Chapter 167. Etiquette Lessons

Splash.

Leaning against the bathtub filled with warm water, I entrusted myself to Faye’s hands. In other words, I was receiving bath assistance.

“You won’t be staying here much longer. You’ll be moving to Felice Palace soon.”

Faye said while lathering soap on my back.

“And it won’t be long before I stop calling you Miss Seraphina.”

“Haha, that’s true.”

I laughed awkwardly.

I had just gotten used to showing my n*ked body to a maid, or rather, I was just pretending to be used to it… I felt like I wouldn’t be able to handle it well when people started calling me Her Majesty the Empress.

I might appear calm on the outside, but I’d probably be panicking on the inside.

“It might take some time to get used to the new title.”

I slightly revealed my true feelings.

In response, Faye, now lathering soap on my right arm, replied,

“Why don’t we practice from now on? Your Majesty.”

“Ack! Don’t, Faye.”

“What’s with that undignified ‘Ack’? We really need the etiquette teacher to come soon.”

“Ugh.”

I was left speechless and closed my mouth. As it happened, I was scheduled to meet the etiquette teacher soon.

Ionia had prepared everything. It felt like she had rolled out a red carpet to quickly transform me into a proper empress.

Just walk on this.

That’s exactly how it felt.

It had only been two days since we arrived in Elmon…

Everything felt so hectic.

After finishing the bath, I let Faye dry my body with a towel, feeling embarrassed. They said the number of maids would increase to four when I become empress.

I need to get used to this quickly.

I steeled my resolve to adapt well, thinking of Johann.

As I put on a robe and stepped out of the bathroom, bright sunlight was streaming into the bedroom. It was a clear day.

“Oh, look there. Don’t the flower buds seem a bit bigger?”

“Do they?”

At Faye’s words, I carefully observed the flower buds hanging on the tree branches. Even though it was still winter with cold winds blowing, the flowers were diligently preparing for spring already.

The buds didn’t seem bigger to me, though…

“Are you just seeing it that way because you’re eager for winter to end?”

“Maybe. The imperial wedding will be held when spring comes, after all.”

Faye led me to the dressing table with a meaningful smile.

One month left.

That’s the time remaining until the imperial wedding.

Ionia seemed to want to get everything done within a week if she could, but holding a big event like an imperial wedding in winter wasn’t good in others’ eyes.

Well, doesn’t everyone huddle up at home during the cold season?

Even wars between countries and the social season took a temporary break in winter.

So, the imperial wedding was scheduled to be held as soon as spring arrived.

Unlike the rushed preparations in a month, Ionia said it was being prepared very grandly.

I was shocked when I saw the list of invited guests.

The name of a country’s king was casually written there. There were numerous renowned figures. Not only the founding families of the empire but also influential nobles from all over the world were endlessly listed.

Even the officiant was the High Priest who had followers all across the continent.

While it was natural for prestigious noble families to have the High Priest officiate, for commoners, he was someone you could barely see from afar. It would be an unparalleled honor to even touch the hem of his robe.

By the way, I had never met him.

Ionia handled all of this as if it were nothing. It made me realize anew how high the position of the empire’s emperor was.

I kept alternating between thinking whether it was okay for someone like me to become empress, and then clenching my fist and repeatedly telling myself, ‘Don’t be scared! You can do it!’

The imperial palace was busier than ever.

Everyone was moving busily for the imperial wedding a month later. The wedding ceremony would be one day, but the banquet would continue for a week.

And I purely admired Ionia’s authoritative figure as she gave precise instructions to various people for all of this.

Seeing me like that, Ionia said in a businesslike tone,

<You should be able to do this too, Seraphina.>

<Yes.>

<…The etiquette teacher is scheduled to come from tomorrow, right?>

<Yes.>

I’m not sure what could go wrong with one-syllable answers, but it seemed I had done something wrong.

Behavior, speech, tone of voice, eye contact, etc.

It seemed like everything from head to toe would be criticized.

Suddenly realizing how much I might be scolded by the etiquette teacher I would soon meet, I shuddered once.

“I’m so happy to be able to dress Your Majesty like this.”

At that moment, Faye smiled brightly while applying powder to my face. Even though I wasn’t empress yet, it seemed she had decided to keep calling me that from now on.

