Chapter 32: The Tutor
Zane~
The moment Roland walked into the room with the so-called tutor, I knew I wasn’t going to like him. I didn’t understand why, and I didn’t care to. It wasn’t just his presence; it was the way the air shifted around him. He looked to be around the same age as Natalie—eighteen, maybe nineteen—but there was something too polished about him. Even so, he was far too young to be the "perfect tutor" Roland had bragged about finding.
He had a kind of boyish charm, sharp hazel eyes, and worse, he smiled—a lot. Cheerful, easygoing, and completely at ease in a stranger’s home. His confidence was irritating.
Just then, Natalie walked into the living room with Alexander running after her; they were but laughing about a private joke only known to them when she abruptly stopped, surprised to see me with a guest.
I watched him closely as he scanned the room, his gaze landed on Natalie and I noticed it lingering a second too long for my liking. She, oblivious as always, simply offered a polite greeting to him.
"I’m Jacob Bartholomew," he introduced himself, grinning like he had just won a prize. "It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I look forward to working with—"
"You’re not hired," I cut in flatly.
The room went silent.
Jacob blinked. "I—What?"
Roland, standing beside me, also looked baffled. "Your Highness, I personally vetted him. He’s—"
"I appreciate your effort, Roland," I said coolly, "but I need someone mature for this. Someone with years of experience. Natalie’s education is important, and I can’t have someone who looks like he just graduated high school handling it."