Johannes Schulz had a dry face as always. Even though he wasn’t wearing much clothing in the bitterly cold weather, he didn’t show any signs of being cold.
“How have you been? Did you have any inconveniences?”
He asked as he sat down. The face looked carefree or a little bored, but it looked fresher than before.
“Thanks to you, I am doing well. Did you find my usefulness helpful?”
Although he spoke kindly, he seemed to have sensed the intent of my question, as befits the head of a prestigious family.
“I am sorry for causing an article about Sergeant Prim. We have taken follow-up measures, so there will no longer be articles about his personal history.”
It was a shameless but perfect answer that I couldn’t say anything about. When I closed my mouth, he started eating again with elegant hand gestures. There was no conversation after that because I was also focused on the food in front of me. Near the end of the meal, he spoke.
“I’m thinking of holding a banquet.”
After all, he was someone who got the main point out of the way. I asked, not surprised.
“May I ask what kind of banquet this is?”
“A banquet to announce the wedding. It may feel grand, but it will be carried out in a small way.”
“The article would be better. There are all sorts of speculations floating around.”
“I guess so.”
It was a neat answer. I nodded, then set down the dishes and consciously adjusted my posture.
“Let me ask you again one last time. Are you sure you’re okay with me? Wouldn’t it be better for the Duke to unite with another noble family? It’s okay for your personal image to be plastered all over the article. Because I received more help.”
I was afraid that Duke Schultz might intercept my words, so I spoke quickly without even taking a breath. But that didn’t happen. He pointed at the newspaper on the table.
“I’ve been talking so much about the romance between Duke Schultz and a commoner woman, but if you suddenly marry the daughter of a noble family, reporters will bite you and my family even more.”
“…”
“He just took advantage of a poor commoner woman.”
I took a deep breath.
“…Isn’t that half true?”
“Unfortunately, yes. What’s even more unfortunate is that it will continue to be like that in the future.”
I felt strange. Anyway, wasn’t it the same for me to use Duke Schultz? But Duke Schultz was talking as if he was the only one using me. As I forced a smile out of a strange feeling, he added:
“Miss Edith may also be harassed by reporters all the time. It must be quite a headache.”
What he meant was why did I keep complaining about something that has already been decided. Of course, I knew that I’ve asked so many questions that I’m sick of it.
‘But it’s marriage…!’
I unconsciously strained my eyes. Did he think marriage was not important because he had too much? I tried to act calm, thinking that might be the case.
“Great. Well then, I really won’t ask you again. Instead, the regret is yours.”
It was a polite attitude, but Duke Schultz’s eyebrows slightly furrowed. Did I offend him? As I was reflecting on my attitude, I heard a soft voice.
“I think we need to sort out our titles.”
“Yes?”
“You can’t call me Duke forever, right? We are getting married.”
“That’s it…”
I also narrowed my eyes.
“I intend to meet the expectations of the public. Of course, I will respect Ms. Prim’s wishes.”
“Ah…”
What the public expected was clear. A touching love story between a commoner and Duke Schultz. Since there were so many eyes watching, the acting needs to be more detailed, but the title was wrong. Duke Schultz was concerned about that.
“I see.”
When I nodded my head, he said as if he had been waiting.
“I heard that you have learned some dances.”
“To some extent.”
“Then let’s guess. I’m going to sort out our titles, preferably tonight.”
Duke Schultz looked at me. It seemed like I had the answer he wanted.
“Yes, I like it.”
He was the person who protected my father and my home. The price must be paid squarely.
“It is said that it is also a popular dream for a commoner woman to perfectly adapt to the aristocratic world.”
When I gave the answer he wanted, a painted smile spread across Duke Schultz’s face.
“It’s perfect.”
* * *
“Starting today, Mrs. Hertzman will be in charge of Miss Prim’s overall education. He’s quite strict, but he’s not scary.”
Sir Fret seemed very busy. He then left, leaving behind a message to prepare well as I too would have to lead a very busy life. Not long after, Mrs. Hertzman, who would be in charge of my education, came to visit.
“I’m Marilyn Hertzman.”
She was a middle-aged woman with graying gray hair. Her sharp eyes stood out beneath her neatly tied hair. She also wore a neat purple velvet dress that wrapped tightly around her neck, and her low-heeled, pitch-black shoes. Her bony hands, with her knuckles bulging, were somewhat gathered together, but her gaze was fierce as she looked me up and down. Her voice was somewhat hoarse and heavy for a middle-aged woman.
“I was the ancestral duchess’ nanny,” she said. She lived out of the castle after the madam passed away, but returned when the current Duke asked her to educate his future wife. “Please feel free to call me Marilyn.”
Remembering Lord Fret’s warning, I greeted her with great nervousness.
“Hello, ma’am. This is Edith Prim. Please take care of me.”
“Wrong.”
“…yes?”
“I heard from Lord Fret that your manners are almost perfect, but they are terrible.”
I was intimidated by her sharp voice. As I gave an awkward smile, Marilyn lifted her chin and continued.
“Please lower your tone to workers. It’s nice to see that you are only polite to your master.”
“Yes? But-”
“No one will be offended.”
I nodded slowly. I couldn’t speak comfortably yet.
“Wrong.”
“…huh?”
Although I was trying to be polite out of habit, I quickly lowered my tone when I saw her gaze. Only then did Marilyn soften her expression slightly.
“No one except a direct relative of the royal family or the Duke can stop Miss Prim from speaking. You should have warned me.”
It was a sharp but concise speech.
“…Yes, I will do that from now on.”
“The response is half a beat slower, but it will be resolved over time.”
Marilyn looked at me carefully and took out a small stick from her pocket. Then she stretched it out and started correcting my posture.
“Lift the tip of your chin and let your shoulders hang comfortably. You must be careful not to stick out your breasts and buttocks in a vulgar manner.”
I nodded my head without even having the energy to respond.
“…There will be a lot to learn about the dukedom in the future. However, since the banquet comes first for a while, it would be better to practice the things needed for the banquet first.”
“Okay.”
Marilyn then looked around the room I was staying in.
“When you get married, you will be moved to the duchess’s room. The place you are staying now may be shabby, but please endure just a little longer.”
I opened my eyes wide. Did I mishear? How on earth was this place so shabby? There were crystal vanities and expensive paintings hanging everywhere, the beds were as soft as those in luxury hotels, and the interior was warm throughout. While I was mulling over the words in a daze, Marilyn continued her words.
“I heard that you are practicing dancing with master tonight. You’ve learned everything.”
I came to my senses and nodded slowly.
“Roughly. It’s been a long time since I danced in person.”
“Hmm… Would you like to try with me?”
From then on, me and Marilyn started doing waltz steps. I thought I was doing well, but the more I moved, the more fierce her expression became. ‘Ha’, she let out a short sigh and stopped her steps.
“It’s an old-fashioned step that was popular 20 years ago. We don’t dance like that these days.”
“Really…? I didn’t know.”
When I smiled awkwardly, Marilyn scolded me quietly.
“You need to practice hiding that habitual smile. The former Duchess Schultz was only lovely in the presence of the Duke. Her smile was not harsh when dealing with her subordinates.”
“…huh.”
When I quickly withdrew my smile, Marilyn finally looked satisfied. I did what she said.
“You should go to the dressing room first.”
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Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
If you like my work please support me with Ko-fi or Patreon. Next post will be released on October, 10.
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