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Chapter 16
Johannes Schultz, as always, wore an expression as dry as ever.
Despite the biting cold, he didn’t wear much clothing, yet there was no sign that he felt the chill.
“Have you been well? Was there anything uncomfortable?”
He asked as he sat down. His face looked either indifferent or slightly bored, but it seemed fresher than before.
“Thanks to you, I’ve been well. I hope my usefulness has been of help?”
I spoke kindly, but it seemed the head of a noble family could immediately sense the intent behind my question.
“I apologize for the articles that even mentioned Sergeant Prim. I’ve taken measures, so there shouldn’t be any more coverage about personal matters.”
It was a brazen yet perfect response—one I couldn’t argue with.
I pressed my lips together, and he began eating again with his graceful gestures.
I focused on the food in front of me, so the conversation ceased entirely.
Near the end of the meal, he spoke again.
“I’m thinking of holding a banquet.”
As expected, he went straight to the point. I asked calmly:
“May I ask what kind of banquet?”
“A banquet to announce a marriage. It might seem grand, but it will be modest.”
“That will generate more articles… all sorts of speculation will spread.”
“That’s true.”
A concise answer.
I nodded, set down my utensils, and deliberately straightened my posture.
“I’ll ask one last time. Are you really okay with me? Wouldn’t it be better for you to join with another noble family? I don’t mind the articles covering my personal matters—I’ve received more help than harm.”
I spoke quickly, holding my breath, afraid that Duke Schultz might interrupt.
But he didn’t.
He gestured at the newspaper on the table.
“Everyone has been talking about a romance between Duke Schultz and a commoner woman. If you suddenly marry a daughter of a noble family, the press will tear me and my family apart even more.”
“…….”
“They’ll say I merely used the poor commoner woman.”
I swallowed.
“……Isn’t that half true?”
“Unfortunately, yes. And what’s worse is that it’s likely to continue that way.”
I felt strange.
After all, I was also using Duke Schultz in some way.
Yet he spoke as if he alone was the one taking advantage of me.
I forced a smile, and he added:
“Miss Edith will also likely be harassed by the press continuously. It will be quite troublesome.”
He meant there was no point in arguing about something already decided.
Of course, I knew I had asked excessively.
“But it’s a marriage…!”
I unconsciously tightened my gaze.
Does he not care about marriage because he already has everything?
I told myself to remain calm and said:
“Alright. Then I truly won’t ask again. But the regret will be yours, Duke.”
My tone was polite, yet a slight furrow appeared on Duke Schultz’s brow.
Had I offended him?
As I reconsidered my tone, a low voice spoke:
“We need to sort out titles.”
“Pardon?”
“We can’t keep calling each other Duke forever. After all, we’ll be married.”
“Well….”
I narrowed my eyes as well.
“I’ll meet public expectations. Of course, I’ll respect Miss Prim’s wishes.”
“Ah….”
The public’s expectation was clear: a touching love story between a commoner woman and Duke Schultz.
With so many eyes watching, our performance needed to be meticulous—and we were already off just by the titles.
Duke Schultz was concerned about that.
“I see.”
I nodded, and he spoke as if he had been waiting for the moment.
“I hear you’ve learned the dance steps fairly well.”
“Enough to get by.”
“Then let’s try together. Also to sort out titles—preferably tonight.”
Duke Schultz looked at me, as if expecting a particular response.
“Yes, very well.”
He had protected my father and my home. I owed him properly.
“The idea of a commoner woman perfectly adapting to the noble world is also part of the public’s fantasy, isn’t it?”
I gave the answer he wanted, and a smile seemed to spread across his face.
“Perfect.”
“From today, Mrs. Hertzman, who will oversee Miss Prim’s overall education, will arrive. She’s strict, but not frightening.”
Sir Brett looked very busy.
He also mentioned that I would soon lead a very busy life and advised me to prepare myself well before leaving.
Not long after, Mrs. Hertzman, who would take charge of my education, arrived.
“I am Marilynn Hertzman.”
She was a middle-aged woman with streaks of white in her hair. Her sharp eyes stood out beneath her neatly tied hair.
She wore a purple velvet dress buttoned up to the neck and low-heeled black shoes.
Her bony, knuckled hands were clasped politely, yet her gaze scanned me sharply from head to toe.
Her voice was somewhat hoarse, but heavy for a middle-aged woman.
“She was the governess of the late Duchess. After the lady passed away, she lived away from the family, but was asked to return to educate the woman who will become the current Duke’s wife. You may call me Marilynn.”
Recalling Sir Brett’s warning, I greeted her while tense.
“Hello, madam. I am Edith Prim. I look forward to learning from you.”
“Wrong.”
“…Pardon?”
“I heard from Sir Brett that your etiquette is almost perfect, but this is terrible.”
She was strict. I felt intimidated by her sharp voice. As I gave an awkward smile, Marilynn lifted her chin and continued.
“Lower your tone when speaking to servants. Only show full respect to your master—it looks proper that way.”
“Pardon? But—”
“No one will feel uncomfortable.”
I slowly nodded. I still couldn’t speak comfortably.
“Wrong.”
“…Hmm?”
I instinctively tried to maintain proper etiquette, then quickly lowered my tone at her sharp gaze. Only then did Marilynn slightly relax her expression.
“No one except the royal family or the Duke can interrupt Miss Prim. You should have warned me.”
Her tone was sharp but concise.
“…Alright, I’ll do that from now on.”
“Your responses are slightly delayed, but time will fix that.”
Marilynn examined me carefully and took a small rod from her sleeve. She used it to begin correcting my posture.
“Chin up, shoulders relaxed. Be careful not to push your chest or hips forward vulgarity.”
I nodded, too exhausted to respond verbally.
“…There will be much for you to learn regarding the Duke’s family. But for now, the banquet comes first, so it’s better to practice what’s necessary for it.”
“Understood.”
Marilynn then looked around my room.
“When you marry, you will move to the Duchess’s room. This one may feel modest, but endure a little longer.”
I widened my eyes.
Had I misheard her? How could this place be called modest?
The crystal vanity, the expensive paintings, the bed—soft beyond most hotels, and the room warm throughout.
As I pondered her words, Marilynn continued.
“I hear you will practice dancing with your master tonight. You know most of it already.”
I steadied myself and nodded slowly.
“Mostly. It’s been a while since I last danced.”
“Hmm… Would you like to try with me?”
From then, Marilynn and I began practicing waltz steps. I thought I was doing well, but as we moved, her expression grew severe.
Sighing briefly, she stopped.
“These steps are outdated, from twenty years ago. People don’t dance like this anymore.”
“Really…? I didn’t know.”
I gave an awkward smile, and Marilynn silently scolded me.
“You should practice hiding that habitual smile. The previous Duchess was only charming in front of the Duke. She didn’t smile frivolously at subordinates.”
“…Understood.”
I quickly removed my smile, and she finally looked satisfied.
She continued speaking.
“First, we will go to the dress room.”
