The Nanny of House Herzen - Chapter 37
Hannah glanced subtly towards the stairs, drawing the Duke’s gaze in the same direction. When their eyes met halfway, it was Hannah who first looked away.
The Duke surely hadn’t come alone. Herzen, a founding pillar of the kingdom, had a privilege no other noble house possessed: the right to maintain private soldiers.
Hannah was well aware. The only reason he hadn’t yet ransacked her bookstore and residence was the weight of the Celsius name she bore.
It was only a matter of time. The Duke would find Evelyn as soon as he decided to.
A slow sigh escaped the old lady’s lips.
“I was going to write her a recommendation letter… but she said she didn’t want to return to Herzen.”
The Duke’s fiery eyes regained their composure in an instant. He responded as politely as he had when he first entered the bookstore.
“I will… try to persuade her.”
“A true man does not use force on a woman,” Hannah remarked.
The Duke sighed deeply.
“I’ve regretted for a month not using force to keep her. Please, let me pass.”
Hannah finally allowed herself a small smile.
“Go ahead. It’s the room on the left. I hope she doesn’t hold it against you.”
“I will not forget this kindness. I will also compensate you for looking after Evelyn.”
The Duke stood with effortless grace. His whole body exuded the authority of a man born to command.
Hannah knew men like him well. They were territorial creatures. This man would not rest until Evelyn was back within his domain.
As the Duke began to walk straight away, Hannah called out after him, shaking her head belatedly.
“That girl worked here for her wages. I didn’t take care of her; she took care of me!”
The Duke did not turn back. Only the steady sound of his footsteps echoed up the staircase.
* * *
A little while earlier, as closing time approached, Evelyn had been tidying up a corner of the bookstore. The bell above the door chimed, followed by the familiar sound of the door opening and a voice she hadn’t heard in a while.
“Good evening, Madam. I come from Herzen. Please forgive the sudden intrusion, but I have something I must discuss with you…”
It was Kevin, the stablehand. Realizing this, Evelyn jumped up and fled to her room.
She hurried up the stairs and hid in the small room.
The building’s layout meant there was no escape without passing through the bookstore. There was no way out. The tiny room had only a small window for ventilation.
Evelyn climbed onto the bed, hugging her knees tightly to avoid making any noise.
Why had someone from Herzen come? Was the Duke searching for her? But why? Why would he be looking for her?
She had assumed that not bringing Johanson along would prevent her from being pursued for any serious wrongdoing.
Was he angry that she hadn’t taken the child? Had she disobeyed his orders to leave with the child?
The high ceilings of the bookstore made it impossible to hear anything from the floor below. She waited for a long time, but no sound reached her.
She wondered why the stablehand had come. Was Hannah in trouble because of her?
Should she go out and see what was happening? As she hesitated, she heard footsteps climbing the stairs.
Fear gripped her body.
The stablehand was still a man. If he tried to drag her back, there would be no way to resist.
But she couldn’t understand why the Duke would want to find her.
What if he wanted her for himself? She had nothing left to give; her milk had dried up.
“Evelyn.”
Hearing his low voice from outside made her heart stop.
It wasn’t the stablehand.
She had dreamed of hearing the Duke call her name. But now, his voice filled her with overwhelming fear.
Evelyn remained frozen. There was no escape, but she was not ready to let him in.
Despite it not being his home, he didn’t wait long. Receiving no response, he slowly opened the door. Evelyn held her breath as his gaunt face appeared through the crack.
He looked exhausted. He seemed unwell, and she couldn’t understand why he had come all this way himself.
Evelyn was curious but didn’t ask. She didn’t greet him either. Instead, she curled herself up tightly, like a pill bug about to be attacked.
Carius took a step into the room and closed the door behind him. The realization that they were now alone in this enclosed space made her heart race.
It was fear. It had to be fear.
Evelyn clenched her fingers into a tight fist to stop them from reaching out to him.
She thought of Lady Celsius, Hannah. Despite being a high-ranking noble, the older woman would be no match for him. What if she dragged Hannah into this mess?
Evelyn hesitated, holding back the question of why he had come. Her shoulders trembled with fear as she clung to her knees.
Seeing this, Carius stopped his steps and paused. A heavy silence filled the room.
Finally, Carius broke the silence.
“….Am I really that scary?”
She was scared. When he didn’t act intimidating, it scared her even more. It made her hope for things she shouldn’t.
