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Chapter 9
“Goodness!”
Startled by the sudden voice behind her, Heidi spun around.
Desion stood there, dressed neatly in a white shirt and dark gray vest, looking as polished as if he were receiving guests at his estate.
He set several thick books down on a nearby desk before walking toward her and pulling the white curtains farther open.
“This villa may be smaller than some of the others, but the view is among the finest of all the Heizen family’s estates.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
A faint smile touched Desion’s lips.
“You’ll have to remain inside this villa until your education is complete. I wanted to make sure you wouldn’t feel too confined.”
“Ah.”
“I’ll keep you informed about Mr. and Mrs. Dalton’s condition. You don’t need to worry.”
“I understand, Master.”
At those words, Desion’s eyebrow twitched.
“First, we should address that title.”
“Hm?”
His voice became firm.
“You may no longer call me ‘Master.’ You are not a maid anymore.”
“Ah.”
Heidi nodded slowly in understanding.
“You may simply call me Desion.”
“…Yes.”
Her expression became complicated.
Only a few days ago, he had been a master who seemed as distant as the heavens. Calling him casually by his name felt impossible.
Watching her discomfort, Desion sighed softly.
“If that truly makes you uncomfortable…”
Heidi’s eyes immediately brightened.
“For the time being, you may call me Teacher. I am, after all, the one teaching you.”
Teacher.
It was still unfamiliar, but far less intimidating than calling him by name.
Looking noticeably relieved, Heidi nodded.
“Yes, Teacher.”
Desion pulled out a chair for her.
“Please sit down. Let us begin today’s lesson.”
* * *
Thus began her first lesson.
“Now then, let’s begin.”
“Yes!”
Sitting straight-backed at a large table, Heidi tried to suppress her nervousness.
This was the first time in her life she had ever formally studied anything.
“The road ahead is long,” Desion said. “You would do well to prepare yourself. There is much to learn.”
“What exactly will I be studying?”
“Everything from the basic knowledge expected of royalty, such as the history of Panter, to the arts—music, painting, and more.”
His gaze fell briefly upon Heidi’s awkwardly folded hands resting on the table.
“We will also correct your posture and basic etiquette. Step by step.”
Noticing where he was looking, Heidi quickly adjusted her hands.
The corner of Desion’s mouth lifted slightly.
“Will you be teaching all of it yourself… Teacher?”
Desion nodded.
“That is my intention. Since this is a highly confidential matter, we must minimize outside contact. I will do my best, despite my limited talents.”
Limited talents?
The statement was absurdly modest.
After all, Desion himself had been one of the people responsible for educating the princess currently living in the palace.
That thought made Heidi curious.
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
Why is it so important to him to make me into a princess?
I’ve spent my whole life doing chores and odd jobs.
Can I really be of any use to him?
At that moment, their eyes met.
“…!”
His eyes were sharp despite their elegance.
Brilliant ruby-red irises gleamed beneath them.
Overwhelmed by his presence, Heidi quickly lowered her gaze.
Not now.
I’ll ask once I’m more comfortable around him.
Then a thick book slid across the table toward her.
What was this?
Surely not—
Seeing her confused expression, Desion explained,
“This will be our textbook.”
“…!”
“History is among the most important subjects for royalty. This volume presents the material in the clearest and most accessible way. Please open to Chapter One.”
Yet despite his instructions, Heidi remained frozen in place.
Desion looked puzzled.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well…”
Her fingers fidgeted nervously.
After a long hesitation, she finally spoke.
“I never properly learned how to read…”
Her face flushed bright red before she could even finish the sentence.
When she was of school age, her family’s finances had already begun to collapse.
Instead of attending classes, she had worked in the family shop helping her parents.
The only words she could confidently write were her own name.
Though she had picked up bits and pieces while serving Eloise, she was nowhere near capable of smoothly reading a difficult textbook.
This is humiliating.
She lowered her head deeply to hide her embarrassment.
Apparently, even Desion had not anticipated this.
Thinking about it, it made sense.
As someone born into nobility, Desion had grown up believing education was natural.
Reading.
Studying.
Mastering countless disciplines.
Those things had simply been part of his world.
Meanwhile, Heidi’s life had taught her entirely different skills.
How to carry multiple cups at once.
How to handle difficult customers.
How to make old wooden floors shine.
Their lives could not have been more different.
Then, above her lowered head, she heard Desion’s calm voice.
“This was my mistake.”
“…”
“I apologize.”
“…”
“We can simply change the order of lessons. There is no need to worry. I will prepare something more suitable.”
Yet even after his apology, Heidi’s expression remained troubled.
What if I can’t keep up with his expectations?
What happens if I become useless to him?
Then she heard the scrape of a chair.
Looking up, she saw Desion approaching.
He stopped beside her and extended his hand.
“…?”
Was he asking her to take it?
Heidi blinked in confusion.
“Come.”
“Huh?”
A graceful smile appeared on Desion’s lips.
“After all, we still have the rest of today’s lesson to complete.”
* * *
The place Desion led Heidi to was the dining room.
Once they were seated, a servant soon arrived carrying a plate.
It contained a bright yellow soup.
Desion slid it toward her.
“Please taste it.”
Heidi carefully lifted a spoon.
The warm soup filled her mouth with sweetness.
“Mmm.”
Pumpkin, perhaps.
A hint of carrot as well.
The flavors felt familiar, yet somehow elevated beyond anything she had tasted before.
After swallowing, she looked up.
“It’s delicious.”
Desion nodded.
Soon another dish arrived.
Butter-scented scallops.
A delicate fish so tender it looked as though it would fall apart at the slightest touch.
A steak with perfectly pink flesh.
Even dessert filled with refreshing fruit purée.
Heidi’s eyes sparkled as one luxurious dish after another appeared before her.
I’ve only ever seen food like this from afar.
She awkwardly mimicked the table manners she had learned by watching Eloise.
Use the outermost utensils first.
Eat quietly.
Sit properly.
Whenever she became confused, Desion offered a brief correction, but otherwise allowed her to finish the meal in peace.
When she finally emptied the dessert plate, he asked,
“How was the meal?”
Her cheeks were slightly flushed.
“It was wonderful.”
“Which dish did you enjoy most?”
Heidi’s eyes rolled thoughtfully.
Everything had been incredible.
How was she supposed to choose only one?
“They were all delicious…”
Unable to decide, she hesitated.
Desion smiled.
“Then that concludes today’s lesson.”
