“I see. In that case, you may use curtains, carpets, and bedding that the Baroness likes.”

“I should go as soon as I have time.”

As my permission was granted, color returned to Baroness Baden’s face.

She seemed a bit anxious, as if wanting to visit the boutique street right away if she had time.

“I didn’t realize you disliked the interior so much.”

When I spoke with a somewhat hurt tone, Baroness Baden shook her head.

“It’s probably not just me, but others as well. Should we ask Count Alperon first? Count, what do you think?”

“Me?”

“Yes, it would be better if you spoke honestly if possible. Wouldn’t that help improve the environment even a little?”

In the end, Baroness Baden dragged Lord Joseph, who had been quiet, into this issue.

Though it was in the form of a question, it was almost seeking agreement.

Thanks to that, even my gaze turned to Lord Joseph. I’m getting nervous over nothing.

“Well.”

And Lord Joseph, receiving our gazes, smiled brightly like a flower.

“In Alperon, it’s quite frowned upon for outsiders to express likes or dislikes about the interior of a mansion decorated in the mistress’s style.”

“W-What?”

Suddenly, Baroness Baden’s face turned bright red.

Ah.

I almost burst out laughing too.

I didn’t expect Lord Joseph to deliver such a blow to Baroness Baden.

“That’s how it is in Alperon. It seems the Empire’s etiquette is somewhat different.”

No. It’s similar.

“I… I see.”

“Please don’t misunderstand, Baroness Baden. I’m not rebuking you for asking a question that violates etiquette. I merely meant that due to the environment I was born in, I hesitate to answer your previous question.”

“O-Of course. I understand…”

In the end, Baroness Baden had to bow her head awkwardly.

It was like picking a fight and retreating with her tail between her legs without even breaking even.

‘This is maddening.’

And at this point, I really found it hard to hold back.

‘Bad thoughts, bad thoughts…’

I had to frown while secretly pinching my thigh where no one could see.

Strictly speaking, Baroness Baden’s behavior just now couldn’t be called a breach of etiquette.

But I hope there’s no misunderstanding.

This doesn’t mean that expressing likes or dislikes about others’ tastes is encouraged, but rather that there’s no need to create a prohibition clause in the etiquette book for such matters.

Simply put, it’s before etiquette or manners…

‘A matter of propriety?’

“…”

It seems she can still feel shame. Baroness Baden kept her mouth shut after that. The dining room finally quieted down.

It’s strange, but this trivial incident just now greatly improved my mood.

“…So I… Oh? Could it be that we’re the last to arrive?”

“How rude of us. We apologize for being late.”

Not long after, Teacher Ernestine and Teacher Jepetto also entered the dining room, chatting.

The two seemed flustered at arriving later than the nobles, hurriedly bowing their heads.

Well, I’m not one to care about such trivial matters.

“There’s still some time before the meal begins, so you’re not late. Please sit wherever you’re comfortable. The children will arrive soon too.”

Seeing the two take their seats as well, I put on the most gentle smile I could muster.

The two, meeting my eyes, straightened their backs as if a bit surprised.

“I wonder if you two teachers also think that the interior of the Daiern mansion is too dark and heavy?”

“Pardon? Such a sudden question…”

“Uh, well, that is…”

The two tutors seemed a bit taken aback by my question.

The way they glanced at each other showed they were people who had never imagined being in a situation where they had to answer such a question.

“From an outsider’s perspective, it wouldn’t be polite to comment on the interior decor that the Duchess has arranged to suit the Duke’s household…”

“Ahem!”

Baroness Baden cleared her throat loudly from a distance, as if for us to hear.

Thanks to that, I had to struggle once again to hold back my laughter.

‘Are they really on the same side? They’re so out of sync.’

So I deliberately asked in an even kinder tone.

“It’s alright, you can answer comfortably. While changing the curtains and bedding in Baroness Baden’s room, I was thinking of brightening up your rooms as well if you wished.”

