The Time-limited Extra Is Disguised as a Tutor in a Villain’s House

I replied cheerfully.

“Yes, I’m fine, what can I do for you?”

“Nothing, I was just wondering if classes could resume in two days.”

“Ah.”

I thought.

‘Two days should be enough time to recover our stamina.’

For both Vincent and me.

“Yes, that sounds good.”

“Yes, then I’ll consider it settled. Also, I spoke with the master. He wants to admit two children to the Mercedes Orphanage.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I looked at Winston with anxious eyes.

He’s not going to tell me they can’t join them now, is he?

As if understanding my concern, Winston smiled gently and said.

“The children’s information has already been sent to the orphanage. They will be admitted right after their discharge from the hospital.”

“Ah, I see.”

I felt relieved by Winston’s detailed explanation.

It seemed like everything was going smoothly.

Seeing me like this, Winston smiled and said.

“I heard about what happened at the festival. You did something truly remarkable.”

“Huh…?”

Me?

When I pointed at myself, Winston nodded.

“You retrieved the valuable belongings of the young master who was pickpocketed and used your unique compassion to enlighten the troubled children.”

“……Me?”

“Yes. Not only that, but you used your quick thinking to rescue a child whose life was in danger.”

“Uh…….”

Something about that doesn’t sound right.

‘You’re exaggerating!’

First, the person who retrieved the brooch is Cardien, and as for enlightening… I’m not sure, but Cardien is also the one who took the injured child to the hospital.

‘I did persuade him, though.’

I parted my lips to explain, feeling that Winston had a big misunderstanding.

However, Winston didn’t give me a chance.

“Indeed, Tutor, you are amazing.”

He praised me with genuine admiration in his eyes.

It’s hard to say ‘that’s not me’ to that, so I just smiled awkwardly.

“Oh, and when the children are admitted, your name will be included in the list of sponsors.”

“My name on the list of sponsors?”

With a puzzled expression at the unexpected news, I asked, and Winston nodded.

“That is His Lordship’s decision.”

“His Grace…….”

Cardien is putting me on his list of sponsors?

‘What on earth is he thinking?’

I don’t think I can ask Winston about this.

‘I have something to give back.’

In that case, there’s only one answer.

“May I have an audience with His Grace?”

It’s best to ask him directly.

Winston nodded in response.

“Yes, if you go to his office now, you can see him.”

“Thank you.”

I headed straight to Cardien’s office.

* * *

‘Now, this door feels familiar.’

As I stood in front of Cardien’s door, I raised my hand in thought.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

As if he’d been waiting, the answer came instantly.

“Excuse me.”

Cautiously stepping inside, I immediately spotted Cardien and admired him inwardly.

Cardien was sitting at his desk, flipping through documents with a somewhat drowsy expression, and the sunlight that descended over his head created a sacred atmosphere.

‘Maybe it’s the silver hair, it makes him look even more mysterious.’

Come to think of it, it’s the first time I’ve seen Cardien during the day.

Whenever I visited for my report, it was close to evening when the sun was setting, and during the festival, the sky was filled with clouds.

‘He’s really handsome.’

I thought I had developed some immunity to his beauty, but just because the time of day changed, I found myself captivated all over again.

“What’s the matter?”

At that moment, I was brought back to my senses by his cold voice.

“It’s about the children’s admission to the orphanage, as informed by Winston.”

I bowed towards him.

I felt Cardien’s gaze on me from above.

“It must have been a difficult decision. Thank you once again.”

“Well…”

With a vague response, he soon spoke again.

“You said so.”

“……?”

I raised my head to look at him.

Cardien had already returned his gaze to the documents.

“No one can take the place of a friend.”

“…..Yes, that’s right.”

“To be honest, I don’t think the same way as you. I don’t think having friends is necessary to live.”

“…….”

“But that’s just my opinion, and I can’t force it on Vincent. Likewise, I can’t force your thoughts on him either.”

He continued in an indifferent tone, tapping the pen at the corner of the table.

“So, I’m just leaving the possibility open.”

His amethyst-colored eyes, reflecting the sunlight, glanced up at me.

“So, there’s no need for you to thank me.”

I looked at him in surprise.

‘Cardien knew how to say something like this?’

He’s not being sarcastic.

The Cardien I know is not the kind of person who keeps possibilities open for others.

Even if that person is Vincent, I couldn’t help but be surprised.

When I stared at him in surprise, he frowned as though annoyed.

“But what does it mean to put me on the list of sponsors?”

Cardien answered nonchalantly.

“Just as it sounds. I’ll put the tutor on the list of sponsors.”

No, did he think I asked because I didn’t know!

“That’s not it. There must be a reason for you to put me on it. I’ve never sponsored anyone before.”

“Do you think those kids can just enroll without sponsorship?”

“What?”

What is he talking about?

I looked at him with a questioning stare, and he shook his head slightly.

“All the children at the Mercedes Orphanage have sponsors. It’s a place where only talented children are accepted in the first place, as it is under Mercedes. But what about the kids of Zone 4?”

“…….”

“Children without sponsors cannot stay in the orphanage. It’s an old rule, although it’s cruel. I can’t change that.”

“…. So that’s why you’re putting my name as a sponsor.”

“It’s just a formality. No one really sponsors them sincerely. Well, let’s say it’s like that.”

He snorted, coldly mocking, sarcastically.

“You´re doing a good deed, so you should be proud.”

I nodded my head.

Supporting the orphanage is a representative good deed that can be shown off.

“Well, supporting the Mercedes Orphanage seems quite special.”

“So, it’s just a formality.”

“That’s right. Of course, you’ll have to attend events like charity parties or year-end school events.”

“Okay, then.”

I nodded lightly.

I don’t think that level of commitment will be a burden.

“Is that all you need?”

“Oh, no.”

There was still one matter left.

I approached his desk and took out what was in my pocket, placing it on the desk.

Cardien’s gaze lowered.

“This pendant. In the end, I didn’t need to use it, but thank you.”

A silver cross-shaped pendant.

It wasn’t just a personal belonging Cardien entrusted to me; it was a magical tool.

“…….”

Cardien looked at the pendant silently and then after a while, he parted his lips.

“Then, throw it away.”

“……What?”

What was he talking about?

I looked at him with puzzled eyes.

The corners of Cardien’s mouth twisted slightly.

“I don’t need it, so if you´re not going to keep it, throw it away.”

“N-No, you mean, throw this away?”

A magical tool no less?

Moreover, a small and delicate magical tool like this one costs an astronomical amount!

Has Cardien finally gone crazy?

I seriously doubted his mental state.

“Are you joking?”

“Joking?”

He sneered coldly.

With a swift movement, Cardien snatched the pendant and headed straight for the window.

I got scared and clung to him, wondering what he was planning to do.

“W-Wait a minute!”

As he was about to throw the pendant out the window, he looked down at me in the same posture.

“You said you didn’t need it. Since I don’t need it either, it’s probably better to just throw it away, right? Isn’t that so?”

“N-No, I need it!”

I hurriedly shouted, fearing that he might just throw away the pendant, which was worth as much as a whole mansion.

“Do you need it?”

Nod, nod!

“Really?”

“Yes, yes. If you’re going to throw it away, please give it to me. I’m begging you….”

Why on earth am I making such a request?

‘For now, I have to save the pendant!’

Somehow, Cardien seemed to hesitate for a moment after hearing my desperate plea, but eventually he took back his outstretched hand.

Then, placing it in my hand, he said as if he had no choice.

“If you’re insisting that much, then I can’t help it.”

What a stubborn guy….