmth and sorrow. Her gaze swept over Sebastian, Marie, and the handful of staff who remained by her side. "How could I ever repay such kindness?"
At her words, they exchanged glances before bowing deeply, their voices rising as one.
"You do not need to, ma'am," they answered with quiet conviction. "It is our honor to serve a kind lady like you."
For a moment, the room grew still.
No gold, no titles, no promises, just a bond built on respect, on her gentle way of treating those around her as people, not tools.
Even I, sitting with the thick tome on my lap, felt something stir inside me.
If this was the kind of loyalty my mother could inspire… then perhaps bloodline and status weren't everything in this world after all.
( End Of Chapter )