“It’s nice to meet you, Your Grace. I am Alisa Beyriksid.”

Marriage preparations had begun, and with them, formal home education.

The tutor that Ryan brought was once a noblewoman but now had become a commoner, the lady of the fallen Beyriksid family, Mrs. Alisa.

Though she was of an advanced age, she had not been long in the tutoring profession and was an unknown newcomer in the industry.

Claire had received exclusive education from Mrs. Hilbrin, the most famous etiquette teacher in the territory, but Riley could not do so.

Even though Riley and Claire’s situations had changed, Mrs. Hilbrin, who frequently visited the mansion, knew about Riley’s status in the Edaline family and refused to become her tutor.

Moreover, most nobles began their education at a young age. Therefore, most home tutors’ students were usually young children.

Unlike easily controllable children, there were hardly any teachers who wanted to be responsible for educating grown adult women.

“Though her experience is short, she was born a noble, so she will not lack in quality.”

Ryan was careful, in case Riley might become angry that he had brought a teacher without any experience.

But Riley sincerely welcomed Mrs. Beyriksid.

“I am Riley Edaline. My learning has been delayed due to circumstances, but I will do my best.”

“The timing of learning is not important. The willingness to learn is what matters. If Your Grace trusts me and follows me faithfully, I will teach you everything I know with all my heart.”

After the greetings, Ryan left the two to talk.

“We are pressed for time, so I plan to educate you on only the essentials.”

“Yes.”

“I will teach you court etiquette, foreign languages, writing, and reading as basics, and if you wish, singing, the harp, or dancing. For anything else, it might be best to find another teacher.”

“For now, since we don’t have much time, please focus on court etiquette, foreign languages, and dancing.”

Nobles usually know how to play one or two instruments, but there was too little time to learn an instrument right away.

It would be more efficient to prioritize court etiquette and then cultivate inner character by learning writing or foreign languages.

“I will trust you to do your best, as quickly as possible.”

(This is a time divider.)

Exactly one month later, the scandal that shook the capital reached Lupla.

“Master, you must see this.”

Head butler Leo urgently handed something to Ryan. Riley, who had come out to drink water, witnessed this scene.

“What is this?”

“It’s the gossip paper that was circulating in the capital a month ago.”

“Why are you giving this to me? Has our wedding news been reported?”

Ryan, who took the newspaper, turned pale.

“What is this, the scandal of the century? What is this ridiculous article?”

“It seems the fact that the eldest lady was engaged to Count Ermaintz has leaked.”

“What? We have already broken the engagement, so why is it being reported?”

“I don’t know…”

“Has the Marquis of Matop released an official statement?”

“…No, from what I can find, he seems to be consistently nonresponsive.”

“Then it must be that old man Ermaintz! It was a highly confidential engagement, so if it wasn’t for that old man’s mouth, how would it leak?”

That damned old man, he must have gone mad in his old age.

Ryan crumpled the tabloid and threw it on the floor, and it fell at Riley’s feet as she passed by.

Riley picked up the crumpled tabloid and unfolded it. She began to read the report.

On the day of the reception, the woman who had eloped with the Marquis of Horizon was revealed to be the daughter of a baron who was secretly engaged to Count Ermaintz. They had fallen in love that day and enjoyed a secret tryst.

Riley’s face turned ashen.

‘The real trash isn’t him… it’s Count Ermaintz.’
Shocked, Claire approached Riley, who was standing still. Claire snatched the gossip paper Riley was holding and began to laugh without grasping the situation.

“That’s what you get for not knowing your place! You’ve put Master Gibnen in a difficult situation!”

“…….”

“If you’re going to lock eyes with someone, break off the engagement and then do it, or if you do it before breaking off the engagement, it’s adultery! Isn’t that basic common sense? Thanks to you, Master Gibnen of Horizon has been burdened with the disgrace of being a secret lover who snatched away someone else’s fiancée! It’s all your fault!”

At this, Ryan furiously yelled on behalf of Riley.

“Claire! Go to your room immediately!”

At his loud voice, Claire was startled and ran up to the second floor as if fleeing.

“Who on earth does she take after, I wonder.”

Ryan sat down, wiping his stern face, and his displeased gaze turned towards Riley.

At this very moment, when Riley was worried about Gibnen, Ryan was not concerned about Riley, his daughter’s safety, but showed concern in another direction.

“You won’t…… call off the engagement now, will you?”

Ryan, who had inadvertently revealed his inner thoughts, coughed belatedly.