Chapter 8

In the study room, a sharp sound that tore through the air echoed.

Floriana, who had been struck on the back of her hand with a whip, flinched and stiffened.

"The spelling is incorrect."

"S-Sorry, teacher."

"Write it a hundred times. When you're done, recite the next section."

"...Yes."

Holding back the tears that were welling up, Floriana gripped the heavy pen again.

Although she wasn't hit hard enough to leave a mark, the whip's trace was red and stinging. She wasn't even allowed to touch it.

Miss Reed, the governess, raised her chin and went to check Harry's math problems.

Facing her brother, who silently protested, she crossed her arms, still holding the whip.

"What's that look for? I was told directly by the lady to teach you thoroughly."

"...Nothing."

"You won't be done until you get all the answers right."

Suppressing a sigh, the two turned back to their tasks.

They understood the need for studying, but there was no denying that this time was painful.

With her dark hair streaked with white pulled tightly back and dressed in somber black or gray dresses, Miss Reed, who looked down at them with a stern gaze while adjusting her glasses, seemed more like a warden than a teacher.

The heavy air in the study room's door usually didn't open until the lesson was over.

The unexpected knock made the three of them turn in surprise.

"Am I interrupting?"

"Oh!"

Saying, "May I come in?" without waiting for permission, Anna entered the room lightly.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Reed. I'm Anna."

"T-This is Lady Anna."

With wide eyes at the unexpected visitor, Miss Reed bowed. Before she could say anything, Anna smiled innocently.

"I have a request. Miss Reed, can I join the lessons?"

"H-Huh?!"

"I have the permission of the master and Lady Julia. If you're worried, please verify it."

"Wh-What?"

As she spoke, Anna closed the distance and firmly took Miss Reed's hands in both of hers.

The whip fell to the floor in the commotion, but Miss Reed didn't notice.

"Since I've been living in the countryside without socializing, I don't know much about the capital or the customs. When I consulted, I was advised to learn from Miss Reed along with the children. They said you are incredibly knowledgeable."

"That's, well, an honor."

"Is it okay with Harry and Floriana, or would I be in the way?"

"N-No, not at all!"

"Great. Then I'll join you, Miss Reed."

Smiling with relief at Harry, who was about to stand up, and Floriana, who shook her head frantically, Anna brought a chair from the corner and sat between the siblings.

She also kicked the fallen whip under the desk without being noticed.

"By the way, what are you doing... Floriana, this is a very difficult poem! Harry is doing math... I'm actually quite good at calculations, but your handwriting is much neater than mine."

"A-Ah, Lady Anna."

"To be able to do this much at seven and nine years old, you must have worked very hard. Of course, it's also thanks to Miss Reed."

When Anna mentioned first and third grade, the siblings didn't quite understand. However, they could clearly see that Anna was impressed as she narrowed her eyes at Harry and gently stroked Floriana's hair.

Not knowing how to respond to the praise, they blinked repeatedly.

"Oh, I interrupted. Let's resume the lesson."

"Um..."

"...Hehe. Such an excellent teacher and students don't need a whip, do they, Miss Reed?"

With a smile that changed the atmosphere, Anna said, making Miss Reed's mouth twitch and her face turn blue as she bowed her head.

"Y-Yes, Lady Anna. ...Yes, that's right."

The two witnessed a smile that didn't allow the other to say no.

Miss Reed, who had been very uncomfortable, didn't take long to reduce her frowning and stern expressions.

Whether it was due to the tea time that started for etiquette practice or because Anna began taking the lady, who had been confined to the house, out to the town for "extracurricular lessons," the siblings didn't know.

The lessons remained strict and demanding, but with the removal of the whip and Miss Reed's adoption of brighter clothing at Anna's suggestion, the atmosphere became more relaxed, and the study time no longer felt oppressive.

"Lady Anna. I don't particularly like herbal tea, but this one is quite easy to drink."

"I'm glad. It's a special blend I made just for you, Miss Reed, so I'm happy you like it."

"Oh, really!"

"It's a special blend for women. It has a relaxing scent, doesn't it?"

"Yes, very much so."

Miss Reed, moved by Anna's effort to prepare it specially for her, sent a grateful gaze.

Although she had never heard of "Kounenkishogai," she was surprised to find that her irritability decreased and her mood improved after reluctantly following Anna's advice to change her diet and lifestyle.

"By the way, Miss Reed. I received another gift the other day."

"Yes, Lady Anna. There are manners for returning gifts..."

Instead of a plate of cream-laden cakes, the tea tray was filled with fresh fruits, Anna's favorite.

While the two children listened to the adults' pleasant conversation about social matters, they enjoyed the fresh fruits, and the time passed peacefully.