Episode 10: Now, the Duchess’s Education Begins!

When Fiene woke up, the face of the person with whom she had dinner last night appeared before her gaze.

“Wow!”

“Geez! You don’t have to scream like a monster!”

The sulking expression, as if pouting, was exactly the same as Elsie’s gestures from the night before. The dress was more casual than yesterday, almost like everyday wear, and the makeup seemed a bit more subdued.

No, more importantly, Fiene spoke to Elsie with a tone suggesting something.

“Did I make some mistake?”

“Why?”

“Well, even if you say ‘why,’ it’s quite unusual to come to my room so early in the morning.”

“What are you talking about? It’s already noon.”

“Eh…?”

Looking at the clock, Fiene saw that it was already past 1:00.

Panicking, Fiene jumped up and apologized to Elsie while still in her nightclothes.

“I apologize, Your Grace! I overslept…”

Elsie gently lifted Fiene’s face, which was buried in the bed, and put her index finger to her lips.

“No, don’t use words like ‘someone like me.’ A lady should stand tall, be confident, and live strongly.”

Those words resonated deeply with Fiene. It felt like a significant light had entered her life, which had been days of oppression.

“Now, there’s something I want you to do, Fiene.”

“What is it?”

“Duchess’s education.”

“Huh?”

Fiene had completely forgotten about it.

“As the personal maid of Lady Fiene, I am at your service.”

Hearing their reassuring responses, Fiene remembered the words Oz spoke in the carriage.

“You might face difficulties as a duchess.”

“Yes, I am prepared.”

“But you have many allies, including me.”

“Allies?”

“You’ll understand eventually.”

Finally grasping the meaning of Oz’s words in the carriage, Fiene looked at Elsie and Lin and thought, “Allies… I have allies now. That’s a very happy and honorable thing. In that case…”

Fiene looked at the two alternately and said in a voice echoing throughout the room, “Please let me do it! Please guide me!”

Smiling at those words, Elsie and Rin exchanged glances, and Elsie, raising Fiene’s shoulder, looked into her emerald eyes and said firmly, “A month from now, your debut party as a duchess will be held in this mansion. Until then, understand and acquire manners properly. Is that clear?”

“Yes!”

Elsie, delighted by Fiene’s spirited response, clapped her hands and declared, “My guidance will be strict! Be prepared!”

“Th-thank you very much!”

And so began the days of the Duchess’s education.

—

In the quiet night at the Duke’s residence in Erze:

In Oz’s study, his aide Rolf, pushing up his glasses, reported on today’s events at the royal palace.

“As expected, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is concerned about our… especially the progress of the land reform in the eastern border regions.”

“I see. We can’t delay this any longer. Tell him that I’ll bring the proposal in a few days.”

“Understood.”

After a bow, Rolf left the room.

Oz sighed while gazing at the light.

“What to do…”

After a brief moment of resting his chin on his hand, he resumed his work.

[Author’s Note]

Rolf makes an appearance!

A character with glasses. Surprisingly, I may not have included a character with glasses in my works before.