Chapter 13
Chapter 13
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Duke's Visit (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
With Cynthia's agreement secured, the intensive three-day training began right away that very day.
Polite speech.
"If you change 'I ate breakfast and went for a walk' to polite form?"
"Ah, I ate breakfast and went for a walk?"
"Now to the honorific form?"
"I ate breakfast and went for a walk, Your Excellency!"
"Excellent. Just remember to keep your voice low and enunciate clearly when you speak."
"Understood, Your... Your Excellency... Your... "
"'Understood' will do."
Table manners.
"Above all else, make sure not to let your utensils clink together."
"L-like this...?"
"You can relax your grip a bit more."
Clang!
"Scratch that last comment."
Walking.
"Don't stride so boldly. Walk lightly and gracefully, like this."
"That example feels gross..."
"Cynthia, why don't you demonstrate?"
"Y-yes, sir..."
As long as she showed improvement over before, there was no need to turn her into a perfect noble lady in just three days.
Yet Tiona threw herself into it with surprising enthusiasm.
For instance, during a rapid-fire culture quiz.
"What's the name of the system that divides lower and higher courts?"
"Is...shim?"
"Correct. The types of spirits match the number of elements. How many is that?"
"Um... so... four...!"
After answering, Tiona panted heavily.
"If you're tired, feel free to rest."
"N-no, I'm fine..."
This was the first time she'd refused when I suggested a break first.
Sometimes pushing one's limits was a valuable experience, so I continued a bit longer.
"What are the three most famous anecdotes about the founding emperor?"
"His romance with the hero who drew the holy sword, his sworn brotherhood with a dragon, and... his final battle with his traitorous son!"
"It was friendship with the hero, not romance, but otherwise spot on."
There were theories it really was romance, but I skipped that during cramming session. The adultery rumors were too juicy anyway.
"Haaah..."
Finally reaching her true limit, Tiona slumped against her chair.
Cynthia approached from behind and started massaging her shoulders.
Fortunately, the distance between the two had closed smoothly.
As long as both passed the academy entrance, there'd be no reason the Red Witch couldn't join the Black Saintess's party.
"Let's take a break."
Today's snack was brownies.
I'd baked them before class and left them out to cool. Heading to the kitchen to fetch the tray, my eyes met Isabelle the maid's, and she flinched.
"Ah... Teacher."
Looking closer, she'd been caught picking crumbs off the pan's edge.
"Sorry—"
"I'll bake more later. Share with Croa."
Croa was the other maid's name.
"Th-thank you..."
Isabelle, usually so chatty, scurried out of the kitchen with quick steps, face flushed.
'Was it that embarrassing?'
Everyone sneaks a cookie crumb now and then.
I sliced the perfectly cooled brownies, plated them, and dusted powdered sugar on top. The contrast between the deep chocolate and white powder looked mouthwatering.
Back at the study table, Tiona was still slumped in her chair. Cynthia cheered her on from behind.
"Ugh... my head hurts..."
"You can do it...! You're the Young Lady!"
I cleared the textbooks in front of the Young Lady and set down the brownie plate.
"Have a snack. It's my first try at this one."
"Your first...?"
I pretended not to notice her mangled speech.
"It's called brownie, a slightly unusual chocolate cake. You can eat it with your hands."
"It's so flat..."
She seemed interested but still dazed from exhaustion.
'No helping it.'
I picked up a brownie and held it to her lips.
"Say ahh."
"...Ahh?"
I slipped a piece between her parted lips.
The moist texture hit her tongue, and she reflexively bit down. Finally, Tiona's eyes sparkled.
"!! Mmm!! Nom!!"
"Swallow first, then speak."
"What is this! It's chewy! So amazing!"
"Chocolate brownie. Usually just called brownie."
Not that it'd been invented here yet, probably the world's first.
"Jarvis, where on earth did you learn to make this!?"
"A different world from this one."
"You're teasing me again! But I'll let it slide today!"
Watching her devour it eased my mind a little.
And in that moment, I realized it. Seeing her work so hard—unlike usual—I'd been worried about her.
"Cynthia, have some too."
"...Me too."
"Pardon?"
"Ah, nothing!"
Cynthia gingerly picked up a brownie and brought it to her mouth.
