Chapter 27
“What on earth is this…!”
Restrained from moving, Estelle grew irritated.
She wanted nothing more than to shut the maids’ mouths before they could further insult Reina—even a second wasted felt unbearable. At the very least, she wanted to snap at them and demand what on earth they thought they were doing.
But the hand holding her was far too strong for her to break free.
“Who is it?”
Estelle glared sharply over her shoulder and demanded an answer.
But then she flinched in surprise.
“Claude…?”
It was a man with blue eyes, looking down at her with a heavy, sunken gaze.
“Stay still.”
His cold, low voice brushed against Estelle’s ear.
It was the first time she had ever heard him speak so icily, and she faltered.
But her shock quickly twisted into anger.
Is he getting in my way again?
He had already ruined her plan to enjoy a quiet lesson together with Reina.
And now, when she was about to confront the ones insulting Reina, he was blocking her again.
Even though those servants were openly disregarding the rules of his very own household.
“Let me go.”
Estelle’s mind raced.
She needed to rush over immediately and see their faces for herself.
If she didn’t, then out of the many servants in the mansion, she would have no way of knowing who had spoken ill of Reina.
And even if she tried to track them down later, if the servants all denied it, she would have no proof without having seen their faces now.
So she had to catch them before they slipped away.
Estelle struggled desperately to free herself from Claude’s grip.
She tugged at his hand, twisted her body, did everything she could to break away. And yet, she kept stealing anxious glances around the corner, afraid that the servants might disappear any second.
“I said let go!”
But no matter how hard she fought, Claude would not release her.
On the contrary, his arm only tightened around her, holding her more firmly.
“Why won’t you let go, Claude?”
Out of breath from struggling, Estelle finally stopped moving. She looked up at him with eyes full of resentment and demanded an answer.
Claude met her gaze steadily.
And then, in a calm but cutting tone, he asked:
“Do you truly think that charging at them now and demanding answers will solve anything?”
“……”
Estelle bit her lip, unable to reply.
She couldn’t say yes with confidence.
Even if she scolded the servants and forced them to admit their fault and apologize, it would only be temporary.
Sooner or later, behind Reina’s back, the same whispers would resurface again.
“Of course not. You already know that, don’t you?”
Claude, still holding Estelle against him, stepped back out of sight of the servants.
This time, Estelle did not resist.
She went limp in his arms, powerless.
“You don’t think those words came out of nowhere, do you?”
“……”
“So I hope you’ll take this to heart: your actions affect not just you, but the people around you as well.”
His voice was calm, level—but every word sank deeply into her chest, filling her mind with heavy thoughts.
“…It’s my fault.”
Estelle muttered the words bitterly.
She understood now what he was trying to tell her.
Before she met Reina, whatever Estelle did was her own business.
The responsibility for her actions fell solely on her shoulders. Her deeds reflected only on herself.
But ever since Reina had taken her in, it was different.
Now, Estelle’s actions reflected on Reina.
Her behavior became the measure by which others judged Reina.
And Reina… Reina was someone who devoted herself wholeheartedly to every task she was given, without complaint.
She was kind to everyone—yes, even to those who disliked her.
And if someone was in need, she would always rush to help, even if it meant putting herself at risk.
She was that kind of good person.
And yet, because of me, she’s being judged like that.
Only now did Estelle realize—too late—that she was Reina’s mirror.
Estelle clenched her fists tightly.
Not in anger at others, but in anger at herself.
Noticing her shift, Claude finally released her.
“Return once you’ve calmed yourself.”
With that, he turned and walked back the way they had come, leaving her standing alone.
“……”
Estelle remained rooted to the spot, unable to move.
“See? That’s why status matters, hahaha!”
“Exactly, hahaha!”
The servants’ laughter echoed, then gradually faded into the distance.
Even long after their voices were gone, Estelle stood frozen in place.
What on earth had he told her out there?
It had taken a while, but what kind of talk could have made Estelle’s attitude calm down like that?
Grace: 4
Of course, outwardly only—her actual score hadn’t changed.
No, I can tell she’s at least trying, even if the numbers don’t show it.
Estelle was indeed sitting properly in her chair now, facing Claude with a serious expression.
The problem was her body.
She kept fidgeting, as though she couldn’t sit still.
Like her skin was itching, her body shifting this way and that.
Hmm. Maybe that’s not important right now.
Actually, I was a little happy.
Because at the very least, Estelle seemed willing to listen to the lesson now.
They say well begun is half done.
The beginning is always the hardest part—once you start, seeing it through to the end isn’t so difficult.
I was certain that Estelle would eventually regain her grace, perhaps even surpass her old self.
I didn’t know how long it would take, but I believed it.
I’d better focus too. I need to help Estelle as much as I can during lessons.
Grace doesn’t come just from a short bit of study.
It must be practiced constantly, until the movements of the body and the habits of the mind become second nature.
So I needed to study hard alongside her.
If I want to support Estelle, I at least need to understand everything myself.
With that, I picked up my pen and began diligently jotting down Claude’s lecture.
Several days passed as we came and went from the Ducal House of Xenopesia to attend Claude’s lessons.
Grace: 12 (+8)
Fortunately, Estelle’s grace score steadily increased with each lesson.
Of course, it rose more slowly than it had fallen before.
But still, having gained eight points already, perhaps thanks to that, Estelle no longer twisted in her seat during lessons.
Hmm… though her hands and feet still fidget a little. And her eyes… are they looking at Claude? Or just staring into space…?
Was she really paying attention?
I felt a flicker of doubt.
But I quickly brushed it away.
Think back to the first day. Compared to then, this is huge progress.
That first day, Estelle had hardly listened at all.
She had squirmed and shifted constantly throughout Claude’s teaching, her eyes darting all around the room.
Anyone could see she wasn’t paying attention.
But now, she was sitting properly, listening as though none of that had ever happened.
Even if her eyes drifted toward empty space, her ears were perked up attentively.
She was definitely listening.
And I’m sure, after a few more days, she won’t be staring into space anymore.
I had no doubts.
She would soon be listening with the proper poise of a model student. I was certain of it.
But then something strange happened—strange for me, at least.
“Reina?”
“Yes?”
“You looked distracted. Are you worried about something?”
“Ah, no, not at all.”
“I see. If something does trouble you, tell me.”
Maybe it was only my imagination.
At least, I desperately hoped it was only my imagination.
But… for some reason, it felt like Claude was paying more attention to me.
