I am the Nanny of the Villain

13

    Children around Claude's age would burst into tears when he was by their side and wouldn't approach him. The slightly older aristocratic children noticed that Claude didn’t receive their father's attention and cleverly harassed him. So he didn't even know what it was like to have fun.

    "I don't play. You don’t like playing with me."

    "Oh my? Why do you think so?"

    "I just know. Everyone hates me."

    A faint cry was felt from Claude, who was murmuring in a voice that was not like a child. Sarah, who had seen Claude's childhood in 'Flower of Darkness', knew why the child thought so. That was why her heart ached when she thought of how hurt the child must have been before he even said that to himself.

    "That's not true. In fact, everyone will like Young Master Claude!"

    "No!"

    "That's true!"

    "No!"

    "It's true, right?"

    "Sto......"

    Claude jumped out of Sarah's arms, stamping his feet loudly to say that he was upset. Claude, who landed stably on the floor, glared at Sarah and soon turned around. Sarah followed closely behind Claude, who was running forward with his small legs, and smiled.

    "Let's go together, Young Master Claude!"

    "No! Nanny doesn't know anything!"

    "Why don't I know? I know everything."

    "Lie!"

    "I'm not lying. I'm a great magician, so I know everything."

    Claude, who was walking ahead, stopped at Sarah's words. Claude looked back slightly and asked.

    "Does the great magician really know everything?"

    Sarah swallowed a laugh at Claude's cute look as he pricked his ears and asked. Then she placed her hands on her waist, shrugged her shoulders, and answered in a confident voice.

    "Of course! I don't lie."

    "......"

    "Young Master Claude is a lovely person. So everyone will love Young Master Claude."

    "But, but…... Father hates me, too."

    Claude lowered his head gloomily, saying that no one would like him when his father hated him. Sarah's gentle hand fell on Claude's head.

    "As a great magician, I assure you, the Duke loves Young Master Claude."

    "......"

    "He is just afraid."

    At Sarah's words, Claude raised his head. It was a soft and warm touch. A touch that was difficult to receive once in a lifetime. Teary eyes carefully looked up at Sarah.

    "Father is strong. There is nothing he would be afraid of."

    "It's not the same as being strong. People get scared when they have something too precious."

    "......"

    "They are afraid they’ll lose it."

    Claude didn't quite understand what Sarah was talking about. It was too profound for a young child to understand. However, he wanted to believe Sarah's words that his father valued him. Claude unknowingly wiped his tears with his sleeves. Then he spoke bluntly in a voice of kindness.

    "I'll trust you once!"

    The child giggled and gently grabbed the hem of Sarah's skirt with his thumb and forefinger. It meant permission.

    "Ah…..."

    Then Sarah collapsed with a small moan, covering her face with both hands.

    "Nanny? What's wrong?"

    Claude gently shook Sarah, who had collapsed in surprise. Sarah trembled weakly at Claude’s tiny touch and spoke as if she was sick.

    "My heart hurts because Young Master Claude is so cute…..."

    "What? Are you teasing me?"

    Claude trembled with anger and turned away. The child's earlobes were all red. Sarah quickly followed Claude, who was walking vigorously.

    "I apologize. Are you really mad?"

    At her voice apologizing in a cautious voice, the child glanced back and stopped. Then he scratched his blushing cheeks, which were as red as his earlobes, and said in a small voice.

    "You told me to play with you? Hurry up and follow me."

    "What should we play, Young Master Claude?"

    "Nanny decides that!"

    The child's voice was clear, and a bright smile could be seen on Sarah's face. Even if he was hurt and intimidated, Claude, who was ready to open his heart to someone, was lovely.

    'You have to do well, you have to grow well.'

    Sarah thought so and followed Claude.