Chapter 16 : The Public Affair
Chapter 16
As always, Johannes Schultz wore a dry, impassive expression.
Despite the biting cold, he was scarcely layered, yet showed no signs of discomfort.
“Have you been well? I hope there hasn’t been anything troubling you.”
Seated across from me, he asked with a face that seemed somewhere between nonchalant and mildly bored, yet he looked more refreshed than before.
“Thanks to you, I’ve been doing fine. Have I been of any use to you?”
Though I spoke kindly, he seemed to grasp the true intent of my question, befitting the head of a prestigious family.
“I do regret the articles involving Sergeant Prim. I’ve taken steps to prevent any further stories involving your personal life.”
It was a shamelessly perfect response—one I could hardly criticize.
When I pressed my lips together in silence, he resumed his meal with graceful ease.
I, too, turned my focus to the dishes in front of me, and no further conversation followed.
As the meal neared its end, he finally spoke.
“I’m considering hosting a banquet.”
Straight to the point, as always. I didn’t flinch and instead asked,
“May I ask what kind of banquet it will be?”
“An engagement announcement. It might sound extravagant, but it will be held modestly.”
“More articles, then. With all sorts of speculations.”
“Undoubtedly.”
His reply was concise.
I nodded, set down my cutlery, and deliberately straightened my posture.
“Let me ask you one last time—are you truly certain about me? Wouldn’t it be better to form an alliance with another noble family? I don’t mind that my name has flooded the papers. After all, I’ve received more than enough help.”
I rushed to say everything before he could interrupt.
But he didn’t.
Instead, he gestured with his chin at the newspaper on the table.
“They’ve made such a spectacle of a romance between a duke and a commoner. If I were to suddenly marry a noble lady, the press would rip me and my family to shreds.”
“…”
“They’d say I used a poor commoner girl and cast her aside.”
I swallowed hard.
“…Isn’t that partially true?”
“Unfortunately, yes. And the more unfortunate part is that it’s likely to continue.”
A strange feeling settled over me.
Wasn’t I using Duke Schultz as well?
Yet, he spoke as though he alone was making use of me.
Forcing a smile, I looked up at him, and he added,
“You, too, may be hounded endlessly by reporters. It’s bound to be quite a nuisance.”
His words implied: why keep questioning what’s already decided?
Of course, I knew I’d asked more than enough times.
But this is marriage…!
Without realizing it, I narrowed my eyes.
Was it because he had too much that he didn’t view marriage as significant?
Perhaps. I forced myself to appear calm and spoke,
“All right, then. I promise this will be the last time I ask. But if this goes wrong, the regret is yours to bear.”
Though I maintained a polite tone, a slight crease formed between his brows.
Had I offended him?
As I retraced my words, his quiet voice cut through.
“We should probably settle how we address each other.”
“Pardon?”
“We can’t keep using ‘Duke.’ We’re getting married, after all.”
“Well…”
I, too, furrowed my brows.
“I intend to meet public expectations. Of course, I’ll respect your preferences.”
“Ah…”
The public’s expectations were clear—an emotional love story between a common girl and Duke Schultz.
With so many eyes on us, even our terms of address needed to be meticulously orchestrated.
He was concerned about that.
“You’re right.”
As I nodded, he spoke again as if he’d been waiting.
“I hear you’ve mastered some dances.”
“To a certain extent.”
“Then let’s rehearse together. We can decide on titles at the same time—preferably tonight.”
He looked at me, as if expecting a particular answer.
“Yes, that’s fine.”
He was the man who had protected me and my father’s house. I had to repay that debt properly.
“A commoner woman flawlessly adapting to the world of nobility—that’s the fantasy the public wants.”
As I gave him the answer he sought, a smile spread across his face as though painted there.
“Perfect.”
“Starting today, Madame Hertzmann will be overseeing Miss Prim’s overall education. She may be strict, but she isn’t frightening.”
Sir Fretz appeared exceedingly busy.
He added that I should brace myself, for I was about to embark on an equally hectic routine, and then departed.
Not long after, Madame Hertzmann arrived to begin my education.
“Marilyn Hertzmann.”
She was a middle-aged lady with strands of gray in her neatly tied hair and sharp eyes that peered out from beneath.
She wore a tidy velvet dress in deep violet, buttoned high at the neck, and simple black shoes with low heels.
Her bony hands were folded politely, but her piercing gaze scanned me from head to toe.
Her voice was slightly husky, yet heavy for a woman of her age.
“I served as the nanny to the late Duchess. After her passing, I moved out of the estate. But the current Duke requested I return to educate his future wife. You may call me Marilyn.”
Remembering Sir Fretz’s warning, I tensed up and greeted her.
“Hello, Madame. I’m Edith Prim. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Incorrect.”
“…Pardon?”
“Sir Fretz said your etiquette was near perfect, but this is far from it.”
She was sharp.
Her pointed voice made me shrink. As I attempted an awkward smile, Marilyn lifted her chin and continued.
“Lower your tone when speaking to servants. It’s best to reserve formal courtesy for the master alone.”
“But—”
“No one will take offense.”
I slowly nodded. It was still difficult to speak casually.
“Wrong again.”
“…Huh?”
Out of habit, I had started to speak politely. Catching her stern gaze, I lowered my tone. Only then did Marilyn’s expression slightly soften.
“Except for members of the royal family or the Duke himself, no one is allowed to interrupt you. You should’ve corrected me.”
Her tone was sharp but concise.
“…Got it. I’ll do that from now on.”
“Your reactions are a bit slow, but that’ll improve with time.”
She examined me thoroughly, then pulled a slim rod from her pocket and extended it to correct my posture.
“Lift your chin, let your shoulders fall naturally. Mind that your chest and hips do not jut out crudely.”
I nodded, barely able to respond.
“There’s much to learn about the Ducal household. But for now, we’ll focus on what’s required for the upcoming banquet.”
“All right.”
Marilyn glanced around the room I was staying in.
“Once the wedding is held, you’ll move into the Duchess’s chambers. This room may be modest, but bear with it for now.”
My eyes widened.
Had I misheard her? What about this room was modest?
There was a crystal vanity, expensive paintings adorning the walls, a luxurious bed softer than any hotel, and the entire space was kept perfectly warm.
While I was still chewing over her words, Marilyn continued.
“I heard you’ll be practicing dance with the Duke tonight. They say you’ve learned most of it.”
I collected myself and nodded slowly.
“More or less. Though it’s been a while since I actually danced.”
“Hmm… Would you care to practice with me first?”
And so, Marilyn and I began stepping through a waltz. I thought I was doing decently, but as we moved, her expression grew more severe.
With a short sigh, she finally stopped.
“That’s a dated step—popular twenty years ago. No one dances that way anymore.”
“Really…? I didn’t know.”
When I offered a sheepish smile, she scolded me gently but firmly.
“You must first learn to conceal that habitual smile. The former Duchess only showed such sweetness before the Duke. She did not squander her smiles on those beneath her.”
“…Understood.”
I quickly wiped the smile from my face. Only then did Marilyn look somewhat satisfied.
She continued,
“First, we’ll head to the dress room.”
