Chapter Title: The Governess's Arrival
"The Loredan family is a vassal house of the Bonapartes. Although they have been pushed out of central social circles recently, they are a very old and prestigious family. The governess visiting today, Madame Flavia, is renowned in society as a model of ladylike behavior." Adèle didn't ask why such a person had come so early in the morning. The reason was obvious.
"How should I greet her?"
"It is customary for the superior to greet first. Normally, as a Bonaparte, you would be the one to initiate, but in this situation…" She should wait, knowing that Madame Flavia was aware she was dealing with a former shoe shiner. Adèle nodded.
"I understand. I'll try."
"…Do not anger her." Epony gave a small warning and quickly led Adèle to the reception room. As soon as the door opened, the first thing Adèle saw was an elderly woman with fierce, slitted eyes glaring at her. She appeared to be between fifty and sixty years old. She had elegant dark brown hair adorned with pearl hairpins. She wore a slightly worn yet dignified sky-blue silk dress with puffed shoulders. Though her expression was stern, her beauty and elegance were undeniable, and Adèle momentarily admired her. However, as soon as the lady saw Adèle, she shrieked.
"Vulgar!"
"…" Adèle's opinion of Madame Flavia plummeted.
"What is that appearance?"
"I apologize. I was in the middle of washing—"
"Who told you to answer?"
"…" What does she want me to do, then? Don't ask if you don't want an answer. Adèle swallowed her potentially fatal reply and kept her head bowed. Her face remained expressionless—a skill honed through years of being a shoe shiner. Madame Flavia shuddered at the sight of Adèle's wet hair and robe.
"To think they expect me to teach this! Vulgar and without manners!" At that moment, someone entered the room.
"If she already knew manners, I wouldn't have summoned you."
"…Lord Cesare!"
"I didn't expect you to arrive so early in the morning, Madame Flavia." It was Cesare. He was dressed in an open shirt with a coat draped over his shoulders. His broad shoulders and partially exposed chest were suggestive. He walked straight toward Madame Flavia.
"Lord Cesare! I was just about to—"
"First, a greeting to the dear lady." Cesare gave a low laugh as he touched cheeks with Madame Flavia.
"Now, my lord, I…" Madame Flavia had to suppress her anger until their greeting was finished. When it was done, Cesare offered her a playful smile.
"Did you sleep well last night?"
"Of course I did…"
"That's good to hear. I'd love for you to join me for lunch. I hope you have time."
"…Oh, of course! My lord's invitation is always welcome!"
"Ah. Thank you."
"Thank you?…" Madame Flavia's face was a mix of anger and confusion. Cesare, who seemed to have more to say, continued to hold her gaze as if he wanted to captivate her. His left dimple exuded charm, his right dimple teased, and the tear mark beneath his eye added sensuality. Madame Flavia, who had been twitching her lips, finally sighed.
"Lord Cesare, you are truly…"
"Handsome, right?"
"…too clever for your own good!"
"That's why ladies love me, isn't it?" Cesare said cheerfully and then looked at Adèle. He paused for a moment, seeing her drenched like a wet mouse. But soon, the playful dimples appeared on his cheeks.
"Were you in the middle of a bath? We should have bathed together."
"My lord! Such words are inappropriate!"
"I only say them to beauties, so it's not inappropriate."
"My lord…!" Madame Flavia began glaring at Adèle as if she were the cause of all this trouble.
"Lord Cesare, this is simply unacceptable if you care for me at all. How much has the Loredan family supported the Bonapartes! I would rather you give me the trials of hell!"
Cesare leaned against the door and crossed his arms.
"It's not a trial. Just play with a doll for a while."
"If it were a doll, it would be better. How am I supposed to make a lady out of a filthy girl who has been rolling around in the streets?"
"What does it matter where she's been? Even my ladies—"
"They are noblewomen! And what are you saying in broad daylight!"
"It's not something that can't be said during the day. Things are more visible in daylight."
"Lord Cesare!" Cesare gave an annoyingly lovable smile—one that knew he would never be disliked by women.
"Besides, she's a virgin." A vein popped on Madame Flavia's forehead. Epony, standing at a distance, gently closed her eyes. He was a man who turned everyone inside out. Madame Flavia, seemingly giving up on correcting Cesare's behavior, turned her anger toward Adèle.
"And how do we know that!"
"Hmm. Are you suggesting I check?"
"My lord!" Madame Flavia shouted, her face turning from red to blue.
"Do not even joke about that! What would the head of the Bonaparte family lack that he would touch a shoe shiner? What if that lowly girl gets strange ideas?" Adèle, observing all this, sighed inwardly. It would be nice if someone listened to this lowly girl's side… At that moment, Cesare laughed aloud.
"She doesn't seem to have any such thoughts. This is quite a blow to my pride."
"What? Does she think she's too good for the Bonapartes—" At that moment, Madame Flavia, who had been glaring at Adèle from head to toe, suddenly grabbed her robe and pulled it down to expose her chest.
"…!" Adèle barely managed to stop the robe from slipping further. But all she could cover was her chest. Her emaciated shoulders, covered in dark bruises, were exposed.
"…" Cesare's smile faded slightly. Seeing this, Adèle spoke involuntarily.
"It's nothing."
"…"
"It will heal soon, and it won't leave scars. It won't affect the plan." Cesare frowned but smiled faintly without saying anything more. Adèle bit her lip and clutched her robe. Madame Flavia, shaking with disgust, released Adèle's robe.
"See! She's flawed! How can she pretend to be a noblewoman with that body! This girl won't do. She's of the lowest class, even among the lower classes. She's lazy and lacks any tenacity!"
"…"
"She doesn't even defend herself! She clearly plans to use her body to climb the social ladder through this scheme!" Madame Flavia growled, but Adèle couldn't respond.
_"Damn it, that gambler! He ruined me again! …What are you looking at, Abel! Do you look down on me too! Come here!"_ Old man Nino used to beat Adèle whenever he was in a bad mood. Adèle had no idea how to explain that. But if this continued, the situation wouldn't end well. Adèle closed her eyes and then opened them slowly.
"Madame." Madame Flavia's eyes sharpened.
"I apologize. I know I have many shortcomings, but I will try my best."
"Try? You?"
"Yes." Madame Flavia's eyes grew colder.
"Do you think you can hide your origins with effort? Do you think you can fool the eyes of those born and raised in high society?"
"…" Adèle remained silent for a moment before speaking quietly.
"I was born without parents or possessions, so I don't know if such a thing is possible. But my brother brought me here because he believes it is. So if you think there is a problem with this hypothesis, perhaps you should discuss it with him."
"…!"
"Ha." Madame Flavia's face turned beet red, and Cesare burst into laughter.
"You…! You little…!"
"If I have been rude due to my lack of education, I beg your forgiveness." Madame Flavia's neck veins stood out, and she seemed ready to explode. But, as Adèle had expected, she couldn't attack Cesare and simply trembled with fury.