Her eyes widened in shock.
First brownies in life must pack a punch.
Time passed, and Thursday finally arrived.
Tiona was bustling from morning.
She curled her hair more meticulously than usual, fussed over her dress more pickily, and barely touched her food unlike normal.
The Duke was coming for dinner, so the maids Isabelle and Croa prepared the meal diligently.
Even with Cynthia joining, the five of us set silverware and glasses in the rarely used dining hall.
Evening came.
As time ticked by, Tiona spoke less and less, until dinnertime when she fell completely silent, murmuring only to review the past three days' crash course.
Cynthia and the two maids watched her worriedly.
"..."
And so did I.
Time dragged on.
Sunset came—the usual dinner hour—then eight, late dinner time.
No word from the Duke.
Finally, nine o'clock—late enough to call night.
Still no word from the Duke.
'...I messed up.'
I'd underestimated him.
Even knowing the original story, I never imagined he'd be this utterly indifferent to his own daughter.
"...Young Lady."
A bitter taste filled my chest, but I couldn't let it show.
My bitterness was nothing compared to hers.
"It seems the Duke has some urgent business and can't make it. Let's eat."
"...No."
"Young Lady."
"If you're hungry, go ahead."
Tiona stubbornly pursed her lips.
"I'll wait a bit longer."
"Then I'll wait with you."
I sent Cynthia and the maids to eat separately, staying by the Young Lady's side in the empty dining hall.
Then ten o'clock.
Eleven.
"..."
Tiona, no longer even muttering to herself, sat at the long dining table, waiting.
For her father.
The candlelight bathed her face in orange glow, but couldn't hide her trembling, reddening eyes.
"..."
Midnight struck.
The hour Cinderella's magic faded.
Tiona now hunched over, head bowed.
Maid Isabelle knocked softly on the door.
"A message from the main estate's servants. His Excellency is staying at a friend's house."
"..."
I nodded gently on Tiona's behalf, and Isabelle left as quietly as she'd come.
Tiona had fussed over her dress for today, curled her hair diligently, studied hard.
But the Duke seemed never to have given her a thought from the start.
Announcing he'd visit Thursday probably just meant prepare the house. So it wouldn't inconvenience him when he dropped by.
No need to report schedule changes, since he hadn't made an appointment with Tiona—she was just the owner of the house he wanted tidied for his use.
Isabelle's voice had trembled saying "message."
The servant hadn't come on orders—slipped away or passed it on hurriedly during other errands.
Even that servant pitied Tiona's expectations more than the Duke did. I'd ask Isabelle later who it was.
But not now.
What I needed to do now was fulfill my duty.
"Young Lady."
"..."
Tiona lifted her hollow eyes.
"If you're alone—"
"Pardon me for a moment."
I slid one arm behind her back, the other under her knees, and lifted her into a princess carry.
"!?"
Her tears vanished in surprise as our Young Lady looked up at me.
"Wh-what are you—"
"Tiona Krishantimaiu."
Her body trembled.
"Tears really don't suit you."
Our Tiona, pretty when she shut up.
But her usual nonsense and cackling beat this quiet sadness any day.
"I sincerely apologize for today. As atonement, let me give you a special experience."
Carrying Tiona, I left the dining hall, then the manor through the front gate.
"Eek...!?"
Shaken, her arms wrapped around my neck in fear.
In the midnight garden, a starry sky unfolded above us.
Clear, cloudless. Perfect weather for what I had in mind.
"Young Lady, remember when I promised to read your fortune?"
"...I remember."
"I'll fulfill that promise now."
I set her down by the garden table and chairs. She hugged her shoulders—thin dress, chilly night.
"Cold? Bear with this for now."
I draped my coat over her shoulders.
Due to our size difference, it was more like a cloak.
Tiona stared blankly, then pulled the coat's edges together.
"...Warm."
"Good."
I pulled out a chair.
"Have a seat, Young Lady."
Plenty claim they can do it, enough to trip over. But true masters? Count 'em on one hand—a rare art.
Eavesdropping on constellations' whispers, peeking behind the veil of futures only the Heavenly God knows. Blasphemous sorcery.
"Tonight, I'll be your personal astrologer."