A Grand Entrance and the Teacher's Verbal Dismantling
The opulent carriage of the Astrea Ducal Residence glided smoothly along the polished marble road, coming to a halt at the grand gates of the imperial palace. The towering majesty of the palace and its lavish golden statues flashing by the window? After my ten years as a K-teacher, they just looked like some rival school's auditorium with an overly generous budget.
I set aside my cynical thoughts and glanced at the girl sitting across from me. A deep purple off-shoulder dress crafted from the finest silk. The empire's top beauty, breathtaking enough to stop hearts, sat demurely before me. The problem was at the edge of that perfect figure. Below her bare, snow-white shoulders, her slender hands were encased in jet-black obsidian leather gloves that clashed horrifically with the dress. The limiter I'd gifted her on her coming-of-age ceremony—a leash to control her power. The gloves themselves were top-quality, of course, but anyone could see they were a total mismatch for a ballroom evening gown.
I furrowed my brow slightly and spoke up.
"Reina."
"Yeah? What's up, Cadel?"
"You went all out looking gorgeous, but those gloves don't match at all. Take them off when we get to the hall!"
At my scolding, Reina blinked her round eyes and tilted her head.
"Why? I'm gonna fight at the ball."
"No way you're chopping off the emperor's head in the capital. It's not a battle—this is about looking prettier and more natural with bare hands or silk gloves."
"If it's not a fight, no way. I'm never taking them off."
She hugged her gloved hands to her chest like I was about to snatch away her precious treasure and shook her head firmly. It was pure yandere stubbornness—she had zero intention of removing the collar her one and only master had fastened himself. Her silver hair swayed beautifully as she pouted in defiance, looking just like a high school girl busted for mixing gym clothes with her uniform.
"Haa…."
I let out a short sigh of resignation and leaned back against the seat. She wouldn't obediently comply if I forced her, and honestly, it would be a lie to say I didn't find her beagle-like devotion to me endearing.
Please, no clueless noble idiots pick a fight over that weird outfit.
I clicked my tongue inwardly and prayed fervently. Of course, I already knew that in the cutthroat world of high society—riddled with bloody faction wars and mind games disguised as etiquette—no hyena would pass up such perfect prey.
Thud.
The carriage came to a gentle stop. At last, it was time for the curtain to rise on the National Student Exchange Gala, teeming with noble hypocrisy and intrigue.
———
BAM! BAM! BAM! The hefty staff in the imperial herald's grip struck the marble floor three times, and a booming voice echoed beneath the dazzling chandeliers.
Announcing the entrance of Lady Reina de Astrea, daughter of the Duke of Astrea!
Creeeak—! The massive ballroom doors, sealed shut, slowly swung open to either side. Bathed in the cascading chandelier light, I subtly extended my right palm upward. Reina, standing beside me, delicately placed the tip of her left hand atop it. The epitome of elegant, flawless escort posture.
We stepped forward in unison onto the ballroom's crimson carpet.
Haa, teaching her this took real sweat.
I felt her fingers on my palm and marveled inwardly. To outsiders, it was the pinnacle of noble grace, but for me, it was straight-up beast taming. Picture a bloodthirsty giant hound ready to charge and smash everything—after hundreds of "Hand! Hand!" commands, bribing with praise instead of treats. The bloody result of tear-soaked training.
But to the hundreds of nobles in the hall, it looked entirely different. To them, we were a fairy-tale scene: a beautiful princess escorted by a tall, handsome knight. The hilarious gap between their perfect illusion and reality tugged my lips into a smirk.
"Cadel. Why're you smiling?"
"Just… proud of my class ace."
At my bland reply, Reina flushed happily and matched my light steps. As we ventured deeper into the hall, the buzz fell into a suffocating silence, like ice water doused over the crowd.
"Oh my god…."
"That's… the Astrea lady?"
Gasps of awe erupted here and there. First shock: the blood-crazed beast known as the Astrea lady descending as a goddess in a premium off-shoulder gown. Second: me, the lowly porter, standing tall at 182cm in a sharp suit, exuding mature confidence.
I swept my gaze over the nobles gaping dumbly at my ace's stunning visuals and snorted inwardly.
Guess they do have eyes. My girl's the empire's top beauty.
Maintaining an elegant smile, I spun my ten-year teacher brain into gear. My mind unrolled last night's memorized Imperial Ballroom Attendee List and the empire's faction map.
Alright, first impressions nailed. Time to make the rounds and stamp our presence.
Calculating the perfect route, I led Reina. Skip the imperial faction showdowns for now—first, charm the neutrals and Astrea-friendly nobles, flaunt her vitality with graceful greetings.
"Lady Astrea, I trust the northern subjugation went smoothly…."
"Yes. I wish the same peace for your lands, Count."
Reina beside me was flawless. She recited the model answers I'd drilled into her skull like a parrot, but with the world's most noble, beautiful smile.
But her perfect "doll" act didn't last. As time dragged, life drained from her purple eyes, and irritation weighed heavier on the hand hooked in my arm.
Well, she'd normally be rampaging by now. Good girl's holding it together.
Pitying the beast nearing her limit amid swarms of flies, I gently steered her to the quieter second-floor outdoor terrace.
"Hoo…."
Cool night air cooled her dress's heat. Moonlight replaced chandeliers in the serene space, waltz melodies drifting softly from afar. Tension melted away.
