Chapter 08

 

“I’m disappointed, Lady Eleanor. I thought you could do better than this.”

A few days later, Iris, who had only been praising Eleanor, suddenly changed her attitude and began to torment her. 

She tapped Eleanor’s body with her fan, applying slight force.

“Am I doing this lesson again at this age?”

Catherine and Eleanor were practicing the elegant walking posture of noble ladies. 

If Eleanor had grown up in a noble family, she should have already mastered this skill long ago. 

However, Iris deliberately nitpicked her walking, humiliating her.

“You walk like a stiff wooden plank. Lady Eleanor, you need to start learning from the basics again.”

To Catherine, Eleanor’s walking was already flawless. It was obvious that Iris was just looking for an excuse to criticize her. Catherine looked at Iris with disapproval.

“How can you walk so stiffly? Anyone would think you’re a puppet on stage rather than a noble lady.”

“Even a cat walks more gracefully than you!”

“Oh my, are you doubting my words? Are you saying you don’t trust your teacher? I’m the expert here!”

Iris’s relentless criticism was practically gaslighting. Even Catherine, just listening from the side, felt herself shrinking under the pressure.

Just a few days ago, Iris had been full of praise—calling Eleanor perfect, and elegant, and saying there was nothing more to learn. And now? She wasn’t even embarrassed about contradicting herself.

It was clear that her behavior change was due to Rachel’s orders.

“Oh, Lady Catherine, you can take a break. No need to push yourself too hard,” Iris said sweetly.

While Eleanor was being tormented, Catherine, who was less skilled, was being openly favored. 

Eleanor turned to look at her with an expression that seemed to ask, “Is this your doing too?”

Catherine felt wronged for once—this time, she hadn’t done anything. 

Avoiding Eleanor’s gaze, she glanced at Iris instead. The warm brown eyes that had been friendly toward her were now filled with cold, calculated amusement.

“What did Rachel say to make her change so suddenly?”

“Did you not hear me? You’re doing it wrong,” Iris snapped.

“…But teacher, just a moment ago, you said—”

“Are you talking back to me? Oh, Lady Eleanor, do you want to teach the class instead? Is it your dream to be a tutor?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Eleanor could only endure the humiliation in silence. Catherine found it frustrating, yet she understood. Eleanor had no allies in this household.

If they wanted to remove Iris for good, they needed clear proof of her mistreatment. Unfortunately, Eleanor was in no position to fight back just yet.

In the original story, this incident would eventually make the Duke’s family realize their mistreatment of Eleanor, leading them to finally pay attention to her.

Even though what Eleanor wants is to be left alone.

While Catherine was lost in thought, Iris spoke again.

“Well, there’s only one way to fix this. You’ll learn through experience. Just trust me. 

One day, you’ll thank me for this.”

“…!”

Iris ordered Eleanor to lift her skirt. The first punishment had finally come.

In Iris’s hand was a thin, rough tree branch—sharp enough to leave welts with just a light strike. If she used it, Eleanor’s pale legs would be marked red in no time.

“…Teacher.”

Catherine couldn’t hold back any longer and stepped in.

“Is this necessary?”

“This is for Eleanor’s good!” Iris snapped, gripping the switch tightly as if determined to strike no matter what.

“Then I’ll take the punishment instead.”

Iris looked at her like she had lost her mind. Eleanor also turned to look at her, but Catherine ignored it.

“You, Lady Catherine? You’ll regret it.”

“I don’t mind.”

In truth, she had been waiting for this moment. The moment she could finally do something for Eleanor.

Catherine stood firm, ready to take the punishment.

Iris bit her lip, then raised the switch high.

Whip—! Smack! Smack!

The sharp sound of the switch cutting through the air echoed in the room, followed by the stinging impact on her skin.

“…Ugh.”

Smack! Smack!

Catherine clenched her teeth, swallowing back the cries of pain that threatened to escape.

She could endure this. She was used to pain.

“Haa… That’s enough for today.”

With that, Iris hastily packed up her things and left the Duke’s estate. It was as if she were running away from something.

Catherine slowly lowered her skirt. Pain flared from where the fabric touched her skin.

As she took a deep breath, Eleanor approached.

“…Why did you take the punishment for me?”

Catherine looked up at her.

Eleanor’s face showed nothing but displeasure.

“Are you asking?”

“…Never mind. Whatever your reason is, I don’t care. Just don’t interfere anymore.”

“What?”

No matter how much Eleanor disliked her, this reaction felt too much. 

After all, she had just taken the punishment for her!

“Stay out of my business. You don’t lose anything by doing nothing, do you?”

Eleanor didn’t wait for an answer and simply walked out.

The room was left in silence.

“…Hah! Does she think I wanted to get hit?”

Catherine muttered angrily. But no one was there to listen.

“Ugh. How many more times do I have to do this?”

Ignoring the stinging pain in her legs, Catherine dragged herself back to her room.

“Lady Catherine! That’s wrong!”

“Lady Eleanor, what kind of posture is that?”

Since that day, Iris began alternating between tormenting both Catherine and Eleanor.

“Ugh! Not like that!”

She suddenly shouted, making Catherine flinch.

“…Teacher, could you look at me for a moment?”

“Fine, let’s see.”

Iris started moving towards Catherine, but at that moment, Eleanor called her.

“Lady Eleanor? Alright, let’s see you instead.”

Catherine glanced down at her legs and waist, now completely covered in red welts.

Is this the right thing to do?

People say that pain lessens when shared.

That was a lie. Pain only doubled.

It hurts so much. Ugh.

But Catherine could endure it. The end of this story was near.

It had been nearly two months since the lessons started. 

According to the original story, by next week, Iris Nansen would be kicked out by Eleanor and the Duke.

Almost there. I can endure this.

Catherine wiped the sweat from her forehead and forced a small smile.

That evening, Rachel invited Iris to dinner at the Duke’s estate.

“You’ve worked hard, Iris. Join us for dinner.”

“It’s an honor, Madam.”

Rachel seemed pleased, oblivious to everything that had been happening. She smiled as she spoke to Catherine.

“My dear Cat, you’ve become so elegant since starting your lessons. 

It’s like you’re a real princess now. I’m glad we found such a skilled teacher, don’t you think?”

Catherine hesitated for a moment but quickly forced a smile.

“…Yes, Mother. Thank you.”

Hearing this, Iris immediately took the chance to flatter Rachel.

“Lady Catherine is improving beautifully. In the future, she will be the envy of noble ladies and admired by many gentlemen.”

She spoke in a sickly sweet tone before putting on a concerned expression.

“…But, the stricter I am, the better she will become. It’s tough, but for Lady Catherine’s sake, you must be strong.”

“Of course. I trust you completely,” Rachel replied.

“Leave it to me, Madam.”

Rachel and Iris laughed together like they were sharing some inside joke.

“You heard her, Catherine. You must listen to your teacher.”

“Haha… Yes.”

Rachel shot Catherine a knowing look, urging her to behave.

Catherine nodded obediently and put on her usual innocent smile.

Across the table, Eleanor silently watched her.