Chapter 40

Translator and Editor: Effe and Nabi

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Chapter 40

Anriche sneakily intervened in the conversation.

“With a little polish, our Liliana will be as perfect a lady as anyone else. Isn’t that right?”

“….”

Viscountess Ivan, who seemed to be silent for a moment, then gave her a bright smile.

“Sure, the Duchess’ words are true.”

In response to that answer, Liliana’s face, which had a slightly embarrassed expression, opened wide.

“If you learn under me, those problems will all get better soon.”

“…Is that so? ”

“Of course. I’m ashamed to say these things out of my mouth, but the Duchess of Valois, who is the Miss’ guardian…”

Viscountess Ivan, who opened her mouth, glanced back at Anriche. Seeing that, she couldn’t hide the subtle expression.

‘No, why is she suddenly looking over?’

“She is the disciple I am most proud of.”

“Wow, mother, too?”

At that, Liliana gazed at Anriche with a startled face.

“Did mother also learn under Viscountess Ivan?”

“Huh? Yes, well…”

She answered, suddenly nodding her head. Somehow, Viscountess Ivan notices Liliana following her, so Anriche thought she said it on purpose.

‘Was I mistaken…?’

“I promise. If Liliana will trust me and follow me…”

Viscountess Ivan’s smile grew a little darker. “I will make you the best lady in the social world.”

“Wow, thank you!”

Liliana nodded her head passionately.

Anriche, who was looking at the light green eyes that twinkled like stars, narrowed her eyes without realizing it.

She realized the identity of the discomfort.

Viscountess Ivan was acting as if she had already become Liliana’s tutor.

***

Anriche, after Viscountess Ivan left, secretly asked Liliana a question.

“Liliana, how was Viscountess Ivan? You can be honest.”

“Honestly?”

“Yes. If you don’t want to learn, or you want to find a better teacher… Anything is fine.”

Viscountess Ivan is a great teacher, of course, she knows. When she was interviewing the child, she didn’t show a particularly angular attitude back then. She already acted as if she had become Liliana’s tutor, perhaps because she was so passionate about education.

However…

‘I mean, it’s uncomfortable for some reason.’

Anriche couldn’t hide the vague feelings, though Liliana stubbornly shook her head.

“No, I definitely want to learn from Teacher Ivan.”

“…Have you already made up your mind?”

“Yes. The teacher is the one who taught mother as a child as well.”

Liliana continued to speak again.

“The teacher said before. She said that if I want to become a good lady like mother, I need the teacher’s education.”

“But, Liliana…”

“I’ll do my best.”

The eyes were full of enthusiasm.

Seeing so, Anriche, who had tried to stop Liliana somehow, finally let out a brief sigh.

“Yes, you can do it if you want.”

After all, the most important thing is the child. Even as she thought so, her wrinkled forehead didn’t know how to straighten it out.

***

A few days after that, the hiring of Viscountess Ivan was confirmed.

“Well, Duchess. I have something to tell you.”

“What’s going on?”

Anriche raised her eyebrows.

Viscountess Ivan handed her a note and opened her mouth.

“The textbooks and materials that Miss Liliana will use.”

Anriche, who suddenly took the memo, looked at the things written on it. At the same time, she discovered a puzzling part.

‘…Liliana should study from the basics, but she already has all the advanced textbooks?’

She doesn’t even need it right now.

Posing a question to Viscountess Ivan, she narrowed her eyes a little. “Do I need all of these materials to run the child’s lessons?”

“Yes, I wrote down only the essentials.”

Viscountess Ivan nodded her head loudly.

Anriche couldn’t hide her ambiguous expression.

“Liliana should start with the basics, but she already has the advanced textbooks?”

“Yes. I plan to increase the intensity as quickly as possible, so I think it would be better to prepare the textbooks in advance.”

…Making progress as fast as possible?

She shook her head.

“No, it’s okay if you don’t have to go fast.”

“Yes?”

“I don’t want the child to be burdened. Therefore, please consider the child’s condition first rather than the progress.”

