Chapter 7

Fiona's daily routine changed completely.

Until then, she would spend her mornings in her room, idly embroidering, and in the afternoons, she would have tea with her sister and mother. However, from the next day on, she would spend the entire day studying.

In the mornings, she would attend lectures on cultural subjects such as foreign languages and history, and in the afternoons, she would take lessons in manners and dance.

Every day became surprisingly busy. The manners lessons were particularly strict, and the superficial etiquette she had learned before marriage was far from enough. A viscountess named Harriet was assigned as her governess. According to Harriet, to cultivate beautiful manners, "everyday life is important."

The Roseblade family's dining table also changed. Menus that required skill to eat became more common, and it seemed that the difficulty level was being increased with each meal.

Eating alone in the large dining room, the sound of her utensils would resonate loudly. The servants who served her began to glance at her. Fiona thought the servants here were really scary. It seemed as if the entire mansion was being educated.

Despite this, Fiona's appetite did not wane. The food at the duke's house was surprisingly delicious, and it would be a waste to leave anything.

However, as she continued this daily routine, she sometimes felt the need to take a break. She asked Mary if she could take a walk in the garden. She was a bit worried if going out to the garden would be considered going out, and if Aloysius's permission would be needed, but it turned out that wasn't the case. She began to take walks accompanied by Aria and Mary.

When she went out, she found the garden was very spacious, and the trees and greenery were soothing to the eyes. There were also birds and squirrels. Fiona began to enjoy her walks. During these walks, she started to talk a little more with Mary and Aria.

They didn't treat Fiona as a friend, but they did start to chat a bit. During tea time, when Chester served, he began to tell her about the history and territory of the Roseblade family. With her mother and sister not visiting, the time she spent with the servants increased, and Fiona gradually became accustomed to the mansion.

"By the way, my mother and sister haven't visited recently."

Fiona muttered.

"Do you want to see your family, ma'am?"

Chester asked.

"No, not really. But I do worry about them if they don't come."

Fiona herself had not been well-educated, so she was receiving lessons and being taken care of. She was worried that her family might do something wrong. The more she got used to the house, the more she didn't want to cause any trouble.

"Ma'am, there's no need to worry. They are doing well."

"..."

Why did Chester know? Perhaps they weren't being turned away, but rather not coming at all... Fiona decided not to think too deeply about it. She should be prepared to be scolded when she saw them next.

"By the way, is Lord Aloysius doing well?"

Chester chuckled at her question. She realized that checking on her husband's well-being had become a secondary concern to her family. Despite the luxurious life she was leading, she still couldn't fully grasp the reality of having a husband.

"Yes, sir is doing well."

When her lessons started to show results, Fiona was invited to an informal tea party with the queen. She was very nervous, but it was an invitation she couldn't refuse.

She was led to the beautiful garden of the palace. She thought other ladies and young ladies would be invited, but the tea party was just the two of them.

Fiona was so nervous that she could barely nod in response. She couldn't even taste the tea or the sweets she was offered. At first, the conversation was only possible with the queen's help.

Despite all the special training she had received from her governess, she couldn't call herself a proper lady if she couldn't converse smoothly.

However, the queen didn't seem to mind and made small talk to ease Fiona's tension. The education she had received helped a little, and she gradually began to be able to respond to the conversation.

"You've changed so much. You look very beautiful, and your speech is lovely."

Fiona was delighted to receive praise from the queen. It seemed her lessons were paying off. She thought she should be grateful to her governess, the servants of the Roseblade family, and Aloysius.

As she was leaving, the queen said something unexpected.

"At this time, Aloysius is in the palace library. You don't see him often, do you? You should go and see him."

Fiona blushed at her words. Why did the queen know that she didn't see Aloysius often? Was it common knowledge that he didn't come home? She felt uneasy but couldn't pry, as it was a condition of their marriage.

"Would it be a bother to visit him while he's working?"

Fiona asked hesitantly.

"Oh, no, it's fine. Don't worry about it at all."

The queen smiled mischievously. She and Aloysius seemed closer than Fiona had thought. Perhaps it was natural since they were relatives.

By the way, Eudes had mentioned that Aloysius held a leisurely position in the history department. Perhaps a visit would be fine.

In the end, she decided to go to the library with Mary, who had accompanied her to the palace. They walked through the spacious entrance, up the stairs, and down the corridor to the location the queen had told her.

She found Aloysius. In a grand reading area with large windows letting in soft sunlight, he was sound asleep in a corner.

This man doesn't come home and sleeps here.

However, his sleeping face was peaceful and very beautiful. Without his usual smile, he looked youthful. It felt like she was seeing his true expression for the first time. He looked so comfortable that she hesitated to wake him. "Your husband is called a 'daytime lantern,'" she remembered Eudes saying, and Fiona smiled softly.

"Good night, Lord Aloysius."

She silently bid him good night and left the palace.

"Please keep this a secret from Lord Aloysius."

Fiona asked Mary, who smiled and agreed.

At first, she found the servants of the Roseblade family scary, and their constant presence made her feel suffocated. Now, she could see that they neither mocked her inexperience nor pampered her, but supported her growth and watched over her. They had become more trustworthy to her than the people from the Carington family.

Today, she would pretend she didn't see him. So, the count is still six.

That evening, Aloysius came home unusually early. They had dinner together in the dining room, where the candlesticks were lit. This was their seventh meeting, Fiona counted. By this time, she had learned to eat without making noise.

After dinner, Aloysius invited her to have tea together.

"Harriet told me you've been working very hard on your studies."

Fiona blushed at his words. She was happy to be praised for doing what she should have been able to do. She had never been praised at home, always living in her sister's shadow. She wanted to say something that would please him, but nothing came to mind. She knew surprisingly little about him. Without prying, she couldn't learn more. She felt a bit lonely facing such a large wall.

Aloysius was a handsome man with golden hair and green eyes. He was very good-looking. Fiona also had blonde hair, but it was pale, and her sister often said it was unattractive. She envied the color of his hair.

Drinking tea with him at night, she couldn't help but be aware of him, and her heart raced.

However, her racing heart was dispelled by Aloysius's next words.

"In a week, we're going to a palace ball, so please be ready."

"Huh?"

He said it with his usual smile and a light tone. Fiona was surprised, tilted her head, and finally froze. She had never been to a ball. Would this be her first ball at the palace?

"Um, what should I do?"

She asked, hoping he would say she should stay home.

"Hmm? Just greet the king and guests and dance with me. Fiona can do that, right?"

Aloysius said casually to the uncertain Fiona. She nodded out of habit and then quickly replied, "Yes," in a small voice. Her eyes were filled with anxiety.

"Fiona, you've been working very hard, and your manners have improved a lot. I think you should have confidence."

Hearing Aloysius's words, Fiona's face lit up.

"I'll do my best!"

"Good, I can hear you clearly. You're very close. Fiona, try to speak a little softer."

Aloysius said with a smile, and Fiona's cheeks turned red again. She had raised her voice again. Nobles don't speak in loud voices. Fiona had developed this habit while helping with household chores at home.

With everything that happened today, Fiona was very tired. While being helped with her bath, she dozed off. Chester had told her that she would be busy from the next day, preparing dresses and accessories.

She fell asleep as soon as she got into bed.