Chapter 10
It had already been a week since Diana arrived at the duke’s residence. Though she had initially wondered how she would get through each day, time, as always, passed swiftly.
After lunch, Diana sipped on a cup of Earl Grey tea, prepared by Daisy, to cleanse her palate.
“Where is His Highness?”
She inquired about Ersivan’s whereabouts, as he had excused himself from lunch, citing his busy schedule.
“His Highness is likely assisting with the knights’ training.”
As expected. If he was nowhere to be found, he was most certainly at the training grounds.
Observing him over the past few days, Diana had come to realize just how much he cherished the Valencia Knights. If there were no urgent administrative matters, he would immediately rush to the training grounds.
It was only natural that the duchy possessed such formidable military strength. With such dedication and effort, how could they not flourish?
“I see. I should start doing something as well. Could you tell me my schedule for this afternoon?”
“My Lady, you are scheduled to meet with Madam Henshu today!”
Madam Henshu?
Diana had heard of her before. She was the second wife of Marquis Henshu, whom he had married after the passing of his first wife.
“For what purpose?”
“You are to receive lessons from her. His Highness personally requested that she mentor you.”
Not even a full week had passed since she arrived, and she was already being assigned lessons.
Diana had anticipated that she would need to refine her etiquette as the future duchess, but she had not expected to begin so soon.
Memories of the grueling schedule at Count Mernard’s estate surfaced. Looking back now, she could hardly believe she had endured such a punishing routine.
Since morning was deemed the most effective time for studying, she had been assigned various tutors from dawn. Then, at noon, she was required to practice dance to awaken her body, and by evening, she had to engage in self-study and reading.
Excluding meals and sleep, her entire day had been consumed by studies.
If she claimed that, in the past year, she had managed to get a full night’s sleep fewer than five times, most would consider it an exaggeration.
If that had been the standard for the daughter of a mere count, what kind of expectations would await her here?
This was no ordinary household—it was a noble house led by a direct descendant of the imperial family!
Diana found herself unconsciously tensing. While she did not dislike learning, she was utterly exhausted from adhering to a schedule that had felt more like torment than education.
“It won’t be a difficult lesson, so there’s no need to worry too much.”
Knock, knock.
A firm knock echoed through the room.
Daisy checked the time and gasped in surprise.
“Oh my, is it that late already? That must be Madam Henshu. Please wait a moment while I escort her in.”
Daisy hurriedly left the room, engaging in polite conversation with the unfamiliar guest.
Shortly after, she returned and requested permission to enter.
“Please, come in.”
At Diana’s approval, the door swung open, revealing Daisy and Madam Henshu stepping into the drawing room.
The madam carried herself with an air of refined elegance. Her posture was impeccably straight, and her steps, though few, exuded an undeniable grace.
Diana rose from her seat before the madam had the chance to approach.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Lillian Mernard. Please address me however you find comfortable. I look forward to learning from you today.”
“Oh my, Lady Mernard! I have heard much about you, but I never imagined you would be so beautiful and poised. I shall address you however you prefer as well.”
With a graceful flick of her wrist, the madam folded her fan.
Her gaze landed on the small tea table, and her voice took on a slightly excited tone.
“Would I be allowed to join this little tea gathering as well?”
“If you don’t mind a modest affair, of course.”
“Oh, what an honor!”
Delighted, the madam quickly took her seat.
Daisy inquired about her preference for tea and, as if reciting a well-memorized script, the madam replied smoothly.
“I’ll have Earl Grey as well. But instead of milk and sugar, I would like a squeeze of fresh lemon.”
“I’ll prepare it right away!”
“Thank you. How very kind of you.”
Daisy poured the prepared Earl Grey tea into a cup and delicately placed a thin slice of lemon atop the surface.
Madam Henshu gently squeezed the slice to extract its juice, then stirred the tea with practiced precision.
Her movements were so meticulous that not once did the teaspoon clink against the porcelain cup.
With a pleased expression, she lifted the cup. Though the handle was rather narrow, she held it elegantly without her pinky finger lifting in the slightest.
“The tea is wonderfully sweet. It has such a lovely aroma.”
She lowered her lashes slightly as she savored the tea.
Her poised demeanor was the very embodiment of noble etiquette—exactly as Diana had been taught.
So this was the grace of someone who had spent their entire life as an aristocrat.
Compared to her own experience of barely a year, Madam Henshu’s every movement radiated refinement.
Diana suddenly felt self-conscious about drinking her tea.
Even if she tried to mask her inexperience, it would undoubtedly show. Would the madam notice and find it odd?
“Lady Mernard, you don’t look well. Are you all right?”
“I am fine, Madam. I must simply be nervous to be in the presence of someone so distinguished.”
She waved her hand dismissively, reassuring the madam that there was no need for concern.
