Chapter 33……………………………………
The Tutor Everyone Wants (3)
Still, there was one hopeful piece of news: over the past five years, he hadn’t forgotten nearly as much imperial etiquette as expected.
Enrique remembered almost everything — from the smallest details like greetings, dining manners, escorting etiquette, walking posture, ceremonial order, even noble family lineages.
As if he had always known he would someday return to the imperial palace.
So, on the fourth day of class, when I tested his knowledge of etiquette…
I blinked down at the unbelievable results sheet in my hands.
“…You really remember everything?”
I had made this exam myself using the True Master skill, with a reliability rate of 99%, so there was no way the results were wrong.
And it wasn’t the kind of test where you could guess your way into a high score.
This was genuinely shocking.
That murderous delinquent crown prince actually knew etiquette this well?
Whether I kept staring at the paper or not, Enrique lounged back crookedly in his chair and spoke as if it were obvious.
“I learned it every day until I was fourteen. Is there really anyone stupid enough to forget fourteen years of learning in just five?”
I glanced at the garden chair beneath him, which looked like it was barely surviving his weight, and spoke quietly.
“Your Highness. Let’s refrain from using words like ‘stupid.’”
“Then… blockhead.”
Seriously. Is this really the level of the crown prince?
“Anyway. I see. I thought the rumors about you having a sweet and adorable childhood were complete lies… but it seems you really did learn properly back then.”
“A sweet and adorable childhood? Who told you that?”
Perhaps irritated that someone had spoken about his past, Enrique straightened from his slouched 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 struggling with his unpredictable tone.
Whenever lessons were underway, Dietrich Carlson, who stood guard nearby, looked like his eyes might shake right out of their sockets.
Probably because Enrique was simply the kind of person who didn’t suit polite speech at all.
Honestly, I agreed.
“Who said it?” he repeated.
When I didn’t answer, Enrique whispered again.
For a moment, the old man from Garell Bookstore flashed through my mind.
…But was I insane? Why would I drag that poor old man into trouble?
I blinked, forcing myself not to think about him.
“…No one. Just a guess.”
“Hmmm…”
When I backed off quickly, Enrique didn’t press further. Instead, he leaned back again, settling into the chair.
The chair screamed another creak.
“I heard from His Majesty that your etiquette was urgent.”
“Oh. I guess it would look that way since I never bother to follow it.”
“…Mm. Yes.”
So you know and still don’t do it? That’s worse.
I stared at the test paper for a moment longer before placing it down on the table.
“Then let’s attend an official event.”
“What? Why?”
“Etiquette. You should show everyone that you know it well. Why keep a weapon like that to yourself?”
I smiled faintly, meeting his eyes.
“I have no intention of teaching only boring theory.”
“……”
Of course, the finer details still needed review.
He remembered the overall framework, but if he had to actually apply it, certain habits would make things awkward.
And sure enough, that was the case.
So, once it became clear I didn’t need to teach him as much etiquette as expected…
I thought my workload would decrease—
It didn’t.
Instead, an imperial decree arrived ordering me to teach him imperial rulership studies and political science during that freed time.
I really should’ve run away to become a professor at Disherno 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, it seems she has been assigned two additional subjects.”
As Dietrich reported the decree that Lillian Crimson would now teach not only etiquette, but also rulership studies and politics, he carefully watched Enrique’s reaction.
For Dietrich Carlson, it was a tense moment.
When the emperor had first declared he would assign a private tutor, the crown prince’s madness had flared up.
No matter how long this tutor had lasted, increasing the subjects without permission was still…
However, even after Dietrich finished speaking, Enrique’s expression remained dry.
He was in the middle of reviewing official documents.
Pressing the tip of his fountain pen firmly onto the paper, he signed casually and replied,
“She taught well. Fine.”
“…Yes.”
Dietrich swallowed hard and nodded.
To be acknowledged by the crown prince…
Perhaps Lady Lillian Crimson truly was an exceptional tutor.
For a while, the relationship between the murderous crown prince and his tutor flowed smoothly.
At the very least, there was no talk of a ninth tutor being recommended.
But rumors across the empire began to swell dangerously.
Enrique Luqein Ignos had delivered a congratulatory speech at the birthday banquet of one of the founding dukes of the empire.
Many took it as a signal that he had officially returned.
And contrary to rumor, his etiquette had been flawless — enough to shake political circles.
Meanwhile, in high society, gossip spread that the eighth tutor position had been claimed by that Lady Lillian Crimson, and since she was now teaching rulership and politics, the crown prince’s restoration to power could not be far off.
Every story at the center of the empire involved the murderous crown prince and his tutor.
And then, one night, beneath a high moon…
The problem began.
“Teacher. Here’s the admission ticket.”
“Thanks, Logie.”
Late at night, I found myself in a back alley of the capital with Logan.
“Do you remember? We came out to see the streets together like this before.”
“…It’s embarrassing.”
“What’s embarrassing? You’re still just as cute as ever, Logie.”
When I chuckled and called him by his disguise name, Logan’s cheeks reddened slightly and he lowered his head.
By now, Logan could speak imperial polite language fluently, and his emotional expressions had become more natural.
But the reason I was here with him tonight wasn’t for conversation practice…
“So. Your friend was definitely scammed here?”
“Yes. At this auction house.”
It was because of my workbook.
My workbook’s value had skyrocketed.
With the help of Garell Bookstore, we had introduced magical duplication to meet demand, but even so, supply still couldn’t keep up.
And that created a problem.
Excess demand meant money.
Fake workbooks had started flooding the market.
Theo, a friend of Logan’s, had tried to secretly purchase one here… and was scammed.
Since I strictly forbade resale, even if the item was fake, there was no way for him to report it.
If Theo had any luck at all, it was that he had Logan as a friend.
Kind-hearted Logan had been bothered by the idea that counterfeit workbooks were being sold under my name, and shyly asked if I would come along to verify them.
That was why we were here tonight.
Logan had brought a sword, but surely it was just for self-defense.
Patting his tense shoulder, I held the ticket and entered the auction house with him.
“This way, please.”
“Thank you.”
Smiling lightly at the guards, we descended the stairs…
And found ourselves in a vast underground space.
It was already crowded and noisy.
Looking around, I murmured,
“So this is what it looks like inside.”
Logan leaned closer and whispered,
“Is this your first time here too, Teacher? They say this is the largest auction house in the capital.”
“Yeah. I’ve never had a reason to come.”
Places like this were for rich people.
Aiden seemed to forget sometimes, now that things were slightly better…
But our count’s household was drowning in debt.
Even now, while I was soaring as the empire’s star private tutor.
Still, the atmosphere was more comfortable than expected.
Not overly sinister or secretive.
Half the attendees wore masks, half didn’t.
Since I had become famous lately, and Logan’s looks drew too much attention, we both pulled our hoods low.
Logan escorted me to a table.
“So we sit here, and when my workbook comes up as an item, we 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 a problem.”
Because resale was forbidden.
When I muttered that, Logan bit his lip, realization dawning.
“…Either way, I will handle it.”
“Alright.”
I wasn’t sure how he planned to handle it, but…
If Logan wanted to, then go ahead~
Thank you!~