CHAPTER 02
Erbinjel Grand Duchess Ellaris was the highest-ranking noblewoman in the Catalos Empire.
She was the younger sister of the previous emperor and one of the few remaining direct relatives of the current Emperor Rision and Princess Elpenlira.
As a member of the royal family and a major landowner in the East, the power and wealth held by Grand Duchess Erbinjel were immense.
She pledged all of it in loyalty to her nephew, the emperor.
The retainers and servants of the Erbinjel household treated Dianu with great care.
To them, Dianu was not merely a private tutor.
She was the lady who had cured the terrible illness of the only heir of the grand ducal family, Grand Duke Erin.
Dianu dined with the household and stayed in an excellent guest room.
She knew well how significant a privilege that was.
But even for her, this time, she felt a rebellious urge against what Grand Duchess Erbinjel was doing.
“Me, the tutor of the princess? How could someone like me handle such a weighty responsibilityā¦”
Grand Duchess Erbinjel did not listen to Dianuās complaints to the end.
“It is possible because it is you, Dianu.”
“But, Your Graceā”
“I trust you, Dianu. From the emperorās perspective, that is the best qualification.”
Grand Duchess Erbinjel finished sealing the letter she had been writing and handed it to Dianu.
Dianu reluctantly took the letter.
“Deliver this to Viscountess Ornin. She will make things convenient for you.”
“Your Grace, I have no title, and I am not part of the capitalās social circle. Surely, I will be a burden to the royal family.”
“Exactly because you have no title and no ties to the social circle, this is something you can do.”
“ā¦ā¦”
“Sensitive matters like these cannot be entrusted to someone already bound in the chains of power.”
Dianu squeezed her eyes shut.
So I was chosen because I am too insignificant to exploit the fact that secret marriage negotiations are taking place between the princess and the Arasas Empire.
“You always understand quickly, Dianu. I like that,” Grand Duchess Erbinjel said with a gentle smile.
“I will not comfort you by saying it will be easy. But His Majesty is a rational person. He will not demand what is beyond your abilities or place unfair responsibility on you.”
“I donāt even know what I could teach the princessā¦”
“Itās not as if you came here to teach Erin a lot and stayed.”
Dianu had no response.
When she was first employed by the grand ducal household, she had spent half a year following a child who did not speak a word.
But she could not understand what connection existed between opening the heart of a wounded child and taking on the role of the princessās bridal tutor.
Since returning from the eastern territory, Grand Duchess Erbinjel had been tight-lipped about the princess.
All Dianu could do was guess that there must be some problem with the princess that could not be revealed to others.
Grand Duchess Erbinjel extended a gentle hand.
Dianu sighed and took it.
“You wonāt be in the royal palace for life. It will surely be a good experience.”
“ā¦What about Grand Duke Erin while I am away?”
“The royal family will send a tutor. Someone who taught His Majesty in his youth.”
Dianu wondered if a teacher for the prince could reclaim a spot once taken by her.
She frowned, but Grand Duchess Erbinjel patted her hand as if to reassure her.
“Whenever you return, Dianu, your place will always be here.”
“ā¦Thank you, Your Grace.”
“So just worry about meeting His Majestyās expectations.”
That was, in fact, the part she was least confident in.
Dianu bowed with a gloomy feeling.
Unless she crossed paths with the royal palace again, she would not see Grand Duchess Erbinjel for some time.
The Grand Duchess handed Dianu a pouch of gold coins as travel money.
Though there was no need for travel funds from the capital residence to the palace, Dianu quietly accepted it.
She understood that the Grand Duchess wished to do something for her.
As Dianu stepped out of the office, a small boy stood by the door, holding tightly a puppy he never left recently.
He was Grand Duke Erin, the student Dianu had taught over the past year.
Dianu scolded him with a pretend stern face.
“Grand Duke, I told you not to eavesdrop outside the door, didnāt I?”
“Teacherā¦ are you reallyā¦ leaving?”
Erin had only just started speaking half a year ago.
His words were slow, and his voice was pitifully small.
Dianu could not maintain the strict mask of a tutor and knelt before him.
As she extended her arms, Erin immediately leaned into her.
The puppy trapped between Dianu and Erin whimpered.
Dianu stroked the soft back of his head.
