The World Mistakes Me for Terminally Ill - Chapter 63

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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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The World Thinks I’m Terminally Ill Episode 063

“I know your health isn’t good. I also know you’re busy. But now, let’s have you receive etiquette education.”

Etiquette education.

It was something Bella had recommended to me early on when I came to the Grand Duke’s Castle. Somehow it had fizzled out when I coughed up blood due to side effects from my possession…

However, this etiquette education wasn’t simply about learning complex manners, but had a different meaning among noble families.

‘It’s also called bridal lessons.’

It was used for brides to learn in advance the mindset and duties they should have as noble ladies, either before or right after marriage.

And the reason Bella was recommending this to me was simple.

“You’re also a Runein, so shouldn’t you show your face in Northern high society?”

Among nobles, there was an unwritten rule not to appear in high society before receiving this etiquette education, with the reason being ‘not yet ready to show one’s face.’

Usually, when making someone suffer through married life, they often wouldn’t provide this etiquette education, leading to exclusion from high society, but I was in the complete opposite situation.

Who would have thought Mother-in-law would care about me this much.

I was busy with work, and had been postponing my Northern high society debut day after day using the excuse of not having received etiquette education.

“Oh, Mother-in-law, about that—”

“Such a pretty child has come. I should introduce you to others. Right?”

This was trouble. Debuting in a region’s high society didn’t simply mean starting social activities.

Especially a gathering where the matriarch of a family personally introduces someone… carried the following meaning.

‘This child is our family’s future. Please look after her well.’

It meant being introduced as Runein’s daughter-in-law with no way out. Even if we divorced or were widowed!

‘That’s why I was deliberately avoiding going out.’

I was planning to return to the capital once everything was over, so it was too burdensome a position to accept with such feelings. My hometown was the capital where I lived with my parents, not the North.

If my parents had known my thoughts, they probably would have laughed like this.

‘Our Risha is feeling burdened too?’

I paused at my parents’ voices that sounded like hallucinations.

I was thinking that it seemed like I’d recalled their faces and voices for the first time in a very long while, when Bella spoke.

“You don’t need to think of it as something grand. I’ll ask a lady I know well. Just think of it as casually having tea. I just want to show that you’ve received the education. You just need to sit quietly.”

Looking at my mother-in-law who was now coaxing and soothing me, cold sweat broke out from the pressure.

Excuses flowed out without my knowing.

“Mother-in-law, since I’m from commoner origins and Runein is a prestigious family, if I show a negligent appearance and rumors spread, I’m afraid it might damage—”

“What damage!”

My mother-in-law, who was always gentle except when hitting her good-for-nothing son’s back, shouted angrily.

I had forgotten, but Bella was a strong woman of the North who had managed this vast duchy while having an unhelpful son and a husband busy guarding the outside. I shrank under that force.

“Don’t say such things. Understand?”

“Yes.”

Bella became gentle again.

“Right, since it’s your first time doing this, it might be burdensome. Then I’ll just teach you myself. I can spread rumors that you received it appropriately from someone else, so don’t worry.”

After seeing me cause and resolve issues through interviews and rumors, Mother-in-law was applying the same method.

Mother-in-law, I’m happy, but couldn’t you use this for other matters.

When I couldn’t answer immediately, Bella’s expression darkened.

“…Dear child, is it perhaps because of that terminal illness talk?”

What?

“Are you worried that if you pass away first, Shubel won’t be able to remarry? Is that why a child who used to stir up the capital’s high society has been staying quiet in the North?”

…What? No no, wait. I didn’t stir things up—

“That guy won’t remarry. If I see any signs of it, I’ll cut it off.”

That guy is your son though— More importantly, cut off what exactly?!

When I couldn’t answer immediately because completely unexpected words had come out, Bella turned her head and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.

“I knew it was like that. I knew it.”

My head went blank.

“Mother-in-law, that’s not it. I just wanted to take time and do it slowly…”

“What do you mean it’s not! Above all, time is most precious for a child like you.”

Now our roles were completely reversed, with Mother-in-law wiping away tears while I frantically tried to comfort her.

Making an adult who cares about me cry. I felt like I was going crazy.

Of course, I knew how to make Bella’s tears stop. It was simple.

Just say I would receive etiquette education and debut in Northern high society.

‘That’s not simple at all?!’

While desperately racking my brain, I remembered the original reason I had come to see Bella.

A renowned duchess who had been serving as an imperial etiquette instructor for decades.

The duchess boasted such enormous influence in high society that young ladies who received etiquette education from her and debuted were evaluated as that year’s protagonists of high society.

There was even a saying that young ladies facing their debutante or at the age for bridal lessons hoped the duchess would choose them rather than a prince on a white horse.

‘And she’s famously incredibly strict because of that.’

Strict was putting it nicely; I had heard it was a harsh educational method that shattered young ladies’ self-esteem. That’s why many young ladies gave up without finishing the education.

To me, it seemed like a way to eliminate potential competitors who might surpass the Herman family’s influence in advance.

Ironically, young ladies who passed through this harsh education gained even more influence in high society with the added impression of being more perfect, and that sinister mask was never removed.

‘Those young ladies who gave up on the education would delay their debuts, staying in self-reflection as a sign that they were still lacking.’

I thought ‘this is it.’

A way to accommodate what Bella wanted while delaying my debut until I could leave the North after destroying the original story.

‘I’ll pretend to receive education appropriately, then quit and say I’m self-reflecting.’

As soon as I decided on a direction, I lowered my eyes and spoke in a tearful voice.

“Mother-in-law, thank you for thinking of me. But I don’t want to show you my inadequate side. If I receive education from you when I haven’t learned enough, you’ll surely be frustrated. I only want to show you my pretty side.”

“Dear child, don’t say such things. You’re such a pretty child. Right?”

“And I’m a Runein, aren’t I? I learned that those in high positions must always lead by example. Just like how Runein has stood at the continent’s forefront for a thousand years. If I use such shortcuts, there will surely be talk. I absolutely couldn’t forgive myself if Runein got such a blemish because of me.”

“Dear child…”

When I spoke in a solemn voice, Bella looked moved.

If Bella had said ‘Since you think that way, it can’t be helped. Let’s give up on etiquette education,’ I would have readily agreed.

“Then I’ll quietly find someone I know well. There absolutely won’t be any other rumors.”

Mother-in-law’s determination to introduce me to Northern high society as her daughter-in-law remained unbroken.

I had no choice but to implement my final plan.

“No, Mother-in-law. If we’re going to do it, we should aim for the best.”

“Hm?”

“Runein is the continent’s greatest prestigious family, isn’t it? To craft the highest grade jewels, shouldn’t a renowned craftsman be involved?”

I wiped Mother-in-law’s eyes with a handkerchief while telling her about the news of Countess Herman and the Count’s daughter’s visit that an informant had delivered a few days ago.

When I said this was perfect timing and that I wanted to receive etiquette education from her, Bella looked worried.

“Countess Herman? She may be an imperial etiquette instructor, but isn’t she famously very strict? Dear child, your health isn’t good either… How about finding a more relaxed teacher.”

I felt very guilty about having to refuse Mother-in-law’s wishes when she cared about me until the end.

“Still, she’s the top expert in etiquette education, isn’t she? I want to learn properly, befitting Runein’s name.”

“Well… if that’s what you want to do.”

I decided to repay this debt through the North’s development.

When I insisted, Bella reluctantly agreed.

Thus, Countess Herman was selected as the teacher for my etiquette education, or in other words, my belated bridal lessons.

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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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