Chapter 16
Johannes Schultz, as always, wore a dry expression.
Despite the biting weather, he wasn’t dressed in many layers, yet showed no sign of being cold.
“Have you been well? I hope everything’s been comfortable.”
Seated, he asked in a tone that seemed both indifferent and slightly bored, yet he looked more refreshed than before.
“Thanks to you, I’ve been doing well. Has my presence been of any help to you?”
Though I spoke kindly, he seemed to catch on to the intention behind my words—as expected of the head of a noble family.
“I regret that an article was published all the way in the Prim Gazette. But I’ve taken measures, so there won’t be any more articles about your personal matters.”
Shameless, yet flawless—there was nothing I could say against that answer.
As I pressed my lips together in silence, he resumed eating with his usual elegant gestures.
I focused on the food before me as well, and no further conversation took place.
Near the end of the meal, he spoke again.
“I’m thinking of hosting a banquet.”
Straight to the point, as expected. I asked without surprise,
“May I ask what kind of banquet it will be?”
“A banquet to announce our marriage. It might sound extravagant, but it will be kept modest.”
“There will be more articles. Full of speculation, I’m sure.”
“Yes, likely.”
A clean-cut response.
I nodded, set down my utensils, and consciously adjusted my posture.
“Let me ask one last time. Are you really okay with marrying me? Wouldn’t forming a union with another noble house be more beneficial for you? I don’t mind the gossip. I’ve received much more help in return.”
I spoke quickly, without even pausing to breathe, fearing that Duke Schultz might interrupt.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he gestured toward the newspaper on the table.
“After all the noise they’ve made about a romance between Duke Schultz and a commoner, if I suddenly marry a young lady from a prestigious family, the press would tear me and my family apart.”
“……”
“They’d say I just used the poor commoner girl.”
I swallowed hard.
“……Isn’t that half true?”
“Regrettably, yes. What’s even more unfortunate is that it will remain that way.”
It felt strange.
In any case, I was using him too.
But Duke Schultz spoke as though he were the only one using me.
I forced a smile through the weird feelings, and he added,
“Miss Prim, you too may be hounded by the press. It’s bound to be quite a headache.”
He meant: “So why keep raising objections when everything’s already been decided?”
Of course, I knew I had asked the same question enough times to be tiresome.
But it’s marriage…!
I instinctively tensed my eyes.
Maybe he didn’t take marriage seriously because he had too much?
Trying to appear calm, I said,
“Alright. Then I won’t ask again. But any regrets will be yours alone, Duke.”
I was polite, but Duke Schultz’s brow twitched slightly.
Did I offend him?
While I reflected on my tone, he spoke softly,
“I think we need to settle how we address each other.”
“Pardon?”
“We can’t keep using ‘Duke’ forever. We’re getting married, after all.”
“Well, that’s…”
I narrowed my eyes slightly as well.
“I intend to meet the public’s expectations. Of course, I’ll respect your wishes, Miss Prim.”
“Ah…”
The public’s expectations were clear: a heartfelt love story between a commoner woman and Duke Schultz.
Since many eyes would be on us, we’d have to act the part perfectly—and that included how we addressed each other.
Duke Schultz was concerned about that detail.
“You’re right.”
When I nodded, he continued as if he’d been waiting.
“I heard you’ve learned some dance steps.”
“To some extent, yes.”
“Then let’s try a practice round. We can also work on how we address each other—preferably tonight.”
He looked at me as if waiting for a specific answer.
“Yes, that’s fine.”
He had protected both my father and me. I had to repay that debt properly.
“A commoner woman flawlessly adapting to noble society—that’s also part of the public’s romantic fantasy, isn’t it?”
As I gave the answer he wanted, a picture-perfect smile spread across Duke Schultz’s face.
“Perfect.”
“Starting today, Madam Hurtzmann will be in charge of Miss Prim’s overall education. She’s strict, but not frightening.”
Sir Fret looked very busy.
Before leaving, he advised me to be well-prepared, since I too would now be living a very busy life.
Not long after, Madam Hurtzmann arrived to take charge of my training.
“I am Marilyn Hurtzmann.”
She was a middle-aged woman with streaks of white in her hair. Her sharp eyes stood out beneath her neatly tied bun.
She wore a well-fitted violet velvet dress that reached up to her neck, along with low, black shoes.
Her bony, knotted hands were held neatly in front of her, but her gaze swept over me with a piercing intensity.
Her voice was slightly husky, yet deep for a middle-aged woman.
“I was the nanny of the late duchess. After she passed away, I left the estate, but the current duke requested I return to educate his future wife. Please feel free to call me Marilyn.”
Remembering Sir Fret’s warning, I greeted her stiffly.
“Hello, ma’am. I’m Edith Prim. I look forward to working with you.”
“That is incorrect.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I was told by Sir Fret that your manners were nearly perfect, but that was appalling.”
Oof.
Her sharp voice made me shrink back. As I gave an awkward smile, Marilyn raised her chin and continued.
“Lower your tone when speaking to the staff. It’s better to show proper respect only to your master.”
“What? But—”
“No one will be offended.”
I slowly nodded. But it was hard to speak casually just yet.
“That’s wrong.”
“…Huh?”
Out of habit, I had spoken politely again. But at her glance, I quickly corrected myself. Only then did her expression soften a little.
“Except for direct royal blood or the duke himself, no one may interrupt you. You should’ve reprimanded me.”
Her tone was sharp but concise.
“…Alright, I’ll do that from now on.”
“Your responses are a little delayed, but that will improve with time.”
She examined me critically, then pulled a small stick from her bosom. She extended it and began correcting my posture.
“Chin up, shoulders relaxed. Be careful not to stick out your chest or hips crudely.”
I nodded, unable to respond aloud.
“There will be much to learn about the ducal household. But since the banquet is the priority for now, we’ll start with what you need for that.”
“Got it.”
Marilyn glanced around my room.
“Once you’re married, you’ll move into the duchess’s chambers. This place may seem shabby now, but please endure it a bit longer.”
My eyes widened.
Did I mishear her? What part of this room was shabby?
It had a crystal vanity, expensive paintings hung throughout, a plush bed rivaling those in luxury hotels, and the room was always warm and cozy.
As I stood there, stunned, Marilyn continued.
“I heard you’ll be practicing dancing with the master tonight. And that you’ve already learned the basics.”
I snapped out of it and nodded slowly.
“Roughly. It’s been a while since I danced, though.”
“Hmm… Shall we try a round?”
From then, Marilyn and I began practicing waltz steps. I thought I was doing fairly well, but the more we moved, the more her expression hardened.
With a short sigh, she stopped.
“Those are outdated steps that went out of style twenty years ago. That’s not how it’s done anymore.”
“Really? I had no idea.”
As I gave an embarrassed smile, Marilyn quietly scolded me.
“You’ll need to start by hiding that habitual smile. The former Duchess Schultz only showed affection in front of the duke. She didn’t smile so freely at subordinates.”
“…Alright.”
As I quickly wiped the smile off my face, Marilyn finally looked satisfied.
She continued.
“First, let’s head to the dressing room.”
