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My Lover Isn’t Interested With The Female lead!
✽ CHAPTER 12✽
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Even on the first day of enrollment, the renowned Phileas Academy showed no leniency.
First, the professor, who would teach the theory of ‘Fundamentals of Etiquette,’ which students would learn over the next year, was full of determination.
“If you enter high society, you will inevitably present your etiquette as a debutante. Etiquette is a field that you can never master in a lifetime, but at the very least, you should diligently refine yourself to a level where you won’t be ashamed in front of others.”
The stern tone, unlike anything Letticia had heard from her governess in the past seven years, made her wonder if she had been living in luxury until now.
Dayna sitting next to her also displayed signs of tension, and the other newly enrolled noble students observed with similar unease.
“In my class, I will prioritize teaching the necessary etiquette that you will definitely need when entering high society. So today, let’s start with etiquette related to tea. First, let me explain the types and characteristics of teas consumed in my country….”
The professor continued explaining for over ten minutes about the types and characteristics of teas commonly consumed in high society.
Fortunately, Letticia had already learned this information from her governess before entering the academy, so she could keep up with the lecture without much difficulty.
“… Among them, White Opera is the most popular black tea, referred to by all black tea merchants. Now, can anyone tell me what the tea leaves of White Opera are blended with?”
As the professor looked around at the students while saying this, her eyes coincidentally met with Letticia’s.
“Ah, Student Letticia Sharon. Can you provide an answer?”
Despite finding it bothersome, Letticia raised her hand, pretending to be a diligent student.
“It is blended with a base of Brie tea leaves, with a small addition of bergamot oil.”
“Mostly, that’s correct. However, there are cases where different tea leaves are used. Can you tell me what tea leaves those might be?”
Another question followed right after the answer, as if such challenging situations were unavoidable.
Though other students who thought Letticia had given the correct answer murmured in agreement, Letticia recalled what she had heard from her mother and responded.
“In the western regions, they prefer using Arenne, so sometimes they make White Opera with Arenne. However, it’s less popular due to its milder aroma compared to White Opera with a Brie base. Brands handling it are scarce, according to what I know.”
“Precise. Excellent, Lady Sharon.”
As Letticia answered smoothly, the professor nodded approvingly.
The professor continued to pose questions, pointing to different students, but none answered as fluently as Letticia.
Stumbling or not answering well was mainly observed among the newly ennobled students. Conversely, those presumed to be from old noble families answered well unless the professor asked extremely difficult questions.
“These days, fragrant black teas are gaining popularity in high society. So, what tea foods pair well with fragrant black tea? Miss Erskin, care to answer?”
“Um… I’m sorry, but I don’t know.”
Dolores replied apologetically, and laughter echoed around. Remarks like ‘peasants’ were sporadically audible.
To make matters worse, when a student confidently raised their hand and made eye contact with the professor, derogatory comments were heard.
“For fragrant black tea, it’s Madeleine cookies—a type of light tea food. Pairing it with overly sweet tea foods would clash with the fragrance, hindering the proper enjoyment of the taste.”
“… As Desmond mentioned, fragrant black teas pair well with light tea foods due to their fragrance. Now, Hailey, can you tell us about the commonalities and differences between Cream White Opera and Grand Jubilee, two representative fragrant black teas?”
“Both teas have a caramel fragrance. However, Cream White Opera has a hint of bergamot since it’s based on White Opera. On the other hand, Grand Jubilee is made with Redere as the base, combining caramel and chocolate fragrances.”
Dynamically answering the professor’s question, Dayna successfully shifted the atmosphere. Perhaps being from a distinguished family contributed to her familiarity with this subject.
The professor, content with a smile, then directed her gaze towards Ariette.
“Hailey provided an accurate explanation. Now, Averil, can you tell us when and how Grand Jubilee was created?”
“Huh? Oh, um…”
Ariette, suddenly singled out, looked bewildered and unsure. Her hesitation was even more evident compared to Dolores earlier.
‘Well, Ariette probably doesn’t know much about these things.’
It’s unlikely that Averil received lessons on brewing tea or related knowledge from the Duke or her older brothers, who were more focused on aristocratic matters. Not to mention, the governess who mistreated Ariette or the Marchioness Irma had no interest in such matters.
“Grand Jubilee is a tea produced in Anabel to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Michael’s reign in the year 372 of the Imperial Calendar. While it is a relatively new tea in the world of fragrant black teas, after Grand Jubilee, teas with added caramel fragrance gained popularity. Therefore, Grand Jubilee holds significant meaning in the history of tea.”
As Ariette couldn’t respond, the professor provided the answer herself, moving on with the lesson.
