WBWB | Chapter 5

As I began to tremble, the Duke observed my reaction and continued speaking.

“Don’t worry. The exiled nobles have it much better. You nobles are valuable assets who can read and write, aren’t you? I’ve typically entrusted exiled nobles with tasks like drafting official documents and letters, and transcribing accounting records.”

In other words…

‘So you’ve been using nobles exiled here due to political strife as scribes.’

The Duke of Skadi’s words meant he was making good use of the labor of exiles, whether nobles or common criminals.

‘Making nobles work…’

It was a story that would horrify the nobles of the royal court, who had lived their lives without lifting a finger. But I was relieved.

‘Isn’t that alright? Giving me work means… he’ll at least let me make a living here.’

I had worked in Franc anyway, and transcribing seemed much better than digging the earth with a pickaxe. I also agreed with the Duke to some extent. It seemed better to do some work, as time would pass faster, rather than being confined and locked up doing nothing. My mind began to work quickly.

“Then, when should I begin my work?”

The Duke raised an eyebrow slightly in surprise at my words.

“You’re quick to adapt to the situation.”

‘I see.’

I interpreted his words to mean other nobles had resisted when he made this offer.

“I had a profession in the royal palace as well, Your Grace.”

“Yes, you said you were a tutor. What did you teach him?”

“Foreign languages, humanities, logic, rhetoric, and arithmetic.”

He looked disbelieving at my words.

“You seem quite young. How did you acquire the knowledge to teach the King’s son in so many subjects at your age?”

“My family is humble now, but my grandfather was a renowned poet and scholar. I learned everything sitting on his lap from a young age.”

However, he did not remove the suspicious look from his eyes and suddenly spoke in a foreign language.

“This is not mere curiosity. I have reason to ascertain your knowledge and depth, so please understand that I am testing you.”

In this way, I spent time conversing with him. We discussed various languages I claimed to know, logic, rhetoric, and the books he and I had read. As the conversation continued, I grew increasingly surprised.

‘Isn’t the Duke a soldier? How did he acquire such knowledge and refinement?’

Perhaps I had been unconsciously prejudiced. I had assumed he was skilled in killing people but ignorant of humanities. However, his knowledge was extensive, his words revealing sharp logic and thought. Our conversation left a deep impression on me.

“Let’s end this conversation here.”

He switched back to his native language.

“I want you to become my child’s tutor.”

That was something I had never expected.

‘A tutor?’

Typically, the lady of the house had the authority to hire nannies and tutors.

‘Why the Duke, and not the Duchess?’

As if reading my thoughts, the Duke of Skadi explained, 

“I have no wife, but the child I’ll entrust to you is not illegitimate.”

“…”

“The child you will teach is my adopted daughter and niece. She was originally my brother’s child, but he passed away, so I took on her upbringing. She turned thirteen this year. I would like you to take charge of her education.”

‘Brother? If he had a brother, his brother should have inherited the title according to the rules of succession. And if his brother died and left only one niece, shouldn’t that niece inherit the title?’

There was something odd about the Duke’s words, but I finally understood why he had offered me dinner despite scoffing at Young Master Mael’s letter. He had been considering me as a potential tutor for his adopted daughter, and I had just passed his test.

“What do you say? Will you become my adopted daughter’s tutor?”

“Yes! I will! I’ll be the tutor!”

Understanding the situation, I smiled brightly.

‘At least I won’t die.’

There was no reason not to smile when I wouldn’t have to do hard labor or be confined to a cramped document room all day, taking dictation.

“I’m deeply grateful that you would entrust your precious child to me…”

The Duke’s offer to make me a tutor meant he wouldn’t treat me like a mere exile. However, I couldn’t even finish expressing my words of gratitude.

Was it because my heart was overflowing with happiness? 

No.

“…Ugh, ugh!”

I stopped speaking and immediately vomited.

Waaaaah— Chwaaak—

Was it because I had kept forcing down the food despite my upset stomach? Fortunately, I had lowered my head beneath the table as soon as I felt nauseous, but that couldn’t muffle the unmistakable sounds.

“…”

Chwaaak—

It was embarrassing enough for me to suddenly turn my head to the side and vomit mid-sentence, but how mortified must the Duke have been to witness it?

‘Oh dear…’

As I raised my head, tasting the sour bile, the Duke was looking at me.

“…”

His eyes were wide open, and his mouth was slightly agape. Sometimes, expressions speak louder than words.

I hurriedly wiped my mouth with a napkin and hastily tried to explain.

“I, I’m so sorry. I haven’t fully recovered from my journey, and my body…”

And then I saw him sigh shallowly and shake his head slightly. Afterward, he turned his head to the side and spoke to the servant.

“Escort Miss Toulouse to her room and make sure to provide whatever she needs.”

“…”

“Madame Pauline will visit you so wait in your room. I’ll be leaving tomorrow, so tell her everything you need for the children’s education.”

There is a saying that first impressions are hard to change. And I had made mine by showing him my unwashed appearance after days of travel and then vomiting on his dining table. It would be hard to make a more memorable first impression than that.

* * *

As soon as I returned to my room and was alone, I collapsed onto the bed, burying my face in my hands in despair.

‘How could I do such a thing?’

I had been served a meal, yet to throw up right after was an act that went beyond rudeness. Had I unintentionally revealed to the Duke of Skadi that the local cuisine didn’t suit my taste?

‘Why there, of all places?’

As I writhed in shame, a knock came from the door. I opened the door to find a short, rosy-cheeked elderly woman standing with her clasped hands resting near her stomach.

“Are you Lady Jeanne de Toulouse?”

The elderly woman’s black dress was simple but made of high-quality velvet, and a bunch of keys hung from the belt at her waist. They were undoubtedly the keys to the storerooms where the mansion’s valuables were kept. Seeing her attire, I knew she was Madame Pauline, whom the Duke had mentioned.

“I am Pauline, and I oversee the household affairs of the estate. I’ve come to inform you of the duties you will be taking on.”

Madame Pauline’s tone was polite but not subservient. It seemed she ran the household in the absence of a Duchess.

“The young lady you will be tutoring is Lady Ana. She is thirteen years old this year. His Grace has hired several tutors since adopting her, but none have met his expectations and were quickly dismissed. But I’m sure Lady Jeanne will do well. You have experience tutoring the Duchess’s son in the royal palace.”

Madame Pauline didn’t enter the room but instead stood at the doorway, explaining my duties and what I needed to know.

“You may begin your lessons tomorrow. The young lady’s education has been delayed due to the lack of a tutor. Your task will be to gradually teach Lady Ana the qualities expected of a lady. The study room is on the same floor, to the east, and on the first day, I will send someone to guide you there. Lessons will be held from after breakfast until before lunch, and you will have lunch with the young lady, teaching her dining etiquette during the meal. The lunch will be sent to the study room. Dinner will be sent to your room. I understand that it may be uncomfortable for you to dine with the servants. And even after lessons, if the young lady wishes you to read to her a book or accompany her on a walk, you should always comply.”