Chapter Title: The Maid
Cesare continued speaking.
"First, there's Ernst, the Bonaparte head butler. Then, my secretary, Gigi. You'll have a maid, Epony. Her son and my trusted aide, Aegir. Lastly, your governess who will teach you proper etiquette."
Listening to the list, Adèle thought that Cesare's secretary must have a hard job. Cesare wasn't the type to speak slowly or considerately for the listener. Or perhaps, despite his words, he had a lot of faith in the shoe shiner's intelligence.
"To everyone else, you are Bonaparte's hidden daughter. Understood?"
"I understand."
"If you have any questions, ask now."
Adèle took a breath and cautiously spoke.
"Old Nino will be looking for me. I didn't pay the protection fee."
Cesare folded the document he was holding and answered nonchalantly.
"He's dead."
"…"
"Anyone else who could interfere with you becoming a Bonaparte?"
Cesare's sharp gaze turned to Adèle. She instantly thought of Clarice.
_Clarice. Adèle's only friend, living in the same house._
But should she mention Clarice here?
"…No one."
Cesare's smile deepened. His wide mouth curved smoothly, and his golden eyes twinkled playfully—a beautiful smile with slight wrinkles around the eyes.
"Well. Let's leave it at that."
"…"
Her heart tightened.
_He already knew._
Of course. He's not the type to trust a shoe shiner without any leverage…
As Adèle tensed up, Cesare stood from the sofa. He walked to a decorative console and held the document to a candle. The paper started to burn.
"Any other questions?"
"Not at the moment. I'll ask if something comes up."
"Really? You're missing the most important one."
"Yes?"
Cesare smiled as he watched the burning paper.
"My parents."
_Damn._
Her throat tightened.
"…"
"You don't ask about my parents. You should know, if you're going to pretend to be my sister. Do you already know?"
The paper burned to the end, leaving only the edges. Cesare flicked his fingers, and the black ash fluttered precariously to the floor.
Half-lowered, Cesare's eyes fixed on Adèle, cold and still, demanding an answer.
Adèle couldn't say anything.
_"That your parents abandoned you and ran away? Who in Fornatie doesn't know that?"_
…She couldn't say that.
Cesare Bonaparte, the rake of the social world, surprisingly had no parents currently. Neither of them had died or had an affair. They had loved each other too much. So much so that they wanted to be alone in their own world.
So, they abandoned their seven-year-old son and left Bonaparte.
The abandoned Cesare was raised by his grandmother, Eva Bonaparte. And he grew up to be a man who indulged in very wild and promiscuous relationships.
This family history was practically public property in Fornatie. It was almost like a scandal. The heir to the great Bonaparte family. His dark past, like a painting, and his glamorous present.
Cesare was a collection of stimuli that everyone in Fornatie loved.
Even so, Adèle couldn't say it outright, so her face gradually turned pale.
Seeing her, Cesare looked at her with an inscrutable smile.
"I saved you the trouble of explaining. Let's say my parents went mad once more and had you."
"…Yes."
"Dismissed."
---
"Whew…"
Adèle, having left the office, let out a deep breath. The man never gave her a moment to relax.
Adèle trembled as she lifted her head.
"…?"
It was then that she noticed a middle-aged woman in a beige dress standing before her.
The woman, who met Adèle's eyes, spoke in a stiff voice.
"I am Epony. I will take you to your room, Miss Adelaide."
Epony Correll.
The woman Cesare had mentioned. She was over forty years old. Her olive hair was neatly styled, and her blue eyes exuded wisdom. Although she was expressionless, she had a kind aura.
She wore a beige cotton dress adorned with simple bobbin lace. Though simple, it was an attire difficult for a commoner to afford.
She was definitely not just any maid.
Epony first led Adèle to a room on the second floor.
"This will be your room from today."
"…"
Adèle was speechless upon seeing the room revealed behind the oak door carved with a mermaid.
Unlike Cesare's office, this room was decorated in soft green and was much larger than she had expected. The interior was lavishly decorated with pure white Alençon lace, a long settee covered in dark green mohair fabric, and fine tapestries.
"Bonaparte avoids excessive luxury, so it's not very extravagant, but it shouldn't be uncomfortable. The room includes a personal reception room, a bedroom, a dressing room, a toilet room, and a bath."
Adèle snapped out of her daze, staring at the chandelier hanging from the reception room ceiling.
"…This isn't considered extravagant?"
"Yes. For a lady's room, it's quite modest."
_Modest…_
To Adèle, modest meant boiling meat instead of roasting it, or eating black barley bread instead of soft wheat bread.
Epony seemed to guess her thoughts and said firmly.
"It's Bonaparte, Miss."
_Bonaparte._
As if that alone explained everything.
"Also, I am your subordinate, so you should speak to me informally. Unless they are a fellow noble or an official working in the council, you should speak informally."
"…Okay, I understand."
"Then, let me formally introduce myself again."
After seating the dirty Adèle on the noble settee, Epony slightly bent her knee in a curtsey.
"From today, I will be serving Miss Adelaide as her maid, Epony Correll. I have been instructed to assist you in becoming a member of the Bonaparte family."
"Nice to meet you."
"If you don't mind, may I say a word about the 'arrangement' between you and the young master?"
Epony asked expressionlessly. She intended to follow the formality of seeking permission before speaking. That was also something Adèle needed to learn.
"Yes, please."
"Thank you. First, let's talk about your education. I'll start with the basic education young ladies of noble families typically receive."
"Okay."
Then Epony began to speak as if she had been waiting.
"The basic education includes etiquette, music, archery, literature, composition, and mathematics, known as the six arts. In addition, it's customary to be educated in dance, basic swordsmanship, national history, world history, management and marine studies, law, foreign languages, and vocal training before entering the social circle. Hobbies such as horseback riding, art, tea ceremony, swimming, and astronomy are recommended, with archery and gardening also encouraged for women."
"…"
Adèle was once again dumbfounded.
_She had to learn all that in three months?_
…Maybe she should just request a last supper for death row inmates tomorrow?
Seeing Adèle's wavering pupils, Epony spoke.
"Of course, that's the general standard. Given the young master's clear goals and the tight schedule, he has charted a different course."
"Then…"
"We are focusing solely on 'Beautiful Appearance.'"
_Beautiful Appearance. Being beautiful and attractive in every aspect._
"Your education will aim for you to appear beautiful in all respects, focusing on basic etiquette, dance, music, and vocal training. You will also work on grooming your skin and hair, correcting your posture, and gaining weight."
While the subjects had been reduced, they still didn't sound easy. Adèle nodded.
"I understand."
"Yes. Do you have any other questions for me?"
This time, she shook her head. She had many questions, but she didn't think they would be answered if asked.
"No, I don't."
"I see. Then let's move to the bath. I will wash you."
At those words, Adèle flinched greatly. She instinctively grabbed her collar.
"…I'll wash myself."
It was the first sign of resistance she had shown.