Request by rosiethecatnecrocat

Valkenhayn is going through his usual work around the mansion. Finishing the last piece of clothing hung up widely spread, the butler smile at how peaceful it is in the mansion when Madam Rachel is away. Rather dull he thought to himself. He relaxed himself looking up to the sky while the wind gently breeze throw the land. He pulled out of his thought when he feels a weak tug from below him, he looks and it was little (y/n).

Ever since Rachel adopted you from the gutter. Since you were early found and brought into the mansion just a few weeks ago straight from the ally. Weak, abandoned and bruise. You barely looked like a human, rather more like an animal. It like you was been treated nothing more like an animal and no higher than dirt. Maybe that is why you didn't even know how to act like a normal person, not even knowing how to speak properly.

Rachel has made many attempted to try to get you to pronounce a word precisely. But with all of her effort, she still can't get you make even a single sound.

" That was pathetic (Y/n). Maybe another time I suppose. Perhaps I should take this opportunity to teach you some manner."

He smiled softly at you and pet your head gently. Nobody gave you such gentle care as Valkenhayn do. The comfort of the glove silk and his warmth create a nice cozy feeling to you, something you have never found in the dark alleys before.

" What do you have there behind you, child." Valkenhayn old yet gentle and calm voice has taken you away from your comforting moment, only to notice Valkenhayn is kneeling down to your height and he is quite close to you. You face heat up at the close contact with the butler, as you raise one of the two things that were behind your back to him to see. He took it for a closer look. It was a drawing of the rose garden, the sky was dark and gloomy as it always is, but wait what is this? There written one it yellow world neatly wrote in the sky as it was the star.

Secret Garden.

It isn't the neatest handwriting but it has its elegant touch. What curious him is. This child barely knows how to know the basic letters can she possibly know how to write, or even what it means. He has a theory but wasn't sure if it was true.

" Tell me, (Y/n).Do you know what these things are?" He turns the drawing around facing the girl. Then points and circle around the words. (Y/n) looks at it carefully but shock. At least he knows that Madam Rachel has usefully taught her the basic motion and signal.

" Then can you show me where you have seen these 'symbol'?" The girl hesitated at first but then takes the butler's hand pulling it, motion him to follow her. Valkenhayn smiles softly and follows wherever the girl takes him.

(Y/n) lead him straight to the library. She let go of his hand and run to a shelf kneeling down to the lower shelf get out a book. She then runs back to Valkenhayn and points to the book cover. As he expected it was one of the Madam books and the title was Secret Garden. The child imitates the writing and thought it was some kind of symbol, but for a child who didn't even know what she is doing, she has a neat handwriting. He pets her head and smile.

" I have always noticed your curious eyes, but I never thought you can take a step further to start learning how to write before you even be able to talk." You look up at the tilted your head. With your eyes sparkle with even more curious what he talking about. The butler can't stop but chuckle at your innocent look.

" Come now, (Y/n). I'll show you the wonder of the world." He said as he motioned you to sat on his lap with the book on his hand. Your eyes light up with your lips curving into a smile then run up to the butler.

As he starts to read the book he tries to get you to say the simple word in it. Even though at first you miss pronounce it but you still got there in the end. Valkenhayn smile at your lack of grammar and pronunciation, but in time he also praises you whenever you got a word right. He also is smiling proudly at himself as well as he has successfully taught you some basic wording.

At the end of the day, you got a bit smarter than you ever were, even though you still have much to learn, and as a reward for your hard work you got some treats from Valkenhayn