Lady Alicia:
By the time you read this letter, I fear I will no longer be among the living.
Please forgive me for bidding you farewell in this manner.
As I set down these words, we are about to depart with the army.
I know what this journey means, and I am well aware of the end my husband is heading toward.
This is my own choice, and I have no regrets.
The only thing I cannot let go of is my young child, Di Mi An.
He will turn six this year.
He is clever, yet sensitive, and has witnessed the scheming and betrayals of the adult world far too early.
His father chose the wrong path, and I will follow him.
This is the sin of being his parents.
But Di Mi An is innocent.
He should not become a sacrifice for our mistakes, nor should he live his entire life under the shadow and scorn of being the “Son of a Traitor.”
I have thought long and hard about who could guide this child toward a different path—not as a descendant of the Shipis or Kane families, but simply as the person “Di Mi An,” and perhaps obtain a clean future.
You came to mind, Lady Alicia.
You are different from most people.
Your actions are unconventional, often out of place, even somewhat reckless.
But you possess something very precious—the courage to stand up and break the old rules.
Prince Layne has promised me that he will spare Di Mi An’s life and give this child a chance.
I trust His Highness.
However, His Highness is burdened with countless affairs.
His mercy can only provide this child with a space to exist.
The one who can truly shape this child’s soul is not Prince Layne.
I beg you, Lady Alicia.
Please accept Di Mi An as your student.
Let him see the vastness and complexity of the world.
Let him understand the true weight of loyalty, responsibility, and betrayal.
More importantly, let him know that a person is judged not by their birth, but by their actions.
I do not expect him to regain a title or wealth in the future.
I only hope that, under your guidance, he can grow into a person with a sound mind, clear judgment, and the ability to stand on his own in this world—someone who will not hate the world because of his parents’ mistakes, nor give up on himself because of them.
This is undoubtedly an excessive and heavy request.
You have no obligation to agree.
You and I, you and my family, share no deep friendship.
On the contrary, we stand on opposite sides.
Yet I still leave this entrustment behind, simply as a mother’s last hope.
If you read this letter and are willing to consider my request, then please allow me to express my deepest gratitude here.
May your path be bright, and may you live long and in good health.
— Miranda Kane Shipis.
A long silence.
The young girl held the thin sheet of paper in her hand, her knuckles turning slightly pale.
“Lady Miranda… she really is something else.”
Alicia said softly, a bitter yet understanding smile tugging at her lips.
“How can I refuse this?”
“This isn’t asking for a teacher at all.”
Layne shook his head helplessly.
“This is entrusting her child to you, making you something like a foster mother! Alicia, if you agree, you’re taking on a huge burden again.”
He paused and softened his tone to persuade her.
“Better to refuse. Raising and teaching the child of a traitor will be incredibly difficult beyond imagination. We can take our time to find a suitable teacher.”
“I’m not thick-skinned enough to do that.”
The girl interrupted Layne and quietly tucked the letter away.
“Besides, no matter which noble you ask to be his teacher, they won’t treat little Di Mi An fairly. After all, his father was not only a traitor but also killed Dike Xiaote.”
Layne fell silent.
He had to admit Alicia was right.
Although Dike Xiaote was not well-liked, he was still a noble with a title.
His death was so brutal; how could his family and allies let it go so easily?
“Ugh…”
Layne rubbed his brow in frustration and finally conceded reluctantly.
“Grudges are inevitable. Fine! In that case, I’ll leave the child in your care and teaching. However…”
He shifted the conversation, raising an eyebrow.
“Can you still afford a servant?”
“Huh?”
The girl looked up in surprise.
“What servant? Can’t I take care of him myself? He’s almost six; he should have some basic self-care skills by now!”
Layne let out a frustrated laugh.
“You really don’t understand anything! What unmarried young noblewoman looks after a child herself? And can you cook?”
Alicia was caught off guard but stubbornly retorted, “…No, but I can learn slowly!”
“And until you learn, do you plan to bring little Di Mi An to freeload meals at my place every day?”
“…Is that not allowed?” Alicia blinked.
“The food at your place is pretty good, isn’t it!”
Wait, I tolerate you coming here every day to mooch food, and now you want to bring a kid for double portions?
“No way!”
Layne’s face darkened immediately.
“What will people say if this gets out?”
The girl’s shoulders drooped.
She frowned and started counting on her fingers.
“Andrew’s monthly salary, my living expenses, transportation costs, horse care expenses…”
The remaining balance from the monthly salary isn’t much! How can this work? The girl was shocked.
