Esta nodded hastily, secretly wiping the moisture off her eyes as she walked back to the front of the class.
"To-Today we will learn more about... ma-manners..."
Esta stuttered for a few minutes but as her mind naturally became optimistic, she continued the class normally, not a single student finding anything odd with her.
Though two students were too busy in their own thoughts to pay her any attention.
Karl, being one of the two, kept thinking of what to ask of Esta while the other one, Emily, sat dazed on her seat.
'Why did he not sit here? This was the only first seat with an empty spot. He sat in the front row during the ceremony then why not today?'
Emily, too saddened by Karl sitting elsewhere had not paid attention to Esta even when she was trying to intimidate Karl.
And just like that hours passed when suddenly a bell's gong rang loudly, marking the end of the class.
All the students still sat silently in their seat as they stared at Esta.
Esta cleared her throat as she felt everyone's gaze hoping for her to leave.
"You all can leave the class. Only Ka- I mean young master will stay behind."
All the children first were confused as that was not what they had been taught the day before but were too scared to talk back so quietly and orderly left the class.
Few people who wanted to talk with Karl could just wait for the next day to make a good impression on the future patriarch.
As the last student exited the classroom, Esta closed the door as she turned towards Karl who was walking towards her.
Esta did not waste any time and quickly got on her knees, her forehead touching the floor as she apologized.
"I am really really sorry, young master. I was very stupid and arrogant. I promise I would never ever repeat such an act. Please forgive me." Esta pleaded.
'Even though he is a kid, it was stupid of me to be so disrespectful that I did not even use honorifics.
But if he was angry, he would have lashed out at the instant. He wanted to talk means he will forgive me after making me apologize.' Esta thought.
Karl just smiled as he looked at Esta's subservient figure.
He sat down on the ground, right in front of Esta as he finally spoke.
"What is your name?"
Karl's question dumbfounded Esta, reminding her that she had not even introduced herself as it was Karl's first day today.
"I-It is Esta! I am sorry for not introducing myself earlier young master!"
Esta spoke banging her head lightly on the floor to show her apology.
"Tell me about yourself Esta. Your age, your background, your reason for working here, everything." Karl spoke candidly as he leaned at the seat behind him.
Esta was confused by the question, not expecting it in the very least but still answered politely.
"I am 18 years old and from a farther collateral family.
My mom and dad passed away when I was 16. I was the only child and my family was not very rich.
Father was earning and taking care but after both of them passed away, I was left with neither money nor did I know of any skill to help me earn.
At that time, I turned to the main family for help and they generously gave me this job. I am to teach the kids manners and general knowledge till they turn five."
Karl was shocked to know that the figure in front of him was only 18 years old, but did not show anything on his face.
"So this is the second class you are teaching?"
"Yes, young master. I was promoted to the class A's teacher as my previous class was the considered the most mannerly among all other classes."
Karl nodded to Esta's explanation as he continued.
"And why did your parents die?"
Esta face turned sad at Karl's question but Karl could not see it due to her bowing down.
"They... were killed by a competitor in our business."
Esta's sad tone held a hint of anger, making Karl's eyes sparkle.
'Powerless, grieving and wanting revenge. This is so perfect.' Karl mused.
"I see, I see. And Esta, is there a recorder in the class?"
Recorder is a magical device whose function is to record photo and videos along with audio.
"Yes, there is young master." Esta replied, her heartbeat fastening as she remembered the existence of a the recorder present in classroom.
"So even if I forgive you, won't you be done for when someone checks the recorder?"
Karl asked what could possibly make his whole plan useless.
Esta kept bowed as she answered meekly after a moment.
"Y-Young master, recorder is not ever checked unless there is a need to. If there was a fight or anything today between kids having pretty much equal status, then their parents might ask for it but as today was saf- I mean no kids fought there will be no need to check it today."
"Can you edit it?"
Karl asked the last question, he needed to implement his plan.
"N-No. I do not even know, where it is. But I just know that there are more than one and that they cover every part of the class with every angle."
Karl smiled at Esta's answers as he bent forward, his mouth closing on her ear.
"And what will happen if I tell on you?" Karl whispered into Esta's ear.
Karl's voice coming from so close made Esta shiver but she did not dare to back away, not daring to disrespect Karl any further.
She hesitated for a bit but answered truthfully.
"I-I will most likely get killed for disrespecting y-young master and the patriarch."
Esta's voice shook with fear as she once again thought of the severity of her mistake.
Karl smile widened, getting the answer he was hoping for.
"It is not most likely but surely. You disrespected the patriarch of your own family, a duke of the empire, even if your family was alive, their death could have been ordered."
Karl spoke, his voice slow yet every word scratching at Esta's heart, making her feel the fear.
Esta's body trembled, her breathing becoming ragged as tears started to drip out of her eyes and falling on the floor.
Karl, liking the reaction, continued.
"But don't worry. Your life and death is in my hands and I do not want you dead. With me backing you, even if what you said becomes known, no one will be able to touch you."
Karl's words, slow and gentle, shook Esta's heart as she slowly lifted her head, looking at Karl's face.
As Esta saw the gentle smile on Karl's face, all the insecurities vanished from her heart as she put her head again on the ground, sobbing quietly.
Though Karl's thoughts were very different than the gentle smile he had.
'Heh, even with such a body, she is still a 18 year old girl at heart huh. It is good though, will make the process easier for both me and her.'
Karl maintained the gentle smile as he activated the etherised blood in his arms.
He then lightly lifter Esta's body, pulling her into a hug.
Esta did not even think of rejecting the hug as she grabbed Karl's sleeves, crying her eyes out.
"It is fine. It is fine." Karl gently whispered repeatedly, reassuring Esta.
As Esta calmed down, she pulled back from Karl, blushing.
'How could I cry like a little girl in front of a three year old!? But more importantly..."
As Esta recalled Karl's words, she looked at him with a unbelieving yet hopeful expression.
Karl again gave her a gentle smile as he easily guessed her thoughts.
"You heard me correct. I will back you up."
Esta felt elated at Karl's positive answer as she started thinking how much great it will be for her due to Karl's support, even being able to finally take revenge for her parents.
But Karl clearly knew when to let loose and when to pull it.
"But you see Esta, there is a slight problem."
Karl's voice held some sadness which Esta quickly thought of turning her happiness into unease within a second.
"W-What problem?" Esta, already seduced by the idea of Karl's support did not want to part with it.
Karl inwardly smirked at Esta's uneasy figure as he prepared to pull her even harder.