“Don’t do that next time. Got it?”

“Got it.”

I quickly added, almost under my breath, “If conditions allow.” Thankfully, it seemed like she hadn’t heard that… Eciel’s expression, which had been like an angry squirrel, softened slightly.

“What were you talking about over there?”

“…… huh?”

“The conversation. What were you talking about? Tell me.”

I reflexively glanced to the side.

Dad was right here. How could I say this now? No, even if Dad wasn’t here, I would never be able to tell Eciel.

Furthermore…

‘… honestly, she wouldn’t understand even if I told her.’

Two choices floated in my head. Lie, or say nothing at all.

As a whirlwind of thoughts crossed my mind, Eciel’s gaze became sharper with each moment.

“Sorry, it’s a secret.”

Still… in the end, I chose silence.

Of course, Eciel was furious.

What followed next was pretty much expected.

“I don’t want to see you, Claire! Get out!” I was driven out of the room. Even Dad, innocent as he was, was forced out with me.

But seeing that frantic child crying was somehow satisfying.

 

* * *

 

After that, Eciel began her silent protest against me.

This was the first time she had been so angry for such a long time since the incident where she remained silent for a week.

Rather than being such a big issue, it was more that we simply didn’t have time to meet separately and resolve it.

The Emperor’s decree declaring Mom’s amnesty was officially announced not long ago.

Since Mom was reinstated, our birth had been announced, naturally elevating us to the lineage of the nobility.

What was next?

A banquet to celebrate Mom’s reinstatement, where we would be introduced.

Letters poured into the Duke’s residence as soon as the news spread.

I was curious, so Dad chose a few and showed me; they were generally similar.

Elegant and ornate handwriting, refined tone, impressive quotations, all sorts of formalities.

In other words… the content requesting an invitation to the banquet was neatly arranged on different letterheads.

The banquet was a month away.

And so, Eciel and I began our  education separately as noble children, each focusing on our respective attributes.

Eciel learned what an average child could handle.

I was taught according to Astariol’s level of development, with additional  education suitable for the heir of Duke Chelsiers.

As a result, our days didn’t overlap at all.

Another problem was that the residence was much larger than the mansion where we first stayed with Dad.

There wasn’t time to visit Eciel separately, and the physical distance had become too great.

‘But it’s difficult to continue like this.’

I felt a serious sense of crisis.

Who led the Western noble families, and which families were closely connected to it?

As I busily wrote down what I learned, my hand gradually slowed down and then stopped.

The accumulated thoughts made me forget what I was doing.

“Claire?”

I suddenly looked up.

The puzzled face of a lady was looking at me. I quietly apologized.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right, Claire. Are you worried about Eciel?”

Was my face that obvious?

As if that question could be clearly seen, Dolores Rocar, the Countess who taught us noble etiquette, smiled gently.

She was gentle, calm, and affectionate, almost like the epitome of a lady. She was the only one of Eciel’s tutors who overlapped with me.

She was said to be Mom’s closest friend.

“Shall we start again with what you were  writing?”

I moved my hand without saying a word.

The representative of the Western nobility is Sisanna Duchy. The family that first found and hid the fugitive current emperor.

The current emperor, who acknowledged that deed, married the daughter of Duke Sisanna upon ascending the throne.

The Astariol of <Truth>.

While typical Astariol parents and children inherited entirely different powers, <Truth> had only one power.

Three prophecies in a lifetime.

While in the womb. At the moment the previous Astariol died. And the night before their own death.

… wasn’t that a power that could drive anyone mad?

Aside from my chilly impression, I wrote down everything, and Countess Rocar smiled with satisfaction.

“Excellent.”

She gave me a question and asked me to  write everything she said only once.

She smiled politely, which was the moment to demonstrate basic social etiquette, so I smiled appropriately.

Countess Rocar spoke gently.

“Claire really resembles His Excellency the Duke.”

“Because I’m his daughter.”

A graceful hand tilted a  teacup just appropriately. The glittering silver edge of the cup met the smooth lips of the woman.

And it was hidden.

Drinking  tea during a conversation, hiding one’s expression was a very noble gesture.

My nerves were on edge.

