Chapter 192: The Dream Chaperone
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 192: The Dream Chaperone
The Baroness headed to her room, feeling a strange, unfamiliar sensation.
Strictly speaking, as the daughter of the late Empress’s sister, she was not of royal blood. However, because the Crown Princess treated her like a mother, the Baroness had always been accorded treatment befitting royalty. Her journey to the North was, in part, an attempt to repay that debt.
Yet, as she observed the castle, her initial intent to instill discipline seemed almost unnecessary; the Grand Duchess was flawless in every respect. Moreover, seeing the Grand Duchess’s grit and her tireless dedication to everything she did reminded the Baroness of her own younger self. The desire to find fault for the sake of it quietly withered away.
Back in the capital, she had always felt as though she were performing a role.
— “You know how fastidious Baroness Asellino is. There’s no way she’d ever tolerate something like this.”
Ever since people had arbitrarily dubbed her the "Dream Chaperone," she had lived as a sensitive, prickly noblewoman just to meet those expectations. But in the Grand Duke’s Castle, no one expected that role from her. She hadn't realized how much of a comfort it would be to have someone like Hedrick around—someone who remembered who she was before she became a Baroness.
The weight of the helplessness that had burdened her for so long felt a little lighter.
And so, she allowed herself to express her burgeoning fondness for the Grand Duchess. Had they been in the capital, rumors would have immediately swirled—was the Baroness trying to recruit the Grand Duchess? Was she acting on the Crown Princess’s orders? Here, she didn't have to worry about any of that.
It was in this remarkably comfortable state of mind that she entered her room. Cecilia, who had been waiting in the parlor, sprang to her feet.
“Why are you still here?”
“Well, I... I haven't had the chance to say goodnight yet.”
The lady-in-waiting fidgeted, clasping her hands together.
Earlier, the Baroness had wondered what was wrong with this girl, but thinking back now, she felt she might have been a bit too harsh. Looking at the girl’s features and demeanor again, she didn't seem cunning or ill-intentioned. Since the Grand Duchess seemed so capable, she surely would have chosen her attendants wisely.
The Baroness looked at Cecilia with a more favorable gaze.
“What did you say your name was?”
“I am Cecilia Terito, the second daughter of the House of Terito, my lady.”
“The maids will handle my preparations for bed, so you may go.”
Cecilia hesitated, then tilted her head slightly. “Would you like a cup of light tea before you retire?”
The Baroness had a habit of drinking a cup of light tea before bed. It seemed the girl had asked the maids about her preferences in advance.
Not a total lost cause, then.
“Very well. Pour me a cup.”
As Cecilia nervously began to pour the tea, the Baroness suddenly reached out and stopped her.
What did I just see?
“Who taught you to hunch your back like that while pouring tea?”
Cecilia froze, looking utterly lost.
“You must bow your waist slightly and with grace. And why are you looking at me? Look at the teapot!”
As someone who had only dealt with the most elite young ladies in the capital, the Baroness could hardly believe the sight before her.
“Don't let the spout touch the cup! And you’ve filled it too high!”
She had met many noble daughters, but she had never seen one pour tea so disastrously.
What on earth was the Grand Duchess thinking when she chose this girl as her lady-in-waiting?
A voice full of disbelief escaped her lips.
“Are you doing this on purpose to humiliate the Grand Duchess?”
“What? No, never!” Cecilia shook her head frantically. “I would never dream of bringing shame upon Her Highness! It’s just that I am very lacking...!”
“That’s your excuse?!”
Cecilia, properly cowed, shut her mouth.
“You say such complacent things because you don't know how fiercely the ladies of the capital hone their skills.”
This was the position of a lady-in-waiting to the Grand Duchess. In the capital, the competition would have been cutthroat. When the Crown Princess’s attendants were chosen, the young ladies engaged in all sorts of secret warfare.
“If you are lacking, shouldn't you be working yourself to death to improve?”
The Baroness gave Cecilia a once-over.
“The Grand Duchess will eventually have to make an appearance in the capital. If her lady-in-waiting is at this level, she won't even be able to lift her head out of shame.”
There would be so many people waiting to tear her apart. The Baroness frowned at the girl’s lack of urgency.
“If all you’re going to do is offer verbal apologies, it might be faster to just replace the lady-in-waiting altogether.”
At those words, Cecilia’s face turned deathly pale.
“Replace me? That... that can never happen...!”
Cecilia hurriedly corrected her posture.
“I—I will try again!”
Her trembling hands reached for the teapot once more.
“Again!”
The more the Baroness watched her, the more flabbergasted she became.
But why doesn't this feel entirely unpleasant?
Teaching a naturally gifted lady was no great feat. A true "Dream Chaperone" should be able to polish even a rough diamond like this. Though she felt the daunting weight of an impossible challenge, something hot began to stir in her chest.
