I Didn't Lull You to Sleep Only for You to Be Obsessed With Me - Chapter 79
RP: Haebaragi_syk
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Chapter 40.2
Although Claude outwardly denied it, he was quite fond of Asher. It was unthinkable that he would’ve permitted Mrs. Danvers to use physical punishment. Even if he didn’t care for the child, his prideful nature would likely have prevented him from allowing such things.
April debated whether she should run to Claude immediately and tell him everything, but she soon changed her mind.
‘Let’s observe a bit longer.’
Just because Mrs. Danvers made Asher write to the point of getting blisters on his hands wasn’t enough to prove that she was abusing him.
She needed more detailed evidence.
Evidence that would clearly show that Mrs. Danvers was at fault, no matter who looked at it.
̊ · : * ✧* : · ̊
Since that day, April has kept a close eye on Asher and Mrs. Danvers, though she hasn’t found anything in particular. Because she didn’t have the authority to participate in Asher’s lessons, she couldn’t closely observe what happened during them. The only thing she could do was discreetly ask him about his day after class while he was having a snack.
“Asher, what did you learn today?”
“I learned how to hold a teacup!”
“Is that all? Are you injured anywhere?”
“Nope!”
However, the conversation with Asher ended without anything special, and she found out nothing significant. In fact, there were no signs of injury on the child’s hands since that day.
‘Well, it seems my warning had some effect.’
April was proud.
However, as if to betray her feelings, a few days later, Asher cautiously opened his mouth.
“Sister, about my birthday gift…”
“Yes, is there something you want?”
“It’s not something I want, but something I’d like to do…”
When the child fidgeted and hesitated, she didn’t realize the seriousness of the situation. She thought it would amount to just asking to go out or to bake cookies together. But the words that came out of the child’s mouth were unexpected.
“Sister, can we go back home now?”
“Home? This is home.”
Asher shook his head.
“Not here. The place where we used to live. I mean, at Sister’s cafe.”
April couldn’t immediately grasp what he meant, and she took a moment before finally responding.
“Do you dislike it here?”
Asher seemed to be doing well, but the reality could be different. It must have been difficult for him to adapt to a new environment, and suddenly, facing difficult lessons must have been challenging.
Still, the child shook his head again.
“No, I like it here. Uncle is here, and I have Uncle Hans.”
“But?”
“But I like Sister’s cafe better. I miss my aunt too… yes?”
Everyone who left their hometown for a new place inevitably missed it. Even though April didn’t show it, she still missed her hometown, Korea, and would go back right away if she could. Therefore, she could fully understand the little boy’s feelings of longing for his hometown and his aunt. Nevertheless, she couldn’t accept his words at face value because of his attitude.
‘Doesn’t it seem like he’s afraid of something?’
Rather than missing his hometown, he seemed to want to leave this place. It was an answer that was contrary to the response of ‘I like it here.’
April was convinced that Mrs. Danvers was behind it.
“Okay, Asher. Let’s think about it a little more.”
As she comforted him, Asher offered a weak smile, but she couldn’t bring herself to smile in return.
̊ · : * ✧* : · ̊
April visited Claude’s office for the first time during the day.
Claude, who had told her to come in with the sound of a knock, frowned slightly upon seeing her. It seemed he hadn’t imagined that she would come.
“I don’t think it’s tea time yet.”
Even as he spoke, he gestured for her to sit. While he didn’t ask what the matter was and immediately returned to his paperwork, at least he hadn’t given her the cold shoulder.
April cautiously stepped in front of him.
As she cast a shadow over him, Claude looked up again at the shadow casting over his head.
“Is there something you want to discuss?”
“I need to talk to you about Asher.”
“What is it?”
“I think Mrs. Danvers is doing something to Asher.”
When Claude put down his quill and waved his hand, April went on to explain the situation in more detail. She described the blisters on the child’s hands, which seemed inappropriate for his age, Mrs. Danvers’ haughty attitude, and Asher’s sudden and puzzling desire to return to his hometown.
“If it wasn’t instructed by the Duke, it seems that Mrs. Danvers is unilaterally disciplining Asher harshly.”
In fact, she was a bit worried while saying this.
‘…What if he dismisses it as a trivial matter?’
It was possible that her belief in his fondness for Asher was her own delusion. He might scold her for causing a fuss over something as trivial as that and for disturbing his precious time.
However.
“What is Mrs. Danvers doing?”
Contrary to her worries, Claude asked with a scowl. Even though she knew his anger wasn’t directed at her, April couldn’t help but feel fear as she answered.
“I don’t know exactly what she’s doing or how she’s doing it, but it’s clear that she’s doing something.”
“I’ll go ask her right now.”
“No!”
She clung to Claude’s arm as he rose from his seat.
“Why?”
“There’s no evidence!”
“Evidence is something you can just fabricate.”
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