"I held back good, right, Cadel?"
That was when it hit. Ditching the demure act, Reina slipped right under my chin.
"Damn right. My class ace was perfect—"
My praise halted. Her slender arms snaked around my neck like serpents. Moonlit silver hair glowed mystically, bare shoulders gleamed. But those purple eyes, dripping thick seduction instead of murderous intent, gazed up at me.
Locking with that sticky stare, memories flooded back: her coming-of-age in the quiet greenhouse, alone. That scorching, breathless kiss devouring my lips.
The steamy greenhouse recollection revived under moonlight, electric shivers racing my spine, breath tangling.
"Praise isn't enough. I felt like I was suffocating."
"R-Reina. Back off a bit first…."
"No way. Not letting go tonight. Reward me, Cadel."
A languid, sticky seduction. Her feverish heat and sweet lavender scent enveloped me. Danger. Full emergency. My 17-year-old hormones screamed, body thrashing. Veteran teacher's rationality brake screeched, burning.
Tonight, her obsession shattered normal bounds. Heart pounding in my ears, reason fraying—
"Oh my, here's the lady."
A contrived, syrupy voice from behind. Ice water doused my boiling veins. I instinctively pushed Reina's waist gently and turned.
Three ladies entered, fans hiding smirks. The red-dress blonde leading? My mental list flashed red.
Imperial vanguard: Chloe de Valua of the Valua Marquisate. And her two lackeys.
I'd expected faction bait, but stalking to this remote terrace? Still, inwardly I cheered.
Perfect timing! Thanks, Valua lady! Nearly got eaten by hormones and did something unforgivable to my student!
Heartfelt inner thanks aside, I donned my most courteous, elegant smile.
"A pleasure to meet you for the first time, Lady Valua. Honored. Lady Astrea needed air after the long journey. Please, enjoy the beautiful night."
Perfect deflection—I moved to leave with Reina. But these bully thugs, eyes bloodshot for dirt, wouldn't let prime prey slip.
As we passed, the marquis lady fanned dramatically for our ears.
"Tsk tsk, doesn't the ducal house teach basic etiquette? Attending in those tacky leather gloves. Hohoho."
"Right, milady. Thought she rolled in from a hunt."
"Must be trendy in the barbaric north. Pitiful, no tasteful servant around."
Polished words, blatant mockery and provocation.
That instant. Reina's hooked hand twitched; air around her grew heavy. Suffocating pressure—rose petals on the railing and Chloe's feathered fan trembled, floating grotesquely.
I knew without looking: her purple eyes had gone corpse-cold.
But before her rage manifested physically, my reason shattered first.
Shallow barbs with zero impact. I'd foreseen stuck-up nobles spewing third-rate villain lines over TPO. Normally, I'd scoff inwardly and ignore. But….
Snap.
My polite smile vanished coldly. Deep in my chest, not the rational homeroom teacher's, but a 17-year-old's icy fury boiled over.
What? No basic etiquette? Tacky eyesore?
Only I can scold, tame, control Reina. Daring to insult my painstakingly chosen gift? Treating my precious ace like a country bumpkin?
I patted her hand to calm her bloodlust. Greenhouse weeds picking on my kid? My 54 years of pride wouldn't tolerate it for a second.
I turned slowly, freezing glare fixed on the three—especially central Chloe de Valua.
"What did you just say?"
My low, chilling voice crushed the night air. Chloe's emerald eyes flinched, but she jutted her chin, fanning wildly.
"Ears clogged? Just shared thoughts on ducal etiquette and those tacky gloves…."
"Discussing etiquette and taste? Truly befitting the Valua Marquisate. However… you're gravely mistaken."
I cut her off brutally, stepping forward. My adult male pressure made them shrink.
"What do you make of the current state, where the marquisate's knights fail their duty to guard the empire's security and borders, forcing an 18-year-old lady fresh from her coming-of-age to sweep northern beasts herself?"
"Wh-what…!"
"Even His Majesty had to beg this powerless girl for subjugation—yet your incompetent, negligent house dares lecture on etiquette?"
A venomous sneer curled my lips; color drained from Chloe and her crew.
"These 'tacky' leather gloves are noble proof of devotion blocking northern bloodwinds, letting you sip champagne in silk here."
I hammered each word like a wedge.
"Shamelessly insulting another house's blood and sweat as 'barbaric trash.' Curious how high society's whispers of Valua's fine 'taste' and 'loyalty' to the throne will spread by morning."
Suffocating logic, sinister political squeeze. Outfit nitpick morphed into 'neglect of duty' and 'insult to empire's hero.'
One wrong word, and their house becomes society's joke—Chloe trembled ashen-lipped, speechless.
I flashed the merciful master's smile at the broken brats.
"Enjoy the rest of the ball."
I strode past the frozen trio. Reina clung tight, cheeks flushed in ecstasy at my tongue-lashing demolition of the haughty bullies. Her bloodlust melted into sticky, blind affection for me.
Bring it on. Anyone touching my class kid gets socially buried by this homeroom teacher's tongue.
And at that moment, from the imperial balcony overlooking the gala, the emperor's eyes darkened heavily as he watched the commotion. It was the first time he truly grasped who held the leash on the empire's most uncontrollable monster—and masterfully controlled the situation. The real dangerous predator.