IPM 10

Chapter 10

At Desion’s words, Heidi’s eyes widened.

“What do you mean this was a lesson? If that’s the case….”

It just felt like she had simply enjoyed a meal.

Heidi tilted her head in confusion. No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t tell what she had actually learned from that dining experience.

Desion, who had been quietly watching her, spoke slowly.

“What we will be doing from now on will be exactly this kind of thing.”

“This kind of thing…?”

“Training yourself to become accustomed to the finest things. The best food, the finest clothes, the most delicate jewels.”

“……”

“My goal is to return to you the life you should have been living.”

The life she should have been living.

For some reason, those words struck Heidi’s heart sharply.

A villa with a beautiful ocean view, a large and luxurious bedroom, soft dresses like the ones Eloise used to wear.

The discomfort she had felt—like she didn’t deserve to enjoy such things—began to melt away.

“There are things you learn through books, but there are far more things you learn through experience. Together, they form what we call a person’s taste.”

Desion continued calmly.

“Later on, you’ll be able to say which of today’s dishes you liked best, and what felt lacking. Because your own taste will become firmly established, Heidi.”

At his words, Heidi nodded. Seeing her brightened expression, Desion gave a faint smile.

“That concludes today’s lesson. You may return and rest.”

* * *

“Next month, the princess’s debutante ball is scheduled, and all of high society’s attention is focused on it. It is expected to be an unprecedentedly lavish banquet….”

“The princess enjoyed a dinner with the Valain delegation visiting the royal palace. The sapphire necklace she wore that day has drawn public attention….”

“Who will become the princess’s consort?”

Newspapers lay scattered across a wide mahogany desk. All of the articles shared one thing in common.

Anastasia Janet de Panther.

They were all about the princess currently occupying the western wing of the palace.

“Anastasia’s debutante is next week.”

Tap, tap.

Desion’s face, as he tapped his fingers on the desk, darkened with concern.

Of all people in Panthera, who understood the king better than Desion?

The king was an exemplary ruler, but he had a weak spot when it came to sentiment.

And the person who made him most vulnerable was his only blood relative, Anastasia.

The only daughter left behind by his dearly beloved consort, a trace of a marriage that had been short but precious.

Feeling pity for the child growing up without a mother, the king had raised Anastasia with excessive indulgence. Even when reprimanding her for wrongdoing, he would quickly relent if she sulked.

“I hear famine disease is spreading in the north, and people are dying of starvation, and the west is struggling with measles… yet in times like these, a lavish debutante ball?”

Desion clicked his tongue, muttering under his breath.

Without even seeing it, he could understand the situation. The king’s indecisiveness combined with Anastasia’s extravagance.

While Desion had been away from Panthera, Anastasia had steadily expanded her political influence.

Using the names of her subordinates as cover, she had quietly accumulated wealth, turning it into a weapon to win over nobles. There was no need to elaborate on how the powerless common people had suffered in the process.

“After the debutante ball, it’s only a matter of time before she is officially named heir to the throne….”

Desion’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Unless something unexpected happens, that stage will likely be the New Year’s banquet. Historically, it has always been so.”

That meant he had only eight months left.

Within eight months, he had to fully prepare the real princess.

Heidi Dalton.

From what he had observed up close, she was a far better raw gem than he had expected.

At the very least, she seemed far more suitable for the role of princess than Anastasia.

Her steadfast and sincere personality resembled the king, while her delicate, youthful appearance resembled the queen.

She was also quite intelligent, inheriting traits from both. She learned extremely quickly once taught.

“Anastasia was also quite sharp-minded… but Heidi may be progressing even faster.”

Perhaps because he had spent years observing Eloise, her posture and basic manners required surprisingly little correction. She also seemed naturally talented in physical tasks.

If there was a problem, it was that she struggled with writing…

Swoosh.

Desion pushed the newspapers lying on the desk far away and pulled a silver letterbox from the corner toward him.

Click.

When he opened it, identical white envelopes were neatly stacked inside.

“To Teacher”

The handwriting was not particularly elegant, but it was neat.

Seeing the faint ink smudges, as though she was still inexperienced with writing, the tension in Desion’s brow softened slightly.

“I suppose there’s no need to worry. Our new princess is diligent, after all.”

* * *

The first lesson had been enjoyable.

All she had to do was enjoy exquisite dishes prepared with the utmost effort by the chef. If all studying were like that, she could handle it easily.

But it couldn’t remain enjoyable forever.

Learning to read and write was more exhausting than hard labor. Staying up all night doing homework Desion assigned, and even studying during breaks—it was only natural she felt drained.

Still, she had managed to learn reading quickly. Working in noble households and assisting masters meant she had picked up quite a bit by observation.

The problem was writing.

Desion kept telling her she was doing well enough, but Heidi was not satisfied.

How are you even supposed to form sentences? Why is this so hard?

Even sacrificing sleep, her writing wasn’t improving much.

Then one day, Desion suddenly made a suggestion.

“For topics like this, it may be easier if you write about everyday matters instead of rigid subjects. How about we exchange letters?”

Exchange letters with Desion.

Honestly, it was overwhelming for Heidi. Even though her status had changed, he was still not someone she felt entirely comfortable with.

But she nodded.

Even if I return to my normal life later, learning to write will be useful. I might even find a better job.

She allowed herself that ambitious thought for a moment.

“Ahhh! How am I supposed to write this?”

Staring at the stiff, pristine sheet of paper, Heidi grabbed her hair in frustration.

The moment she picked up the pen, her mind went completely blank.

“‘To Teacher.’”

She stared at the four words she had barely managed to write for a long time, then picked up the quill again.

“Start with a greeting… right.”

Carefully dipping the ink, she lowered the pen tip.

“Go–od mo…rni….”

Just as she was concentrating with all her focus—

“Miss!”

The door suddenly burst open, and Heidi’s hand jerked in shock.

Screeeech.

“Ugh.”

A line slashed across the pristine paper as if it had been torn open. While Heidi stared in despair, a maid rushed in, out of breath.

“Miss, something terrible has happened!”

The maid bent over, gasping for air.

“What is it?”

“Soldiers from the royal palace are here. There must be at least thirty of them.”

Heidi’s heart dropped. Her face turned pale as she grabbed the maid.

“From the palace? Why? For what reason?”

“I don’t know. They’re demanding we open the gate immediately. We’re trying to delay them as much as possible.”

Had everything been discovered?

I feel like I’m going to be sick.

Her head spun. Clenching her fists tightly, Heidi forced herself to breathe.

Calm down. I need to stay calm. In moments like this, I have to stay composed.

She was terrified—her hands were shaking—but surely Desion would have anticipated a situation like this. He always had a plan. So there was no need to panic…

“Of all times, the master isn’t even here… what are we going to do?”