A New Cotender

"I see a dozen maids in the room that receive bigger salaries than her. Yet it seems their loyalty did not lie with the kid." he chucked when the maids flinched.

They looked at each other with wide eyes. What was this devil planning? Elara had the same thoughts at the start but now she understood. This woman might be a threat to his position if she demanded to be the guardian of the lord.

He was eliminating her using them. He had planned to do so from the start. She patted the shoulders of scared Killian and shook her head.

The child wanted to support the woman but she was no different to Cedric. At least, they knew how to deal with Cedric.

"It would be better that you leave, my lady." the woman pressed her lips tight into a thin line. She stared at the whole scene, not ready to give up.

"But the child needed a woman who could take care of him. I apologize if I came too strictly." She looked at Killian, changing her target. If she needed to convince the child to stay, she would.

She could deal with Cedric later.

"Killian.." she called in a sweet voice and went to the child. Running her soft fingers on his cheeks, she looked at him with misty eyes, "I can not believe you have grown up this much.'' If the accident did not happen, Elara would have felt relieved that they had found someone to take care of Killian.

But now.. The woman was a snake. Killian flinched when her nail touched his chin.

"Your mother always talks about you in her letters. She loved you so much and I loved her. That is why I came for you. I was afraid that you would be going astray in her absence, so I came a bit strict, but I truly love you, my child." she pulled Killian in her embrace and forced a few tears in her eyes.

"I can feel the presence of my sister in you." Elara closed her eyes when Killian wrapped his arms around the woman. Poor child, the last line undid him.

How much was he missing his family to accept a woman who tried to hurt him. But instead of feeling angry, she felt pity for the child. She had never thought she could see her past in an aristocrat.

But when she opened her eyes, she found Cedric watching her. Not the woman or his nephew but her and his gaze was so intense that she felt naked in front of the whole hall. She bowed down instantly.

"Would you please forgive your aunt? I do not want to leave you alone after traveling for three days just to meet you." The nine year old child who was waiting to be saved, who wanted someone to hold his hands and tell him that he was saved, could not bear the temptation of being loved.

He stared at the woman with trembling eyes full of tears.

"I miss my mother too.'' Those words were enough to claim the victory of women. She nodded and hugged the child again.

"I will love you enough that you never cry again, Killian. I apologize for being rude to you earlier. I was just upset about the death of my sister." she rubbed the back of the child and tilted her head to meet Cedric. "But for that, I need permission from your uncle too. Or I have to go to his majesty and ask for your guardianship."

Elara stared at Cedric with the corner of her eyes but instead of feeling anger or annoyance or fear, she saw mirth. He was still staring at her instead of the woman who challenged his position. Had he lost his mind due to the threat?

Elara shook her head. It was not her concern. For now, she had to pay more attention to this woman who could shed tears to sway the heart of the child.

What for? You are not here to take care of the child but in hiding. The woman could be dangerous for your identity too. Elara shook away the voice in her heart and smiled when Killian looked at her.

"Uncle…"

"You will regret taking her, Killian." Cedric replied before Killian could ask anything, "but if you must, you are free to decide. After all, I am not an imposing uncle but a kind guardian who cares about your needs and welfare." by kidnapping him and killing his parents?

Elara wanted to laugh at that. They all were so good at dramatics. They should go and make a career in theaters instead of worrying the child.

"She is my aunt. She had the right to stay." Cedric shook his head laughing, "I will.."

"As I said, she can stay if you want, as long as you want." with that Cedric left the room. The maids stared at the scene for a bit more, as if they were deciding whether they should still be loyal to Cedric or this woman would be a better choice.

But her eyes were settled on Elara and there was nothing sweet in that gaze.

"You are his governess?" Her eyes were challenging despite the sweetness in her voice but Elara nodded ignorantly as if she had similar thoughts as Killian.

"Yes, my lady."

"You are bold to challenge the nobles. I want you to meet me after the child sleeps. I would like to know more about him." she added the last line when Killian raised his head in confusion.

"Now, a good aristocrat follows the schedule. You will go and sleep so that we can spend more time in the morning. Okay?" Killian nodded, relaxed and beaming. 

Elara held his hands and took him to his chambers. She did not speak a single word until they were in his room and he was changing.

"You should not help me with that. I am a man and you are a woman." She laughed at that.

"You are still a baby, young master. Trust me.. You are still a gullible child."