It had already been three days since we started staying at the ducal mansion.

While he was handling his work, I was learning the etiquette used by noble ladies from Miss Veronica.

“Claire, straighten your back more, and tuck in your chin.”

Contrary to my expectation that I might be able to rest comfortably while Alex was away, I was being chased by Miss Veronica’s high-intensity training.

“Now, stand up slowly like that.”

Miss Veronica sharply scrutinized my every move with gleaming eyes.

If the angle was even slightly off or the posture wasn’t correct, I had to start over from the beginning.

“Again.”

Just like now.

I thought I had acted exactly as Miss Veronica had instructed, but she shook her head firmly, and I couldn’t understand what was lacking.

“Why? What was wrong this time?”

“Your back was too bent just now. Your shoulders were slumped too.”

“…Living gracefully is much harder and more difficult than I thought.”

When I responded in a gloomy voice, Miss Veronica, who had been keenly observing me all along, laughed lightly.

“But you’re improving a lot as we practice every day. Let’s hang in there a little longer even if it’s hard.”

When she spoke sharply, she was no different from a tiger, but when she spoke with a smile like this, she was no different from an angel.

Seeing Miss Veronica going back and forth between hell and heaven, I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry.

“Even your dining has improved a lot these days, hasn’t it?”

“Is that so? I’m trying my best to act while recalling what you’ve told me, Miss. I’m glad that it’s being reflected.”

“Since it hasn’t been long since you started learning, you’ll need to keep being mindful of your actions for a while. Then, as you get used to it, it will naturally become a part of you.”

“Like you, Miss?”

When I asked back, Miss Veronica smiled brightly. It was an affirmative response.

“I wonder if the day will come when I become as graceful as you, Miss.”

“Why do you think it won’t come? You’re getting better and better even now. If it’s hard, let’s take a break and have some tea.”

“Are we really taking a break?”

I narrowed my eyes at her suggestion.

She had said we’d take a break, but how many times had she pointed out my tea-drinking posture after saying something like this?

“Well, killing two birds with one stone?”

“Hiiing.”

I drooped my shoulders.

Still, it was a bit better when drinking tea because she was less strict.

“Then let’s go have tea quickly.”

“Alright. Let’s have it in the garden today.”

“Yes.”

Miss Veronica seemed to have become somewhat accustomed to staying at the Berzel ducal mansion.

She was now able to suggest and decide on a place to have tea.

“You finished early today.”

Sir Tennant, one of the Rose Knights, said when he approached us.

The Rose Knights were in charge of our escort while we stayed at the ducal mansion.

Except for Sir Kruger, who was in charge of Alex’s escort, the other four were escorting us in pairs, and today it was Sir Tennant and Sir Kain.

Unlike the taciturn Sir Kain, Sir Tennant often spoke to us.

Because he was a handsome man with quite a flashy appearance, I felt unnecessarily excited every time he spoke to us.

“Would you like to join us, Sir Tennant and Sir Kain?”

Miss Veronica suddenly suggested to the two knights.

Sir Tennant widened his eyes and then turned to look at Sir Kain, who was standing next to him with his mouth tightly shut.

“What do you want to do?”

“…Let’s do that.”

After a brief silence, Sir Kain agreed. Only then did Sir Tennant turn to us with a bright smile.

“Yes, that would be lovely.”

“Then let’s go together.”

I urged them, feeling unnecessarily excited.

At the Count Maynard’s mansion, nothing unusual happened, and I spent a somewhat boring daily life seeing only the same people I always saw.

On the other hand, since all the people I met at the ducal mansion were new, it was fun getting to know them and becoming friends.

We got up from our seats and left the living room.

I had been feeling a bit stuffy after repeatedly practicing the same posture in the living room all this time, but as we left the corridor and headed towards the garden, I felt like I could breathe freely.

“If you go this way, you’ll find a more comfortable place to rest.”

Avina took the lead and went ahead.

Following her, we soon came across a gazebo made of white stone.

Inside the gazebo, there were seats prepared for six people.

Miss sat down, and I sat down as well.

Across from us, Sir Tennant and Sir Kain sat down.

“It’s an honor to be able to have tea with such beautiful ladies like this.”

Sir Tennant spoke jokingly.

“The honor is mine.”

“I look forward to your care for the next three months. Both of you.”

Miss Veronica and I spoke in order.

Sir Tennant smiled as beautifully as a flower. On the other hand, Sir Kain’s mouth seemed to quiver a little, but there was no other noticeable change.

