Bab 31: Chapter 31
The antics they had displayed this time required no preparation on his part. Just staying quiet would elevate Sylas's reputation.
Sylas hid his smile and waited for the upcoming etiquette lessons.
***
Two days later, Lady Martina came to find Sylas after preparing for the lessons.
"Nice to meet you, Lord Sylas. My name is Martina."
She greeted him with a gentle smile, a refined middle-aged noblewoman. Her flawless demeanor showcased her experience. Although it was not entirely appropriate according to etiquette, Sylas bowed his head, showing as much respect as he could muster.
"Nice to meet you, Lady Martina. I am Sylas Corleone. Please forgive me if I make any mistakes due to my lack of proper training."
"Oh my."
Martina showed a slightly surprised expression at Sylas's greeting. Although it might not align perfectly with etiquette, it was nonetheless a polite and respectful greeting, displaying the most basic principle of etiquette: respect.
"I heard you have not been formally trained, but seeing you, I believe you will easily pick it up."
"You flatter me. I hope you will guide me well."
"I will do my best. Let's start with the most fundamental dining etiquette."
Martina pointed to the table she had prepared after consulting with the Count. Several dishes and various types of cutlery were already laid out. When Sylas sat at the table, Lady Martina picked up the riding crop that was hanging nearby.
"I should mention beforehand that I have been granted the authority to administer corporal punishment by the Count and the lady. If you make a mistake, I will use it without hesitation, so keep that in mind."
In other words, if he got the order wrong, that riding crop would fly toward his palm. It seemed she was very familiar with the way to hold it, as she had likely used it frequently while teaching other noble youths.
Sylas nodded readily.
"I understand. If I show any clumsiness, feel free to reprimand me."
"Very well. Now, first, let's pick up the utensils..."
***
Helena covered her mouth with a fan, suppressing her laughter. This was a class even children born into nobility would struggle with. It would be several times more challenging for Sylas, who had lived as a commoner until now.
'He must be holding back tears by now.'
Lady Martina was indeed very strict when teaching, but that wasn't out of a desire for glory or malice. It was simply due to her personality, which demanded perfection.
There was probably a good intention behind her desire to provide her students with a flawless education.
'Thus, he cannot complain.'
If the educator had malicious intent, Sylas would immediately report it to the Count and request a change of teachers. But what if the teacher was making him suffer purely out of good intentions?
Even if he told the Count, it would only reflect poorly on him, showing him to be weak and pitiful.
Then, the only remaining choices were two: either struggle desperately to learn or give up, appearing pitiful in the process.
'Choose as you wish.'
If he chose the former, he would be subjected to corporal punishment for a long time, and if he chose the latter, he would have to endure comments like, "Well, commoners can't help it."
At that moment, someone approached Helena.
"Oh my, Lady Helena."
"Lady Martina!"
Helena rose excitedly at the sight of Martina coming out after the lesson. She wanted to hear the results of the class as soon as possible.
"How is it? Is Sylas keeping up well in class?"
"Um, well..."
Lady Martina hesitated, unable to find the right words. As expected. There was no way a half-trained commoner could easily keep up with noble etiquette. A wider smile spread across Helena's face.
"Please be honest. Is he still quite inexperienced?"
"No, it's the opposite."
"Excuse me?"
"Lord Sylas is absolutely perfect. I have never had a student who learns as quickly as he does among those I have taught."
"...!?"
Helena momentarily thought she had misheard.
That lowborn commoner is the best student? Better than any noble children she had taught before?
'Ah, it must be because of our friendship.'
Lady Martina doesn't know Helena's true nature. She believes that teaching Sylas is purely out of goodwill.
If that's the case, it wouldn't be unusual for her to add a bit of flattery to her words. With her doubts resolved, Helena smiled brightly.
"Lady Martina, you don't have to do that."
"Pardon? What do you mean?"
"There's no need for you to be considerate of me. I'm simply curious to know how much progress Sylas has made."
"No, I haven't exaggerated in the slightest."
Lady Martina firmly denied Helena's words. She insisted that she had never once embellished her words just to please others.
"Lord Sylas possesses an excellent memory and adaptability. Once I teach him, he follows exactly as instructed and never forgets. It's the first time I've taught someone without having to correct a single movement."
"...!"
Helena almost dropped the fan she was holding. How could that be possible? Even her own sons, and even herself when she was young, made a few mistakes during etiquette lessons.
Despite that, she had received praise as one of the most outstanding students from her teacher. Yet this commoner hadn't even been corrected once?
"At the rate he's learning, he'll be able to complete all the lessons within two months. You truly have a remarkable young gentleman joining your family, Madam."
"Ho, hoho… You're too kind…"
Lady Martina, believing that Helena had genuinely called her for Sylas's sake, offered her words of praise without any ill intent. Helena forced a smile, barely managing to conceal the rotting feeling inside.
...
"It must be a coincidence. It was just one of those rare days when everything falls into place."
Everyone has such a day—when everything goes smoothly, and the lessons stick easily in their mind. Helena convinced herself that it was merely by chance that Sylas had such a day for his first lesson.
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