“After eating all the flesh on top, remove the bones and eat the flesh underneath. If you flip the fish like you just did, the nobles will stare with wide eyes. Some ladies might even drop their knives.”

Windsor couldn’t shake the suspicion that she was enjoying this moment. How else could she spout so much nagging without pause?

However, he refrained from voicing that thought. If he asked, he knew he’d only get a denial in response.

He flipped the overturned fish back and carefully removed the bones.

“The reason for not flipping the fish is that it looks messy.”

I already know that reason.

Jacqueline looked at him with a confident expression. Windsor’s gaze seemed to briefly fix on her cheek, but she paid it no mind.

“You shouldn’t focus too much on just eating. Even if the food is delicious. Occasionally, you should put down your fork and knife on the plate and converse with the person next to you. Otherwise, by the end of the meal, rumors might spread that Lord Preston has a large appetite.”

Windsor’s brow furrowed slightly. When he first enlisted in the navy, he couldn’t say that adapting had been easy, even in jest.

It was the military. A place as rife with discipline and rules as a prison. Where one person’s laziness could lead to a comrade’s death.

Everyone had to strictly follow the set rules. There were no exceptions.

But the etiquette of nobility was different. A knife pointing the wrong way wouldn’t kill a comrade, and flipping a fish wouldn’t sink a ship.

As Jacqueline said, it was unnecessarily complicated and cumbersome etiquette. Nevertheless, failing to observe it would push one outside the invisible line.

Etiquette was a tool to strengthen their cohesion. A rope binding together the noble class.

And Windsor, who had suddenly entered high society, had to break through an invisible wall and get inside. That was the role and duty he shouldered as the Marquis of Preston.

Clank.

Windsor set down his fork and knife on the plate and cast a glance at her.

“It really is unnecessarily complicated and cumbersome etiquette.”

Hearing his disgruntled tone, Jacqueline realized that now was the time to offer a carrot instead of a whip.

Too frequent whipping would only tire out a running horse. An angered horse might even throw off its rider.

“But you’re doing better than expected. You originally have neat table manners, so if you just memorize a few annoying rules, you’ll soon be able to dine with others. Of course, no one will make Lord Preston’s table manners a topic of conversation. In fact, even among nobles, not everyone remembers all those etiquette rules.”

“Then may I finish the rest of my meal now, Miss Somerset?”

“Of course, Lord Preston.”

Jacqueline nodded. As soon as her permission was given, Windsor picked up his fork and knife again.

The sight reminded her so much of Benjamin that Jacqueline had to swallow another laugh that threatened to escape. The gruff Windsor looked oddly cute.

“Ah, you shouldn’t butter your bread during lunch and dinner, Lord Preston.”

Of course, she had no intention of treating him as leniently as Benjamin.

She gazed at him with the eyes of a strict tutor.

“Ha.”

Windsor finally let out a chuckle. He muttered to himself with an impassive expression.

“I don’t understand why they put butter that shouldn’t be used on the table.”

Nevertheless, he quietly put down the butter knife and brought the plain bread to his mouth. Though his brow was deeply furrowed, he was a man of great patience.

Jacqueline found this situation quite amusing. Windsor followed her words diligently despite his displeased expression, and she didn’t dislike such a dutiful student.

“You can’t spread it on bread, but if there’s no butter on the table, guests will gossip.”

At those words, Windsor’s brow furrowed even more. He cast a look at Jacqueline that said he couldn’t understand at all.

“Don’t they think it’s wasteful?”

“That’s why I told you. It’s unnecessarily complicated and cumbersome etiquette.”

“But if you don’t follow it, you’ll be ridiculed?”

“Exactly. It’s a place where there are more things you can’t do than things you can.”

Jacqueline nodded in agreement. Windsor wrinkled the front of his eyebrows, but his table manners were impeccably neat.

“It’s the same with the boarding school Benjamin will enter next year. That place also has more things you can’t do than things you can. So don’t you think it would be better to have a few more things he can do now, Lord Preston? This is Benjamin’s home, after all. Of course, that’s if you respect my educational philosophy.”

Windsor silently looked at her. As if caught off guard.

Jacqueline met his gaze with a quiet smile. Under the candlelight, Windsor’s blonde hair took on an orange hue, and his thoughtful gray-blue eyes sank so deeply one couldn’t see the bottom.

Just as Jacqueline was about to be captivated by his devilishly handsome features, Windsor finally nodded. Thanks to that, Jacqueline was able to firmly grasp her fading focus.

“Do as you please. Just never forget that Benjamin is the future Marquis of Preston, no matter when or where.”

