Chapter 3

“W-Why are you looking at me like that?”  

Standing right next to her was Amelie, a friend with stunning beauty. Nina circled her like a hawk eyeing its prey, her gaze sharp and calculating.  

To simply describe Amelie as “pretty” would be an understatement. A list of students wandering the academy grounds with forlorn expressions after her sudden absence could fill an entire sheet of paper.  

Her golden hair, bright and translucent in sunlight, flowed beautifully. Her skin was flawless and soft, her facial features delicate and harmonious. Her large, round eyes sparkled, captivating anyone who looked at her. When her deep red lips parted, people nodded instinctively, regardless of whether they actually understood what she was saying.  

Even the color of her cheeks, fingertips, and the folds of her knuckles matched the peachy hue of her eyes, adding to her charm.  

Her figure was equally remarkable. A slender neck led to straight, rounded shoulders, and her petite frame contrasted with her full, curvaceous chest, which formed an alluring silhouette. There wasn’t a single part of her that wasn’t beautiful.  

“Why are you suddenly looking at me like that?”  

“Let’s do it.” 

Nina’s eyes gleamed mischievously as they scanned Amelie’s long, shapely legs.  

“Do what!?”  

“You’ll be my model and muse, and I’ll pay you a fee. How about it?”  

Amelie was so flustered that her mouth opened and closed wordlessly. Her gaze instinctively turned toward the lingerie, which was too risqué to even look at properly.  

“You want me… to wear those?”  

“Yes. Based on how they look on you, I’ll adjust the designs or create new ones. Also… I plan to draw illustrations for promotional materials.”  

“…!”  

“Of course, I’ll make sure to obscure or alter your face in the drawings, so don’t worry! I just need to reference your figure, so no one will know it’s you.”  

Nina quickly explained. Amelie stood still, lost in thought.  

To be honest, it was the kind of work that could cause a scandal for a noblewoman. Nina’s desperate attempts to reassure her were likely because of this.  

However, Amelie admired Nina’s courage in starting something no one else had dared to do. Without talent, passion, and ambition, Nina wouldn’t have been able to prepare this much.  

Before their passing, Amelie’s parents had defied societal prejudices by sending her to the academy. Amelie, too, wanted to break free from such biases and support Nina while gaining courage herself. If she could learn from Nina’s determination and willpower, perhaps she could also overcome her current difficulties.  

More than anything, she needed money right now. Amelie hesitantly opened her mouth.  

“How much… is the payment?”  

***

“Good, good. That pose is perfect! Ah, this is it. As I thought, the lace looks better diagonal than centered. Yes, yes. Incredible! Amelie, you look stunning.”  

In Nina’s workshop, located a short distance from the house they had moved into, Amelie lay awkwardly on a bed, propped up slightly.  

She felt strange and self-conscious seeing herself in the mirror, wearing lingerie Nina had designed.  

The piece barely covered half her chest and was adorned with jewels and feathers. Despite its minimal coverage, the silk straps gathered her chest together, creating a deep cleavage visible through the crisscrossed ribbons.  

Amelie glanced at herself briefly in the mirror with half-closed eyes before quickly looking away.  

Nina, meanwhile, was repeatedly nodding in admiration, making adjustments to her sketches or jotting down notes before asking Amelie to try a new pose.  

The lingerie Nina had prepared suited Amelie almost unnervingly well. Beyond just the natural fit and style, even the sizes matched perfectly.  

It seemed that, while designing her pieces with a mix of charm and allure in mind, Nina had subconsciously modeled them after the most charming and alluring person she knew—Amelie.  

“You were my muse all along.” 

Nina murmured in awe.  

“You can keep these pieces if you’d like.”  

“H-Huh? No, that’s okay.”  

Amelie was taken aback. While the lingerie was beautiful, it was so embarrassing that she couldn’t imagine ever wearing it again once she left the workshop.  

“I’ll have to remake them in standard sizes anyway. Don’t be shy—take them.”  

Nina smirked mischievously.  

“You never know when you’ll want to show them to someone special.”  

“What?”  

“Don’t you have anyone you’re interested in yet, Amelie?”  

Amelie’s face turned bright red. She could only bring herself to wear such revealing lingerie in front of Nina because they were close friends. The thought of anyone else seeing her like this was mortifying.  

If it were someone she liked, it would be even worse. Wouldn’t they think she was some kind of shameless woman with her head filled with indecent thoughts?  

“Don’t say such ridiculous things, Nina.”  

‘I’m serious, though.’  

Still, Nina decided to stop teasing her friend—for now. Watching Amelie, dressed in the most seductive and alluring outfit imaginable, turn completely red from head to toe was quite the sight. She couldn’t help but wonder what lucky man would end up with her.  

While the workshop’s owner chuckled to herself, Amelie quickly changed back into her normal clothes. Just then, Nina clapped her hands as if she’d remembered something.  