“You are not leaving forever. You will come back soon.”
“Why are you leavingā¦? Is it because I didnāt listenā¦?”
Hearing his trembling voice, Dianu felt tears well up.
She hugged Erin and the puppy until they were both making stifled noises.
“You are brave now and speak well, so you can wait until I return, right?”
“ā¦ā¦”
“And you must take care of the puppy while I am gone.”
Dianu took a gold coin from the pouch given by Grand Duchess Erbinjel and handed it to Erin.
“Keep this safe. Itās very precious. I will come back to retrieve it.”
Erin nodded but would not let go of Dianuās skirt, and a servant coaxed him away.
Dianu wiped her damp eyes with her sleeve and headed to her bedroom, soon to be empty.
Tomorrow was moving day, and she had to finish packing.
The move to Oakwood Palace was smooth.
Dianu hardly had to lift a finger, as the royal household had sent carriages with servants.
She boarded the carriage with only a small travel bag.
I canāt believe Iām the princessās tutor. Father would fall backward in shock if he knew.
Her family in the eastern Erbinjel Duchy did not know she was entering the royal palace.
Grand Duchess Erbinjel had advised her not to reveal it to others.
Eventually, they would find out, but for now, only the Erbinjel household and the royal family knew her destination.
As the grand ducal residence disappeared behind the carriage window, Dianu quietly bid farewell to the place she had called home for the past year.
I hope I return alive. And that my position is still here when I get back.
The Oakwood Palace arrived as serene and beautiful as when she had first come.
Viscountess Ornin welcomed Dianu with her usual elegance.
But instead of her usual attendants, a large man stood by her side.
Though dressed comfortably and unarmed, his presence alone suggested he was no ordinary man.
Viscountess Ornin spoke kindly.
“Hello, Ortensa. Thank you for coming.”
“Thank you for the welcome, Mistress.”
Dianu spread her dress and bowed politely.
It was clear that Viscountess Ornin would be her actual employer.
Although the emperor had summoned her, Dianu would likely not speak with him at all.
Viscountess Ornin introduced the man by her side.
“This is Sir Marek Loisen, a royal guard. He will protect you while you stay at the palace.”
Sir Loisen bowed to Dianu.
Dianu, hiding her surprise, returned the gesture.
Guard? Why would I need protection in the palace?
Neither Viscountess Ornin nor Sir Loisen seemed willing to explain.
Viscountess Ornin led the way as if it were normal for a private tutor to have a personal guard.
Dianu picked up her travel bag but was stopped by Sir Loisen.
“I will carry it. Please go ahead.”
Dianu blushed with embarrassment.
“I can manage this myself.”
“His Majesty ordered that a lady be treated as a lady.”
Dianu could not argue against the emperorās command.
Viscountess Ornin guided Dianu to a central room at Oakwood Palace.
Though called a āroom,ā it included a bedroom, a private reception area, and a wardrobe.
The furniture was heavy and old, but bright curtains and bedding balanced the atmosphere.
Servants quickly unpacked Dianuās things.
She carefully controlled her expression but could not stop a twitch of her lips.
Though she had been treated well by the Erbinjel household, the hospitality for ladies at Oakwood Palace was on another level entirely.
Viscountess Ornin spoke calmly.
“You may not like the room. I chose the bedding myself, but if itās not to your tasteā¦”
“Oh, no. Itās beautiful. I am just grateful for such treatment.”
“Good. Then rest well today.”
“Mistress?”
Viscountess Ornin turned back as she and Sir Loisen prepared to leave.
Dianu hesitated but finally spoke.
“When should I greet the princess?”
Viscountess Ornin did not answer immediately.
Her gaze lingered somewhere on Dianuās face.
After an awkward silence, she finally replied.
“It seems that will be your first task, Ortensa.”
“ā¦Yes?”
“The maids will prepare meals. If there is anything uncomfortable, come to me anytime.”
The maids left, leaving Dianu alone.
She sighed deeply and stretched across a long chair.
“Yes. I didnāt think it would be easyā¦”
But if even greeting the princess was difficult, what could her condition possibly be?
Perhaps she was far weaker than anyone knew.
Or perhaps, like Erin, she had a heart illness.
Or maybe sheās just incredibly ill-tempered.
Dianu hoped it would at least not be the latter.
