"It is your duty to teach them no matter how much time it would take." Olivia spoke in a stern and dominating voice. She circled the bench before settling on it.
Maybeline was confused at the sudden chain in Olivia.
"And I will stay here to make sure they do not worry you again."
"....." Maybelline could only bite her lips and nod as Olivia kept staring at her with the eyes of the hawk.
"Young master, what was the most controversial rule of the empire that commoners were rebelling against!"
"To give the right to inherit to women. In the empire, only a widow could have properties if she had a son. If she had daughters, she had to marry again or the property would be transferred to the closest male relative and a trust would be set up in her name. She and her daughter could only get monthly funds from the trust."
"And what do you think about it?" Leo paused. No one had ever asked his views about any policy. He did not have the right to judge the policy. His family had to make sure that the empire followed them.
Even Maybeline turned to look at Olivia in confusion. Has this girl recently lost her mind or what?
"I.. it would be a big loss for the woman if she is not with a son. A girl should be given the right to inherit too." Olivia nodded with a proud look in her eyes, making Leo embarrassed.
"A duke is to follow the rules. Not to criticize them. You would get two sticks for criticizing the royal policy, young master." Maybelline cut them with a stern voice and cold eyes. She looked away but did not change her statement even when Olivia stared at her.
"And what about you, baroness. Do you have any views about it?" Maybelline felt her mouth go dry. So far, she had thought, Olivia was only babbling randomly but now.. Her eyes narrowed. There was no way she could know.
"Why would I have a view? I am a devout follower of the empire's policies." her voice rose in defence only for Olivia to laugh.
How great it feels to know about the future!
"Is that so! I am glad to know that. Since you have only two daughters, I was worried. But it looked like I was thinking too much." The woman was stunned.
Even when she had connected the dots, she had never thought that Olivia would lay it bare in front of her.
"Are you cursing my husband, my lady? That is.."
"How could I even think about it! I just heard a few days ago that a few nobles were paying commoners to rebel. I even heard that a few are registering their younger daughters as boys to get the benefit. I am glad that you are not one of them." Olivia stood up at once and patted her dress to get rid of imaginary dust.
Her actions seem leisure but Maybeline was everything but leisure. Her heart was in her throat. She stared at Olivia as if she was looking at a ghost.
"Then I leave the class for you." she walked out of the room patting the shoulders of the governess.
But Maybelline could not let her go. She followed Olivia to the empty corridor. She did not even find it strange that there was no maid or guard there. She only felt relieved.
"A moment, my lady." she whispered in a pleading voice. Olivia stopped and turned to meet her aghast face.
"Oh my! Why are you looking like that baroness? If anyone would see you, they would think that I have bullied you." Maybneline gulped. She held her dress tightly as she walked closer.
It might be only a coincidence that they discussed it. But for some reason, she felt like Olivia knew what she had done.
"That…"
"You have nothing to worry, baroness. I am not your enemy. Your secret is safe with me." Olivia patted the shoulders with a chuckle. If Maybeline was doubting before, she was sure now. Her face went pale instantly.
"That.. my lady!"
"You are taking care of Leo and Abi. if you would suffer, the kids would suffer too. How could I let that happen, baroness. In fact, when the time comes I will get help from my sister for you. You have done so much for her kids.
You are not only teaching them but loving them as if they belong to you. You do not punish them or harm them like other governesses these days. And you do not even rebuke or insult them. Of course, today was an exception. After all, everyone had a bad day. Right?" maybelline stiffened.
She would not be at this position if she did not understand what Olivia wanted. But she did not understand how Olivia knew all this!
"Of course, I love the kids. Leo is such a smart boy and Abi is such a kind and sweet girl. There is nothing to worry about. I will never punish them." she nodded at once. She did not care what they both did. She will be blind from today.
"Ah! But it did not mean that their education would be jeopardized. After all, we have to make sure that they learn best. I will personally check their progress. Because I am sure the baroness would never disappoint me." Mayneline gulped. As if a demoness was standing in front of her.
Olivia's leisure smile was more scary than the cold glare of her sister.
"You.. you do not need to worry, my lady. I will make sure that both of them are well taught. So good that even the royal family will feel proud of them. I will give it my best."