At that time, she had just come of age, while her husband Count Caylerd was a middle-aged man past forty. Many people sent Nerty sympathetic praise for what was clearly a political marriage, calling her a noble lady who knew how to sacrifice herself for her family.

It was also an insult that she had sold her youth and beauty for profit, but Nerty’s dignified bearing never faltered. It was partly because her husband Count Caylerd was the closest confidant of Duke Barea, the Empire’s highest-ranking noble, but she had always been someone thoroughly filled with aristocratic pride and self-esteem.

Though of course, in a bad sense rather than a good one.

After some time passed, Nerty had become an excellent teacher who taught etiquette and deportment to various young ladies, helping them successfully complete their debuts. It was the result of several elderly noblewomen who had noticed her lofty attitude that remained unshaken even in humiliating situations and her graceful bearing, entrusting their granddaughters to her.

As the ladies educated by Nerty received favorable evaluations at their debuts, she had become a figure with tremendous influence in high society. There was widespread talk that any daughter entrusted to Nerty would surely secure a good match.

The reason Ribeta came to know so much about Nerty Caylerd was because of Melissa.

Melissa’s parents, the Count and Countess of Razey, were greedy individuals. And they held an extremely generous opinion of their only daughter Melissa. They believed without doubt that if they attached Nerty as an etiquette teacher, good marriage proposals would come in.

Melissa, swayed by the promise that if things went that way she could indulge in even greater luxury, agreed to receive Nerty’s education.

“Melissa, you need to get up and prepare now. Isn’t it time for Countess Caylerd to arrive?”

“I hate it! Do you know what that woman does in the name of education? She cinches my waist so tight I feel like my stomach will burst.”

“Even if it’s difficult, if that’s the countess’s policy, you must follow it. If you have the countess as your chaperone, even becoming a marchioness won’t be a dream.”

“I don’t care. I’m pretty enough without doing such things, so why should I endure it? And I’m not the only one who can’t stand it, you know? What was her name, Asellina? I heard she couldn’t bear that woman’s pressure and gave up on debuting entirely. Maybe I should just do the same.”

“What are you saying! We have such high expectations for you. Ribeta. What are you doing standing there blankly? You can’t even think to cheer Melissa up. You’re truly useless.”

But Melissa couldn’t last even a week. Even Ribeta, who knew how weak Melissa’s will was, had no choice but to take Melissa’s side at that time. Nerty Caylerd was a terrible person who enjoyed tormenting ladies younger and weaker than herself under the pretext of education.

Of course, since Nerty had high society under her thumb, such incidents were dismissed as ghost stories and disappeared. After all, ladies who hadn’t debuted in high society had no way to stand against Nerty.

Ribeta had taken lessons in Melissa’s place since childhood. Because she had to act as though she were Melissa, she had no choice but to desperately master everything she saw, heard, and learned. Thanks to that, she had perfectly mastered the deportment and posture of a lady. Even Diego acknowledged this.

“Excellent. There’s no need for you to receive separate etiquette education.”

Moreover, she had been present at the scene when Nerty taught Melissa. Though it was only for a week.

Nerty’s torment would only grow worse from now on. She would torment her subtly and cunningly yet persistently.

Ribeta actually felt relieved. She had worried a great deal about how to appear like the real ‘Illeshia Barea.’ But in front of Nerty, she only needed to endure. Enduring torment was much easier than acting as someone she had never even met. She could endure pain as much as necessary.

“I apologize. I didn’t mean it that way.”

When Ribeta obediently admitted her fault, Nerty became even more triumphant. She unfolded her fan and waved it gently as she slowly circled around Ribeta.

“Since the Duke ordered me to teach you strictly, if you show such presumptuous words or actions even once more, I will report it to the Duke immediately. I’ll graciously forgive you just this once.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“Second, you must unconditionally follow my teachings and be reborn as a perfect lady. You mustn’t ask me questions, harbor doubts, or express opinions like you just did, understand?”

Ribeta quietly nodded. Nerty stood behind her and spoke as if whispering in her ear. It was a strange voice, damp yet somehow filled with agitated emotion.

“That must be why Duke Barea summoned me. Even ‘that’ Count Ruperto wouldn’t want to welcome a wife who lacks even the basics. Are you perhaps thinking that Count Ruperto might welcome a vulgar wife more?”

Ribeta could feel tremendous malice toward Diego in Nerty’s voice. Why? The emotion was far too clear to be a mistake, enough to raise goosebumps.

When Ribeta trembled slightly, Nerty, thinking she had overwhelmed her, grasped both shoulders. Her hands were cold as ice.

“Think about it, my lady. To Count Ruperto, who only seeks out slaves, you are not an attractive partner. He chose you because you are Duke Barea’s daughter. Would he give his heart to such a lady? No, absolutely not. You can never be loved.”

“……”

“So you must be helpful to your father. You mustn’t give him any leverage. The only person who will care for you as you grow old unloved and shabby is the Duke. You must trust me, whom the Duke chose, and listen to my words. You must trust me, who gives you such advice for your sake.”

Her sharpened nails dug into tender skin. The stinging pain made her already sharp reason and judgment even clearer.

She didn’t know why, but Nerty Caylerd harbored tremendous ill will toward Diego. It wasn’t at the level of gossiping about him as a vulgar merchant who coveted slaves.

That wasn’t all. Her attitude toward ‘Illeshia Barea’ was also quite overbearing. If the real Illeshia Barea had been in this position, she would have been deeply hurt. Just as when she was beaten by the Duke.

If she treated a lady this way, she must have treated ladies of lower status even more harshly.

‘Is it really okay to keep letting such a terrible person be called teacher?’

“I’ve tried to explain it simply so you can understand sufficiently. How is it?”

Nerty, who had removed her hands from the shoulders, smiled benevolently. In any case, she couldn’t dismiss this person right now as ‘Illeshia Barea.’ Because there was one more role Diego had requested of her.

“It will be difficult, but try to win Duke Barea’s favor.”

“But the Duke doesn’t welcome a daughter of common birth……”

“That’s why I said it would be difficult. You don’t need to overdo it. Just do what you can.”

Though it was a remark thrown out in passing, Diego’s request was clear.

Ribeta bowed and lowered her posture as much as possible. Her expression was firm and calm.

“I want to be helpful to the Duke. Please, I beg you for your precious teachings, teacher. I will follow whatever you say.”

“That’s an excellent attitude. Wait just a moment. I’ll bring something essential for you, my lady.”

Nerty, who looked at Ribeta approvingly, left the room. When she returned shortly after, she held a corset in her hands.

“This is something that will greatly help correct your posture. You’ll be wearing it until you can hold your body properly on your own.”

Nerty approached with a gentle smile. Ribeta noticed at a glance that it was no ordinary corset, but she obediently entrusted her body to Nerty’s touch.

The corset had a structure that placed hard boards front and back, making it impossible to bend at the waist. The boards pressing against her stomach and back alone were suffocating enough, but when the corset strings were tightened as well, her breath was momentarily cut off and a cough escaped.

Nerty narrowed her eyes. It was an ambiguous expression where it was impossible to distinguish whether she was smiling or glaring.

“Is this your first time wearing a corset?”

Feeling that opening her mouth would bring out another cough, Ribeta only nodded. Then Nerty roughly pulled both strings.