“I will. Thank you, Lord Preston.”

She smiled, her eyes crinkling into round crescents. It was a lovely smile that hinted at Jacqueline’s childhood.

Windsor was certain she had grown up receiving affection from many people. But no matter how much love she had received growing up, she was someone who would soon leave Preston Manor.

Until now, not a single person had resisted the King’s persuasion.

She too would soon become the King’s person. And Windsor was not generous enough to employ an enemy’s pawn.

“If you’ve finished eating, you can place your fork and knife next to your plate.”

Windsor slowly raised his gaze. Jacqueline tilted her head slightly as if asking what was wrong when their eyes met.

Windsor carefully placed the fork and knife he was holding next to his plate. He wiped his mouth with the napkin on his lap.

“Ah, you should use the back of the napkin, not the front, Lord Preston.”

Pause.

Windsor froze in the position of wiping his mouth.

“Of course, you probably already know how to use a napkin properly.”

A laugh escaped involuntarily. He thought he might miss her a little after firing her. It would be difficult to find a tutor who would so mercilessly point out his faults for a while.

“By the way.”

Jacqueline spoke as if she had just remembered something. Windsor, who was putting down his napkin on the table, turned his gaze to her.

“Is there anything else I should be more careful about?”

“No, you’re doing excellently. Rather, have you chosen Benjamin’s birthday gift?”

Windsor was silent for a moment. There were times like this occasionally. When the conversation could pop in an unexpected direction, like corn kernels being fried in oil.

“Yes, I have.”

“If it’s not too impertinent, may I ask what kind of gift it is?”

Windsor took a sip of water and answered nonchalantly.

“A complete collection of the kingdom’s history books.”

“Ah, I see…”

Jacqueline wore a disappointed expression, as if she had expected as much. She raised her eyes slightly and asked carefully.

“May I ask what last year’s birthday gift was?”

“A complete collection of continental myths. Continental myths and the kingdom’s history books are considered essential reading before entering boarding school. It’s the most appropriate gift for Benjamin.”

“Ah, I see…”

Jacqueline wore an even more disappointed expression. But then she raised her head stiffly and spoke in a stern voice.

“As Benjamin’s tutor.”

Windsor silently looked at her. Wondering what words would come out of her mouth this time.

She would probably pop in an unexpected direction again, like popcorn. If he let his guard down, he might get hit in the forehead.

“May I help you choose a birthday gift?”

Windsor slightly furrowed his brow. He raised his gaze a little to look up at the air. After reflecting on their previous conversation, he looked back at Jacqueline.

“I already answered that I chose a gift. Was there something in our conversation that Miss Somerset might have misunderstood?”

“Not at all. I simply want to recommend a gift that Benjamin might be happier with than the kingdom’s history books. Purely out of goodwill.”

Windsor fell silent for a moment, recalling his reticent nephew. Suspicion tinged his voice.

“Did Benjamin request something from Miss Somerset?”

Yet Windsor thought that it couldn’t be. His young nephew never demanded or coveted anything.

Jacqueline’s eyes widened at the unexpected question. Then she shook her head.

“No, of course not. Benjamin would never do that. I’ve never seen a child as polite and courteous as Benjamin.”

Yes, that’s easier to understand. Windsor nodded slowly.

Jacqueline, who had been quietly observing him, added as if making an excuse.

“A gift should make the recipient happy, shouldn’t it? But Lord Preston’s gift… Of course, I fully understand your intentions for Benjamin.”

Jacqueline paused to catch her breath, then pressed her lips together and cast a challenging look.

“The kingdom’s history books are the gift Lord Preston wants, not the gift Benjamin wants.”

“How can you be so certain?”

“Can’t you just tell by looking?”

Jacqueline sought agreement with just her eyes, as if to say ‘Don’t you feel the same, Lord Preston?’ However, Windsor did not nod easily.

Jacqueline let out a short sigh and said “Hmm,” carefully choosing her words. As if unsure how to explain this.

“Benjamin isn’t a talkative child, but if you watch quietly, you can tell. When Benjamin’s eyes sparkle during certain conversations, when his porcelain-white cheeks flush red, when a faint smile forms on his tightly closed lips.”

You can tell just by watching quietly.

Windsor thought it was quite an irrational statement. Because what one sees can vary greatly depending on who the observer is.

When he sat with an expressionless face, lost in thought, Roman would ask if something was bothering him, and William would ask if he was feeling unwell.

And Benjamin would apologize.

When Windsor didn’t readily agree, Jacqueline faintly furrowed her brow. He ended up not responding at all and stood up from his seat.

Jacqueline swallowed a sigh with a disappointed look.