However, Ariette’s expression remained clouded throughout the class, seemingly disappointed for not being able to answer.
***
After the afternoon class, Letticia went back to the dormitory to see Marianne, but was caught by Ivonne and Dolores along with Dayna and ended up staying in the empty classroom.
“Letticia, Dayna, I had some difficulties during the class. Can I ask you some questions?”
“Wait, I have questions too!”
As Dolores was about to ask her question, Ivonne interjected, causing Dolores to furrow her brow.
“Ivonne you’re the daughter of Fragna Kathleen. And also handles the Marquis Brie’s tea leaves and you still has a lot to ask?”
“Our merchant only handles eastern tea leaves. I don’t know much about western tea leaves like Arenne!”
“…Um, shouldn’t you ask the professor if you have questions? I’m just another student.”
“I have too many questions! It’s a problem! I don’t even understand the basics.”
Ivonne spoke hesitantly. While Dolores wasn’t as direct as Ivonne, her expression was dark.
“I learned about tea leaf types, but I haven’t studied the harmony with tea food or details like history and origin. My governess mentioned I could learn that at the academy, so I didn’t pay much attention…”
“Really? My governess made me memorize tea leaf types, history, and suitable tea foods before I came.”
“Is that so?”
Even Dayna, who had confidently answered the professor earlier, looked surprised. Realizing that not everyone had learned as thoroughly as she did, Letticia sighed.
“It seems like even noble students from lesser families prepared in advance. Why didn’t Ivonne and Dolores governesses do the same?”
“They weren’t originally considered skilled governesses. Our family lacks titles and connections with noble families, so we couldn’t afford to hire a highly skilled governess.”
“I can relate. My governess complained throughout the lessons about why she had to teach a student who wasn’t even a noble. It was quite satisfying when she got dismissed upon my academy enrollment.”
Governesses prefer teaching lesser nobles if given the choice. Once they teach newly rich families, they risk being shunned by the established noble clientele.
It would be slightly better if it was a family that received the title of count like the Count Sharon family, but Ivonne and Dolores’ family is semi-noble. It is impossible to get involved in education-related networks that have been monopolized by nobles for a long time.
“How did Letticia and Dayna’s governesses teach so well? They seem knowledgeable.”
“Thanks to my aunt marrying into an old noble family, I was able to get study through that connection. I got to learn with my cousin and the salary was paid by my family.”
“I’m connected to my mother’s family. In our family, we all have cousins. So we studied together, and we had about three tutors, and they all said they were introduced to us by our mother’s family.”
“Ah, you’re talking about Marquiss Wayde!”
Dayna nodded, indicating her understanding of which family was involved. Being a noble with a title did make it easier to understand.
“Then, you must have received a genuinely good governess. I’m genuinely envious.”
“Well, she did teach us well. Thanks to her, I didn’t embarrass myself and could answer confidently.”
Helena’s proficiency as a governess became apparent to Letticia, who suddenly realized she had little understanding of the intricacies of this society. Such social dynamics weren’t addressed in the original work, so she hadn’t paid much attention.
“If we struggle like this in the next class, I’ll worry about the exams. Letticia, Dayna, I feel sorry to ask, but could you teach us a bit?”
“… I’ll help with what we learned today. What exactly do you not know?”
“I don’t quite understand the characteristics and handling of Arenne tea.”
“I’m curious about the differences between Redire, Arenne, and Brie teas.”
When Letticia agreed, Ivonne and Dolores quickly opened their notebooks and began asking questions about everything they didn’t understand.
Realizing that they lacked fundamental knowledge, a sense of the knowledge gap between the old nobles and the new nobles made Letticia’s head ache.
‘If we continue like this, the old nobles will probably laugh at us during every class.’
Although Letticia wasn’t the type to care about others, the clashes with the old nobles bothered her. She didn’t like the idea of the old nobles ridiculing the new nobles.
She didn’t like it when they mistakenly thought that it was because of their lineage or family status when they only learned what they should have learned here in advance thanks to prior learning..
So, she thought it wouldn’t be bad to scratch their pride a bit. It wouldn’t hurt to give those third-rate villainesses a taste of proper education. In typical romance novels, isn’t that the destiny of the female lead – to educate such third-rate antagonists?
‘Embarrass them in front of people, make them look like their souls are being exposed, scold them a bit as if they’re empty-headed.’
Compared to that, teaching the new noble well and dismantling the illusion of superiority arising from their lineage seemed like a very kind act.
‘I should think about how to teach them and have some justification… Maybe I should consult with Mother.’
Quickly finding a goal in her previously thoughtless academy life, Letticia began considering how to approach this.
At this point, she had no idea of the storm that would follow this decision.
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To Be Continued…
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Other tl project by me :
