Chapter 36- A Wise Summer Vacation (3)
“Please allow me to greet you for the first time. I’m Dione Gray, working for Baron Asser.”
***
Someone was waiting for Clayo at the reception room. It was a beautiful lady who looked like a person from a poetesque painting. Her skirt moved gracefully with her, akin to some women in movies. Her hair hung luxuriously under her white lace cap that was a combination of greys and pinks.
Dione Gray had fair skin, which was smooth as milk and had light blue colored eyes. The ribbon of her hat was tied neatly and tumbled down the left side of her chin. Her slender waist was wrapped by silk, accentuating her curves perfectly.
Clayo felt anxious to meet this ‘Lady’ alone. She was quite different, unlike those girls who ran down on the training grounds holding knives.
“…Hello, Lady Dione Gray.”
“Just call me Dione. Let’s skip the greetings and sit down first.”
The lady, wearing lace gloves on her milky white skin, smiled tenderly over the elegantly drawn fan that was slightly covering her face. While Clayo’s awkwardness became more evident as they sat across their chairs, some distance separating them. Then the two began to converse after having both lays on their respective seats.
“I have just recently worked for Asser in Colpos.” She started, “I was on my way to visit my place to succeed in our family business when Baron Asser asked me to do a certain favor.”
“What was his request?” asked Clayo.
***
Baron Asser started, glancing at the woman before him, “During this summer vacation, I would like to ask you to become a private teacher and guardian of the young master who’s staying alone in the capital.”
“Thank you for your kindness, sir, but I don’t think a 17-year-old boy needs someone else to look after him,” Dione Gray replied, confusion in her eyes.
“You are right… but I believe I’ve been neglecting this child far too long. I am worried for him, that’s why I need someone to guide him…”
***
“You act like a young man. You’re a lot different from what I’ve heard. It’s quite surprising and funny.”
The cold eyes of the young lady who folded her fan were different from her sing-song voice. She then continued, “I’ve already met your teachers. You did a great job on your ultimate test.”
“Have you inquired so far just to confirm this?”
Perhaps my father was doubtful of me. Did he think I sent him a fake grade? Clayo thought.
“Oh, you’re not in any trouble at all. It’s also nostalgic for me to see my teachers after a long time. Rosa is still in good health, and Jebedi is still cranky!” She smiled coyly.
“…Are you an alumnus?”
“That’s a little uncomfortable to hear, but I am five years older than you. I offered to act as a private teacher because I have mastered magic.”
He almost got swayed by the eloquence of her bearings and her voice. But Dione’s cold eyes did not match along with her amicable words. From her manner and way of speaking, one could say she was friendly. On top of that, she was a wizard who graduated from Capital Defense University.
Graduates from the magic class are usually at level three or higher. That’s right. I’m sure she’s not some ordinary girl Baron Asser had employed to tackle an important task.
Dione’s voice has drifted into Clayo’s thoughts, “I’m here on behalf of a father and son… situation. But I’ve yet to accept the job as a private tutor fully. I have given the freedom to decide whether I want to take this job or not. That’s what he asked of me.”
“But well, the most important thing is to deliver this envelope, right? Would you like to check if the contents are correct?” She then handed the envelope to him.
Finally, it was the long-awaited reply. Clayo tore off the seal with a trembling heart.
First, a note came out: Account has unfrozen. Please confirm. Baron Asser.
I went through all this trouble, and yet there’s not a single word of praise from him? Nevertheless, this is already good, Clayo objected in his thoughts.
He opened the envelope fully. He was quite displeased, clucking his tongue at the taciturn personality his father had. Afterward, he found a check under the note – however, it was not only one but two of them. It was a personal check from Baron Asser, each bearing 400,000 dinars.
A whopping amount of 800,000 dinars!
At once, Clayo’s mood immediately brightened.
A practical gift is better than flattery. Thank you, Father!
Clayo quickly returned the contents inside and tucked the envelope under his arms. From just the two checks, plus his now unfrozen account, he currently has 1.2 million dinars to his name.
And their initial agreement had only been 400,000 dinars…
This escape fund was more than enough – it completely overflowed his cup!