“Oh, I almost forgot.”  

“What is it?”  

“The Duke of Estricen’s household is looking for a tutor.”  

Amelie’s pink eyes sparkled. A tutor position at a ducal household?  

While the modeling fee Nina paid her was enough for basic living expenses, Amelie needed a more stable source of income if she wanted to return to the academy. The tutor position seemed like the perfect opportunity. Not only did her noble background work in her favor, but it was also a chance to put her education degree to use.  

Without delay, Amelie looked into the job posting from the Estricen household. She met the qualifications and scheduled an interview. As a highly esteemed ducal family, the competition was sure to be fierce, but she prepared diligently.  

The day of the interview soon arrived.  

***

The Estricen household, one of only two ducal families in the Empire aside from the Imperial Family, stood as a symbol of immense power and prestige.  

Considering that the other ducal family, the Schwietes, was gradually losing influence in politics, Estricen was arguably the most prominent noble house in the current Empire.  

True to its reputation, the Estricen estate was both breathtakingly beautiful and overwhelmingly imposing.  

The lobby outside the drawing room bustled with applicants for the tutor position.  

“Miss Amelie Grint?”  

“Yes.”  

Amelie took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders confidently.  

‘Let’s do this.’  

As she followed the butler into the drawing room, the door closed behind her.  

A man seated at a sophisticated table glanced at her sideways. In that moment, Amelie nearly froze on the spot, forgetting everything she had prepared.  

‘Who… is this man?’  

She found herself questioning whether he was even human. His presence was so overwhelming that she instantly understood what it meant to be utterly dominated. His beauty went beyond mere aesthetics—it commanded the air around him and sent chills down her spine.  

His broad, angular shoulders were covered by a uniform, but it was clear at a glance how well-built he was underneath. Beneath his glossy black hair, piercing blue eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her feel as though she were being physically pinned down.  

“Ahem.”  

It wasn’t until he cleared his throat that Amelie snapped out of her daze.  

“I am Kailo von Estricen. Please, have a seat.”  

Kailo von Estricen—the current Duke of Estricen. It was no wonder the family had flourished under his leadership, even at such a young age. From the moment she saw him, Amelie could tell he was no ordinary individual.  

The rest of the interview proceeded as expected.  

“Miss Amelie, I see you were enrolled in the Education Department at the Imperial Academy.”  

“Yes.”  

The Duke carefully reviewed her résumé.  

“You were at the top of your class for three years. Why did you take a leave of absence?”  

“Oh, that was due to family circumstances.”  

Though she hadn’t graduated, Amelie had earned several relevant certifications during her time at the academy.  

Aside from her one blemish—her leave of absence—Amelie’s résumé was impressive, even among the applicants. After all, very few candidates for a tutor position had even set foot in the Imperial Academy, let alone studied there.  

“Would you be able to conduct a trial lesson immediately?”  

“Of course!”  

Amelie answered confidently, turning her head. From across the table, a small boy—presumably her future student—was swinging his short legs as he watched her intently.  

“Ethan, introduce yourself to Miss Amelie.”  

The Duke spoke. The boy, named Ethan, was almost a miniature replica of Kailo von Estricen, as if he had been poured into a smaller mold.  

Black hair, blue eyes, and an icy demeanor. It was clear he would grow up to be just like his father.  

‘Was the Duke of Estricen married?’  

Amelie wasn’t particularly interested in social gossip. As someone from a minor noble family, she had little reason to concern herself with the capital’s social circles.  

Still, a major event like the Duke’s marriage should have reached even her ears. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to recall, she couldn’t remember hearing anything about it.  

‘What does it matter? It’s none of my business.’  

In noble society, it was not uncommon for children to be born before formal marriages. It was not considered proper to meddle in such complex family affairs. Amelie only needed to focus on teaching the child.  

“Hello. My name is Amelie.” 

She said with a bright smile.  

Ethan, with wide blue eyes, stared at her. His blue eyes, identical to his father’s, combined with his adorably innocent expression, deepened Amelie’s smile.  

The next moment, Ethan hopped off his chair with his short legs and ran over to cling to Amelie’s leg.  

“Oh my.”  

Amelie was instantly enveloped in warmth. After feeling tense during her interview with the Duke, who seemed as though not a drop of blood would spill if you pricked him, meeting such an adorable child melted her heart.  

“Yes, I’m so happy to meet you too.” 

She said, lowering herself to kneel and gently patting the child’s back.  

Watching this scene, Kailo von Estricen was visibly surprised.  

Ethan was a cautious child. Many interviewees had come and gone, but Ethan had never so much as made eye contact with any of them, let alone greeted them.  

This was the first time Ethan had shown such affection toward someone.  

It was a good sign. Regardless of the teacher’s skills, the child’s willingness to cooperate was essential for lessons to proceed.