‘They said it was practical swordsmanship.’

Truly a weapon for fighting and war.

Not like the trivial play that noble children learn as refinement, but with the real purpose of harming someone…

Kardiel liked those words. But until then, he hadn’t thought about wanting to learn swordsmanship from Lord Joseph.

‘Who wouldn’t be able to talk like that?’

Nobles are a kind whose words coming out of their mouths are mostly bluster.

Especially in the case of titled men, the tendency to exaggerate their achievements is even greater.

Naturally, Kardiel took his words with a grain of salt. He decided not to fully believe them.

However, it didn’t even take a few hours for that thought to change.

While looking after his siblings at the pet shop.

When he rushed into the store urgently looking for Lieselotte, he looked quite different from the Lord Joseph that Kardiel had known before.

He was somewhat disheveled, looked very uncomfortable, and his expression was terrifyingly distorted.

“Where is the Duchess?”

After looking into the store, he asked Kardiel.

Something had happened. Kardiel sensed that.

Asking why he was looking for his stepmother was a matter for later.

Kardiel headed to the Silvernight store with Lord Joseph. And then.

‘I saw his sword.’

He couldn’t even follow the moment of drawing the sword with his eyes. Just once, he couldn’t exactly tell what the trajectory of the sword drawn in the air had done.

But the result was clear.

It was an accident where eight or nine out of ten would have sensed imminent death.

Even if it was for ceremonial purposes, Kardiel knew well what kind of power a forged blade could have.

However, the moment Lord Joseph intervened, such misfortune perfectly avoided his stepmother.

Not a single piece of his stepmother’s clothing was damaged.

Instead, sharp punishment was inflicted on the one who dared to hurt his stepmother.

‘That wasn’t a coincidence.’

It was a calculated punishment.

The moment he realized that, Kardiel felt a thrill beyond admiration coursing through his entire body.

He became greedy for Lord Joseph’s swordsmanship. At least, he wasn’t just all talk.

If only he could acquire that level of skill.

‘I could make it so no one would dare covet Daiern.’

His stepmother said swordsmanship was a defensive art. Lord Joseph had said not to use the sword to harm others.

Kardiel answered that he would. Only, the thoughts in his heart were a little different.

‘Of course, if they don’t attack first, I won’t swing my sword either.’

So he could keep his stepmother’s advice to focus on defense, and his promise to Lord Joseph not to have the purpose of harming anyone.

After sorting it out like that, Kardiel was more motivated than ever before.

There was one more piece of good news.

“Did Lord Joseph say he would be in charge of me exclusively?”

“That’s how it turned out.”

I thought it would be Teacher Rozier.

If not him, I thought it would be the Scholar of the Tower of Honor named Jepet.

Considering what the Viscount Baden had said when he called me separately.

However, the situation that turned out differently from expectations seemed rather like an opportunity to Kardiel.

After all, Lord Joseph was the only noble man that the current Kardiel could acknowledge.

“This is a document outlining the young lord’s learning schedule going forward. Please take a look.”

Moreover, he was thorough in his preparation to the point of wanting to emulate. He also seemed to dislike wasting time.

I heard that the meeting to assign a dedicated teacher ended close to noon…

The schedule he handed over to Kardiel almost immediately looked as if it had been prepared in advance before the meeting, no matter how you looked at it.

Did he know this would happen?

Could he have planned everything? Thinking that, when I looked at Lord Joseph, he smiled gently with a face so beautiful it gave me goosebumps even as a man.

“First, from 5 AM every day until before breakfast, you will train in physical conditioning and basic swordsmanship, just like now.”

Lord Joseph, who added that he would be there as well, briefed him on the subsequent schedule.

Kardiel checked the schedule Lord Joseph gave him.

After breakfast until noon, there are humanities classes taught by Teacher Jepet, including history, law, and culture.

Afterwards, there is time for tea and a walk, followed by three hours of art classes with Teacher Ernestine.

After that, there is another break time, followed by discussion classes with Lord Joseph and Teacher Rozier until dinner.

