“If you want to resent someone, resent the first Duke of Istira. After establishing the empire, he handed over the emperor’s position to his minister because he found state affairs boring, so it’s not the emperor who shouts that the founding festival without the participation of the descendants of the founders is meaningless.”
It was the first time I heard that the first emperor was actually a person from the Istira ducal family. In the original work, the Istira ducal family was indeed a prestigious family, but just one of many nobles in the empire.
It was never a family with the status and power to oppose the emperor.
“Then let’s just get rid of the founding festival!”
At Kirian’s insistence, the Duchess chuckled and patted Kirian’s cheek.
“You’ve finally become a real brat for your age.”
“Brat, brat!”
Kirian was so startled that I thought he might foam at the mouth and fall over. It seemed to have been a shock to Kirian, who most of all wanted to become a ‘real adult.’
After that, Kirian became terrifyingly quiet. He didn’t glare at the clothes and designers as before or flap his arms and legs.
Instead, he sat in the corner with a frown, concentrating so hard and counting his short fingers several times, seemingly deep in thought.
After the fitting was over, Kirian disappeared somewhere, and only the Duchess and I were left in the reception room.
“Um……”
When I hesitantly opened my mouth, the Duchess sat down next to me right away.
“Why? Don’t you like the dress?”
“No. It’s not that. What do we do at the founding festival?”
The Duchess fell into thought for a moment. She seemed to be thinking about how to explain it to a child.
“You eat lots of delicious food, listen to good music, dance, and you’ll have the chance to make many new friends since you must have been bored just with Kirian.”
“I see……”
It was as I expected.
“But I don’t know the nobles’ etiquette well, so I think I’ll make a mistake.”
I had been in the Duke’s house for a few months, but there was never a time when the Duchess pointed out my etiquette or recommended classes that noble children attend.
Since I was an adopted commoner child, I didn’t feel the need to educate her, so I didn’t ask either.
But if I were to go to the founding festival, I felt like I should ask once.
When I read romance fantasy novels, children of noble families are educated in etiquette and information about other noble families.
Without any preparation, I might pick up the cutlery in the wrong order or step on someone’s foot.
It would be fortunate if it ended with a small embarrassment. I could make a mistake that tarnishes the reputation of the Istira ducal family.
In the original work, there were talks about the social debut of the Princess shaking Istira’s position in society, so my concern was even greater.
“I think it would be better to learn some etiquette before going, for the sake of the Duke’s family’s dignity.”
The Duchess blinked in surprise, then almost inaudibly muttered,
“Oh my. Such grownup thoughts, and not even from Kirian.”
The Duchess brushed my hair once.
“You were worried about that, Reina. That’s why you didn’t look very happy even when fitting your dress.”
I didn’t feel the need to correct the misunderstanding.
“I’ve heard that other girls your age, Reina, love dresses. Poor thing. You can’t enjoy it wholeheartedly because of other worries.”
The Duchess hugged me tightly.
“It’s okay not to know manners, Reina. And why are you worried about the family’s reputation? There’s no reputation left to lose.”
The conversation was flowing in an entirely unexpected direction.
“Shouldn’t you at least learn the order of utensils or the basic dance steps?”
The Duchess let go of me and looked into my eyes.
“Reina, do you want to take lessons?”
I quickly shook my head, fearing I might seem eager for lessons that actual nobles might take.
“No, I don’t particularly want to take lessons, but maybe the basics”
“At an age for running around, lessons?”
The Duchess shook her head vehemently. What about Kirian, who took lessons all day? And he’s even younger than me.
“Reina, you don’t need to act so grownup.”
The Duchess stroked my cheek as if wiping tears that hadn’t been shed.
“You’ve had a hard time alone, haven’t you? We may still lack a lot, but please know one thing. Whatever happens, we are your family and will always be on your side.”
Compassion and pity for me overflowed from the Duchess’s eyes.
I felt like pounding my chest in injustice. I’m actually an adult. I don’t even know the faces of my dead parents. Suddenly, I had become an old soul bearing all the worries and concerns of the world at an age too young.
With a desperate feeling, I tried again.
“But I don’t want to be laughed at during the founding ceremony, at least the order of utensils.”
Please let me eat comfortably, please.
“It’s okay! It’s okay!”
The Duchess patted my shoulder.
“What’s the big deal about utensils! You can get it wrong! You can even pick it up with your hands! You can rub the sauce stuck to your fingers on the tablecloth!”
It seemed that the Duchess didn’t care about any mistakes I might make. I wanted to protest that I knew that much, but I couldn’t interrupt her impassioned speech.
“Nobody can say anything to you. My daughter, how dare they.”
I finally gave up.
“Yes……”
The Duchess sighed and patted my head.
“Oh my. Where would the order of utensils fit in this tiny head of yours?”
It seemed that the order of utensils would easily fit, but this time too, I couldn’t say anything. No, I didn’t want to.
I unknowingly believed in the affectionate touch and warm eyes of the Duchess.
That I was truly a princess of the Istira family, and above all, this woman’s daughter.
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