“Your Highness, let me ask you something. How much does a servant who can cook and take care of children cost per month…”
Layne pursed his lips, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
“About three Cuini. Since it’s for taking care of a noble’s child, the price is naturally higher. By the way, usually at least two servants are hired, since they need to work shifts.”
Alicia wailed inwardly.
“At this rate, I’ll only have four Cuini left each month!”
Layne raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
Didn’t think this one could budget so well.
With so many expenses, including the cost of two servants, she could still have leftovers!
But then he realized the reason she wasn’t in the red was probably because she mooched meals at the military camp or his place all the time!
Just as he was thinking this, he looked up to see Alicia had somehow moved closer.
She was trying hard to open her beautiful red eyes wide, her long eyelashes fluttering, her face put on a pitiful expression as she looked up at him.
“…What is it?” Layne became wary and took half a step back.
The girl started to whimper and act spoiled.
“Your Highness~~, I did contribute to the Battle of Biroen Fort, didn’t I? Look, about my monthly salary…”
“Still asking me for money? No deal!”
Layne frowned and cut her off firmly.
“No, no, Boss… I mean, my lord! I successfully captured and held the water source for two days! I cut off the enemy’s lifeline, greatly reducing the casualties during the siege. That’s a big achievement, right? Doesn’t that merit a raise?”
“Oh really? Then why did all the soldiers and civilians inside Biroen Fort suffer from vomiting and diarrhea for days?”
Layne crossed his arms and looked down at her.
“After the battle, we spent much more than usual on medicine for the locals. Who was it that added something to the water source without authorization?”
“…”
The smile froze on the girl’s face.
This guy is so petty!
Seeing that Layne wouldn’t budge, Alicia had to find her own way out.
Servants are expensive? Hmph! I’ll just conjure up two servants who don’t need a salary!
So, the girl gritted her teeth, stomped her foot, and raised her arm, clapping her hands “slap slap.”
Out of nowhere, a shadow that seemed to blend into the dark beams dropped down like a silent night owl.
It landed without disturbing even a speck of dust!
Layne looked as if he’d seen a ghost.
“My lord, Agent 11 reporting.”
Alicia nodded with satisfaction.
“Mm, please send a message for me. I need ‘Cheka’ to prepare two agents disguised as servants. Their backgrounds must be clean and verifiable. They should have basic cooking and child care skills, and provide round-the-clock protection for little Di Mi An’s safety and daily needs.”
“…”
Layne was dumbfounded.
Wait, the mysterious organization ‘Cheka,’ which I fund with a hefty budget of one hundred Cuini every month, specializes in intelligence and special operations, and now they’re supposed to moonlight as free babysitters?!
Agent 11 bowed his head with his hood on, his expression invisible.
But judging by the two-second pause before he responded, even this elite agent was probably speechless for a moment.
Layne could even imagine the scene inside ‘Cheka’ upon receiving this order.
Oh well, I wonder which two unlucky bastards have been chosen to carry out this blatantly exploitative task.
Watching the agent leave the room, Layne held his forehead and sighed.
“You… just how stingy can you be!”
“How is this stingy? This is making the best use of resources, matching the skills to the job!”
She argued vehemently, eyes wide.
“One of my core requirements for ‘Cheka’ members is that they can play any convenient identity to blend into almost any situation! Infiltration and covert ops are their basics!”
The more she talked, the more perfect her logic seemed, and she even lifted her chin higher.
“Disguising as merchants, craftsmen, vagrants, even monks and nuns is routine training! Mere servants are child’s play for them! They can blend into the environment perfectly while carrying out protection duties. It’s the perfect solution!”
Then her face immediately turned sycophantic, and she started bowing and scraping with her hands clasped.
“My lord, don’t you think my agents are especially capable? Especially awesome? Especially cost-effective?”
She blinked her big eyes and pressed closer.
“An organization this excellent, this versatile, this budget-friendly and efficient… only one hundred Cuini a month… isn’t that a bit… underpaying them?”
Wow!
She’s circling back to that again!
Layne pinched the girl’s cheek in frustration.
“Alicia, is your face made of iron or brick? Huh?”
The touch wasn’t bad—soft and springy.
“So, does Your Highness agree?”
Layne twitched his mouth, let go, and deflected.
“We’ll discuss it later, later. I have important matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave…”
With that, he practically speed-walked away, fleeing at an impressive pace.
“Hey! My lord! I… damn!”
The girl stomped her foot in frustration after failing to get a raise.