Chapter Title: The Stubborn Shoeshine Girl
"Again."
"Yes."
"Again. Your head is shaking."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Again! Walk as if you've become a tree!"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Again! Lower your shoulders, lengthen your neck! Chest out, tuck in your sternum! Who told you to stick your rear out so crudely? Walking with your hips swaying is something women of the pleasure quarters do!"
"I'm sorry, ma'am." Flavia Loredan was a person who had mastered the etiquette of a perfect lady. Her greatest talent was educating young ladies in manners.
_Although I'm currently on a break._ Flavia recalled her past, wrapped in the pretense of being ousted from the central power circle. Noble parents entrusted their daughters to Flavia, watching them transform from flapping fresh herring into elegant ladies. Flavia cultivated unruly nobles' daughters into "ladies" as she wished. It was the result of strict discipline. Naturally, the young ladies struggled. They all cried, looked at Flavia with resentment, and uttered bitter words.
_Yes. That was normal…_ Flavia's lips twitched as she watched Adèle walking across the long gallery.
_This is the first time I've seen such a tough one. Is it because she's of low birth that she's so tenacious?_ She had given her quite small shoes and pushed her harder than other young ladies. By now, her feet would be in tatters. But Adèle didn't make a single complaint.
"This negative attitude toward such a sacred education! You have no intention of doing this at all!" …The plan to drive her away by shouting like that had completely failed. The shoeshine girl, pale and dripping with cold sweat, only endured. Her expression was indifferent, and she didn't grit her teeth. Or perhaps she was gritting her teeth but not showing it. She stopped at the end of the gallery and turned around. Her amber eyes, similar to Cesare's, showed no emotion. Only a deep weariness could be felt.
"Madam, should I walk once more?"
"…"
"Madam?"
"Quiet. Don't you have any sense?"
"I'm sorry, madam." Adèle closed her mouth without even blinking.
_She has no pride! I should have known when she knelt so easily._ It had been several hours since they started in the morning. She should have been complaining by now, but she didn't. Instead, Flavia herself was more exhausted.
_I can't do this any longer._ Flavia finally sighed deeply and turned to Epony.
"Miss Epony. Please step out for a moment."
"I'm sorry, ma'am. The young master has ordered me not to leave the young lady's side." The maid with neatly gathered olive-colored hair replied. She had been a maid to Catarina Schroeder, Cesare's mother. Flavia did not like her. She had abandoned Cesare to follow Catarina, only to shamelessly return. But she was Cesare's confidante, and Epony's words almost perfectly represented Cesare's will. Flavia spoke more politely.
"I request it in the name of Loredan. I will inform Lord Cesare separately."
"…"
"It's not for punishment."
"…Understood." Only then did Epony bow and leave the gallery. The sound of her footsteps faded appropriately and stopped. She seemed to have paused at a point where she wouldn't hear the conversation, like a proper lady. The hindrance was gone. Flavia lifted her chin and faced the shoeshine girl with a calm expression.
"You, shoeshine girl." The shoeshine girl, who was terribly thin but remarkably beautiful, fearlessly met her gaze.
"Yes, ma'am."
"You lack the sense to handle the snakes of society properly?"
"…"
"I will be blunt. Leave the mansion." Adèle's golden eyes widened slightly. Her response came out as if a button had been pressed.
"That is not the will of the person who brought me here."
"I am telling you now."
"…"
"Of course, Della Valle is not a very great match. But it's better than having someone lazy and vulgar like you hanging around Lord Cesare. If you understand your place, withdraw. If it's compensation you need, Loredan will provide it." Flavia intended to give her money and send her away if she agreed, and intimidate her if she refused. However, at that moment, Adèle's golden eyes flashed like lightning.
"Madam…" Adèle started softly and then suddenly said something Flavia did not expect at all.
"You wish for my brother to marry Miss Lucrezia, don't you?"
"…!" Flavia's expression faltered. What Adèle had said with a calm face hit the mark. Flavia quickly composed herself, but Adèle had already seen it.
"…"
"…" A tense silence ensued. Adèle calmly spoke.
"I thought you were here to follow my brother's wishes, but that wasn't the case. I'm sorry, madam. I must inform my brother about this—"
"It's the Grand Duke's will!" Flavia shouted urgently. Adèle's eyes widened slightly, and Flavia panicked again. She hadn't intended to say that. Her face contorted with regret. But it was better than having this shoeshine girl go to Cesare Bonaparte and tell him everything. Cesare was ruthless to those who were not his own. All of Santnar was like that, but he had a particularly strong tendency.
"Tch… Don't ever disclose this to anyone." Adèle neither agreed nor disagreed, remaining silent. Flavia didn't hide her displeasure as she spoke.
"It is the Grand Duke's will."
"Are you referring to Grand Duke Eva Bonaparte?"
"Is there more than one Grand Duke in Bonaparte?" Flavia clicked her tongue and continued. "The contract between Della Valle and Bonaparte is very outdated. But without such a contract, do you think Lord Cesare would consider marriage?"
"Then are you here to educate me under the Grand Duke's orders?"
"No. Cesare Bonaparte is already the head of Bonaparte. It just happened that our wills aligned this time. As a vassal, I had to do something knowing he had no intention of marriage." Flavia pressed her temples.
"It is truly lamentable that such an illustrious family might not continue. Even the sea goddess would mourn…" Adèle just blinked her eyes as if it were someone else's problem. She seemed to have no respect for this ancient family. Adèle then once again caught Flavia off guard.
"Then the Grand Duke is aware of my brother's plan to resolve the contract with Della Valle by bringing in an outsider." Flavia frowned again. This shoeshine girl was unnecessarily sharp.
"Yes. And Lord Cesare knows too. Both of them are aware… But that's it. This is no longer your concern."
"Understood." Adèle nodded more readily than expected. Flavia couldn't understand her again. If she was so obedient, she should have left as soon as she was told. Flavia, exhausted from her sharpness, sank into the curved-legged chair.
"Since I've said this much, I might as well be frank. You're probably worried about your safety when you leave this place, aren't you? I can help with that."
"…"
"Lord Cesare is ruthless, but if he knows Loredan's hand is involved, he will back down. So you can escape and live. I can give you some compensation too." Flavia's chin gradually lifted as she spoke.
_If I've said this much, she should back down. She didn't seem foolish._ The head of Santnar's council was involved in this. What nerve did a mere shoeshine girl have to get involved in the conflict of a great noble family like Bonaparte? Adèle's honey-colored eyes widened slightly and wavered a bit. Flavia was sure she would get a positive answer.
"I…" Adèle finally started to speak. At that moment, a savory smell wafted into the gallery. It was the comforting scent of butter and flour being cooked. Flavia thought nothing of it. She assumed the kitchen was preparing lunch since it was midday. However, at that moment, she saw a flicker of joy in Adèle's eyes. Strangely, at the same time, she also saw deep sorrow.