Chapter 36
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Chapter 7. Half Dragon and Demon King
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36.
“......”
After several days, Eirana arrived at Lea's room. She spotted Lea kneeling and trembling in the middle of the room, then stood there silently watching her for a long moment.
Even though she knew Eirana had entered, the terrified Lea couldn't bring herself to raise her head. She simply kept her eyes fixed on the floor, shaking.
Was it truly the effect of her violent education? Knowing she had done wrong, Lea simply hoped to surrender voluntarily in exchange for a lighter sentence.
Thud.
A moment later, at the sound of Eirana's footsteps, Lea flinched violently.
Eirana fetched a chair from one side of the room, placed it in front of Lea, sat down with her legs crossed, and opened her mouth.
Recite it.
In public... I fought with the lady of the Parkro family...
Ho.
Eirana let out a sound of admiration, causing Lea to shrink even further. Watching her, Eirana spoke.
Did I tell you to behave politely? Or did I not?
Y-you did...
It was an utterly pitiful voice.
Eirana fell silent for a moment after the reply, then spoke again.
Defend yourself.
Lea jerked her head up at the words, but the instant her eyes met Eirana's, she startled and bowed her head once more.
Th-that... it's not an excuse, but that girl... ah, no! The Parkro Duke's daughter tripped me first. I got so mad that I used spirit magic to splash her with water...
Enough.
...
Lea clamped her mouth shut.
Looking at her, Eirana crooked a finger in a gesture to come closer. Lea dragged herself over on her knees, her skirt hems trailing behind.
Eirana then smacked the side of Lea's head with her hand.
Crack-!
Ow!
Lea clutched her head at the sharp pain and rolled across the floor.
Well then, shall we begin etiquette lessons again today?
Eirana rose from her seat and spoke in a light tone. Lea, still rolling and clutching her head, asked,
I-is that it?
Hm? Want more? You've awakened to that kind of taste? Troublesome. Should I beat you till your eyes swell shut?
Lea freaked out, watching Eirana mutter with a serious face.
N-no!
Lea cried out desperately.
Eirana smirked at the sight and said,
If they pick a fight first, there's nothing you can do about it.
She crossed her arms and muttered to herself, then suddenly seized Lea's cheeks with both hands and yanked her face close.
If something like that happens, don't pull some childish retaliation like splashing water with spirit magic. Give them proper payback—smash them so badly they can never crawl back up.
I-I'll be more careful.
Eirana released Lea's face upon hearing her mumbled reply.
Listen well. Etiquette is only for those who respect it. As for the ones who don't? Just crush them underfoot.
It was blatantly cultish etiquette training. Growing intimidated by Eirana's growling tone, Lea asked cautiously,
Sp-specifically, how?
Specifically?
Eirana tilted her head and pondered briefly before smiling faintly.
For the next lesson, how about some outdoor practical training?
Don't do that crap.
After the morning class ended, the high elf Leria visited Eirana's room.
Following behind Eirana, Leria wore an expression of pure wonder, no matter how she turned it over in her mind.
The idea of Eirana teaching someone just didn't mesh well.
But regardless, Eirana was yielding excellent results as a tutor.
The most important factor in education was the knowledge of the teacher.
The second was the attitude of the student, and finally, the teacher's mindset determined the efficiency of the teaching.
When considering all these elements, teaching Princess Lea wasn't difficult for Eirana at all.
For starters, as a dragon, she possessed vast knowledge. She was also enthusiastic about instructing Lea. And crucially, Lea's attitude posed no major issue.
Of course, that enthusiasm from the teacher and compliant attitude from the student were mere byproducts of violence—but the efficiency was undeniably real.
Lea fundamentally took after Crown Prince Winzus; she was exceptionally bright. Her sharp mind combined with her drive to study (born of fear) created a synergistic effect, producing fine results.
As positive rumors spread about Lea's education, more nobles began clamoring to entrust their own children to Eirana, willing to pay exorbitant fees.
Eirana's current tutoring rate was set at an intimidatingly high level.
After all, she taught direct-line royalty, guaranteeing top-tier ability, and it offered tremendous networking with the royal family.
Of course, Eirana had zero intention of taking on anyone besides Lea right now.
Today as well, she discovered a mountain of letters awaiting her and lightly furrowed her brow.
Leria, who had followed her into the room, spotted the stacks of envelopes and widened her eyes.
What are all those letters?
To the puzzled Leria, Eirana replied with a nonchalant look.
