~Chapter 25~
Fortunately, Calix’s injury wasn’t as bad as it looked, so he recovered quickly.
Thanks to the doctor’s careful treatment, there wasn’t even a scar left.
But during his recovery, he had to skip sword training so the wound wouldn’t reopen — and his whining was endless.
“Can I start sword training now?”
“You can. But you must be very, very careful!”
The doctor repeated the warning several times, worried that Calix would run around like a wild colt again.
Calix barely listened. He hurriedly grabbed his new wooden sword and was about to dash to the training yard.
At that moment, Balt entered his room.
“Young Master, are you feeling well now?”
“I’m all better!”
Calix stomped his leg in front of Balt to show he was fine.
“Congratulations, Young Master Calix.”
“Thanks! Then I’ll be off.”
Calix turned to run outside, but Balt stopped him.
“Please wait. I have something to tell you about your sword lessons.”
“Hm? What is it?”
Ruby also looked at Balt, curious about what he would say.
“From now on, Duke Lux himself will be teaching your swordsmanship.”
“Grandfather?” Ruby asked in surprise.
“Gr—Grandfather himself?” Calix also froze in shock. For a second, he nearly blurted out “old man,” but Ruby’s sharp glance made him quickly correct himself.
His eyes lit up. After sparring directly with Duke Lux, he already knew how strong he was — and now he would get to learn directly from him.
“Yes. Once you’re fully healed, His Grace will personally guide you.”
“Great! Then I’m heading to the training yard right now!”
“Please wait again.”
Balt stopped him once more.
“Why?”
“Before training with the Duke, there’s something you must do first.”
“What is it?”
“You must attend etiquette lessons together with Lady Ruby.”
At the word etiquette, Calix’s face instantly twisted in dread.
“Don’t worry. You’ll never learn from that old etiquette teacher again. Instead, Ruby’s teacher will also teach you. Since Ruby will be there, no one will ever, ever hit you again.”
Ruby held both of his hands tightly and promised.
Only then did the shadow of fear on his face fade a little.
“But can’t I just take sword lessons and skip etiquette?” Calix muttered hopefully.
Ruby put on a stern face.
“Calix, right now isn’t sword training time.”
“Then what time is it?”
“It’s etiquette class time. You can go to the training yard later.”
“Aww, whyyy?”
Calix flailed his body in protest.
Ruby raised her finger right in front of his face.
“I told you before — if you want to become strong, you must take other lessons too. For a knight, the most important thing is showing respect and courtesy to others. That’s why learning etiquette is just as important as swordsmanship. Do you understand?”
“I dooo, but…”
He pouted, grumbling.
“You want Grandfather to teach you swordsmanship, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Then you need to have proper manners first.”
“I can act polite!”
Ruby gave him a look, half doubting his words, then smiled softly.
“I know you can. But if you learn how to act more respectfully, Grandfather will see how serious you are about the sword. Don’t you think he’ll like you even more?”
“Really?”
“Yes. The more polite you are, the more Grandfather may like you — and then he might even teach you better swordsmanship.”
Ruby spread her arms wide, drawing a big circle to make her point.
Calix thought hard, then reluctantly nodded.
“Alright. I’ll take the etiquette class first.”
“Good choice, Calix.”
Ruby patted his head. He grinned and quickly fixed his hair, messed up by her hand.
“As expected, Lady Ruby. Splendid,” Balt said, clapping softly in praise.
“After the etiquette lessons, Grandfather really will teach him swordsmanship, right?” Ruby asked.
“Of course. The Duke never speaks empty words.”
“Nuna, let’s hurry to etiquette class!”
Now excited, Calix grabbed Ruby’s arm and pulled her out of the room.
“Alright, alright.”
Dragged along, Ruby followed him back to her room, where etiquette lessons were held.
Before long, Mark opened the door with a bright smile.
“A new student, I see.”
He welcomed Calix warmly.
Calix, nervous around strangers, hid behind Ruby’s back.
“Calix, you need to greet the teacher politely,” Ruby said, pushing him forward.
“H-hello. I’m Calix.”
His voice was stiff with nerves.
“What a cute and kind student. Nice to meet you, Calix.”
Mark reached out his hand.
After some hesitation, Calix gave him a quick handshake. Mark shook it up and down, then let go.
“Well done. But to master noble etiquette, you’ll need a little more effort.”
His eyes sparkled as he looked at Calix — as if he had found a raw gem to polish.
Thankfully, once the lesson started, Calix no longer seemed afraid of Mark.
Even though teaching two children at once might have been difficult, Mark showed no sign of struggle. He patiently guided them both.
When Calix lost focus and slumped, Mark didn’t scold him.
“Come now, Calix. Shall we try again?”
He simply waited with patience, encouraging Calix to join back in.
He rarely pressured or rebuked him — instead, he helped Calix read the atmosphere and adjust his behavior on his own.
Mark wasn’t just teaching etiquette. He was teaching them how to notice situations in noble society and act appropriately.
Ruby felt Mark was truly an excellent teacher, and she gave her full effort in class. Thanks to him, she was able to learn all the little details of etiquette that books had never taught.
For Ruby and Calix, who had lived almost like commoners until now, these were lessons they needed to survive in the Duke’s household.
“Let’s end here for today. Good work, Ruby, Calix.”
“Thank you, Teacher Mark.”
“Thank youu!”
“Calix.”
Ruby covered her face at his sloppy reply, sounding almost like Sasha’s baby talk.
“Calix, why don’t you try again, just as you learned? If you do it properly, Grandfather will be very pleased.”
At the mention of Duke Lux, Calix straightened immediately. He bowed with a serious face and said,
“Goodbye, Teacher Mark. Thank you for teaching me.”
He then lifted his chin proudly toward Ruby, as if to say Did you see that?
“Well done, Calix,” Mark said, patting his head.
Calix accepted the gesture with a smile — clearly no longer burdened by the painful memory of the previous tutor.
“And you too, Ruby. You’re an excellent student. Before long, you’ll master noble etiquette and then learn the royal court etiquette you wished for.”
“It’s all thanks to your excellent teaching, Teacher.”
Ruby also accepted his hand on her head without complaint. She felt a little odd, being treated like a child — but after all, she was only ten years old.
“So now I can have sword lessons, right?” Calix asked eagerly.
“Yes. But maybe not immediately. Let’s first check if Grandfather has time.”
After seeing Mark off, Ruby and Calix went together to Duke Lux’s study.
Just as Calix was about to barge in, Ruby caught his wrist.
“What did Teacher Mark tell you to do?”
Calix let go of the doorknob, clenched his fist, and knocked instead.
Knock, knock.
“Excuse me.”
Hearing his voice, Balt soon opened the door.
“Lady Ruby, Young Master Calix, welcome.”
“Is Grandfather inside?”
“Of course. Your Grace, Lady Ruby and Young Master Calix are here.”
“Let them in,” the Duke’s voice replied.
With permission, the children followed Balt inside.
Perhaps thanks to the etiquette lesson, Calix didn’t stomp or run but matched Ruby’s pace and walked calmly beside her.
“Oh? It seems you’ve done well in etiquette class,” Duke Lux observed.
He immediately noticed the change in Calix’s behavior.
Calix puffed up with pride at the praise but held back from blurting out anything rude like before.
Seeing the children’s improved manners, the Duke nodded.
“At
this rate, you could both enter the royal court very soon.”
