The Nanny of House Herzen - Chapter 4
The Duke, regardless of whether he knew about the rampant rumors, had not appeared in society since receiving his title. This was definitely the case since Evelyn’s debutante ball.
However, there was one known fact about his appearance: like his predecessor, he was said to have rare black hair in the kingdom. It was a stark contrast to the common shades in the royal lineage. It appears that Johanson resembles her mother more than her father.
Evelyn slowly withdrew her gaze from Johanson and left the baby’s crib. Wanting to moisten her throat before bed, she intended to pour herself some herbal tea, but the kettle was empty.
“Johanson, I’m going to the kitchen for a moment,” she whispered to the sleeping baby.
It was deep into the night, and Johanson seldom awoke at this hour, so it seemed safe to leave her momentarily. Besides, if Johanson did wake up, the head maid’s room was just downstairs, and she could come to help.
The summer moonlight outside was brilliantly luminous. Carrying the kettle, Evelyn stepped out of the room.
After refilling the kettle in the kitchen, the moonlight inexplicably stirred a sense of restlessness in her.
Since arriving at Herzen, she had struggled to understand how she had survived for so long. At times, she wondered what drove her to desperately flee from death.
But lately, seeing Johanson’s beaming smiles had unwittingly made her smile too.
It seemed Johanson had deeply entered her heart in place of her lost child. Perhaps that’s why she now wanted to see the moon up close and breathe in the scent of the summer forest.
Setting the filled kettle beside the hearth, Evelyn decided for the first time to take a walk in the mansion’s garden.
* * *
The summer garden she had only viewed from the windows emitted a fresh scent. Evelyn walked a bit further, following the moonlight.
The meticulously trimmed trees were bathed in the light of a full moon. The moon’s face, untouched by any misery, was pure and beautiful.
She stood spellbound by the moon for a while before sighing unknowingly and slowly hid into the shadows of the trees.
If only she could hide in the darkness like this, escaping from her misfortunes. Evelyn felt overwhelmed by the relentless miseries that followed her in life.
As Evelyn leaned against the thick trunk of a tree, she suddenly felt a presence.
“Ah…”
It seemed only Evelyn was startled. A tall man casually turned his head from the other side of the tree.
Their eyes met. Evelyn’s heart skipped as she looked into his piercing black eyes.
She quickly averted her gaze, but the predatory black eyes scrutinized her relentlessly.
A sliver of moonlight filtering through the leaves illuminated his dark hair, which was unexpectedly youthful and handsome. However, this man was the owner of the mansion.
All she knew about him was his rare black hair, but even without that information, she would have recognized him. It wasn’t what he wore or his hair that gave him away, but the aura around him that spoke volumes.
“However, if you do happen to see him, do not greet him first. Just make yourself scarce quickly. That’s how everyone does it here. Understood?”
“They say another body was found at the Ducal house.”
Rumors of the social circles…..
Despite all reasons to flee, her feet felt as if they had grown roots right there in the garden.
The name of the invisible force gripping her ankles was fear, for his shadowy gaze had not yet let go of Everlyn.
To make matters worse, the distance was too close for comfort. Evelyn felt exposed under his intense gaze for what felt like a long time.
“Who are you?”
His voice, when it finally came, was haughty.
Evelyn was flustered. Among the head maid’s advice, there had been nothing about ignoring his questions.
“Can’t you speak?”
It was only after his second question that Evelyn managed to bow slightly.
“Ple, pleasure to meet you, Sir. I’m Evelyn, the nanny to Miss Johanson.”
“A nanny.”
It might have been his sense of superiority, but it sounded like he questioned her qualifications. Evelyn clarified.
“I am… a wet nurse.”
Then the Duke’s gaze fell on her chest.
As she looked down in embarrassment, she realized, to her horror, that one side of her chest was partially exposed. She seemed to have not properly fastened her dress after nursing.
Being secluded in the young lady’s room without seeing anyone else had made her forget even to manage her attire properly.
Suddenly, as Evelyn moved her hand to modestly cover her chest, she became acutely aware of the Duke’s gaze still fixed on her.
Perhaps it was because she had exposed her breasts that had captured his prolonged attention. The last thing she needed was a misunderstanding that she was trying to entice her employer.
Although she had never lived the life of a servant, Evelyn was well aware of their precarious existences.
She quickly bowed, attempting to excuse herself.
“Ah, I should return… lest Miss Johanson wakes up.”
Before she could finish speaking, the Duke’s hand reached out and touched her hair.
Frozen and unable to even breathe, the Duke’s voice came out hushed.
“…You’re blonde.”
“Yes… yes, sir.”
So, she shared the same blonde hair as the deceased Duchess. Perhaps that was why he took an interest in her hair.
In a moment, the Duke’s hand slowly moved from her hair, his fingertips grazing her cheek and chin, then trailing down her neck to her chest. Even a light touch over her clothing sent a tingling sensation through her breasts.