“I’ll prepare the tea for you.”

The maid placed refreshments on the table.

As if knowing that we have tea around this time, sweet snacks filled the table densely.

“It’s amazing every time I see it.”

Each and every snack was expensive.

Although Count Maynard’s house was also wealthy, such luxurious snacks were not prepared every day like this.

Of course, at Count Maynard’s mansion, there was always a patissier on standby to make any snack Miss Veronica wanted at any time.

But they couldn’t fill the table so lavishly every day like this.

To begin with, it was very difficult to obtain sugar.

These days, sugar was sometimes more precious than gold of the same weight.

The fact that the ducal mansion could prepare such abundant snacks every day was proof of their wealth.

I looked at the snacks with inner admiration. Various desserts were lined up in front of me.

After some consideration, I picked up a scone that I could eat without much fuss.

The sweet and savory butter scent lingered on the tip of my nose.

“Claire, I know what you’re thinking, but be mindful.”

Just as I was about to put the scone in my mouth, Miss Veronica cautioned me.

Feeling sheepish, I tightly closed the mouth that I had opened wide.

Then, as Miss Veronica had taught me earlier, I straightened my back and corrected my posture.

“Good.”

Miss Veronica also let out a small exclamation, as if this much was perfect.

It was too early to be pleased with this. I didn’t know when the words “again, from the beginning” would pop out.

The problem was what came next.

I tried to take a bite of the scone in my hand, but my hand didn’t move naturally and jerked.

“Claire, let’s try again.”

“At times like this, try moving your hand like this.”

Just as I had expected, Miss Veronica suggested trying again.

At that moment, there was a sound from behind, and a large hand appeared from behind, enveloping my hand.

I naturally tensed my shoulders.

Although I hadn’t seen it many times, I knew well whose hand this was.

“Alex…”

“Yes, it’s me.”

Alex moved my hand while holding mine.

Then he leaned his head to my side and took a bite of the scone.

Only then did Alex let go of my hand and slowly moved away.

“When did you arrive?”

The place where Alex’s hand had touched felt unnecessarily hot.

“Just now. The taste is not bad.”

Alex, who answered briefly, soon sat down in the empty seat next to me.

“I heard that you two were having a tea party, so I rushed here out of curiosity. I’m sorry if I interrupted.”

“No, Duke. It’s fine.”

Miss Veronica’s guard towards Alex seemed to have crumbled a little.

“Thank you for understanding.”

Alex smiled charmingly. Then he glanced at me.

It was the same profound gaze as usual.

“I hear you’ve been studying etiquette while I was away, is that right?”

Alex asked, his eyes brightening, interested.

“Yes, that’s right. Miss Veronica has been teaching me the etiquette of noble ladies.”

I nodded and answered.

“I see.”

Tea was prepared in front of Alex. He lowered his gaze to look at the teacup and stroked his chin with his hand. He looked as if he was thinking about something.

“Then it would be a better motivation if there was an opportunity to use what you’ve learned.”

“What? What do you mean?”

I tilted my head, not understanding Alex’s words. I looked around wondering if others understood, but Miss Veronica, Sir Tennant, Sir Kain, and even Sir Kruger standing near the table seemed not to understand Alex’s words, just like me.

“Didn’t you say you were learning the etiquette of noble ladies?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“So I’m trying to create an occasion for you to use that etiquette.”

“…How?”

“Well, what would be good?”

Alex narrowed his eyes while stroking his chin.

Then he smiled and opened his mouth.

“Right, it would be good to hold a ball.”

At Alex’s statement, which was like a bolt from the blue, I froze right where I was sitting.

What did he say he’s going to do?

“A ball? But… I can’t participate anyway.”

I finally managed to open my stiffened mouth.

Even if I learned noble etiquette, there was absolutely no way I could become a noble. It’s nonsense.

Alex crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.

“Why do you think you can’t? Participating in a ball isn’t that difficult.”

Alex finished speaking and picked up his teacup to take a sip of tea.

It was as graceful and beautiful a movement as Miss Veronica’s.

“There are ways to participate in a ball even if you’re not a noble.”

“Ah!”

Miss Veronica clapped her hands as if she understood.

“You’re planning to sponsor Claire, aren’t you?”

“That’s right.”

When Miss Veronica cheerfully got the answer right, Alex responded with satisfaction.

I could only look back and forth between the two, not understanding what was going on.