Chapter: 13
While distracted by the painting, Laurent clicked his tongue as he looked at the nobleman.
“Who is he?”
“Count Pascal de Conde. A nobleman governing the Hube region and also your young master’s uncle.”
There’s a saying: “Hube for wheat, wheat for Hube.”
Famous for its wheat production, Hube’s grain was once considered the finest even by the Brienne royal family. When Jeanne first started school, she often ate bread made from it. But over the past several years, its prestige had declined, overshadowed by wheat from southern Brienne.
That was all Jeanne knew about Hube. She had no idea that the lord of that region was related to Claude.
Even now, knowing this didn’t stir much emotion in her. However, Laurent’s disgusted glare did bother her slightly.
At that moment, a servant accidentally dropped a framed painting on the floor. The fabric covering the frame slipped off, revealing the portrait of a young woman.
The servant hurriedly knelt to retrieve it, but before he could pick it up, the count raised his cane and struck him across the torso.
“How many times have I told you to handle things carefully? This is worth several times more than the likes of you commoners!”
“I- I’m sorry, Count!”
Laurent stepped in between them.
“Oh, Count! It’s been a long time! How have you been?”
With a cheerful smile, he tried to appease the count. Even if he disliked him, he seemed determined to mediate politely.
“This lowborn wretch dares speak to a noble without permission? Laurent’s authority has fallen to nothing!”
Pascal poked Laurent in the chest with the tip of his cane, pushing him back. Despite the dust covering Laurent’s chest, he remained unbothered and laughed heartily.
“I’m sorry, Count. I was just so delighted to see you that he slipped up. By the way, what is this painting all about?”
“Hmph! That’s none of your business!”
Pascal turned his head sharply in annoyance, ignoring Laurent.
“What on earth is Claude doing with palace management that allows a commoner…”
His gaze landed on Jeanne, and as soon as it did, his eyes hardened.
“I thought the Duke wasn’t interested in women, but judging by how you choose maids, apparently that’s not the case.”
Jeanne had a bad feeling. In her past life, she had been forced to attend royal banquets. The nobles who normally despised her would eye her with lecherous glances when she appeared dressed up.
The way the count appraised her with his eyes was exactly like those men back then.
“How much?”
“Excuse me?”
“How much do you require for yourself?”
Jeanne frowned at such a crude question.
‘Why is he on the same level as a bandit?’
Seeing the count’s interest in Jeanne, Laurent approached, looking shocked.
“Count, this lady is—”
“How dare you speak while I am speaking!”
The count swung his cane again. Laurent took several hits on his left arm but didn’t flinch or step back. True to a knight, he had endurance and composure.
Jeanne hesitated briefly, thinking about what to do.
Having Claude handle it would have been ideal, but staying passive after being insulted was against her nature. Moreover, seeing the count bully his subordinates so arrogantly irritated her.
With one hand, Jeanne lightly grabbed the cane, stopping it mid-swing. The count, Laurent, and the surrounding servants all gawked in surprise.
“200 silver.”
“…What?”
“You asked how much. My price. 200 silver.”
Jeanne released the cane and extended her hand, demanding the money.
“Jeanne, what are you doing?!”
Laurent tried to block the space between her and the count, telling her to step back. Jeanne waved him off and gave the count a slight, charming smile.
Pascal’s eyes glinted greedily, as if he had just discovered a delicacy.
“Indeed. That’s probably more than enough for a common girl like you.”
Pleased with the amount, he took a gold coin from his pocket.
“Here, one gold. I hear it takes years for people like you to earn this. To make it with just your body? How easy it must be.”
Jeanne laughed softly as she took the coin.
“Indeed. Had I known it was this easy, I would have done it sooner.”
“You speak well! Then come to my room tonight.”
Pascal patted her shoulder and tried to pass by.
“Why wait until tonight? Let’s do it now.”
Jeanne grabbed his arm and returned it to its original position.
His eyes widened, perhaps startled by her grip or by her suggestion to act immediately. Jeanne didn’t care which.
“Laurent, may I borrow your sword for a moment?”
Jeanne spoke quietly as she reached for his sword, drawing it from his belt before he could respond. Using the momentum, she pivoted behind the count and angled the blade.
Behind Pascal, Jeanne quickly covered his mouth and pressed the sword close to his throat.
Pascal realized the situation a moment too late, shouting and struggling violently. But the moment the blade touched his skin, his face went pale, frozen in shock.
Leaning close, Jeanne whispered in his ear:
“If you let your guard down like that, this is exactly how an assassin would get you. Someone of your noble rank never knows where or when an enemy might appear, so you must always be careful. First, then…”
Jeanne stepped back slightly, maintaining distance, and tapped the cane with her sword.
“This cane seems expensive but utterly useless as a weapon. I recommend replacing it with a durable one. Also…”
Standing at his side, she pressed down on his protruding belly.
“With such a sluggish body, you cannot defend yourself properly. I recommend losing some weight and training your strength.”
“Y- y- you dare…!”
Pascal swung his cane violently, but Jeanne lightly dodged and stepped back.
“I’m not trying to kill you; you paid me, so I’m simply doing my job, Count.”
“What?”
“Self-defense lessons against monsters and assassins, 200 silver per session.”
Jeanne twirled the sword in her hand as she continued:
“My friend charged 200 silver per lesson for noble students learning swordsmanship. Considering my skill, I could charge 600 silver per session, but since it’s for your nephew, I’m giving you a discount. Though having taken one gold, I guess I’ll have to teach five more sessions.”
She readjusted her grip on the sword, its tip sharp and pointed at the count.
“I’ll teach everything—from dealing with assassins to handling monsters. If you like the lessons, please introduce me to other noble children as well.”
“I already like it,” a voice interrupted, drawing everyone’s attention to the mansion entrance.
“Would you teach me a thing or two as well, teacher?”
Claude was leaning against the doorframe. The servants and Laurent bowed upon noticing him.
“Perfect timing, Claude!”
The count raised his voice, pointing at Jeanne.
“What is this insolent girl doing? Bringing such a shameless creature into the castle!”
“She seems to be teaching well. What’s the problem?”
Claude walked forward gracefully, standing naturally between Jeanne and Pascal. His tall frame and broad back hid the count from Jeanne’s view.
“Impressive skills for a graduate of the Royal Military Academy, aren’t they, uncle?”
“R- Royal Military Academy?”
“Yes. You didn’t even know who your instructor was? This is Jeanne Leclerc, my classmate, the second-highest graduate of this year’s academy.”