This was essentially the heir training.

After dinner, it’s back to swordsmanship.

The same schedule repeats for 6 days a week, and the last day is a holiday while also scheduling outings.

“By the way, we will continue sword training even on rest days. With swordsmanship, if you rest for a day, you suffer for two.”

Kardiel agreed with that as well. Even if Lord Joseph had told him to rest, he had no intention of doing so.

“Do you have any questions?”

“No, I don’t.”

Objectively, it was a tough schedule. However, Kardiel did not express any complaints.

Rather, he was worried it might be too slow to catch up on the learning progress that had been delayed because of his father until now.

And so Kardiel’s lessons began.

Meanwhile, it was late afternoon, close to dinner time, when the study schedules were delivered to Euphemina and Chersion Tudor.

Euphemina’s schedule was relatively uncomplicated.

Until before breakfast, she spends time in the greenhouse she likes, and after meals, she intensively learns etiquette for social circles.

After having tea at noon, she learns basic academics from Teacher Jepet, and afterwards, she learns art appreciation including dance and singing from Teacher Ernestine.

Of course, during all those times, the Viscountess Baden will be with her, correcting Euphemina’s etiquette.

Lastly, Chersion Tudor will spend time with Teacher Ernestine until noon.

At this time, play will be the main focus rather than learning.

After having tea, he will have free time with Lord Joseph, and afterwards, he will learn basic academics from Teacher Jepet.

“A question! Then what do we do in the morning?”

Teacher Ernestine chuckled and answered Chersion Tudor.

“Anything goes. You can learn an instrument, we can sing together, or if not that, we could persuade Count Alperon when his schedule is free and go to the theater. Since it’s the social season, there should be plays showing from the morning.”

“Wow!”

Chersion Tudor was overjoyed, almost jumping. His heart seemed to be pounding with excitement for the new life.

On the other hand, Euphemina Sishel had a gloomy face.

“It sounds boring.”

“Of course, no one studies for fun. Lady Euphemina, are you not no longer a child? You should stop being childish and prepare to become a perfect lady who can bring honor to your family.”

Euphemina Sishel, who was not interested in bringing honor to the family or becoming a perfect lady, pouted her lips.

Immediately, the Viscountess Baden’s stern reprimand fell.

“Stop that. From now on, you must not show such expressions on your face. The social world is not to be taken lightly. It’s a battlefield. Hiding your expressions and concealing your emotions is the most excellent weapon and defense in the social world.”

The full-fledged lessons with the new tutors began the next morning.

The previous day was spent in a meeting to coordinate schedules among the tutors.

There was also a need to communicate the schedules to the children.

And so, in the morning.

Teacher Jepet and Teacher Ernestine came out after finishing their preparations in the guest room on the first floor of the Daiern mansion, which was also their quarters.

“……”

“……”

The two did not particularly engage in conversation. However, they did not forget to confirm each other’s tasks by exchanging glances.

Viscount Baden, and Viscountess Baden.

The orders from their employers, who also held their weaknesses, were none other than this:

To extract information from the Daiern mansion. Simultaneously, to sow discord under the guise of educating the children.

Summarized like this, it seems like a terribly wicked deed, but in fact, the task given to them was simpler and more likely to ignite a sense of justice.

It was to observe and report on the behavior in the Daiern mansion, especially that of the Duchess.

And to gain the trust of the children.

Particularly important was to teach the children to the best of their abilities and to care for them passionately.

Naturally, this would allow them to come between the Duchess and the children.

After all, the Duchess is not the birth mother of the three children, so this process shouldn’t be too difficult or time-consuming.

That’s what Viscount Baden said.

All of this was said to be about saving the three children from the Duchess of Daiern, that witch-like woman.

Apparently, that woman dares to try to usurp the Duke of Daiern’s position?

To be honest, such noble family quarrels were of no interest to the two tutors.

However, as adults, they did feel a sense of duty to rescue the children if they were truly in danger.

Moreover…