Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 9

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 9

What a surprise.

Startled by Desion’s sudden appearance, Heidi whirled around in shock.

White shirt with a dark gray vest. Desion, dressed neatly as if entertaining guests at the estate, was setting down several thick books on the desk.

Approaching Heidi, he pulled the pure white curtains open wider and said.

“It may be a bit small, but this view is the finest among all of Haizen’s villas.”

“It’s so beautiful.”

“I’m glad it pleases you.”

Desion smiled faintly.

“Since you’ll have to live within this villa until your education is complete, I wanted to ensure you wouldn’t feel too confined.”

“Ah.”

“I’ll keep you informed about the Daltons from time to time. You can rest assured.”

“I understand, Master.”

At Heidi’s words, Desion’s eyebrows twitched.

“Let’s address that title first.”

“Pardon?”

Desion spoke in a firm voice.

“You must no longer call me ‘Master.’ You’re no longer a maid, after all.”

“Ah.”

Understanding, Heidi slowly nodded her head.

“Just call me Desion comfortably.”

“…Yes.”

Heidi answered with a subtle expression. To casually call by name someone who had been like the heavens to her just days ago felt completely unfamiliar.

Watching such a Heidi intently, Desion let out a short sigh.

“But if that makes you truly uncomfortable…”

At Desion’s words, Heidi’s eyes sparkled.

“For now, you may call me Teacher. I am in the position of instructing you, after all.”

Teacher.

Though still unfamiliar, it was much less burdensome than using his name. With a somewhat more comfortable expression, Heidi nodded.

“Yes, Teacher.”

Desion pulled out a chair for her and nodded.

“Please take a seat. Let’s begin the lesson now.”

* * *

And so the first lesson began.

“Well then, let’s start.”

“Yes!”

Heidi straightened her back at the large table before her. Since this was her first time learning something like this, she felt nervous.

“The road ahead is long, so you’d better steel your resolve. There’s quite a lot I’ll need to teach you.”

“What kinds of things will I need to learn?”

“We’ll study broadly, from basic knowledge like Panther’s history to arts such as music and painting.”

Desion’s gaze fell upon Heidi’s white hands resting awkwardly on the table.

“We’ll also correct your posture and basic manners. Step by step.”

Feeling Desion’s gaze on her hands, Heidi quickly adjusted their position. At this, the corners of Desion’s mouth rose slightly.

“Will you be teaching everything yourself, Tea…cher?”

Desion nodded.

“That’s my intention. Since this is being conducted in utmost secrecy, we must minimize outside contact with you. I’ll do my best with my modest abilities.”

Modest, he said. It was overly humble.

After all, it was Desion who had taught the princess currently at the Royal Palace.

Reaching that thought, Heidi became somewhat puzzled. Heidi glanced at Desion’s face while inwardly tilting her head.

‘Why is making me into a princess so important to Master? All I’ve ever done is menial work… Can I really be of help?’

Just then, Heidi and Desion’s eyes met directly.

“…!”

Neat but sharp eyes. Below them, ruby-colored pupils sparkling brilliantly.

Overwhelmed by the aura Desion emanated, Heidi slowly lowered her eyelashes.

‘…Not now. I’ll ask when I’m more accustomed to this.’

Swoosh.

A thick book was pushed in front of such a Heidi.

What’s this? Surely not.

Looking at Heidi’s bewildered expression, Desion said.

“This is the textbook we’ll study starting today.”

“…!”

“What’s most valued for royalty is historical education, after all. I’ve chosen a textbook that’s cleanly organized to be the most comprehensible. Please open to Chapter 1.”

But despite Desion’s words, Heidi couldn’t quite move and sat there motionless.

Desion looked at such a Heidi with puzzlement.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well…”

Heidi fidgeted with her fingers. After hesitating for quite a while, she carefully parted her lips.

“I haven’t fully learned to read…”

Unable to finish her sentence, Heidi’s face flushed red.

Family circumstances that had declined from the age when she should have attended school. Instead of school, Heidi had to help her parents at their shop.

All Heidi could write was her own name.

Though she had learned some things over the shoulder during her years by Eloise’s side, it wasn’t enough to read such long, difficult sentences fluently.

‘How embarrassing.’

Heidi hung her head low to hide her reddened face.

Desion apparently hadn’t anticipated something like this.

Thinking about it, it was natural. For Desion, who was born into nobility and had lived only in that world, learning to read from childhood and mastering all kinds of studies would have been simply natural.

How to carry multiple cups at once. How to conduct oneself when meeting difficult, troublesome customers. How to polish old floorboards to a shine.

A life of learning such things one by one as you age would be far too distant from his experience.

Then, a quiet voice fell upon Heidi’s bowed head.

“My preparation was insufficient. I apologize.”

“…”

“The process and order can simply be changed, so please don’t worry. I’ll come better prepared.”

Even with Desion’s apology, Heidi’s expression didn’t brighten much.

‘What if I can’t keep up with expectations? If I become useless…’

Scrape.

At the sound of a chair being moved, Heidi looked up.

Desion strode over and stood beside her. He extended his hand toward Heidi.

“…?”

Was she supposed to take it?

Heidi widened her eyes and met Desion’s gaze.

“Let’s go.”

“Pardon?”

Desion elegantly curved up the corners of his mouth.

“We should finish the first lesson, after all.”

* * *

The place Desion led Heidi to was the dining room.

After the two took their seats, a plate was brought in before long. It contained something like a bright yellow soup.

Desion pushed the plate in front of Heidi and said.

“Please taste it.”

Heidi carefully picked up the spoon. As she put the warm soup in her mouth, a sweet flavor enveloped her tongue.

“Mm.”

It seemed to have pumpkin in it. Not strong, but there was also a slight hint of carrot.

It was a flavor that seemed familiar yet somehow had a different nuance.

Gulp.

As Heidi swallowed the food, Desion asked.

“How is it?”

“It’s delicious.”

Desion nodded at Heidi’s answer.

In the meantime, the next plate was quickly placed in front of Heidi.

Scallops rich with butter aroma and fish dishes so tender they seemed ready to crumble at the slightest touch. Steak with vivid pink flesh that looked appetizing. Even dessert filled with refreshing fruit puree.

Heidi’s eyes sparkled at the luxurious dishes she was tasting for the first time in her life.

‘I had only ever watched these from afar before.’

Heidi clumsily imitated the table manners she had learned from watching Eloise.

Start with the cutlery from the outside.

Quietly, without making noise.

Desion only offered a few words here and there whenever Heidi struggled, but took no special action until she finished her meal.

When Heidi had emptied the last dessert plate, Desion asked.

“How was the meal?”

Heidi answered with a flushed, excited face.

“It was really delicious.”

“Which one suited your taste the most?”

At Desion’s words, Heidi rolled her eyes around. Everything had been so exquisite that her tongue felt honored, so how could she pick just one?

“They were all delicious…”

When Heidi couldn’t quite choose one, Desion smiled faintly.

“That will conclude today’s lesson.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————