TOOCM | Chapter 023

Episode 23

Reina gazed at Mrs. Mary with cold eyes.

Meeting those calm, pale blue eyes, Mrs. Mary felt an inexplicable pressure.

Though she was the one looking down, it felt as if Reina were looking down on her.

Unlike her earlier bravado, Mrs. Mary fell silent.

She sensed the situation was turning serious.

Reina glanced at the noticeably subdued Mrs. Mary and said to Lily, “Lily, bring it here.”

“Yes, my lady.”

As if waiting for the cue, Lily brought a tray.

Reina had hoped not to use it, but it seemed discipline was necessary.

Mrs. Mary’s eyes widened in shock at the item on the tray.

It was a switch. Seeing the tremor in Mrs. Mary’s eyes, Reina spoke.

“A gift for you. A token of my hope that you’ll continue to care for Dahlia well.”

Mrs. Mary nearly blurted, A gift? Isn’t this a warning? but bit her lower lip.

For a noble to give a switch to a subordinate was a warning.

Another mistake, and she’d face punishment with that very switch.

Trembling with humiliation, Mrs. Mary couldn’t muster a retort.

Initially, when Reina addressed her respectfully, Mrs. Mary had pegged her as a pushover.

Calling her “Your Highness” instead of “my lady” was part of her power play.

She’d thought Reina was a sheltered flower, easy to dominate.

Instead, she’d been outmaneuvered.

As Mrs. Mary glared at the switch, Reina said, “Take it.”

“…Thank you.”

Reluctantly, Mrs. Mary accepted the box with the switch at Reina’s urging.

“I hope I never have to use it.”

“…May I leave now?”

Her noticeably more polite question was met with Reina’s gentle smile and a shake of her head.

To Mrs. Mary’s dismay, who wanted nothing more than to storm out, there was still more to discuss.

Reina glanced at the chair and said, “No. No need to go far. I’m the one taking over Dahlia’s etiquette lessons.”

“…”

“This might be a long talk, so shall we sit? Unless you prefer standing, as earlier.”

“…I’ll sit.”

Mrs. Mary sat down with a grim expression.

Her newfound compliance made Reina soften her demeanor.

Lily, watching the exchange, had a glint in her eyes.

***

After the meeting, Mrs. Mary rushed to Aiden to complain.

“She’s clearly targeting us. If this continues, Dahlia’s position could be at risk, so you should be cautious, my lord.”

Aiden listened quietly and asked softly, “Did she really treat you that way without reason?”

His skeptical tone made Mrs. Mary insist more forcefully, even waving the switch.

“I’m telling you! Don’t you believe me after seeing this?”

In truth, Mrs. Mary had skewed the story in her favor.

She omitted why Reina had summoned her, focusing only on the switch.

Aiden rubbed his chin with a serious expression.

‘She didn’t seem like someone who’d mistreat subordinates…’

Was she unexpectedly domineering? He was perplexed.

Still, Mrs. Mary had cared for Dahlia for years, so he couldn’t dismiss her words lightly. He tried to soothe her.

“Calm down, Mrs. Mary. I’ll speak with the princess.”

“There’s nothing to discuss. We need to keep her away from Dahlia now.”

“But we just asked her to handle Dahlia’s etiquette lessons. It’s awkward to backtrack now.”

When Aiden gently declined, Mrs. Mary narrowed her eyes.

She hadn’t expected to separate Reina from Dahlia immediately.

But she couldn’t let Reina gain influence over Dahlia either.

After all the groundwork she’d laid.

Just when she was gaining control, this interloper appeared.

Regaining her composure, Mrs. Mary asked, “So, if I provide a reason, you’ll step in?”

“If necessary, yes.”

Aiden’s vague reply prompted her to declare confidently, “Just watch. I’ll prove the princess shouldn’t be Dahlia’s teacher.”

***

Dahlia clutched her beloved stuffed bunny, Tosuni, waiting silently.

Her heart raced for no reason, likely because today was her first lesson with Reina.

She’d learned a few days ago that Reina was her aunt.

That such a kind person was her new family!

It felt like a gift from her mother, and she wanted to get close to her.

But her nanny had other ideas.

“Never show weakness in front of the Duchess. She’ll use her kind face to find fault with you, Dahlia.”

“But Reina said we’d be friends…”

“Friendship is for those with aligned interests. Always remember the Duchess sees you as an obstacle. Use proper titles.”

Dahlia couldn’t fully grasp her nanny’s words.

She just assumed it was another adult matter.

Mrs. Mary, her nanny since birth, had been by her side constantly, especially since her mother fell ill.

Because it was her nanny speaking, Dahlia tried to suppress her fondness for Reina.

Honestly, she’d been anxious since hearing Reina would be her etiquette teacher.

Under her strict nanny, the word “lesson” alone made her tense.

What if, as Mrs. Mary said, Reina doesn’t like me? Her eyes reddened at the thought.

Fidgeting with Tosuni, she looked up as Reina entered.

“Hello, Dahlia?”

Reina approached with a warm smile, waving.

Dahlia stood from her chair, tense, and bowed.

“Hello, Your Grace?”

“Hm?”

Reina looked puzzled at Dahlia’s formal greeting.

Just days ago, they’d agreed to use names.

“That’s a bit disappointing.”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t we agree to call each other by name?”

Reina knelt to meet her eyes.

Dahlia, gazing into those clear eyes, pursed her lips.

“My nanny said not to call you by name…”

Seeing her hesitate and avert her gaze, Reina smiled faintly and said, “Is that so? But I’d love it if you called me by name.”

“But…”

“How about this? ‘Your Grace’ feels too distant, so how about ‘Teacher Reina’? What do you think, Dahlia?”

“I like it!”

Dahlia exclaimed brightly, her gloom forgotten.

Reina, finding her adorable, patted her head.

“For our first lesson, shall we learn afternoon tea etiquette?”

As soon as Reina spoke, Lily, waiting nearby, brought a trolley with cookies and tea.

Dahlia’s eyes sparkled at the tiered desserts but stayed still.

Mrs. Mary rarely gave her sweets, saying they’d make her fat.

Staring at the desserts, Reina handed her a fork and said, “It’s usually best to start with the less sweet scones. If you go for the sugary desserts first, you’ll drink more tea and might need frequent bathroom trips.”

She assumed Dahlia was hesitating, unsure where to start.

But Dahlia’s reaction was unexpected.

Clutching the fork, she didn’t pick a dessert and asked softly, “…Can I really eat this?”