"Have you seen the whole house yet? Do you want delicacies? Does my child need anything to amuse herself? Do you need a smoke?"


    "Master, i do not think it''s appropriate to tell a child to smoke."


    2 weeks has passed since Agnes officially became the child of the master of the house, Leonardo Ajustus.


    She has been learning from Katarina. Since then she had been studying elementary level topics, Agnes'' tongue and vocabulary needs improvement but she needed to learn to write above all else.


    Proper etiquette is also required for the child of Ajustus. But Leonardo dismissed it saying his child should be able to learn at any pace she pleases.


    Agnes had been very hard-working and determined to learn. Leonardo doesn''t know this but Agnes wanted to repay her new father by being a responsible and amazing person.


    For days she had been staying in the library learning from the head maid. Katarina was amazed at how fast she can pick up to the point of calling her a prodigy.


    In a few days she learned to read and write albeit only short words as the longer ones ties her tongue more often than the head maid count.


    Agnes also showed enthusiasm about cleaning and gardening, as she was seen watching the maids work at the garden and clean rooms in her spare time.


    This gave her almost little time for leisure contrary to what Leonardo intended. But he thought her daughter is still only curious and will soon crave for material things and sensation.


    Before he can see those happen in reality, he received a call.


    "I am quite sure Agnes would be distressed at my departure, i wanted to make sure she is not feeling vexed and anxious."


    "From the looks of it, it is you who are feeling anxious."


    For the last two hours, Leonardo had been showering Agnes with words and questions of what the girl wants. It might not show but his worry of being away from Agnes is apparent in his actions.


    "That is not the case. I am merely concerned that my child would be lonely while i''m gone for my business trip."


    Leonardo got a call about a meeting with important personnel. He wanted to decline it immediately since it would cut his time with Agnes but he had been postponing this particular one for a while.


    "It''s okay fàther. I well behave well."


    Agnes is obviously distraught, she still haven''t spent a long time with her father and now he''s leaving, although temporary it''s enough to bring her to tears.


    But she held strong, her desire to be a person to be proud of for her father is stronger than her longing for affection.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    She also understands that her father would be going to work and work is important. Agnes in her pink dress is quite charming but it made Leonardo more adamant about not going.


    "I trust my child will not disappoint me."


    Leonardo puts his hand on top of Agnes'' head. Her soft silky hair tickling his palm.


    While Agnes has her eyes closed from feeling the sensation of the hand, Leonardo spoke some more.


    "I would be leaving for a few days, i will leave little cati here to take care of you. My child also needs education so i will have a tutor for you by the next morning."


    Leonardo phoned in a few contacts and talked to his head maid for arrangements. Finally it''s time for him to leave.


    Agnes waited by the door to see her father off, this greatly touched Leonardo. The little girl was quite reluctant to let go of his shirt so Leonardo crouched down and held Agnes'' hand.


    "Don''t be hesitant to ask for anything you want while i''m gone. Everything here are yours even the people inside."


    Leaving a confused Agnes on the doorway, the master of the house left in a stylish sedan. Leonardo''s words of goodbye felt ominous and the servants on standby couldn''t help but imagine preposterous scenarios like them getting beat up and treated like slaves with the master gone.


    They all look at the child who was staring at the closed gate. Her ashen hair flowing with the wind.


    "Little miss, will you come inside now?"


    "Ah, y-yes."


    Agnes'' clumsy response awoke the maids from their stupor. Agnes went inside the house and faced the maids.


    "P, please take care of me."


    This adorable gesture captured the hearts of the maids, they felt stupid for thinking that such a lovely girl would be the same as their tyrant master.


    " " "Leave it to us! Little miss!" " "


    The band of maids spoke in unison, Agnes was taken back for a moment before being taken by the head maid by the hand.


    "Let''s get you back to your room, little miss."


    Agnes still felt weird being called ''little miss'' but she thought it would be best to be used to many nicknames.


    As Agnes was thinking names her father would come up with, the maids were already having a short meeting about the young mistress.


    "Everybody, we shall do our best to give the little miss the best service and convenience during the master''s absence. Do not slack!"


    " " "Sí!" " "


    From that day onward marks the creation of Agnes'' cuteness appreciation club. Leonardo would only know of this when he found posters of Agnes in one of the maids room.


    ---


    Agnes spent the rest of the day memorizing the alphabet, her enthusiasm amazes Katarina but she worries that the girl would get too absorbed in her studies with no time for herself.


    "Little miss, perhaps it''s time to have a snack."


    A light meal was prepared for Agnes who was still engrossed in the alphabet book.


    "A, ah. Thank you."


    Agnes stepped drown from the study stool and nommed on the sandwiches prepared by Katarina.


    "Little miss, it''s good to be diligent in your studies but sometimes it''s best to go at your own pace."


    Little Agnes just stared at Katarina while chewing her food, after a while she spoke.


    "Deegent?"


    Katarina noticed her mistake, the girl''s vocabulary is still narrow. Perhaps the time invested in studying is appropriate.


    "It means to be hard-working and a good student."


    Pair of eyes shined at the head maid''s words. Agnes'' mouth formed ''good-good'' while munching bread.


    After she finished her sandwich, Agnes headed to the study table but was held by the head maid''s words.


    "Little miss, do not forget to drink water."


    "Y, yes. Sorry.. "


    The embarrassed Agnes held and drank from the glass of water thinking how she''s thankful that her father Leonardo didn''t see her disgraceful behaviour.


    On the other hand, the head maid stares at the girl all-smiles with joy in her heart. She didn''t know she would feel such a thing after working in the tainted side of society.


    She vowed to help and assist the little miss to achieve her goal whatever it may be. She would see through Agnes'' future till the end.


    "Thanks for food!"


    Agnes returned to her studies and by the time it got dark she was brought to bed.


    Tonight little Agnes sleeps soundly for tommorow her real challenge starts.


    Her private tutor will come by the next morning.