“However, it was Liliana’s own wish.”

At that resolute answer, Anriche stopped speechless. When she used Liliana the shield like that, she had nothing to say.

Anriche, who had closed her lips well, opened it again.

“Yes, let’s just say that just in case, but there are a few things I don’t understand.”

“What part?”

“First of all, this textbook.”

Anriche stared down at the name of the textbook written on her note. “I think I didn’t use this textbook when I took a class from the Viscountess.”

It was closer to a textbook that was almost ‘unheard of.’

Why on earth would you believe in adopting this textbook?

Because of that, she couldn’t hide her disbelief.

“Oh, I wrote that book myself.”

Viscountess Ivan said so with a bright smile. At that, Anriche’s mouth opened wide.

“…I beg your pardon?”

“For a smooth class, I’m teaching manners with a book I wrote myself.”

“No, it’s not.”

Anriche asked with an astonished face. “There is an official state-run book of etiquette, so why does she have to use the book written by Viscountess as the textbook?”

“Pardon?”

“Why don’t you use official textbooks?”

As if stung by it, Viscountess Ivan stuttered slightly.

“Yes, well, because the efficiency is high…”

“It can’t be for that reason.”

Still, she cut it off and refused.

Viscountess Ivan’s face was contorted all over.

“I want Liliana to take classes with textbooks that have been endorsed by the state.”

“…Yes.”

As if she couldn’t afford to negotiate with the Duchess, Viscountess Ivan took a step back. In the meantime, the Viscountess glanced at Anriche’s eyes.

“But, you have to buy all the other materials.”

“The materials?”

“Yes. There are many things to learn for ladies, such as musical instruments and embroidery, right?”

The eyes of Viscountess Ivan saying so were full of greed.

“They are essential for Miss Liliana’s study, so I ask you to prepare them unconditionally.”

Anriche recalled the materials written in the notes—from expensive instruments that are not needed right now, even small items such as embroidery threads were listed.

“As you know, our store handles all of the teaching aids and textbooks.”

“Is it? There are quite a lot of things that you handle.”

“Oh, I recently expanded my business.”

Viscountess Ivan spoke in a jolly voice. “It would be troublesome to pay attention to the materials, so I think it’s all right to buy it at once at our store.”

On the other hand, unlike the very excited Viscount, Anriche’s mood had subsided.

‘Yes, Viscountess Ivan was in the business of teaching textbooks and materials…’

She carefully traced her memory.

Viscountess Ivan’s family started their business with an initial investment from Valois. The original Anriche had used her hand in it. At that time, Alexei, who could not hide his expression, stood out in her eyes.

[ “Do we have to invest?” ][ “Of course, for Valois, such an investment is not a big deal, is it?” ]

She remembered vividly from that time when Anriche raised her chin with an arrogant face.

[ “Besides, Viscountess Ivan is a teacher who has taught me for a long time.” ][ “I know. But, you can’t make an investment based on emotions alone.” ][ “Well, if the Duke respects me as your wife… Of course, I believe you will invest.” ]

In the end, Alexei could not overcome Anriche’s insistence and supported the investment.

“….”

Isn’t this a little bit too much…?

Anriche, who wrinkled her brow, glanced at Viscountess Ivan. The current Viscountess is…

‘Through Liliana, you’re acting like you’re trying to get a share.’

Then, Viscountess Ivan opened her mouth in a hurry. “As long as you pay the price, our store can deliver it anytime.”

She shook her head as she stared at the Viscountess.

“No, let’s get the textbooks for now.”

“…Pardon?”

At the unexpected answer, Viscountess Ivan stiffened in her spot.

She continued to speak again. “I plan to purchase musical instruments and handicraft items separately at specialized stores.”

“Bu, but—it must be a hassle for you…”

“It’s not a hassle at all. It’s Liliana’s stuff, so I’ll take care of it.”

Anriche smiled as she finished her words.

Viscountess Ivan tried to convince Anriche over and over again, but it was unsuccessful.

In the end, she had no choice but to leave empty-handed.

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