The Prince Who Loved Me - Chapter 53

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 53

 

“That etiquette teacher is… Countess Clarissa.”

 

Seeing Bada’s bewildered expression, Lea added an explanation.

 

“Countess Clarissa is a great elder of Bernhardt’s social circle. I thought His Highness would invite an outside expert, but for her to come…”

 

From Lea’s attitude, it seemed the Countess was a very important figure.

 

Bada’s heart grew anxious as well.

 

“Then let’s go right now.”

 

Rushing to the reception room with Lea, they found an elderly lady sitting upright on the sofa.

 

The lady seemed to sense their presence and rose from her seat. Then she curtsied toward Bada with an elegant posture.

 

“Lady Yu.”

 

“It’s an honor to meet you, Countess Clarissa.”

 

Seeing this, Bada automatically curtsied in return.

 

At this, a subtle crack appeared between the Countess’s brows.

 

“Lady, you are His Highness the Crown Prince’s fiancée, so you already hold a position equivalent to royalty. Therefore, you need not curtsy to me.”

 

“…I’m sorry. I’m not yet accustomed to such things.”

 

“There’s nothing to worry about. His Highness sent me here to teach you such things.”

 

“You must have had a long journey. Would you care for some tea?”

 

“That would be lovely.”

 

* * *

 

After tea time, the formal etiquette lessons began.

 

The lady stood upright beside the fireplace, examining Bada from head to toe.

 

“Then let’s start by checking your walking posture. Would you please walk from this fireplace to the far end over there?”

 

“Yes, I understand, my lady.”

 

Bada began walking across the plush carpet in her shoes.

 

She should just walk as usual. But knowing the lady’s sharp gaze was watching her made her quite nervous.

 

She tried her best to walk elegantly with her shoulders back and spine straight.

 

When Bada stopped walking, the Countess spoke in a subtle tone.

 

“How refreshing.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

“That wasn’t a compliment.”

 

“…”

 

Bada smiled awkwardly.

 

It seemed she would never get used to the upper class habit of speaking indirectly.

 

“Lady, you walk like a triumphant general. You’ll need to learn how to walk elegantly like a lady first.”

 

“…Is that so? It seems I have a long way to go. Haha.”

 

It took over 30 minutes just to correct her walking posture. Next, the Countess worked on Bada’s curtsy.

 

“A curtsy is a greeting that expresses respect for the other person in an elegant manner. You must treat them as if they were the center of the world. Try it once more.”

 

“Like this?”

 

“You bent your knees too much. No, you need to bend them a bit more than that. Maintaining moderation is most important.”

 

“…”

 

Just correcting her posture made sweat bead on Bada’s forehead.

 

‘This is like a complete boot camp!’

 

* * *

 

By the end of the lesson, Bada was completely exhausted.

 

Then, there was a knock and a servant appeared pulling a trolley.

 

Dozens of books and videotapes were stacked on the trolley.

 

“The textbooks contain comprehensive information about royal protocol. Everything from dress codes to conversation etiquette is explained in detail, so please be sure to study them in advance.”

 

“Yes, I understand, Countess.”

 

“I’ve also prepared materials for you to study Bernhardt’s history and culture in your spare time. Additionally, since German is often used in informal settings in Bernhardt, you’ll need to study German as well.”

 

“Of course. I’ll study hard!”

 

Bada couldn’t take her eyes off the mountain of books. Cold sweat seemed to trickle down the back of her neck.

 

‘…The Countess doesn’t know I’m only here for one year. She’s really trying to give me proper Crown Princess education.’

 

* * *

 

From that day on, Bada devoted herself to studying.

 

Wherever she went, she carried books under her arm and studied whenever she had time. The Crown Prince’s fiancée’s passion moved even the servants who had been skeptical about her existence.

 

A representative figure was Butler-in-Chief Reginald.

 

Reginald came from a family that had served the royal family for three generations, and was a man with considerable pride in himself.

 

He, who prided himself on knowing the workings of the royal family better than anyone, had also initially viewed Lady Yu unfavorably.

 

‘I thought it would last a year at most.’