Letters from people wanting to hire me as their tutor.
With that, Eirana sat down and checked the family crests and names on the envelopes.
They ranged from barons to marquises—a diverse array of titles.
But they all shared one thing: they were all from prestigious houses.
Tutoring prowess, royal connections, and stunning looks to boot.
The capital's nobles were showing remarkable zeal to secure such a flawless tutor.
Eirana tossed the letters straight into the wall-mounted furnace on one side of the room without even opening them.
Lady Eirana must be quite the capable tutor!
Leria asked with an innocent smile.
How do you teach? For some reason, I just can't picture you instructing someone.
No malice in the words, but they grated subtly all the same.
Eirana debated punishing her but soon shook her head.
Even her rivals, Silver Fang and Black Fang, had agreed it didn't suit her.
At first, Princess Lea wouldn't listen at all.
How did you get such a princess to behave?
Leria's eyes sparkled.
I beat her.
Pardon?
Leria blinked, not comprehending, and asked again without thinking.
I said I beat her.
...
Leria shut her mouth.
Eirana gave Leria a faint smile and said,
So now she listens well, doesn't she?
Anyone else might have taken it as a joke. But to Leria, it didn't sound like one at all.
'Because she's Erannis's daughter.'
The words nearly escaped her throat, but she barely held them back. Leria might have been naive and innocent, but she wasn't without survival instincts. Say that, and Eirana might just strike her.
Back in her village days as a child, Leria had often witnessed hatchlings older than Eirana getting thrashed by her. She knew all too well about Eirana's brutality.
...
...
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say noble-hosted social parties happened nearly every day.
But those held at the palace occurred only once a month.
As such, for nobles desperate to manage their connections, attending the palace parties was essential.
They were also one of the few chances to glimpse royalty, who were otherwise hard to see.
This was exactly such an occasion.
Entering the venue escorted by Winzus, Lea tensed up at the flood of gazes upon her.
Until quite recently, there had been no reason to feel this way at a social party.
She was a princess, the king's daughter, after all. Born at the pinnacle of high society, she had always been its star.
But lately, she found herself extra cautious in places with so many watching eyes. The thought of even a whisper of scandal reaching Eirana's ears...
'Ugh, terrifying just to think about.'
Her stomach suddenly churned in a way unfit for her young age.
It was a symptom revealing just how severe her neurosis toward Eirana had become.
In any case, fortunately, Eirana's lessons had mellowed out somewhat compared to the start.
Had they not, Lea might well have developed a phobia of people.
As she fretted over the absent Eirana while greeting various nobles alongside Winzus, a certain man appeared before her. She furrowed her brow.
It was none other than Ross.
What brings you out today?
Winzus smiled as he spoke, and Ross returned a faint smile.
I've had no duties lately, so I'm a bit free.
With that, Ross turned his gaze to Lea and said,
You're as beautiful as ever today, Princess.
...
Ross was the one who had witnessed Eirana assaulting Lea—and done absolutely nothing about it.
From Lea's perspective, he was nothing short of loathsome.
As Ross smirked faintly at the princess's subtle glare,
Jedmon approached and said,
Crown Prince, might I borrow a moment of your time?
Winzus nodded to the courteous Jedmon and turned to Lea.
Mingle with the others for a bit.
Yes, brother.
Lea replied with a faint smile and shifted her gaze back to Ross.
She spoke in a voice thick with distrust and displeasure.
It's been a while, Sir Ross.
I believe it's our first meeting since then.
Lea's face soured deeply at the reference to that infamous scene she had witnessed.
Of course, no one but Ross saw it.
Why did you let such an atrocity slide?
She said it was her educational policy...
Lea barely suppressed the urge to scream, That's no policy! and swallowed her anger.
The very fact that Ross had overlooked it meant she couldn't expect much from him anyway.
Besides, he was one of her brother Winzus's innermost confidants.
No matter that she was a princess, she couldn't rashly show hostility based on status alone.
As she stewed in her fury, Ross inwardly let out a quiet murmur of admiration.
'She would've let her emotions run wild back then.'
Whether it was the power of violence or true education, Lea was undoubtedly changing.
Even so, it seems she's taken quite a liking to you, Princess.
That witch... eep!
Lea startled and clapped a hand over her own mouth.
If Eirana somewhere learned she'd badmouthed her, she absolutely wouldn't let it slide.
Ross wore a troubled look as he watched Lea sneak peeks at him.
I'll keep quiet about it.
Lea visibly relaxed at his words.