REDA | Chapter 22

~Chapter 22~

Ruby felt a headache coming on and pressed her forehead.

It seemed Calix was already refusing his tutor.

She had truly believed that after hearing Duke Lux’s words, he would obediently take lessons — so why was this happening?

After thinking for a moment, Ruby decided to focus on her own lesson with Mark.

“Teacher, let’s just continue with the lesson…”

“Get out! Leave right now!”

Bang!

There was even the sound of a door being slammed as Calix drove his tutor out.

Ruby sighed deeply and finally stood up.

“Excuse me, Teacher Mark. May I go check on my brother for a moment?”

“I think that would be best,” Mark said, clearly guessing what had happened from hearing Calix’s shouting outside.

Ruby felt so embarrassed — Calix’s troublemaking side was being exposed to a stranger. She politely excused herself and left the room.

The room where Calix had lessons wasn’t far from hers.

Outside the door stood a tutor — clearly the one Calix had just kicked out. She wore triangular glasses and had a strict, severe look. Her hair was pulled up neatly without a single strand out of place, and her cold expression left a strong impression.

“Open this door,” she ordered sharply to Calix.

“No!”

But Calix’s mind was already closed off and wouldn’t open easily.

Ruby decided to watch the scene for now.

“If you don’t open the door right now, I’ll report to His Grace the Duke.”

“You think that’ll scare me?”

“His Grace said that if you refuse lessons, there will be no more swordsmanship classes in the future.”

The tutor’s voice remained firm. Clearly, Balt had already given her tips on how to deal with Calix.

The closed door slowly opened.

“…Come in.”

“Please say, ‘Come in,’” she corrected.

She was trying to fix his manner of speaking right from the start. Ruby could easily imagine how resentful Calix’s face must look.

“Come. In,” Calix forced out each word like he was spitting it.

The tutor held her chin high, her back straight, and walked in. The door closed behind her.

From her strict appearance, Ruby guessed Calix’s first lesson was etiquette. But she couldn’t tell exactly what about this new tutor had set him off.

Since it seemed the lesson would proceed now, Ruby returned to her own room.

“Did things go well with your brother?” Mark asked.

“Yes. Fortunately, his teacher seems to know how to handle him,” Ruby replied.

Without Balt’s advice, Calix might never have received any education at all — it was truly a relief.

Ruby sat down again.

“Now I’m ready to fully focus on your lesson, Teacher.”

“Then, before we practice greetings, let me explain why they’re important.”

“Yes, Teacher Mark.”

Ruby’s uneasy feeling proved right. Mark turned out to be a very talkative teacher.

She had thought they’d get straight to practicing etiquette, but instead, he began teaching about the origins of noble etiquette, the reasons it was created, and the underlying principles.

He even said there would be a test later.

Ruby could memorize everything after hearing it just once, but the long theory still bored her. She could now understand why Calix had rebelled.

Still, she listened carefully and took notes. Even if she thought some of this knowledge was unnecessary, she wanted to make a good impression on Mark and learn as much as possible from him. Teachers always teach more to students who show effort.

“Ruby, you’re a student who’s truly ready to learn,” Mark praised at the end of the long theory lesson.

He had never seen a child listen so intently — most found it boring or even yelled to skip to the practical part.

“I’m sure there’s a good reason you teach the theory first,” Ruby replied like a model student.

“Ruby…” Mark made a dramatic gesture of wiping away a tear. Ruby felt a bit guilty for secretly thinking it was boring.

“You’re right. The heart is the foundation of etiquette. If your manners don’t come from the heart, they lose their meaning.”

“Manners from the heart… I’ll remember that.”

“Yes, I’m sure you’ll do well.”

Mark’s trust in her was already firm. Ruby just smiled.

“Let’s stop here for today — our time is up.”

Thankfully, the lesson ended. Today, all she had really learned was the mindset and preparation for etiquette. They hadn’t practiced anything yet. But there was plenty of time ahead, so Ruby decided not to rush.

“See you next time, Teacher Mark.”

Every time Ruby spoke, Mark seemed so moved he almost teared up.

“See you next time, my excellent student, Ruby,” he said, waving his handkerchief as he left the mansion.

“Haa…” Ruby exhaled, recalling her tiring first lesson, and quietly walked toward Calix’s room.

She knew she shouldn’t, but she pressed her ear to the door.

“Hhh… hhhuh…”

To her shock, she heard Calix crying.

She quickly pulled her ear back, then tried again — yes, he was still sobbing.

Calix was not the type to cry easily. Even as a child, if he fell, he didn’t cry but got up and ran forward. He was proud and never gave in to any situation.

For him to cry now meant something was definitely wrong.

Ruby knocked on the door. Knock, knock.

“Who is it?” The tutor’s voice called — as if she owned the room.

“Excuse me, Teacher. May I come in?”

“What is it?” her sharp voice replied.

“I think I forgot to give my brother some supplies. It will only take a moment.”

The woman clearly didn’t like it, but reluctantly allowed entry.

“Fine.”

Even though she was an adult, this was still Calix’s room while he lived in the mansion. The fact that she, an outsider, was “allowing” entry made Ruby uncomfortable.

Still, she opened the door carefully — only to find the tutor standing right in front of her.

“Give it to me and go,” the woman said.

“I’d like to hand it to Calix myself.”

“He’s in the middle of his lesson. Are you trying to interrupt my teaching, young lady?” She raised an eyebrow and glared down at Ruby.

But Ruby didn’t back down.

“Could I just see his face for a moment so I don’t disturb you?”

“That would disturb me.”

Ruby pushed the door a little more firmly. The woman pushed back.

Ruby pulled out a handkerchief from her clothes.

“I think my brother started crying because he’s still immature. May I comfort him?”

“That didn’t happen,” the tutor said flatly.

But Ruby had clearly heard him crying — and just then, behind her, Calix’s sobbing grew louder.

“Uwaaah! Sis!”

It seemed hearing Ruby’s voice had made him even more emotional.

Something was definitely wrong.

“Please step aside,” Ruby said firmly.

“We’re in the middle of a lesson. Don’t interrupt. His Grace has given me full authority to teach him as I see fit.”

Apparently, Duke Lux had empowered her because he expected Calix to be uncooperative.

“I’m also his sister. As his guardian, I have the right to see him. So please step aside.”

“If you keep this up, I won’t be able to continue teaching him. Please leave.”

Ruby hesitated — if this teacher quit and spread bad rumors, they might never find someone willing to teach Calix.

But her priority wasn’t whether Calix was taught — it was making sure her brother was safe and happy.

“I don’t care. Even if Grandfather gave you full authority, that doesn’t mean you can take away my right to see my brother.”

Finally, the woman sighed and stepped aside.

Ruby immediately rushed to Calix.

“Sis…”

He was sitting with his knees pulled up, and there was a bright red mark going straight across his legs.