The Baroness picked up the fan she used when teaching etiquette to noble daughters.
The famous etiquette lessons of Baroness Asellino were about to resume for the first time in years.
*
“The theater is so large, yet it’s packed!”
Elian, Countess Selvanis, let out an exclamation of wonder as they arrived at the theater. Just as she said, the lobby was so crowded there was hardly room to move.
“With so many spectators, is today a special occasion?”
“The shows are sold out every day, so there are always this many people.”
“Sold out every day?” Elian’s eyes widened.
Beside her, Baroness Asellino narrowed her eyes as she was handed a card.
“What is this card?”
“It’s a viewing card.”
The small paper card had seven squares drawn on it, and the first square was stamped with the image of a wine glass.
“A viewing card?”
“Every time you watch an opera, we give you a stamp. There are gifts depending on how many you collect.”
I pointed to the information board in front of the ticket booth.
[1 Stamp – 10% Ticket Discount Coupon
3 Stamps – Full-body posters of Antonel and Isadora
5 Stamps – 50% Ticket Discount Coupon
7 Stamps – Limited Edition Merchandise Set: ‘Handwritten thank-you cards from the lead actors and a photobook featuring their portraits’]
“People watch the same opera more than once?”
“Lately, it’s been a trend in Blenheim to see an opera multiple times.”
“I don’t need a viewing card,” Baroness Asellino declined, stating she didn't like carrying unnecessary items.
As expected, she’s not an easy one to please.
I led the two noblewomen, who possessed very different temperaments, to their seats in the Royal Room.
Thanks to Alcent’s thorough repairs after the accident, the theater’s set transitions had become much more seamless. The actors’ performances had also reached a new peak. Antonel’s acting, in particular... was incomparably more delicate than when I had first seen it.
“Antonel!”
“Look over here!”
When the performance ended and the actors took their bows, all sorts of roses flew onto the stage from the audience. Noblewomen stood up here and there, offering thunderous applause.
When I turned to look at Elian, she was dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.
“Auntie, did you enjoy it?”
“I’ve never seen such a moving opera.” Elian shook her head in wonder. “I think I understand why everyone watches it multiple times. And didn't you say that male actor is a newcomer? How can he be so charming!”
It seemed she liked it as much as I expected.
I then turned to Baroness Asellino, who was sitting on the other side. At first glance, she was just sitting there blankly.
She said she didn't like opera much. Was she not moved at all?
“How did you find the opera?” I asked softly, watching her expression.
Upon closer inspection, her wrinkled lips were trembling ever so slightly.
“Baroness?”
“I... I am fine.”
The Baroness spoke in a suppressed voice, looking as though she were holding back tears.
“...It was a decent performance.”
So she liked it a lot, then?
It was an unexpected side of her, as I had thought she was someone with very little emotional fluctuation.
We were a bit late leaving the Royal Room because we had to wait for the Baroness to tidy her appearance. Prince Lucion was standing on the second-floor balcony of the theater.
After the accident at the theater, Lucion had left the Grand Duke’s Castle with a quip about having imposed long enough. He was currently staying at the townhouse of a Rondoris noble. Perhaps because of that, it had become less awkward to exchange a few words whenever we ran into each other like this.
“I didn't know you’d be at the theater today as well.”
Since we met face-to-face, I introduced my companions to Lucion.
“How did you enjoy the opera?”
At Lucion’s question, Elian said brightly, “It was truly wonderful. I’d love to see it one more time before I leave if I get the chance.”
Then, a radiant smile was directed toward Baroness Asellino.
“...It was good. Very much so,” the Baroness said, her face flushing slightly. Even as she tried to maintain her dignity, she couldn't entirely hide her excitement.
Lucion, watching the Baroness with an intrigued gaze, spoke up.
“Would you perhaps like to meet the actors?”
“The actors?”
“I am an acquaintance of the leader of the Cariso Troupe.”
The real leader of the Cariso Troupe gave me a subtle, mischievous smile.
“I was actually just about to visit the dressing room. Would you like to come along?”
“Would we be an intrusion?” Elian asked, her eyes sparkling.
“The actors would be delighted to hear how much you enjoyed the performance.”
“What do you think, Baroness Asellino?”
“...If it’s not a bother.” Her small voice joined in.
As we headed toward the dressing room, Samuel, the troupe’s representative, guided us.
“It is an honor to have you at our performance. Antonel, come here quickly!”
Antonel, who had already established himself as a star, seemed to radiate light.
“It is an honor to meet such distinguished guests.”
His etiquette was also quite respectable.
I, along with Elian, offered words of praise for the performance. It was then that Baroness Asellino quietly stepped forward.
“It was a truly magnificent performance,” the shy noblewoman stammered.