Finding the prolonged gaze on her unsettling, Diana swiftly changed the topic.
“By the way, I heard that you will be giving me lessons today.”
“Yes, that is correct. I hope I haven’t inconvenienced you by intruding on your personal time.”
“Not at all. I’m glad for the company, as I was beginning to feel a bit lonely. Will the lessons begin today?”
“The sooner, the better. If you have no objections, my lady, I would like to begin our lessons today.”
“I see no reason to refuse.”
“Wonderful! Then shall we head out? Since it’s an outdoor activity, if we delay any further, we’ll have to endure the cold winds. I would never dare to let Lady Mernard shiver in the cold.”
“…Pardon me, but an outdoor activity?”
“Miss Daisy, did you not inform the young lady beforehand?”
At Madam Henshu’s words, Daisy clapped her hands together, as if suddenly remembering, her face full of guilt.
“Oh! My apologies. I completely forgot.”
“My, my. I specifically reminded you to inform her in advance so she wouldn’t be caught off guard.”
The madam lightly admonished Daisy.
“To get straight to the point, Lady Mernard, I am here to teach you horseback riding.”
“Horseback riding?”
Was that not the sport of riding and galloping on horseback?
It was an activity mostly learned by knights, making it entirely unfamiliar to Diana.
She had occasionally observed others riding from afar, but she had never studied the theory, let alone practiced it herself.
“I have never learned horseback riding before…”
“You are here to learn, and I am here to teach. So what is there to worry about?”
“If that is the case, then I suppose there’s nothing to be concerned about…”
“Then, please go and change into proper attire. The weather is perfect for riding right now!”
Pressed by Madam Henshu’s urging, Diana found herself rising to her feet and heading straight for the dressing room.
***
“Oh my, you look absolutely stunning!”
“Truly, just as Madam said—my lady, you look breathtaking! You resemble a sculpture brought to life!”
“You flatter me too much.”
Daisy and the madam gasped in admiration as they took in Diana’s appearance in her riding attire.
They lavished her with endless praise, calling her a masterpiece wrapped in art, saying that riding clothes suited her as naturally as everyday wear.
With Madam Henshu showering her with compliments and Daisy eagerly chiming in, Diana found herself overwhelmed with embarrassment.
“It really does suit me.”
Yet, it did not seem like mere flattery. Even Diana herself was pleased with the reflection staring back at her in the mirror.
Her long, golden hair was neatly tied back into a single ponytail, complementing her refined features and adding to her composed appearance.
She wore a crisp white short-sleeved shirt tucked into tailored long pants, topped with a black jacket—an impeccable, classic riding ensemble.
The madam had apparently spent months pestering a renowned designer to have this attire made, and it fit Diana as though it had been crafted specifically for her.
“Shall we get going?”
The madam had also changed into her riding outfit. Though hers was visibly worn from years of use, rather than looking shabby, it carried an air of timeless elegance.
As she stepped forward, Diana hurriedly followed, trying to match her pace.
Would her gait be reflected in the large glass windows they passed? Would the madam mock her if she noticed an unrefined stride?
With such worries clouding her mind, she took each step carefully and deliberately.
***
They rode in the same carriage as on the first day, making their way to the riding grounds.
Throughout the journey, the madam enthusiastically spoke about the joys of horseback riding, likely hoping to pique Diana’s interest in the subject.
“Riding is always exhilarating. When I first started learning, I found it incredibly difficult, but now it has become my only true passion.”
“Hearing you say that makes me eager to begin. But is there a particular reason I must learn horseback riding? I don’t object at all, of course, but… it is not exactly a conventional lesson, so I was curious.”
Diana seized the moment to voice her curiosity.
Why horseback riding, of all things?
She could see how it might be useful, given Ersivan’s active lifestyle. Keeping up with him would likely require some level of proficiency in riding.
However, it did not seem urgent enough to take precedence over other lessons.
“Well, His Highness specifically arranged this lesson for you. I do not know the exact reason, but he believes horseback riding will be necessary for you.”
Unfortunately, even the madam was not privy to Ersivan’s true intentions.
“I never imagined horseback riding was a duty of the duchess. Had I known, I would have learned it earlier. Then Madam wouldn’t have to go through the trouble of teaching a complete novice like me.”
Diana sighed in regret.
It was not the empty lament of a noble feigning humility—she truly meant it.
As she had never learned to ride at Count Mernard’s estate, her knowledge on the subject was nonexistent.
The thought of starting from the very basics, learning from a stranger no less, was daunting.
Moreover, this was not the Count’s household, where she had been given some leniency.
To those in this duchy, Lillian Mernard was a noble lady who had led a refined life since birth.
Even if she admitted to never having ridden a horse before, they would still expect her to have at least some theoretical understanding.
That was what she feared the most.
Because in truth, Diana had never lived as a noble—or even as an ordinary person.