 

But the more he observed Lady Yu, the more favorable she became.

 

Her respect for royal traditions and etiquette, and her character of approaching servants first and engaging them in conversation without pretense.

 

‘Perhaps having the unpretentious Lady Yu become Crown Princess instead of a privileged young lady might help improve His Highness’s image.’

 

But for some reason, the Crown Prince’s attitude was ambiguous.

 

He made Reginald report on her activities several times a day.

 

Whether she was eating well. What the servants’ attitude toward her was like.

 

Sometimes he seemed like a parent anxiously worrying after sending their child to kindergarten for the first time, and other times like an adolescent boy experiencing his first clumsy love.

 

Born into royalty, he rarely expressed emotions.

 

‘But for some reason, when it comes to matters related to his fiancée, he keeps acting emotionally. Yet he acts so stoically in front of the Lady herself – I don’t know which tune to follow.’

 

Reginald let out a low sigh.

 

Even with his 30 years of experience as head butler, it was a complete mystery to him.

 

* * *

 

The next afternoon.

 

While Bada was studying in the reception room, Dorothy and Harper appeared carrying trays with tea and desserts.

 

Bada cleared the notes and books from the coffee table and smiled.

 

“Oh, thank you. Please set it here.”

 

Dorothy, who was setting up the afternoon tea, glanced at Bada who was absorbed in studying.

 

‘She’s working hard.’

 

Then she cleared her throat and spoke.

 

“Um, Lady?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Would you like us to help you study? If we ask questions and you answer them, wouldn’t it make studying more fun?”

 

Bada, who had been blinking her large eyes, smiled brightly.

 

“I was just feeling lonely, so would you help me?”

 

* * *

 

The three sat huddled together on the sofa. Dorothy flipped through the notes and asked a quiz question.

 

“What is the name of the treaty signed between Bernhardt and Britain in 1972 for economic friendship and cooperation?”

 

“The Newcastle Treaty.”

 

“Correct. Then what is the name of the king who defended royal authority against the revolution started by Henry Ironcliff, also known as the ‘Bloody Duke’?”

 

“Philip Ernst.”

 

“Next is a question related to royal protocol. Among the pictures in the following options….”

 

“Um, excuse me.”

 

Harper, who had been quietly watching from the side, asked slyly with a mischievous smile.

 

“Since it’s no fun if you just get them right, how about we drink tea every time you get an answer wrong?”

 

“Tea?”

 

“Yes, tea mixed with a magical beverage.”

 

Soon Harper pulled out a flask containing whiskey from her apron pocket and gave a cheeky wink.

 

Then she poured the amber-colored liquor into the teacup with a trickle.

 

* * *

 

Harper’s purpose was simply to drink alcohol legally during work hours.

 

Actually, these days Harper was under considerable stress since she got scolded by Mrs. Rosa every single time she came to work.

 

Mrs. Rosa, the house manager, was like a tyrant ruling over the servants.

 

She constantly interfered with Harper’s work, to the point where Harper was on the verge of developing stress-induced alopecia.

 

“What a damn world! It’s so hard to make a living! At least it’s fortunate that the Lady seems to be a good person.”

 

“Does Mrs. Rosa treat you that badly?”

 

Bada, who had drunk the whiskey-laced tea, made a slurred sound.

 

“I manage to endure it somehow. But honestly, Dorothy is a complete elite, you know? She’s too good to be trimming turnips in the kitchen with me. *Hiccup!* That’s probably why Mrs. Rosa treats her so terribly.”

 

“Oh my. What do you mean?”

 

“Mrs. Rosa’s daughter applied to Dorothy’s school but got rejected! Ever since then, she’s been tormenting the girl, saying what’s the use of graduating from that school if you end up doing menial work anyway! Whenever they make eye contact, she looks like she wants to devour her. It makes me so angry! Honestly!”

 

“…That’s too much.”

 

“Please scold her, Lady! Please?”

 

“Hmm….”

 

Harper, who had been venting her complaints, lowered her voice and asked.

 

“By the way, that rumor, *hiccup!* is it reeeeal?”

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