TOOCM 22

Chapter 22

“Really? Is that okay?”

Reina asked, her face lighting up. Kaiden, watching her closely, replied, “No one here knows imperial etiquette as well as you do. Aiden will be pleased too.”

“Still, please check with him. He might have another teacher in mind.”

“Alright.”

He didn’t bother saying it was obvious Aiden would agree.

Kaiden quietly observed Reina, her face visibly bright with plans for the future.

Her enthusiasm was pleasing, bringing a smile to his face.

“I’ll let Mrs. Mary know to expect you.”

The next day, Mrs. Mary, summoned by Kaiden, waited in the parlor.

Sipping tea comfortably, she wore a satisfied smile.

It was the first time the Duke had called for her personally.

As someone who’d always craved his recognition, each minute of waiting felt like an eternity.

Then, an unfamiliar woman entered the parlor.

“Oh, you’re already here.”

“And you are…?”

“A pleasure to meet you. I’m Reina Crencia.”

Reina introduced herself politely and took the seat of honor.

Mrs. Mary, slow to realize her identity, soon hardened her expression.

The news that the Duke of Crencia had married a princess with the emperor’s blessing was widespread in the North.

This had greatly displeased many Northern nobles hoping to marry their daughters into the Crencia household.

Mrs. Mary, one of them, couldn’t help but cast a cold glance at the princess.

“Was it you, Your Highness, who summoned me?”

“Yes, that’s right. Thank you for making time on such short notice.”

Reina offered a courteous smile, cradling a freshly served teacup.

Mrs. Mary, momentarily taken aback by her impeccable manners, straightened her back and said, “I came amidst my busy schedule, assuming the Duke had called me.”

“Is that so?”

Despite Mrs. Mary’s rude remark, Reina merely smiled.

Her unreadable expression prompted Mrs. Mary to continue.

“So, what did you wish to discuss with me?”

Her haughty tone, as if urging Reina to hurry, didn’t faze her.

In fact, it made it easier to get to the point.

“I heard you forbade Dahlia from talking about her mother. May I ask why you made such a demand?”

At the mention of Dahlia, Mrs. Mary’s expression turned fierce.

“I did. But why should I explain that to you, Your Highness? It doesn’t seem like a concern for someone who just arrived in the North.”

Her seemingly polite words carried a clear rebuke.

In essence, she was saying, What business is it of an outsider like you?

Reina remained unfazed by Mrs. Mary’s sharp response.

From the moment Dahlia hesitated under her nanny’s scrutiny, Reina had already gauged Mrs. Mary’s character.

Still, she’d summoned her to confirm, not wanting to judge based on hearsay alone.

Perhaps her concerns were overblown.

But as their conversation continued, Reina’s suspicions solidified.

When Reina stayed silent, Mrs. Mary, emboldened, pressed on.

“Besides, I’ve raised Miss Dahlia since she was a babe, like my own child. I know her far better than you, who just appeared out of nowhere.”

It was a clear warning not to meddle in her methods.

She seemed to misunderstand Reina as encroaching on her domain.

Reina responded gently, trying to reason with her.

“I mean no disrespect, but my question wasn’t meant to undermine your efforts. I simply thought it’s too harsh to demand that of a child who recently lost her mother, and I wanted to understand your intentions.”

Unfortunately, Mrs. Mary had no intention of listening.

If Reina weren’t royalty, she likely would’ve stormed out.

As a proud Northern native, Mrs. Mary had immense regional pride.

She wasn’t the type to blindly pledge loyalty to some sudden “lady of the house.”

Especially not to an insignificant royal.

Adjusting her silver glasses, Mrs. Mary spoke scathingly.

“Well, I don’t see why it’s harsh. Before you arrived, Miss Dahlia was being raised as the future heir to House Crencia. Excessive emotions are a luxury for the next head of a great house.”

She subtly emphasized heir, prompting Lily to scoff behind her.

It was a deliberate provocation.

Everyone in the North knew that, while Aiden Crencia held the title of minor lord, the Duke had Dahlia in mind as the next head of House Crencia.

Fortunately, Reina didn’t take the bait, responding calmly.

“But Dahlia is only six years old.”

“And?”

Mrs. Mary retorted haughtily, then let out a low sneer.

As Lily, unable to bear it, was about to interject, Mrs. Mary scanned Reina up and down and said, “Frankly, it looks to me like you’re trying to make Miss Dahlia weak on purpose. Why not be honest?”

“What do you mean?”

“Strictly speaking, isn’t Miss Dahlia a thorn in your side? Without her, any child you might have would lead House Crencia.”

In short, she accused Reina of trying to sabotage Dahlia.

Reina’s expression hardened at Mrs. Mary’s outrageous claim.

She’d only sought a conversation, yet the response was excessively hostile.

Her overzealous defensiveness even seemed like she was hiding something.

Finally, Lily couldn’t hold back.

“Mrs. Mary, you’ve gone too far! This is the wife of the man you serve and a member of the Merne imperial family…!”

“Lily, hush.”

Reina lightly restrained her, and Lily sighed, muttering, “I’m sorry,” before stepping back.

Mrs. Mary snorted and rose from her seat.

“If you’re done, I’ll take my leave. Miss Dahlia has a new etiquette teacher starting today.”

As she moved to leave without permission, Reina set her teacup down with a loud clink.

“Stop right there.”

At her sharp command, Mrs. Mary turned with a stunned expression.

“Are you speaking to me?”

“Who else here is trying to walk out?”

Mrs. Mary’s brows twitched at Reina’s suddenly authoritative tone, a stark contrast to moments before.

Reluctantly moving to sit back down, Reina continued.

“I told you to stand.”

“Pardon?”

“There’s no seat for you here anymore.”

Mrs. Mary’s face flushed with humiliation at Reina’s stern words.

Ordering someone to stand, denying them a seat, was a command reserved for servants.

Furious at being treated like a maid, Mrs. Mary seethed quietly.

“What are you trying to do with me?”

“Do you have any intention of having a conversation with me?”

“What?”

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“…”

“And I think I’ve found the answer in your attitude.”