#104. “Sounds Like You’re Talking About a Pet”
“Ah, so you’re from the Kingdom of Lamore. How should I address you?”
He clearly wanted to take the initiative. I felt a slight twitch of his eyebrow as I preemptively took control of the situation.
Still, he hadn’t wasted his years in vain; his expression remained unchanged.
Ah, this is exactly why I dislike old foxes.
Children, no matter how politically gifted, can be swayed. But people who’ve survived years of court intrigue don’t show a hint of emotion, making them utterly unendearing.
I clicked my tongue internally and stepped inside.
“…I pay my respects to Princess Blanche. I am Count Grief, sent from my homeland to oversee your etiquette education. Please, feel free to address me comfortably.”
Count Grief rose from his seat and bowed politely.
“Very well, Count Grief. Please, have a seat. Tula, could you bring some tea?”
As I received the greeting, I nudged Tula out of the room.
Judging by the earlier atmosphere, it seemed Grief had been reprimanding her, so it was important to get her out of sight.
“Yes, understood.”
Tula’s voice was clear and crisp.
Though, since I’d trained her well, I couldn’t tell whether she was holding back her emotions or simply delivering a mild scolding. I’d ask her later.
Checking my surroundings, I took the single-seater sofa to the left of the three-seater Grief occupied.
“So, Count Grief. Who sent you?”
“His Majesty the King.”
King? My forehead already started to throb. The man listed as my father in the registry, whose face I barely remembered.
Though rotten, he was still the head of the Kingdom of Lamore.
Why on earth would he suddenly assign me an ‘etiquette instructor’?
“Your purpose here?”
“Your Highness, conversations traditionally begin once the teacup is lifted.”
Ah, so that’s the approach.
But he wasn’t foolish with age either. I gave a graceful smile—something I excelled at: wrapping things elegantly, giving off a sense of refinement.
“Am I someone who must strictly observe etiquette? You?”
Whether by adoption or not, my official status was that of a princess of Lamore.
Technically, it wouldn’t be improper for royalty to forego strict protocol with a noble.
Lamore’s class system seemed more relaxed than the Empire’s; of course, the kingdom’s royalty wouldn’t behave like this, but this was the Empire, so what could one do?
Grief’s eyes sharpened slightly.
“That is precisely why, Your Highness, you must do so.”
His posture, already rigid, stiffened even further.
“His Majesty recently received reports of your conduct and expressed great concern. Believing it a failing of his own to have not properly educated you, he sent me to oversee your etiquette. Therefore, it would be best for you to regard me as your instructor and show me respect.”
Surely, this should’ve been done ten years ago.
Even if I had been too young, Tula should have been trained before being sent. They didn’t even explain the differences in the hierarchy between the Kingdom and the Empire, and I nearly lost my head upon arrival.
Now, to teach me after all this… I had no idea what he meant about my recent conduct, nor why they made a fuss about it.
Not that I truly didn’t understand; it was more that I couldn’t fathom why they were making such a fuss.
“The tea has arrived.”
A maid entered with a tray carrying the teapot.
Typically, Tula, doubling as the butler, would have presented the foreign envoy.
But she seemed to understand my intention to keep her out of the room. I’d have to praise her later.
“Any objections?”
If he were serious, he should have asked this before serving the tea. Expressing preferences now would seem impolite.
The Count answered calmly, showing that his role as etiquette instructor wasn’t mere pretense.
“None. I appreciate the hospitality.”
Tea was poured, and we lifted our cups to inhale the aroma.
A conversation traditionally began after savoring the scent and taking the first sip. I warmed my mouth with the hot tea before speaking.
“My recent conduct?”
After taking the first sip together, the Count answered immediately.
“Why did you leave the palace?”
“If that is the issue, diplomatic procedures should have been followed. This was done with the Emperor’s approval.”
There was no way I’d have gone to the academy without the Kingdom’s approval, so this was a mere nitpick.
What he really wanted to ask was not why I left the palace, but why I remained freely at the Archduke’s side instead of clinging and fawning.
If I wanted to maintain even a thin veneer of dignity, there was no need to state it plainly. So, I played dumb.
“You must be aware of your position. You are here as a peace envoy. You should restrain personal desires for the sake of national interest.”
“My trip to the academy was by the Archduke’s will. I was merely following his orders as his companion.”
“I’ve heard the Archduke did not accompany you.”
“That too was his will.”
Count Grief must have realized that the conversation was going in circles. Ultimately, I had two options: expose my shallow feelings or end the conversation gracefully.
Either way, I had nothing to lose. I chose to enjoy the tea and remain indifferent.
The tea was perfect, thanks to Tula’s care.
“I’ve heard the Archduke favors Princess Blanche.”
“Oh, sounds like you’re talking about a pet.”
“Your Highness!”
“Why raise your voice? It really does sound like you’re referring to a well-bred puppy. Perhaps my unknown biological parents weren’t human.”
Even if the Empress or Dowager had praised me, it might have been tolerable.
But the Emperor was only two years older. Being favored by someone just two years older? That’s exactly how one treats a pet.
Outwardly, it may have looked fine, but it wasn’t appropriate for one to use such words for their own princess.
His etiquette, posture, and the way he held his cup were flawless, but clearly, he wasn’t suited to be sent abroad.
As I concluded my evaluation of Count Grief, he continued to scold me with the same unchanging expression.
“Your Highness, mind your words and actions.”
Despite the bluntness, he showed no change in expression, which was impressive.
“It’s you who should mind your words. I am the Archduke’s companion, not a plaything. Please use the correct expressions.”
Grief’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
Yes, someone born into nobility, trained to value only refinement and etiquette, would surely be shocked by my behavior.
But this was my strength.
I could behave like a sheltered noblewoman or, conversely, like a streetwise rogue.
Grief had only one approach, while I could adapt freely.
I maintained etiquette while letting my tone and word choice convey subtle insolence.
“Then fulfill your duty as his companion.”
“You’ve grown enough to no longer need to play. I suppose playing with a young girl has become boring.”
I phrased it ambiguously on purpose. The King sent him to ensure I would wag my tail by the Emperor’s side again. If I revealed that, today’s verbal sparring would end here.
“Do you really intend to retreat so easily? The fate of the kingdom rests on your position. You must remain by the Archduke’s side—”
Not blunt enough to be rude, but Grief, sent as an etiquette instructor, had already stated it outright. I cut him off.
“Remain? Should I even flatter him?”
The Count flinched not at all, merely closing his mouth in silent acknowledgment. I crossed my legs, rested my arm on my thigh, and propped my chin.
“Ah, I see. So in the Kingdom, peace envoys are treated as courtesans?”
“Your Highness! Watch your words!”
“As I said, you should mind your own actions. Is there any other way to interpret being instructed to stay in favor with a ruler?”
Certainly, there are many interpretations. Not all favored companions are kept purely for pleasure.
But the old have the disadvantage of rigid minds, which made it easy for me to steer the conversation.
Since the Kingdom had likely sent him to make me a ‘charming companion,’ Count Grief could hardly refute my words.
I set my half-finished cup down and spoke coldly:
“You may take the room today to rest and reflect on your behavior. Next time we meet, I expect you to show the decorum befitting your position.”
That concluded today’s interaction.
The remaining task was to discipline Tula and the other staff. I wondered if I’d finish in time…
I counted the hours left until curfew in the dormitory.