What was this? Was there a hidden meaning behind <resembling the Duke>? No, she was just Mom’s close friend…

Had I let my guard down too much?

My face became even more expressionless. So much that I could feel it myself.

Countess Rocar spoke to me almost in a whisper.

“It might sound like an out-of-place story, but… there was a time when Charlotte had a big fight with the Duke and came to me. What do you think His Excellency did?”

It was an unnecessary question for me to ponder.

“He probably visited your residence right away.”

“That’s right. He did. Charlotte stayed in the guest room, and my husband and I greeted His Excellency. We were both extremely nervous.”

“…”

So, what did that have to do with me?

I listened for now but felt puzzled.

“After seeing us so frightened, His Excellency must have thought, ‘They should at least muster a proper smile,’ his smile clearly showed his thoughts.”

“… ah.”

“Do you understand what I mean, Claire? The moment someone can see that thought on your face, it’s no longer a polite smile.”

I desperately smoothed my face to avoid showing embarrassment.

It felt like she could see right through me. Thoughts of Eciel flew out of my mind. I spoke sincerely.

“I’ll be careful.”

“Good. … but actually, Claire, you don’t need to be careful.”

Wasn’t she just telling me to be careful?

I looked at her quizzically. The elegant lady set down her  teacup and leaned slightly towards me.

A voice whispered very softly.

“Claire, His Excellency had already given you the heir’s signet ring, didn’t he?”

“Yes.”

It was a unique ring with a deep red hue rather than purple amethyst. Below it, the family crest was distinctly visible.

Two crossed swords atop a scale.

It was a ring that represented the Astariol of Judgment, showing the purple eyes inherited by the lineage.

– It’s still too big for your hand.

With those words, Dad imprinted the ring right in front of me and attached a thin chain. Then he handed me the signet ring that became a necklace.

– Now you’re the Little Duke of Chelsiers, Claire.

A position given ahead of any other responsibility.

A light weight rose from my chest and fell along with my heartbeat.

That small piece of metal still felt unfamiliar, making it even more solemn.

“The moment you received that ring, Claire, the number of people in this world you must pay attention to became few enough to count on your fingers.”

“…”

“His Excellency maintains etiquette among people to a degree of formality, and reserves strictness only for those within his circle. But who dares to criticize him for that? Rather, among the nobility, he is held up as the noblest, most rational Astariol.”

Dad… he didn’t speak kindly without meaning, nor did he speak sociably with falsehood.

I didn’t think I’d seen anyone other than Mom received his wholehearted respect.

No, it was not the same, it was definitely not.

Countess Dolores Rocar said quietly.

“Of course, Eciel should pay attention to these things. But Claire, it might be better for you to not perfectly adhere to etiquette, but rather, just maintain the right amount. Like His Excellency.”

The reason for the omission was heard next.

Because she would become the Duke in the future. And because she was an Astariol.

More indifferent than kind, more cold than warm, more authoritarian than polite.

Decisions chillingly resolute rather than a sensitive and polite gesture.

Sometimes such things were convenient for eliciting obedience from people, as long as there was sufficient power and clear reasoning.

The meaningful words left by the Countess quietly returned her to her place.

It was a graceful and gentle gesture.

“As I mentioned before, I will teach Claire and Eciel etiquette, social skills, and implicit customs. Knowing and doing are different, after all.”

“And then?”

“Just to ensure that I never teach something improper to the next Duke of Chelsiers.”

So, learn etiquette for now. But was it necessary to develop sociability or proper conduct?

Suddenly, what I said to Eciel at the Gate Administration Bureau came to mind.

I said it wouldn’t be a big deal if everyone in the capital rushed out and panicked.

But… maybe I said it too lightly.

Reflecting with self-awareness as soon as I thought of Eciel, the Countess smiled and said.

“Speaking of Eciel… didn’t you promise to go eat ice cream with her?”

“Yes. But I don’t have enough time these days.”

“I heard Eciel’s day off is tomorrow, though your lesson is scheduled.”

Indeed, Eciel probably would be more efficient if she rested from time to time.

If formalities and etiquette were lacking until the main reception, it wouldn’t matter much if we waited for familiarity to develop before introducing her to other situations.

“Hearing that, I feel like I also want a day off tomorrow. What about you, Claire?”