Chapter 33…………………………………….
The Tutor Everyone Wants (3)
Still, there was one hopeful piece of news.
Over the past five years, he hadn’t forgotten as much imperial etiquette as expected.
Enrique remembered almost everything—small things like greetings and dining manners, escorting etiquette, the proper way to walk, ceremonial order, even noble family lineages.
As if he had always known he would someday return to the imperial palace.
So, on the fourth lesson—the day I tested his knowledge of etiquette—
I blinked down at the unbelievable results sheet in my hands.
“…You remember all of it?”
This was a test with a 99% reliability rate, personally made using the True Master skill, so there was no way the result could be wrong.
It wasn’t even the kind of test you could guess your way through.
Seriously… how is it possible?
This murderous delinquent crown prince actually knows etiquette this well?
Whether I kept staring at the paper or not, Enrique lounged crookedly in his chair and spoke as if it were obvious.
“I learned it every day until I was fourteen. Who forgets fourteen years of training in just five? Only a complete idiot.”
I glanced at the garden chair beneath him, which looked like it was barely supporting his heavy weight, and spoke quietly.
“Your Highness. Let’s not use words like ‘idiot.’”
“Then… blockhead.”
Is this really the level of a crown prince?
“Anyway. I see. I thought it was a total lie that you ever had a sweet and adorable phase, but… it seems you really did learn properly back then.”
“A sweet and adorable phase? Who told you that?”
Perhaps irritated that someone had spoken about his past, Enrique straightened his posture and leaned toward me.
The chair let out an ominous creak.
“……”
Chair… please hold on.
Enrique only used polite speech when he felt like it—or when he wanted to pressure someone.
And I wasn’t the only one troubled by his inconsistent tone.
Whenever lessons were in session, Dietrich Karlsson, standing guard nearby, looked like his eyes were about to shake out of their sockets.
Probably because polite speech simply didn’t suit Enrique at all.
I agreed.
“Who told you?” he pressed again.
For a moment, the old man from Garell Bookstore flashed through my mind.
…But am I insane? Why would I drag that poor man into this?
I blinked quickly, trying not to think of him.
“…No one. Just a guess.”
“Hm…”
The moment I backed off, Enrique didn’t interrogate further. He leaned back again.
The chair screamed another creak.
“I heard from His Majesty that your etiquette was an urgent matter.”
“Ah. Maybe because I’ve never bothered following it.”
“…I see. Yes.”
So you know it and still don’t do it? That’s worse.
I stared at the test paper for a moment before setting it down on the table.
“Then let’s attend an official event.”
“What? Why?”
“To show everyone you know etiquette perfectly. Why keep such a weapon to yourself?”
I smiled faintly, meeting his eyes.
“I have no intention of teaching only boring theory.”
“……”
Of course, he still needed to relearn some details.
He remembered the overall structure, but actually applying it would feel awkward because of old habits.
And sure enough, it did.
But once it became clear I didn’t need to teach him as much etiquette as expected…
My workload didn’t decrease.
Instead, an imperial order came down:
I was now to teach him imperial studies and political science as well.
I should’ve just run off and become a professor at Discher Academy.
Seriously.
It was time for the True Master skill to work overtime again.
+: ❝True Master Skill❞ Passive! +:
[The effects of the True Master skill are increased by 50% for disciples.]
* * *
“…And so, I have been assigned two additional subjects.”
As Dietrich reported the imperial decree—that Lillian Crimson would now teach not only etiquette but also imperial studies and political science—he cautiously watched Enrique’s reaction.
For Dietrich Karlsson, this was a tense moment.
The first time His Majesty had unilaterally declared that a private tutor would be assigned, the Crown Prince’s madness had flared.
No matter how long this tutor had lasted…
Adding subjects without permission was still—
However, even after Dietrich finished speaking, Enrique’s expression remained dry.
In the middle of reviewing documents, he pressed the nib of his fountain pen down and signed calmly.
“She taught well. Fine.”
“…Yes.”
Dietrich swallowed hard and nodded.
To be acknowledged by the Crown Prince…
It seemed Lady Lillian Crimson truly was an exceptional tutor.
And so, for a while, the relationship between the murderous Crown Prince and his tutor continued smoothly.
At the very least, no ninth tutor was being recommended.
However, rumors throughout the empire began swelling dangerously.
Enrique Lukein Ignos had delivered a congratulatory speech at the birthday banquet of one of the founding dukes—
And many claimed this signaled his official return.
Even more shocking was the talk that his etiquette, contrary to rumor, had been flawless.
In high society, people whispered that the infamous eighth tutor position had been taken by none other than that Lady Lillian Crimson.
And since she was now teaching imperial studies and politics, rumors spread that the Crown Prince’s restoration was not far away.
At the center of every story wrapping around the empire…
Was the murderous Crown Prince and his private tutor.
* * *
And then, the problem occurred one night, under a high moon.
“Teacher. Here is your admission ticket.”
“Thanks, Logie.”
Late at night, Logan and I arrived in a narrow alley somewhere in the capital.
“Do you remember? We came out like this before, to look around the streets together.”
“…It’s embarrassing.”
“What’s embarrassing? You’re still just as cute as ever.”
I chuckled as I called him by his disguise name, and Logan’s cheeks turned faintly red as he lowered his head.
By now, Logan could use polite imperial speech smoothly, and his emotions were far more natural.
But the reason I was here with him tonight wasn’t conversation practice anymore…
“So. Your friend was definitely scammed here?”
“Yes. This auction house.”
It was because of my workbook.
Its value had skyrocketed, and with the help of Garell Bookstore, we had introduced magical duplication to meet demand.
But even then, supply still couldn’t keep up.
And that’s where the problem began.
Excess demand meant money.
And soon…
Fake workbooks started flooding the market.
Theo, Logan’s friend, had apparently tried to secretly buy one here—and was scammed.
Since I strictly prohibited reselling, even if what he bought was fake, he couldn’t report it anywhere.
If Theo had any luck at all…
It was that he was friends with Logan.
Kind-hearted Logan had been worried that fake workbooks were being sold under my name.
He shyly asked if I could accompany him to authenticate one, just in case it was real.
That was why we were here tonight.
Logan wore a sword, but surely it was only for self-defense.
I patted his shoulder as he clenched his fists, then held up my ticket and entered the auction house with him.
“This way, please.”
“Thank you.”
Smiling briefly at the guards, we descended the stairs into a vast underground space.
It was already crowded and noisy.
I looked around and murmured,
“So this is what it’s like inside.”
Logan leaned closer and whispered.
“Is this your first time too, Teacher? They say this is the largest auction house in the capital.”
“Yeah. I’ve never had a reason to come.”
Only rich people come to places like this.
Maybe because our finances had improved lately, even Aiden seemed to forget sometimes…
But our count family was drowning in debt.
Even now, while I was soaring as a top private tutor, it was still true.
Anyway, the atmosphere inside was surprisingly comfortable.
Not too dark or secretive.
Half the people wore masks, half didn’t.
Since I’d become famous recently, and Logan’s natural looks drew too much attention…
We both pulled our hoods down to hide our faces.
Logan escorted me to a table.
“So we sit here until my workbook comes up as an item, bid on it, and check it immediately?”
“Yes. If it turns out to be fake, I will handle the rest.”
“But even if it’s real, that’s still a problem.”
Because I banned reselling.
When I muttered that, Logan bit his lip, realization dawning.
“…Either way, I will handle it.”
“Alright.”
I wasn’t sure what exactly he meant by “handle it,” but…
If Logan wanted to, then go ahead~
