Chapter 59: The perfect candidate
"Kleptomania?" I asked, raising my eyebrow slightly.
"Y-yes..." The girl lowered her gaze. "It’s something I can’t control. But... I swear, if you hire me, I’ll do everything I can to get rid of it!"
I paused for a second.
No, actually, I wasn’t one of those people who was particularly prejudiced against others. After all, everyone has the right to make mistakes. I myself was living proof of that. And yet, it wasn’t just one mistake, but three...
And who could guarantee that something like this wouldn’t happen again in the future?
I caught myself sighing heavily.
No, I didn’t feel any negativity towards this girl. But I had too little energy and time to waste on investigating possible thefts inside my own home.
I decided that even though this girl seemed like a good person at first, I didn’t want to add this headache to my life.
So in the end, I just had to say:
"Thank you for your honesty," I replied a little more coldly than I intended. "That concludes our interview."
Sophie lowered her head in obvious disappointment and hurriedly left.
Sighing, I looked at the last resume I had in my hands.
I wondered if the third attempt would be successful...
The last candidate I was going to interview today was a man. His name was Christian Lockwood.
Unlike the previous applicants, he immediately stood out for his reputation. His file stated that he had had a fairly distinguished professional career and had even held a position as a lecturer at an academy for aristocrats in the past.
Of course, teaching at the academy was considered an honorable and prestigious occupation, but, as I found out, a few years ago he had abandoned that path and opted for private practice.
Since then, he had been exclusively involved in the individual education of children from noble families, and his name had been mentioned more than once among the nobility in a positive light.
When this man entered the living room, I saw a young man of about thirty standing before me. His wheat-colored hair and formal suit were neatly combed. Restrained and neat, he entered calmly and bowed respectfully before me.
"Lady Weinstein, thank you for taking the time to see me today."
"Please, have a seat."
I pointed to the chair opposite me. Once he had taken his seat, we were able to begin the interview.
"Mr. Lockwood," I began, opening the folder with his resume, "I would like to know what teaching methods you adhere to."
"I believe that education is not only about knowledge, but also about setting an example. Children absorb what they see every day."
"Hmm," I raised an eyebrow, "could you elaborate on that?"
He spoke clearly and without unnecessary embellishment.
"Of course," he nodded. "Let me explain: children form their habits and character by observing how adults behave in different situations. Therefore, a mentor must embody the values they seek to instill. Discipline is impossible without respect. If a child sees an example of honesty and responsibility before them, they will involuntarily adopt these qualities."
I noted to myself that he wasn’t just using fancy words, but seemed to truly believe in what he was saying.
"Okay," I continued, "what if a child resists the learning process? What if they refuse to do their homework or start acting out?"
"In that case, milady," he replied without hesitation, "you need to explain, not pressure. The authority of a mentor is built not on fear, but on trust. If a student feels respected, they will be much more willing to listen and change their behavior."
I continued to ask him about teaching methods, and this man really answered all my questions excellently.
"Tell me, Mr. Lockwood, what subjects do you consider most important for a young lady of noble birth?" I decided to ask.
"First of all, the foundation of education should be based on literacy and arithmetic. The ability to read, write, and think logically is the foundation for all knowledge. In addition, history and etiquette are essential, as they shape one’s understanding of their place in society. However, I am not a proponent of narrow specialization: a child should have the opportunity to develop in many areas, from the arts to the basic sciences. Only then will they be able to realize their true potential."
"That sounds reasonable," I nodded. "What about discipline? How do you plan to maintain order in the classroom?"
He smiled slightly.
"Discipline, milady, is maintained by clear rules. There should be few of them, but they must be strictly observed. If a child understands the boundaries of what is permissible, they feel safe. Then there is no need to resort to punishment or threats."
His words sounded so impressive that I thought about it.
Unlike the previous candidates — one of whom turned out to be too strict, and the other had a questionable past — this man gave the impression of a balanced mentor, capable of combining gentleness and firmness.
I involuntarily lingered on his face. There was no falsehood in it. His brown eyes truly radiated kindness. This was one of those rare occasions when a person made a trustworthy impression from the very first moment.
Yes, I could say that this person did indeed make a good impression on me in the end. He had a pleasant smile and a face that inspired confidence.
I also carefully reviewed his resume again, just in case. But unlike the previous one, there seemed to be no catch.
Could this really be the ideal candidate for Ruby’s tutor?
"Okay. Thank you for telling me all this," I finally said, "but I’ll need some time to make a final decision."
"Of course," he smiled kindly. "You can take your time to think it over. I’ll wait for your decision for as long as it takes."
When Christian left the room, I sat in silence for a long time, thinking about everything I had heard.
In fact, compared to the other two candidates I had interviewed today, this man was indeed the most suitable. Christian was the embodiment of balance: serious, yet gentle in nature.
Well, after some thought, I came to the conclusion that the choice in this case was obvious.
"Edison," I called when the butler entered the living room. "Prepare a contract for Mr. Lockwood. Starting today, he will be Rubiella’s tutor."
"As you wish, ma’am," the old man replied with a slight smile.
I allowed myself to breathe a sigh of relief. Finally, this issue had been settled. Now Ruby would have a tutor I could truly trust, and her future education was in reliable hands.
***
In the evening, as the day was drawing to a close, I decided to talk to Ruby. The girl was sitting in her room, bent over a book. She was so engrossed in reading that she didn’t even notice me coming in.
"Are you reading again today, Ruby?" I asked gently so as not to startle her.
"Oh, Auntie!" She quickly closed the book and looked a little embarrassed. "Yes, I wanted to finish the Chapter before going to dinner."
I smiled. She was so responsible for her age.
"I need to discuss something with you," I sat down next to her, and Ruby immediately put the book aside and looked at me intently.
She always listened to me seriously, like a little adult.
"Today I interviewed three candidates for the position of your tutor," I began. "And after much thought, I have chosen the one who will teach you in the coming years."
The girl’s eyes widened, and curiosity flashed in them.
"Really? Who is it?"
"His name is Christian Lockwood. He is a judicious but fair man. I believe he will be a good teacher and role model for you."
Ruby tilted her head slightly.
"Is he kind?" she asked after a short pause.
I thought for a moment. "Kind" is a word with many meanings. But Christian, as far as I could tell, was definitely not harsh or cruel.
"I think so," I replied with a slight smile.
Ruby smiled quietly, and I saw an invisible weight lift from her shoulders.
"Then I’ll try, Auntie," she said seriously. "I want to live up to your expectations."
I gently touched her shoulder.
"You don’t have to think about ’living up to’ my expectations, sweetie. It’s enough that you try for yourself. Everything else will fall into place."
Ruby nodded and smiled at me. I smiled back and hugged her.
Ruby pressed herself against me, burying her face in my shoulder. Her thin arms wrapped around me so tightly, as if she was afraid to let go.
I sat there for a few moments, feeling her breath and warmth. It was just the two of us in that room, and outside those walls were all the worries, responsibilities, and cares that filled my life.
Yes, a new and important stage was beginning in my niece’s life.From this day on, she would no longer be just a child left to her own devices. Now she had to study, learn about the world, and prepare for her future role.
But despite the seriousness of what was happening, I remained confident that Ruby would cope. After all, my niece was so smart and wonderful.