Chapter 2

Lucretia decided to teach her younger sister proper etiquette while waiting for her father to find her a new marriage prospect.

She had made her debut in society, but at sixteen, she was still very much in the mood for play. One could say she was still almost a child.

Moreover, because her father had spoiled her, she had often neglected her ladylike education. There were countless bad habits in her manners and conversation that needed to be corrected. From Lucretia’s perspective, who had received strict education, these flaws were even more noticeable, making her appear undisciplined.

— If I am to be engaged to Lord Falco, I must at least teach her enough so she doesn’t embarrass herself.

This was Lucretia’s sisterly concern, but it seemed to be completely lost on her younger sister.

“...Rosa. When you speak, you can’t just use ‘yikes’ for everything. You should say ‘wonderful’ or ‘fantastic.’”

During a tea time visit to a friend’s house, Rosa, who had been gently corrected by Lucretia, distorted her delicate features into a troubled frown.

Glancing around, Rosa mockingly laughed at Lucretia in a challenging manner.

“Sis, are you jealous because you lost Lord Falco? That’s why you’re nitpicking my etiquette to get back at me, right? If I were cute and had a good personality, no one would care if I made a few mistakes!”

Lucretia was at a loss with her sister’s smug remarks.

“That’s not it. I’m worried about you.”

“There’s nothing to worry about! I’m fine!”

Rosa immediately countered whatever Lucretia said, showing no sign of self-reflection.

Their father had always compared them, praising Rosa and criticizing Lucretia, leading Rosa to believe that she was definitely better than her sister.

— She used to be so cute, always clinging to me and calling me ‘sister, sister.’

Lucretia’s heart ached with sadness.

“Before you criticize my word choice, why don’t you worry about yourself? You make mistakes all the time too!”

Moreover, Rosa would nitpick and hold onto a single mistake for days or even months, using it to argue back.

“By the time I make one mistake, you’ve already made a hundred.”

“It’s not true! I read at least five books a month and study!”

Lucretia, who was often laughed at by her sister for having a ‘dull’ look, replied.

“...Are they the popular romance novels?”

“Ugh...”

It seemed she had hit the mark. Lucretia began her patient attempt to educate her sister.

“Romance novels feature many nobles, but the authors are commoners. They’ve never seen real nobles. What good does it do for a royal like you to learn etiquette from commoners?”

“Don’t act like you know everything just because you haven’t read them! Besides, I watch operas all the time!”

“The playwrights of the operas you like aren’t nobles either. Do you want to be like a ‘bourgeois noble’?”

Lucretia sighed, referring to a satirical play that mocked nouveau riche trying to act like nobles.

Rosa, who could argue like an adult, quickly came up with excuses and refused to listen to Lucretia.

Turning to face her, Lucretia tried to make her listen.

“Listen, Rosa. You shouldn’t take the content of romance novels at face value. Believe me, who has been educated to become a marshal’s wife.”

“What! The stiff and outdated manners you practice, Lord Falco said no one does that in court!”

“It’s not ‘said,’ it’s ‘stated.’ Lord Falco hasn’t yet qualified to attend official receptions. Like you, he is still in the process of development. You shouldn’t take his words at face value, as if he has seen it all.”

“Why not! Even if he’s wrong, everyone will follow a duchess’s daughter!”

Rosa finally lost her temper and slammed the table, drawing unwanted attention.

“Oh, you must have accidentally hit your hand. Did it hurt?”

Taking Rosa’s hand and pretending to check on her, Lucretia whispered urgently.

“...Rosa, a lady should never take out her anger on objects. Think about what rumors might be spread.”

Rosa became even more agitated and refused to listen.

“I don’t want to hear it from you! Dad always says you’re a defective product and that it’s embarrassing to have you as Lord Falco’s fiancée! He even said he was relieved when I took your place! What do you have to say about that?”

Lucretia, though troubled, tried to calm Rosa with a gentle smile.

“...I understand how you feel, but I truly believe that education is a form of love. This is a test.”

“I don’t care! I hate you! Go away!”

Rosa’s behavior, like that of an eight-year-old, made Lucretia’s heart ache. It was hard to believe that she had already made her debut in society.

The noble ladies at the tea party were watching them curiously from behind their fans.

Lucretia wanted to continue the education, but with Rosa completely sulking, she had to give up for the day.

**2021.11.29 Addendum**

You are a royal—

A duchess’s daughter, yet referred to as a royal?

Isn’t this title more fitting for a dangerous rebel?

For those who had this question, here is the addendum:

The law of renouncing royal status exists only in Japan’s imperial family.

“Western royals do not renounce their royal status.”

For more details, please refer to Wikipedia:

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%87%A3%E7%B1%8D%E9%99%8D%E4%B8%8B

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A2%E3%83%91%E3%83%8A%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A5