~Chapter 50~
Before visiting the Constantine house today, Madam Crenbell went to see Gwenndolyn first. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t Madam Rosemarlin who had hired her, but Gwenndolyn.
Gwenndolyn Horace was known as the perfect example of a noble lady—always elegant.
“What standards should I set for the lessons?”
Crenbell asked, and Gwenndolyn smiled with narrowed eyes.
“Standards, huh…”
Gwenndolyn had seen hope in Anais yesterday. To her, Anais was completely wrong for Baldwin’s tastes.
Baldwin didn’t like talking to people. It made sense—he couldn’t hear and he rarely spoke, so conversations were difficult. Gwenndolyn had never seen Baldwin say more than three sentences in a day, except when working. In private, he always preferred silence.
But Anais was different. She talked a lot and always said whatever she wanted to say.
‘Baldwin will hate that,’
Gwenndolyn almost laughed.
Lately, Anais dressed even more boldly. Gwenndolyn realized Anais didn’t just look beautiful, but also flashy and attention-grabbing. Baldwin didn’t like drawing attention. He always tried to find quiet places when there were crowds. Of course, with his looks, he couldn’t really avoid attention anyway.
Being with Anais would just make him stand out even more.
There were also many little habits Anais had that were nothing like Baldwin’s tastes—Gwenndolyn knew these from being his friend for so long.
“Make me the standard, Madam Crenbell.”
Crenbell was a distant cousin of the Horace Marchioness, famous as an etiquette teacher in society. They weren’t close, but they knew each other.
The reason Gwenndolyn chose Crenbell was simple: she was a true noble snob. She admired powerful nobles but looked down on anyone not of their class. She had even tried to marry higher, but didn’t make it—her title wasn’t enough for the highest tables. Anais was someone who would trigger her jealousy.
Gwenndolyn saw it in the way Crenbell looked at Anais yesterday:
malice, jealousy, and anger.
Gwenndolyn was sure Madam Crenbell would put Anais in her place.
“Isn’t that standard too high? But as the lady of Constantine, it’s fitting. You should at least be like Miss Gwenndolyn,”
Crenbell smiled.
“As Baldwin’s friend, I trust you,”
Gwenndolyn said sweetly.
“Please make the Grand Duchess fit for the noble world. I feel sorry for Baldwin. Even if it’s a marriage for family reasons, she should at least do the basics. I was upset just watching yesterday.”
To Gwenndolyn, a bank office wasn’t a place for noblewomen. It was too dull and businesslike.
“How could the room be so plain? She obviously doesn’t know how to decorate. She probably never learned. And not even preparing tea for guests! She doesn’t even teach her staff properly, and thinks that’s normal.”
To Gwenndolyn, money alone wasn’t enough to make someone noble. She believed tradition mattered most.
“If we want to teach everything quickly, we’ll have to be strict,”
Crenbell said.
“That’s fine by me,”
Gwenndolyn answered.
The stricter, the better—maybe Anais would realize she didn’t belong and just give up.
‘If she complains to Baldwin, it’s even better. He doesn’t like women who can’t take care of themselves. He’s always cold, even with friends. She’ll give up soon.’
Gwenndolyn thought she should hurry with her own plans—maybe bring a child into the family quickly.
* * *
It was the first time I really didn’t want to go to the Constantine house. It was probably because of today’s forced appointment.
“Oh my, Your Grace, you’re home early today! It’s just after lunch!”
“I have an appointment at the house,”
I replied to Ella, who was following me closely. I thought I’d better rest before what was coming.
While I was walking in the garden with Ella, the guests I’d been expecting arrived—along with Madam Rosemarlin.
“Did you have an appointment with those people?”
Ella asked, her voice full of worry.
“Ella, I have a favor,”
I told her my plan, and she nodded.
After talking with Ella, I moved to greet the guests: Madam Crenbell, who looked hungry for something; Gwenndolyn, whose eyes were full of ambition; and finally, my mother-in-law who was bringing them in.
“Grand Duchess, hurry. You need to learn as much as possible in the time we have.”
All three of them had different faces, but they all had the same goal:
To kick me out of this place.
‘They’re so easy to read.’
They were not good businesswomen at all. My grandfather always said: if you want something, hide your feelings and be patient.
But these women were so different from me. They would be happy just wearing pretty dresses and drinking nice tea.
Madam Rosemarlin led us to a large parlor.
“From now on, we’ll hold lessons here, Grand Duchess.”
I sighed automatically.
‘For a while, I’ll have to play along with whatever they do. Just thinking about doing this several more times makes me tired.’
“Before we start, you should change clothes,”
Madam Crenbell said.
“What you’re wearing isn’t good enough for the Constantine name. You must always wear proper clothes when you go out.”
“So, I should go to the dressing room,”
I said.
“May I check the dressing room?”
“Of course, Madam Crenbell.”
Why did my mother-in-law have to approve it when I was the owner? Gwenndolyn gave me a mocking smile.
But I told myself—just hold it in a bit longer.
Madam Crenbell rummaged through the dressing room like a fish in water.
“This dress is too dull. This color is too muddy. And this decoration is so cheap,”
she said.
The maids sorted the dresses as she waved her hand.
“From now on, you must only wear these. I picked dresses suitable for your rank.”
They were all heavy and too much for my taste. I liked dresses that were pretty but light and easy to move in, especially since I worked.
But I saw no reason to argue here. Just agreeing was enough.
“Yes, I’ll do that,”
I replied.
Madam Crenbell seemed excited.
“Then change into one now. And…”
“Wouldn’t that take three hours? I’d have to do my hair and makeup and pick new shoes and jewelry. Will today’s lesson just be in the bathroom and in front of the mirror?”
She glared at me with blue eyes.
“That’s not the right attitude, Your Grace.”
“Sorry,”
I said lightly.
Madam Crenbell trembled but couldn’t argue.
“Wear it next time, then. For the next lesson, you must wear it.”
“Yes, I will.”
She turned around, and Gwenndolyn and my mother-in-law followed behind her like ducklings after their mother.
‘I can’t believe I have to join their parade of ducklings.’
A sigh escaped me.
