What Does That Evil Dragon Live For?

“I don’t think I need to worry too much about Lady Elaine’s progress, it’s very good.”

 

For the first time, Mrs. Bellini gave Elaine a genuine smile.

 

And this was very far from the situation Ellie and Lorina expected.

 

‘Why does that girl know all this?’ 

 

Lorina was so shocked that she couldn’t control her expression.

 

Lorina, who had been feeling nervous about the way L’Arch seemed to be taking care of Elaine recently, made a plan to tease Elaine with Ellie, who was complaining that Elaine was taking the same class as her.

 

“Let’s get Elaine out of class. She won’t say a word because she doesn’t know anything anyway.”

 

“Good idea, Lorina! It would be a disgrace to our family to put Elaine in front of Mrs. Bellini, but it would be an even bigger disaster if she opened her mouth.”

 

“Why don’t we just humiliate her in front of Mrs. Bellini. Wouldn’t it be impossible to say that you will take more classes if you don’t understand the topic?”

 

Elaine was pleased with such a plan, and, as if laughing at Ellie and Lorina, she gave a more complete answer than them, but showed an attitude as if she didn’t need Mrs. Bellini or L’Arch’s attention.

 

Contrary to Lorina’s anxious feelings, Mrs. Bellini soon began to give Elaine the same amount of attention.

 

“Then shall we take a look at chapter one of the new books? Chapter 1 of the third book of the Basic Liberal Arts deals with social etiquette, which I’m sure you’re looking forward to. Do you know anything about social etiquette?”

 

Lorina even raised her hand as if she couldn’t miss it this time.

 

“Girls making their debut in the social world must be accompanied by a chaperone or partner and must memorize the hierarchy of each family. Women from low-ranking families cannot speak to women from high-ranking families first.….”

 

Lorina, who had already made her debut in the social world the year before last, was pouring out the social etiquette she had learned from her mother since she was young.

 

Not to be outdone, Ellie also added knowledge that she knew.

 

“Maybe it’s because it’s a social thing, so everyone is so passionate, hahaha! What does Lady Elaine know?”

 

But when it came to social circles, Elaine knew nothing. She had never debuted in the social world, and she had no one to teach her about it.

 

“I’m sorry, teacher. I never studied about it because I thought I would never debut in the social world.”

 

Mrs. Bellini was taken aback by Elaine’s answer as if she had finally remembered Elaine’s situation.

 

She seemed perplexed, perhaps thinking that social etiquette classes might be a waste of time for a girl who had no plans to debut in the social world.

 

“Ah… then what can I do…it’s hard to change the class material now.”

 

At that time, L’Arch, who had been silent from behind, came forward.

 

“There is no need for the teacher to change the textbook. Elaine will also make her debut in the social world soon.”

 

This time, Elaine was also surprised and looked back at L’Arch. L’Arch said with a relaxed smile as if enjoying Elaine’s surprised gaze.

 

“The Count Newt’s family is not in such a difficult situation that my father can’t support the social debut of our family’s relatives.”

 

“Oh haha! Of course, he could and Lady Elaine would be lucky to have such a generous uncle.”

 

Elaine wanted to ask where the hell was his “generous” uncle.

 

Did a generous uncle abuse his nephew by forcing hee to live in an attic with no proper heating?

 

Besides, it’s a social debut.

 

It was clear that L’Arch had misunderstood something or was saying this to save face in front of Mrs. Bellini.

 

‘Madame Bellini is not just any minor noblewoman, so if she says this publicly, won’t my uncle be embarrassed later?’

 

If Elaine had not made her social debut, Count Newt and his wife might have laughed at her.

 

‘Well, it’s not something I should worry about.’ 

 

By then, Elaine will be living freely, free from Newt’s family and the temple.

 

Anyway, it was necessary to get over this situation naturally.

 

“My uncle and aunt are very generous. I didn’t know they were even thinking about letting me debut. I will study hard from now on, teacher.”

 

Elaine bowed politely, and Mrs. Bellini looked very pleased as if she had just witnessed a scene of family harmony.

 

And because of that, Lorina’s complexion was not good at all.

 

* * * 

 

When class ended, Elaine hurried back to her room, taking advantage of the opportunity when L’Arch exchanged a few words with Mrs. Bellini.

