“Miss, a letter has arrived for the Holy Lady.”

“Thank you.”

Lina took the letter handed by Mei and quickly scanned its contents. Since Ariana entered the palace, they had occasionally exchanged letters, inquiring about each other’s well-being.

However, this time, it wasn’t a letter asking about well-being but an invitation to have tea time at the Crown Princess’s residence.

“The palace…”

Lina tapped the desk as if in contemplation. Currently, Lina and Belige were staying in the capital for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.

Originally, they were supposed to return to their estate soon after the Crown Prince’s wedding.

“The Crown Prince still needs the Duke for his affairs.”

Moreover, it seemed that Ariana heavily relied on Lina. Lina, in turn, wanted to support Ariana until she became accustomed to imperial life.

“To do that, I’ll probably have to engage in social activities.”

Until now, Lina had rejected all invitations, staying only in the mansion. However, she couldn’t stay locked up at home forever.

Lina was vaguely aware of how people in high society gossiped about her, even though the Duke seemed to be shielding her from hearing it all.

Everyone in the Empire knew the facts, and the words circulating weren’t anything good.

As if someone deliberately wanted to plot against her.

“Sigh.”

Taking a short breath, it seemed like Lina had made a decision as she stood up from her seat.

“Where are you going?”

“To the Duke. I think I might need an etiquette tutor.”

To enter the social scene, preparations were necessary. She couldn’t go out without weapons like going to war.

With that in mind, Lina walked to her study.

Not long after mentioning her desire to learn noble etiquette to Belige, the lady who would teach her visited.

Knock, knock.

“Lady Melburne has arrived.”

Upon hearing the maid’s voice, Lina straightened her appearance and rose from her seat. As she did, a gracefully aged lady, Lady Melburne, entered and approached Lina with elegant movements.

“Hello. I’m Lady Melburne. I will be teaching you from today. Just call me Lady Melburne.”

Lady Melburne married early at a young age and raised her two daughters and a son splendidly after her husband’s early passing.

She not only married into the prestigious Dartmouth Viscount family as the wife of a mere Viscount but also, her eldest daughter, who became the Viscountess, exerted considerable influence in high society.

Because of this, young ladies from respected houses in the capital all wished to receive Lady Melburne’s education.

“More than I thought, the Duke has taken care of you quite a bit.”

Without the background of being part of the Fermannes Ducal family, Lady Melburne was not a figure worthy of being her mentor.
Lina wondered if there would be any flaws in Lady Melburne. Reading the etiquette book memorized as if reciting poetry, Lina greeted her, following the proper etiquette.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Melburne. I am Lina Durnamis. Thank you for gracing us with your precious presence. I look forward to working with you.”

As Lina politely greeted her with convincing words, Lady Melburne’s eyebrows slightly rose.

“It seems the rumors are not entirely unfounded.”

Rumors about Lady Durnamis, who had become a duchess overnight after being a commoner, were mostly negative.

“I heard she was arrogant and haughty even when she was a duke’s maid.”

Despite her upright posture and confident tone, Lina did not sound arrogant. If someone didn’t know her background, she seemed like a noblewoman through and through.

“Is she really from a maid background?”

Those who suddenly rose in status usually either looked down on and ignored others to hide their origin or, unable to forget their roots, displayed a condescending attitude.

“But this confidence, as if she were born a noble from the beginning.”

Rather, her demeanor even exuded elegance. Lady Melburne observed Lina thoroughly from top to bottom, as if judging her. It seemed she had heard the rumors that Lina was a servant.

“A servant? Absurd.”

She was merely an untouched flower bud. Rumors about the future duchess were rife with wild speculations, such as the renowned beauty, Lady Rintz, being driven out of her mansion and being pursued not only by a duke but even the Crown Prince.

However…

“Seeing her come to the capital with Princess Festius, those rumors seem false. Originally, I came here to politely refuse, but what can I do?”

Lady Melburne’s mind was quickly spinning with thoughts different from the rumors as she observed the woman before her. Lina looked at Lady Melburne, who was scrutinizing her like a critic, and thought,

“As a noblewoman, she probably won’t like teaching someone like me, who was a commoner.”

However, outright refusing her education was also ambiguous. Lina would soon become the duchess of Fermannes and possibly even the future Crown Princess or even Empress, given her close relationship with them.