After her conversation with Karsten about playing the role of Laterna, Breti began receiving lessons in noble etiquette.

Even though it was only meant to be an act, there was so much she needed to learn.

“From now on, Countess Abbott will be your teacher. Make sure you learn well, so you don’t bring shame to the house.”

She had to start with the basics—how to hold a fork, how to greet royalty with the proper respect, even how to receive bows from those of lower status.

All these customs had been utterly foreign to her when she’d lived as a slave. Now, she had to master every single one.

The person Karsten assigned as her teacher was none other than Countess Emma Abbott.

Fortunately, Breti kept up well with Emma’s lessons. Emma, tireless and endlessly patient, showered her with praise for how quickly she picked things up.

“How do you manage to learn so quickly?”

Even something as simple as holding a teacup would make Emma clap her hands in delight.

At first, all that praise felt overwhelming, but Breti was slowly getting used to it.

“Thank y—no, thank you, Emma.”

She caught herself just in time, almost speaking too formally again.

The one thing she still struggled to adapt to was speaking informally to the staff of Servien Manor—and to Emma herself.

Emma only ever scolded her for using honorifics with the servants. Breti glanced at her teacher, and this time, Emma seemed willing to let it slide.

“You’re doing well, miss. You’ll get used to speaking down to people soon enough.”

Afraid she might accidentally use honorifics again, Breti simply nodded her reply.

At that moment, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

Realizing her mistake, Breti quickly pulled herself together and spoke up.

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to be so formal.”

Karsten said, watching her with a gentle smile. It was the first time she’d ever seen such warmth on his face. Without meaning to, Breti felt her heart skip a beat.

‘If I really were his sister, would he always have smiled at me like that?’

Not the indifferent expression he usually wore.

But Breti shook her head, chasing away such foolish thoughts.

‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

While she was lost in thought, Karsten and Emma continued their conversation.

“Emma, thank you for everything.”

“It was no trouble at all. Miss Breti is truly worthy of House White’s blood. There’s such grace in everything she does…”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it’s been an honor to be her teacher.”

As Emma’s praise continued, Karsten studied Breti intently.

The ragged girl who had first arrived was gone without a trace. Now, Breti had transformed into a woman with such poise and elegance that anyone would believe she belonged among the highest nobility.

She really could pass for his sister.

Their eyes met in the space between them. The warmth from earlier was gone from Karsten’s face; the look he gave her now was cool, void of any emotion.

That gaze left an ache in Breti’s chest.

“Today will be your last lesson. We leave for the capital tomorrow.”

“So soon?”

The word capital slipped from Breti’s lips in surprise. She’d never imagined she’d ever have a reason to go there, let alone enter it like this.

Emma caught her hands with a look of real regret.

“I’m going to miss you so much, miss.”

Emma said, her eyes shining with tears.

Seeing Emma like that made Breti’s heart ache with guilt.

‘If she knew who I really was, I wonder if she’d still look at me like that.’

Living as someone else always seemed to leave her feeling sorry for everyone around her.

Without a word, Breti squeezed Emma’s hand tightly.

“You’ll do wonderfully in the capital, miss—I’m sure of it.”

“…Thank you.”

Suddenly, a wave of fear swept over Breti, coiling tight around her chest. Could she really do well in a place so full of uncertainty and hidden dangers?

Just then, she remembered the words at the end of the duchess’s letter:

[…Whatever you look like, I just want to see you soon, my daughter.]

Even though she knew those words weren’t meant for her, recalling them somehow gave Breti a small measure of courage.

“Let’s end the lesson here for today.”

Karsten said, walking toward Breti with steady steps. He placed his hands firmly on her shoulders.

“Laterna will be saying goodbye to this place today.”

“Of course, she should! She’s spent years here, after all.”

Emma replied, wiping her eyes.

“We’ll see you again.”

Karsten added, keeping his hands on Breti’s shoulders as he led her out of the room.

When the door closed and Emma was out of sight, he finally let go.

“Come with me.”

He ordered, his voice cold once more. Karsten walked ahead, with Benon following closely behind.

Breti couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being escorted under guard.

After a short carriage ride, they arrived at a small village.

“Get out.”

Karsten, who hadn’t said a single word during the entire ride, finally spoke after stepping out of the carriage, extending his hand to her.

Breti stared blankly at his outstretched hand for a moment.

‘Emma said you’d learned your etiquette well—was she lying?’

She already knew that a noblewoman should accept an escort when stepping down from a carriage. The problem was, she hadn’t expected that hand to belong to Karsten.

“…That’s not it.”

“Take it.”

He said, and before she could react, he firmly grasped her hand himself.

As soon as she stepped down, Karsten leaned close and whispered in her ear,

“If you’re going to put on an act, do it properly.”

His voice, sharp and admonishing, made Breti’s shoulders tense up with nerves.

Just then—

“Breti!”

A familiar, joyful voice rang out.

She turned toward the sound, and there was Daphne—who had said she was leaving for her hometown—running toward her.

And it wasn’t just Daphne. The people she’d lived and suffered with at Aurora were gathered behind her, faces filled with hope.

Breti reached out to Daphne, but Benon stepped in immediately, blocking her path.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Daphne demanded, sounding flustered and angry.

“You mustn’t approach carelessly.”

Seeing Breti’s discomfort, Karsten leaned in again, his voice a low whisper by her ear.

“Now, who are you?”

“…”

“Answer me.”

Karsten’s commanding voice pressed against her ear. Breti shrank in on herself, finally managing to part her lips.

“…I am Laterna.”

“That’s right. You are Laterna.”

“…Yes.”

“You may have once been Breti, but now you’re Laterna Delia White. So you’ll need to show these people who you are, won’t you?”

Even as she cowered, Breti glanced up at his face. The coldness etched into his features made her knees feel weak.

All she could do was nod in answer.

“Say it.”

“…Yes.”

The moment she spoke, Karsten signaled to Benon.

As soon as he saw the gesture, Benon stepped aside, letting Daphne through.

Daphne shot Karsten a glare, but hurried to Breti, grabbing her hands tightly.

“Breti, do you know how worried I was when I couldn’t find you anywhere for a whole month?”

“…”

“I didn’t get the chance to ask last time, but what on earth happened? And what’s with those clothes?”

Daphne fired off her questions without pausing for breath, her voice full of all the worry she’d held onto.

It wasn’t just Daphne—the others who had lived alongside Breti at Aurora were coming closer too.

Breti bit down hard on her lower lip.

But then Karsten pushed Daphne’s hand away, stepping protectively in front of Breti.

“How dare you lay a hand on my sister?”