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Chapter 7
“As I mentioned last time, I will teach you the Imperial language. First, we’ll go over how to read words and combine them. As for tone, we’ll decide later depending on time.”
After briefly explaining the lesson plan, Dikal opened the bag he had brought. With a slightly excited expression, he took out a bundle of white papers covered in writing.
“What’s this?”
“These are word cards I made. I thought the books available in the market might be difficult for you, so I made something simple. I couldn’t bring the official textbook due to time constraints, but I’ll send it to the mansion once it’s complete.”
“Wow…”
Dikal was far more passionate than I expected.
He even made teaching materials himself for his student.
Of course, he was being paid well by Heinox, but seeing how genuinely happy he looked made me feel good too.
A teacher caring about their student is a very good thing.
I lightly patted his shoulder, feeling touched by his effort.
“My lady?”
Dikal looked confused by my sudden action.
“Just. You’re admirable.”
“Admirable…?”
“Yeah. Teacher, you’re very admirable.”
“Uh…”
It felt strange for him to be called admirable by a four-year-old.
Is this a compliment?
He couldn’t tell whether it was praise or teasing, but since my small hand kept patting his shoulder, he awkwardly responded,
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Then let’s start with basic spelling and pronunciation. First, the letter ‘t’—you place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth and release it while saying ‘tteu-eo.’”
“Teu-eo.”
“You need to roll your tongue a bit more. Like ‘tteu-eo.’”
“Teu-eo.”
“A little more…”
“Teu-eo.”
Is it because my tongue is short?
It was hard to imitate his pronunciation. Dikal seemed to understand and tried to comfort me.
“This word is particularly difficult to pronounce. Other young ladies and young masters who first learn the Imperial language also struggle with it, so there’s no need to rush.”
But strangely, that made me feel worse.
What? Even if I’m younger now, I’m the same as other kids?
My pride, built over more than twenty years of speaking, couldn’t accept that.
I’m going to master this pronunciation.
The passion that had cooled down in my comfortable life reignited.
“Let’s end today’s lesson here. We’ll cover tone next time.”
“Teacher!”
As Dikal was about to leave, I quickly grabbed his sleeve.
“What is it? Do you have a question…?”
“No. I was gonna say—have some apple pie before you go!”
“Pardon?”
He must have been moved by my generosity.
I’m sharing even though I’m eating it for the first time too.
“Ah, I actually have somewhere to be…”
Dikal declined with a regretful expression.
“I see!”
Phew. That’s a relief.
Honestly, I regretted offering as soon as I said it.
What if he eats it all?!
Dikal was built like a knight, so my concern wasn’t unreasonable.
“Goodbye!”
I practically shouted as I greeted him and rushed out of the room faster than he did.
Anne, who had been waiting outside, looked surprised at my excitement.
“Are you finished?”
“Yeah! Hurry, let’s go!”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Ah, it smells so good…!”
As soon as I entered the kitchen, the rich scent of the tart crust filled the air.
“Puitchi! Is it done?”
“My lady? Why did you come all the way here instead of staying in your room?”
Puitchi, who had been watching the tart bake in the oven, asked in surprise.
“I came to see you!”
Actually, I just wanted to eat it faster…
But Puitchi looked deeply touched anyway.
“For you to come see me—it’s an honor!”
“Mm.”
His reaction was a bit intense, so I awkwardly watched the tart behind him.
Noticing my gaze, he smiled brightly.
“It will be ready soon. Please sit at the table—I’ll bring it after it cools a bit.”
“Okay.”
Reluctantly, I left the kitchen with Anne, still staring at the tart.
“When will it be ready?”
“It should be soon.”
Anne’s uncertain answer made me nod as I swung my short legs.
“If I knew I had to wait, I would’ve stayed for the tone lesson…”
But that wasn’t my problem. Heinox was the one paying, not me.
While I was idly wondering how much Dikal earned, Puitchi came out with the pie.
“Oh! Ohhh!”