“Ah!”

“If, if that’s the case…”

Finally, the tension disappeared from their faces.

Teacher Ernestine spoke cautiously first.

“The truth is, I get startled whenever I make eye contact with the gargoyle statue in the corner of the room. This isn’t meant to criticize the Duchess’s taste, it’s just that I’m a bit of a coward.”

“I see.”

“I’m fine with it. I rather like dark things. However, if you could allow just one partition to separate me from the gargoyle statue…”

“Um, Duchess. Since it will take time to get new bedding and carpets… for now, I’d appreciate if you could quickly get me just one partition.”

“Ah…”

The last to chime in was Baroness Baden.

Now that I think about it, I may have overthought things.

Baroness Baden’s desire to change the interior wasn’t because she disliked the dark atmosphere of the Duke’s mansion, nor did she want to have a battle of wills with me.

She was simply overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the Daiern mansion.

‘Why not just honestly say it’s scary?’

Although the other two tutors had been residing in Daiern for a week, they couldn’t start classes in advance.

This was because they couldn’t arbitrarily decide on the distribution of subjects or the composition of the schedule.

Thus, it was the day after Lord Joseph and Baroness Baden moved in that we began to coordinate the class plans in earnest.

After finishing breakfast, the tutors gathered in my office for a meeting.

The first thing I instructed was to assign dedicated teachers to the children.

This was necessary to systematically manage the learning schedule and progress.

In reality, the biggest reason was to give a sense of responsibility for the children’s education.

When multiple people care for a child together, responsibility inevitably gets divided, making it vulnerable to unexpected situations.

First, it was decided that Lord Joseph would be in charge of Kardiel’s education.

In fact, I thought Teacher Rogier was the most suitable person to be in charge of Kardiel.

After all, a duke is not just a title, but a position responsible for managing territory and ensuring the prosperity of the people in the domain.

However, Teacher Rogier refused this. Moreover, he even declared that he would step down from being in charge. The reason was that he was too old.

Of course, that’s not the truth.

Honestly, everyone knows what the Baron of Baden’s purpose is in extending his hand to the Daiern mansion.

He probably wants to get his hands on the young duke Kardiel and eventually swallow up Daiern.

So it was important to prevent the tutors brought by the Baron of Baden from being in charge of Kardiel.

To do that, there was no choice but to put forward a noble with the reputation of Lord Joseph.

Secondly, Baroness Baden became in charge of Euphemina.

This was an unavoidable flow since the Baroness came in as Euphemina’s chaperone.

From now on, she will be with Euphemina at all times except when she sleeps or goes to the bathroom.

‘It should be fine, right?’

In particular, I informed the teachers who would be teaching Euphemina about the precautions to take when dealing with her.

I asked them to be careful because she has obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Lastly, Teacher Ernestine agreed to take full charge of Chersion.

There was a reason for this decision, even though there was Teacher Jepetto, a scholar from the Tower of Honor.

It’s because Chersion is still a young boy, only eleven years old.

He’s at an age where he still needs to find out what he likes and what he’s good at.

Above all, Chersion’s position is different from Kardiel’s.

He doesn’t need to be as devoted to his studies as Kardiel, who has to inherit the duke’s position in three years.

I remembered that Chersion liked Teacher Ernestine’s plays and wanted to learn instruments. It wasn’t a bad assignment.

‘So, it would be good if there are no major accidents.’

For the past few days, Kardiel has been waking up a couple of hours earlier than usual. It was to train his physical strength at the training ground before breakfast.

In fact, early morning physical training doesn’t remain a very good memory for Kardiel.

Nevertheless, looking at the training ground neatly tidied up under Lieselotte’s direction, he felt quite good.

‘As long as my new mother is here, this time will be different from before.’

In fact, Kardiel started physical training at the training ground because of Lord Joseph’s advice.

A few days ago, at the boutique street.

What he said was quite impressive.