 

Lorina, staring at the back, saw Mrs. Bellini went off and then spoke to L’Arch in secret.

 

“Elaine must have a lot to learn, and she can’t even wait to see you off.”

 

“Indeed, I haven’t paid much attention to Elaine’s education so far, so I have to teach her a lot, but she seems to be smarter than I thought, so I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. I’m more worried about Ellie.”

 

Ellie met L’Arch’s gaze and her shoulders trembled.

 

“Before the first class of the year, I told you to review thoroughly because she would definitely ask you what you learned last year, Ellie. But what the hell were those clumsy answers you gave earlier?”

 

“Oh, no, it’s just that…I did review it, but…”

 

“You laughed at Elaine, saying she wouldn’t know anything, and then you humiliated yourself so badly in front of Mrs. Bellini. I thought my face was burning up now.”

 

Ellie quickly blushed and bit her lips as if she had remembered that moment.

 

“Do you know how much money we’ve spent on your tutor’s salary for the past five years? You followed Martin and Damon every day and did all sorts of not-so-lady-like things, tsk.”

 

“I’m sorry, brother.…”

 

“If you’re sorry, come to your senses from now on. If things continue like this, it looks like Elaine, not you, will be the young lady of the Newt family who will be in the spotlight after her social debut.”

 

L’Arch glanced disdainfully at her youngest sister’s tears and gave a light greeting to Lorina, and left.

 

Lorina was also trembling with humiliation.

 

The words Lark said to Ellie earlier were also the same words to Lorina.

 

However, Lorina, who was two years older than Ellie, consoled the crying Ellie and took her to her room.

 

Then she went straight to Count Newt’s office.

 

Since Lorina was a frequent visitor to the Newt family, no one thought it strange that she went to the head of the family’s office alone.

 

Tok Tok–

 

The old oak door made a dull noise.

 

“Come in.”

 

Rubaine, who had not even raised his head, thinking it was the maid who brought the tea, was surprised by the unexpected guest.

 

“Eh? Lorina? What are you doing here?”

 

Rubaine quickly stood up and offered Lorina a seat.

 

“I don’t know if I’ve interrupted the Count’s work.”

 

“No, it’s okay, it’s okay. haha! I’m actually happy that my Lorina came to visit.”

 

Rubain let out a generous laugh and reassured Lorina. She was Lorina, a girl who had not yet become an adult, but she was not someone to be treated carelessly.

 

The Count Dardil family had a close relationship with the Count Newt family, and marriage talks were already taking place between the two families. It was an opportunity that there was no reason to refuse.

 

Lorina, who knew that fact well, was careful not to seem too arrogant and spoke as if she was worried.

 

“It’s just that I’m a little worried about something. I also went to Ellie’s liberal arts class today, and…Elaine was there too.”

 

“Ah…”

 

Rubaine sighed in frustration and nodded.

 

“Well, I somehow made her take a class with Ellie, but that won’t last long, only for a while.”

 

“The Count probably ordered Elaine’s education knowingly, but that’s not what I’m worried about….”

 

“hmm? If not that, then what is?”

 

Lorina hesitated once more, giving off that ‘I’m not sure if it’s right to say this or not’ nuance.

 

“Lorina. I will not scold you, so speak comfortably.”

 

“Actually, Huft, I’m too embarrassed to tell you this, but I think Elaine is…. flirting with L’Arch.”

 

“What?”

 

Rubaine’s expression turned sour.

Lorina spoke quickly.

 

“I think it’s inappropriate to use the word ‘flirting’ at our age, but I don’t know how else to express it.”

 

“What, what, what happened?”

 

“L’Arch also attended today’s class, Elaine, who had a poor sitting posture before L’Arch came, completely changed her expression and attitude as soon as L’Arch came.”

 

“What?”

 

“And then whenever she answers Mrs. Bellini’s questions, she looks up at L’Arch and smiles at him.…Those eyes and smiles were so mysterious.”

 

Lorina shook her head and cupped her cheeks with her hands as if she were embarrassed.

 

“But I realized that this doesn’t just happen in one or two days. I heard that L’Arch’s attitude toward Elaine changed a few months ago.”

 

Rubaine’s expression hardened at those words.

 

* * *