“It has cooled enough for you to eat safely.”
Using my custom-made small fork, I cut into the pie. Sticky jam flowed out from inside. I dipped the crust into it and took a bite.
“Ah!”
This… this taste!
The crispy, buttery crust, the sweet apple filling spreading in my mouth, and a hint of cinnamon at the end—
In one word,
“It’s the best!”
As I widened my eyes and savored it, Puitchi smiled proudly.
“I’m glad it suits your taste.”
“It’s so, so good! Puitchi is the best!”
“Thank you. Haha…”
At that moment, Renzard entered the dining room.
“Puitchi, I smelled something sweet in the hallway…”
He noticed me sitting there with a fork and immediately frowned.
“What’s that? Why is she here?”
Puitchi started sweating nervously.
“Ah… she is eating the apple pie I baked…”
“Apple pie? Why didn’t you tell me you baked it?”
Seriously? Why would he tell you? I asked for it.
As Renzard complained, I kept eating.
No—I was about to.
Until he snatched my fork.
“What are you doing?!”
He examined my small fork and scoffed.
“What is this pathetic thing for?”
“Give it back!”
“What? Don’t tell me this is yours?”
He burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! Objects resemble their owners, huh? Puitchi, look at this. Can you even eat with this?”
Puitchi awkwardly scratched his beard.
“I said give it back.”
“And if I don’t?”
Renzard raised the fork threateningly.
“Did you already forget you’re supposed to stay in your room? Who even welcomes you here?”
He clicked his tongue and turned to Anne.
“You there.”
“Yes?”
“You think the same, right?”
“I—I don’t know what you mean…”
“Come on.”
He stepped closer.
“It’s annoying to serve someone like her, right?”
“I’ve never thought that—”
Then he whispered in her ear.
“Priscilla Tangeirique.”
Anne froze.
“Your mother died because of something like her.”
The entire room fell silent.
“D-Young Master…”
The servant behind him turned pale.
“Please return to your room…”
But Renzard ignored him.
“What’s your name?”
“A-Anne.”
“Good. Anne, I’ll give you a chance.”
“A chance…?”
“If you’re honest now, I’ll ask Father to transfer you elsewhere.”
“I don’t want that—”
“You respected my mother, didn’t you?”
Anne went silent.
“And you know it’s all her fault.”
I clenched my fists.
It’s not my fault.
My body trembled, even though I tried to stay calm.
“What a pity, Roxina. Even your maid seems to resent you.”
Anne lowered her head and said nothing.
“I know what happened in the original story.”
But things were different now.
The servants were getting closer to Roxina.
They didn’t hate her as much as before.
Maybe things can change.
If loneliness was the reason she became a villain, then removing it could change everything.
And for that—
Everyone needs to know the truth.
I looked straight at Renzard.
I won’t stay silent anymore.
“From now on, don’t step out of your room—”
“No.”
“What?”
“I said I won’t.”
He stared at me in disbelief.
“You’ve lost your mind.”
“Maybe.”
I smirked.
“I didn’t kill the Duchess.”
“What?!”
“When did I? I never even saw her.”
“She died right after you were born!”
“Exactly. So how did I kill her?”
He faltered.
“I… never… killed her.”
“Stop lying!”
“Why can’t I speak? You always attack me first.”
“You and I are differ—”
“Yeah, we are. I don’t do cowardly things like you.”
“What?!”
“I’m not done.”
I stepped closer.
“My birth was the Duchess’s choice.”
“Don’t talk about Mother like that!”
“You know it too. I’m not the one at fault. No one here is.”
His eyes shook.
“The only ones who could save her were the temple.”
“…No…”
“Then hate the gods if you must. Not me.”
Renzard stood frozen.
As I turned to leave, I noticed Chad watching me.
I ignored him and walked out.
“Wait, my lady!”
Anne hurried after me.
“…Anne.”
“Yes… my lady.”
“Let’s go back to the room first.”
