The Cherished Wife

"Hmph!" Sebastian huffed but still allowed Charles to bring the chessboard over. "Don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're addressing me as 'sir'. If you ever hurt Nelly in the future, you'll have to sleep with one eye open! I don't care whether you're heir to the Hoffman family or not!" "Understood!" Charles said, a smile on his face as he placed the chessboard on the table. "Would you like to play black or white?"

"I'll play white!"

Charles handed the pieces to Sebastian, and the two sat down to play a game of chess together. Every once in a while, Sebastian would ask him a question. Charles bade his time, directing his black pieces across the board before he asked hesitantly, "Something happened when Noelle went to celebrate the New Year at the Shaw residence the other day. I was wondering if you heard about it, sir?"

Sebastian's hand quivered slightly as he looked at Charles.

Though he was getting on in age, he still had sharp eyes that allowed him to peer into the depths of one's heart. However, even after all these years, he still had not gotten a complete grasp of this student of his.

Upon noticing the look in Sebastian's eyes, a flame appeared in Charles' eyes. "I'm sure you won't tell me the details, but the fact that Nelly is your granddaughter will not change!"

Sebastian shut his eyes before letting out a sigh. "I have no idea if taking you in was the right decision or not!" Sebastian set down the chess piece he was holding and got up from his chair to walk over to his table. He sat there and ran his fingers over the pipe on the table, as still as a statue save for his moving hand.

of the game had already been determined, and it

you

keep this a secret from you, but I'll try for as long as I can. That's the best response I can offer you.

a corner upward. "Are you

matter

now!" Sebastian said, spreading his hand outward. "You don't need to tell me about anything else. I had a

his head. "Tell Noelle to pause her investigation. Knowing won't necessarily make things better than the way

It was the

rang out at the

interrupting Charles and Sebastian's

Noelle opened the door, scrunching the corner of her apron in one hand as she asked, "Grandpa, Charlie, what are

a game of chess with sir!" Charles said as