~Chapter 21~
“Again! Let’s do it again!”
Calix couldn’t accept his loss so easily and jumped to his feet.
“You just lost your only life. That means there’s no next chance,” Duke Lux said, pressing the tip of his wooden sword lightly against Calix’s neck.
His fierce eyes were enough to shut Calix up. The boy clenched his teeth in frustration instead of answering.
“You think sword skills are the only thing important for a knight?”
“Then what else is there?”
When Calix finally stopped trying to attack again, Duke Lux lowered his wooden sword.
“What’s important for a knight is knowing your opponent and having the ability to judge the situation.”
“I know that much.”
“No, you’re still lacking. That’s why you lost so easily to me.”
“Then how can I get better at it?”
Duke Lux gave a faint smile.
“Obey your lessons. If you fill your head with knowledge, you’ll naturally understand your opponent better and learn how to act in any situation. All of that will help you with swordsmanship.”
But Calix still didn’t look convinced.
“Really?”
“Don’t you want to know the secret to how I became strong?”
“I do!” Calix’s eyes lit up.
“I became who I am because I learned anything and everything that could help me. Learn. Only if you’re open to everything can you become a flexible knight.”
Calix froze, as if someone had hit his head with a rock. Ruby was about to walk over to him when Duke Lux held out his hand to stop her.
Then Calix clenched his fists tightly and said,
“Alright. I’ll learn everything. And I’ll definitely beat you one day, Grandfather!”
It seemed Duke Lux’s words had lit a fire in him. His eyes looked ready to attack at any moment. Ruby was amazed — no matter how much she or their parents nagged, Calix had never agreed to take lessons.
But now, just after one sparring match, he said he’d study. Of course, whether his attitude would last was another matter, but at least he chose to do it himself, and that was shocking enough for Ruby.
“Learn as much as you can. When you’re ready, I’ll let you challenge me anytime.”
“Just wait, Grandfather!”
Boldly, Calix once again pointed his wooden sword at Duke Lux. The Duke didn’t take offense — in fact, there was still a faint smile on his lips. Ruby, too, couldn’t help smiling at her brother’s determined face.
***
It took some time to select the children’s private tutors. Duke Lux had ordered to bring in the best tutors in the entire Baldur Empire.
They went through a strict selection process, and only those who passed were chosen. Each child was assigned tutors suited to their level in each subject.
Ruby was given a tutor who would teach etiquette and economics. It was decided she didn’t need history or other subjects since she already knew them well.
Calix, on the other hand, was assigned tutors for almost all subjects, starting with etiquette. Ruby wondered how long the teachers would last with him — even if he was motivated now, he was still Calix.
Sasha, being very young, was assigned just basic arithmetic and imperial language lessons. They didn’t give her too many subjects, knowing her short attention span.
Ruby was impressed at how quickly Balt assessed the children and chose the right tutors.
She was especially looking forward to her first lesson. In her parents’ home, she’d never had a tutor better than herself, so she always had to study alone. Even in her past life, she had a constant thirst for learning.
Back then, she had never done evening self-study like other students because she had to work part-time jobs, and she couldn’t afford to attend university.
Now, she was curious to see the skill level of the best tutor chosen from among the best.
***
“Lady Ruby, your tutor has arrived.”
When her tutor arrived at the mansion, Ruby had tied her hair neatly into one braid and dressed modestly to make a good impression.
She waited in the special study room prepared for her lessons. The door opened, and in walked a male teacher dressed in clothes decorated with frills at the neck and wrists and fine embroidered patterns.
He had dark brown curly hair, which he combed back with his fingers, and carried himself proudly, with a refined, bird-like elegance in his steps.
“Hello, etiquette teacher,” Ruby greeted.
“I heard the butler didn’t tell you which subject you’d be learning today. How did you know?” the man asked in surprise.
Balt had intentionally not told Ruby which teacher would come first, hoping to surprise her. But since she was only learning economics and etiquette, it was a 50% guess.
More than that, Ruby had figured it out just by watching him.
“And I’m a man — most wouldn’t expect a man to teach a lady’s etiquette,” he added.
Usually, noblewomen were taught etiquette by other women, since male and female etiquette differed slightly.
Ruby answered calmly, “Your steps were graceful and light, you made almost no noise opening the door, your posture is straight… It was obvious you were an etiquette teacher.”
“You’re a clever young lady,” he said, honestly impressed.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Mark Lania, your etiquette instructor.”
“Nice to meet you, Baron Lania.”
“You know me?”
“I’ve memorized all the noble family names in the Empire.”
“Oh… I wonder if there’s anything I can teach you at all.” Mark looked at her with admiration.
Mark was indeed a baron, but his family was poor, so he worked as a tutor for income. He had learned even women’s etiquette to expand his work opportunities, making him quite skilled.
However, his family was so minor that almost no nobles recognized the Lania name. Ruby, knowing his exact identity, meant she must have memorized an entire nobles’ directory.
“If you teach me, I’ll do my best to learn, Baron.”
“Since I’m here as your etiquette teacher, just call me Teacher Mark.”
“Yes, Teacher Mark. Please call me Ruby, and feel free to speak casually.”
Mark was touched by her polite and respectful attitude. Most noble children looked down on him for his low status, but Ruby treated him as a proper teacher.
It made him want to teach her everything he knew.
“Shall we start the lesson, Ruby?”
“Yes, Teacher.”
“What would you like to learn first? Have you studied Imperial noble etiquette before?”
“No, I haven’t.”
Her parents never taught her, believing she’d never live among nobles. The only things she knew came from books.
“Then we should start with basic greetings. Is there anything specific you’d like to learn?”
Ruby thought for a moment, then looked straight at him.
“If possible, I’d like to learn royal court etiquette. Can you teach that?”
“Royal court etiquette?” Mark was surprised again.
Ruby continued calmly, “I think I’ll be needing it soon.”
Only then did Mark recall she was Duke Lux’s granddaughter. She wasn’t the official heir yet, but she might be one day — and in that case, she would need royal court etiquette.
Though she was still young, Mark thought she was someone who planned ahead.
“I’ve prepared many young ladies for their social debut. Of course, I can teach royal court etiquette.”
Thankfully, Mark himself had learned it from strict parents and was highly sought after by noble families.
“Then please, teach me, Teacher.”
“But you understand we must start with the basics first?”
“Of course. I’ll learn everything in order.”
Mark was relieved — Ruby wasn’t the type to demand learning only what she wanted. Her mature attitude impressed him again.
If only all students were like her, teaching would be easy.
Just then—
“I’m not taking lessons!” Calix’s loud voice rang out from far away.