I let out a small sigh with a resigned heart.

Right.

Come to think of it, this girl.

I suddenly realized why Faye was so excited.

She had transformed the flowy dress I had bought to wear alone into something that could be worn to a social tea party. Complete with matching makeup.

“Faye, you’re like a fish in water.”

“Yes, I’m so happy.”

Faye’s face really looked happy as she answered.

Maybe we share a similar hobby.

I cautiously revealed my secret hobby.

“Is it okay for an empress to do sewing?”

“Sewing? There are many noble ladies who do embroidery…”

“Not that easy stuff. I mean making dresses.”

“Well… I’ve never heard of someone with that hobby. Usually, dresses are ordered from dressmakers.”

“Hmm.”

I let out a thoughtful groan.

I had found a hobby I liked, but would it harm the dignity of an empress?

While I was seriously pondering this, Faye spoke up, shrugging her shoulders.

“I don’t think His Majesty the Emperor would say anything about it.”

I looked at Faye through the mirror. She continued,

“If anything, he might set up an entire palace as a dressmaking shop and hire a bunch of seamstresses to work under Your Majesty.”

“Isn’t that too grand? I’m not talking about starting a business. I just want to make one dress at a time as a hobby.”

“Ah.”

Faye rolled her eyes once and then smiled as if to say, what’s the problem then?

“You’re in a position where you can enjoy that much freely.”

I felt relieved.

However, apart from the worry about whether an empress could do sewing or not, there was a more fundamental problem.

It was a busy schedule that left no time to even touch a sewing machine.

* * *

The person who came as the etiquette teacher was Countess Adria.

She had been widowed a few years ago and had no children, so she was essentially alone, but she was highly respected due to her many admirable actions throughout her life.

And…

My first impression of this middle-aged woman with a proper mix of white and brown hair was that she was elegant yet strict.

Although it would have been understandable to be confused about dealing with a commoner-born empress-to-be, she maintained an appropriate attitude and distance with me.

In other words, she maintained proper etiquette while thoroughly scolding me.

It seems I’ll be seeing Countess Adria more often than Johann from now on, which is troubling.

I spent an exhausting day being criticized for countless things, from my gait to my speech, eye contact, and hand movements when picking up and putting down teacups.

I’m dying.

“…Is it really over?”

“Yes, you worked hard.”

Faye smiled brightly as she helped me with the last task of the grueling day — taking off my dress.

Shortly after, having quickly finished her duties, Faye left, telling me to rest well and that she would come to wake me up early tomorrow morning.

“It’s really intense in a different way.”

I mumbled to myself as I collapsed onto the bed.

It was so comfortable.

I felt like I could be sucked into dreamland just like this.

Knock knock.

That’s when I heard a knock.

I should pretend I didn’t hear it.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

I thought the unidentified visitor would leave since there was no answer, but they carefully opened the door and entered. I could feel the presence getting closer and closer.

Soon, someone stopped in front of me and stood silently.

Who is it?

Is it Johann?

Unable to overcome my curiosity, I painfully lifted my heavy eyelids.

“Your Majesty, what brings you here at this hour?”

Johann sat down on the edge of the bed and gazed at me intently.

“I came in the morning too, but you were busy.”

“Ah, I heard. The maid told me when I was leaving the room. I was taking a bath then… yawn.”

I couldn’t hold back my yawn, so I buried my face in the bed and covered my mouth with one hand.

During today’s etiquette lesson, when I yawned because it was too boring and tiring, Countess Adria taught me various ways to deal with uncontrollable physiological reactions.

Like turning your head and covering your mouth with your hand, or using a fan if you’re at a banquet.

“You seem to have learned a lot on your first day.”

Noticing my changed gestures, Johann chuckled.

I looked at him with sleepy eyes and asked. I had a feeling he had come to tell me something.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“No.”

Johann said with a gentle smile.

“I just wanted to see you.”

What’s this, really.

I blinked slowly and quietly looked at him.

The cozy and languid atmosphere that came after a busy day felt nice.

Johann shared the soft air with me for a while, meeting my eyes, and then lightly kissed my forehead.

“Sleep well.”

Sleep was pouring in.

I closed my eyes contentedly at the sweet goodnight greeting.