Bridal Lessons - Chapter 9
But her trusted nephew had brought in a fiancée without any consultation, and in recent months had politely refused even her visits. She had intentionally chosen a time when Iscarion was away to pressure Rosen into leaving.
‘How dare that little thing aim for the position of Grand Duchess? I’ll use this opportunity to discipline her properly and make her leave on her own. If she decides to leave, Iscarion won’t be able to do anything about it.’
With a triumphant smile, she approached Rosen.
“Not all nobles are the same. To become a member of the prestigious Lutèce family, the most honorable and representative of the empire, you need to have the appropriate qualifications. I’ll make sure you understand that.”
Following the Countess’s visit, young Rosen faced harsh days.
Starting the very next day, Mrs. Damon, known for her strictness in the capital, was brought in as Rosen’s new etiquette instructor. Under the Countess’s orders, she rigorously emphasized strict rules and manners, teaching Rosen with a stern approach.
Rosen had to wake up at dawn, rubbing her sleepy eyes to read books. Delicious snacks, naps, and free time were completely forbidden. Accustomed to the relatively free and playful atmosphere of the Dana household and Iscarion’s gentle guidance, Rosen found it overwhelming.
“Even if the corridor is empty, you must never run. Walk gracefully and elegantly.”
“Yes…”
“If even one book falls from your head, you will be punished.”
“Ah, no!”
When Rosen inevitably dropped the book and cried from the punishment, Eloise, the Countess’s niece, approached her. Looking around to ensure no one was in the corridor, Eloise spoke to Rosen.
“Little girl. Be honest. What’s your real relationship with the Grand Duke? Did you beg him to let you stay here because you had nowhere else to go?”
“No! Brother Isca said we would live together now because we’re getting married later.”
“Ha… You really don’t get it. Until what age are you planning to stay here? I don’t want to think about raising kids from the honeymoon.”
“Sniff, we promised to live together. He said we’d get married when I grow up.”
“A promise?”
Eloise laughed mockingly at Rosen’s words. She advised Rosen with a sneer.
“You believed those words to comfort a child? Pathetic. Did the Grand Duke kneel down when he said that?”
“Kneel down?”
“If a man didn’t kneel on one knee and propose properly, it’s not a real proposal. It’s completely fake.”
Rosen’s small face turned pale. The first time she heard she was going to be Iscarion’s fiancée, she was piggybacking on him.
“Fake…”
“Yes, completely fake.”
Eloise drove the point home with a satisfied expression and left the pale Rosen standing in the corridor.
The harsh lessons continued. Among them, the dining etiquette lessons were the most difficult for Rosen. Although she used to enjoy almost all kinds of food, mealtimes with the strict Countess Ellen, her niece, and Mrs. Damon were no longer enjoyable.
“Hiic, so many beans and eggplants… And the fish…”
Rosen, forced to sit in a high-backed chair designed to correct children’s posture, looked down at her plate with a tearful expression. She was even strapped to the chair to maintain the proper posture.
Mrs. Damon, standing sternly beside her, spoke firmly.
“Bad habits like being picky about food are absolutely unacceptable. Eat everything on your plate.”
Although Rosen was generally not picky about food, as a young child, there were still a few foods she didn’t like. Iscarion never forced her to eat what she couldn’t. If she couldn’t eat something, he would ensure she got the necessary nutrients from other foods. The cook at the grand duchy also took care to finely chop or hide vegetables in sauces that children typically disliked.
But now, the table was filled with food that young children especially struggled to eat, cooked in their whole form. With tears in her eyes, Rosen struggled to put the food in her mouth.
“But when I eat with Brother, I didn’t have to eat what I didn’t like…”
“Brother?!”
Mrs. Damon’s sharp gaze pierced Rosen. Thwack. The whip struck the table edge in warning. The fierce look in her eyes made Rosen’s round pink eyes well up with tears.
“You must not address His Highness so informally just because he has been kind to you! From now on, you must always show proper respect.”
“…Indeed, a child without parents is different.”
Ellen, sitting elegantly across the table and cutting her steak, added a remark. The dining room’s atmosphere turned icy, and Eloise glanced at Rosen with a gloating expression.
“We need to find a more suitable lady for the Grand Duke as soon as possible.”
“Hiic…”
Tears fell onto Rosen’s small hands. She picked up her utensils but, choked with emotion, couldn’t eat much.
