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Chapter 25
The messenger’s promise to send an excellent teacher turned out to be true.
As Psyche was absorbed in reading History for Children, a book on the Grand Duchy’s history personally selected by the messenger, a visitor arrived.
“I was quite surprised when I received a sudden message from him.”
The visitor was an elderly noblewoman—Marchioness Morié, the matron of House Morié. After her children came of age and became independent, she dedicated herself to teaching noble young ladies the art of etiquette.
The Marchioness held strong pride in her abilities.
She was a third cousin to the current Grand Duke, the younger sister of the former Grand Duke, and once the etiquette teacher of Angela, the current Queen of the Kingdom of Argos, who had once been known as the Grand Duchess Angela.
Her years of experience showed in her every word and gesture.
“He’s not the sort of person to make such requests lightly. It seems the rumors were true—His Highness cares greatly for you.”
Her sharp blue eyes scanned Psyche from head to toe. Feeling as though her mind had been laid bare, Psyche fell silent for a moment.
But the word cares felt a little odd. While it was true that the messenger had helped her a lot despite having no connections in the Grand Duchy, it would be unusual for him to use such an affectionate expression—unless it came directly from the Grand Duke.
“I heard you came at the recommendation of Sir Aster?”
She made no sign of doubt in her expression, but calmly asked for clarification. The Marchioness’s voice, which had been echoing Psyche’s words, briefly faltered.
“…Yes, I came at Sir Aster’s recommendation.”
“I see.”
“But His Highness also sent a direct message, asking me to become your instructor, Miss Psyche.”
“Thank you for making the effort to come, Marchioness Morié.”
Still, something about her response felt off. Psyche couldn’t quite place why, but she smiled softly, meeting the Marchioness’s eyes.
“Since it is His Highness’s will, I decided to come and meet you first…”
Her blunt tone was accompanied by an observant gaze, clearly seeking flaws in Psyche.
That gaze swept over Psyche and her surroundings, then came to a stop—on the book she had been reading, History for Children.
“You’re reading a children’s history book?”
“Yes.”
The Marchioness gave a small, noncommittal nod. Her lukewarm reaction made Psyche swallow dryly without realizing it.
“It’s good for building a foundation. No matter what you begin, the basics are the most important. A very wise choice.”
The response was unexpected.
Psyche observed the noblewoman delicately lifting her teacup. The scent of herbs in the tea tickled her nose.
“Thank you. But I prepared it in a rush—I hope the tea is to your liking.”
Still, the Marchioness said nothing for some time, so Psyche cautiously asked again.
Her sudden visit had left Psyche rather flustered, but she endured it, knowing that meetings like this would become routine if she were to become Grand Duchess.
“Well, to be frank…”
The Marchioness set down her cup and looked directly at Psyche’s face. Her blue eyes slowly examined Psyche, then began to gleam with satisfaction and approval.
“You hold your teacup without a hint of disorder, and even when faced with rudeness, you don’t respond emotionally.”
“Do I?”
“Very impressive. Your manner, and even your poise, is flawlessly elegant.”
The stiff expression she had worn at first had softened into a kind smile.
“Our time together hasn’t been long, Miss Psyche, but if given the chance, I’d like to share much of what I know about the Grand Duchy with you.”
“…”
“I hope to help you, but of course, you must also be willing to accept me.”
Psyche looked at the Marchioness quietly. Seeing the wisdom etched gently into the noblewoman’s aged face, Psyche spoke without hesitation.
“Marchioness Morié, I want to be a good leader, but I still don’t know much about the Grand Duchy. Please, would you help guide me? You know more about this land than anyone, and your experience is invaluable.”
The Marchioness was also a powerful figure in high society.
If she stood by Psyche’s side, even the difficult world of aristocratic social life would become easier to navigate.
“It would be my greatest honor, Miss Psyche.”
The Marchioness slowly bowed her head.
And Psyche understood the significance of that gesture.
She had just passed the first gateway to being recognized as the Grand Duke’s fiancée.
—
—
After the Marchioness left, Psyche began organizing the assignments she had left behind.
“This may seem difficult, but you must complete it. Her Highness Angela, now Queen of Argos, had mastered all of this by the age of eight.”
Looking at the towering pile of books with a heavy sigh, Psyche sat down and began reading a history text.
Contrary to her expectations, it wasn’t boring—the first chapter caught her interest.
> The history of the Grand Duchy is short but intense. The reason lies in the tales bound to this land.
The land of winter was barren, but with the arrival of a magician, its destiny began to change.
When four great magicians appeared, the uninhabitable land became full of life.
“Did someone pioneer this land?”
But that, too, didn’t last long.
“Miss Psyche! His Highness…!”
Knock knock—a hasty knock and a flushed face burst into the room.
Marie, her voice unusually flustered, took a deep breath and fully opened the door.
“Lady Psyche of House Clement, please come forward to receive ‘The Tear of the Siren.’ It is a gift from His Highness.”
Psyche, unsure of what was happening, stepped forward. One by one, attendants filed into the room, each carrying a luxurious-looking box. At the end of the line came an attendant wearing pure white gloves, carrying a tray.
He knelt before Psyche, treating the item on the tray as though it were more precious than life itself.
“This is a national treasure of the Grand Duchy. It is a rare pearl made from the Tear of a real Siren.
They say that whoever possesses it will have their dearest wish granted in a moment of deep longing.”
Psyche looked at the gleaming pearl atop a stand wrapped in dark crimson velvet. It was clearly something extraordinary.
“It has been passed down as a treasure in the Grand Ducal House. They say Grand Duke Roxalana, founder of the independent High Duchy of Hayer, defeated a Siren and claimed it as a relic.”
“A Siren—as in a mermaid?”
The Sigar Empire and the Grand Duchy were entirely different. In this land, things Psyche had never even imagined were reality.
So the idea of mermaids didn’t seem so far-fetched. Still, her mind was a bit tangled.
“They say Sirens are half-human and half-monster.
They live in the depths of the sea where humans cannot go.
I’ve never seen one myself, but sailors who survive storms at sea sometimes swear they’ve heard the Siren’s song.”
Marie interjected calmly, her earlier excitement faded.
“…Did His Highness really gift me something so precious?”
Psyche looked from Marie to the pearl again. It sparkled, as if whispering something.
Huh?
> “…My tears will become the sea.
I don’t want to drown.
Save me. Save me.
Someone, please save me!”
“What is this?”
A woman’s sorrowful voice echoed in her ears. Psyche jumped and looked around in alarm.
But there was no one else in the room who could’ve spoken. Only the pearl—supposedly the Grand Duchy’s treasure—sat before her.
Looking at it again, the pearl was beautiful, yet unsettling. Each glint of light carried a hint of cruelty.
“Don’t you hear it?”
“Pardon? Hear what, my lady?”
“…No. I must have imagined it.”
Psyche fell silent, hiding her confusion, and took the pearl.
The attendant, who had been explaining the gift, stood a
nd cleared his throat.
“And lastly, His Highness has granted you Nyx Palace, the pride of the Grand Duchy!”
