73.

Leory Cellon, Ercellas teacher, was a unique person. She was the wife of a Cellonian on the outskirts of the countryside, but her old dress and curly hair tied loosely could never give her identity off as nobility. Ive heard she has a weak background, but she isnt even trying to put up appearances.

Noticing Ercellas confusion, Leory expressed her displeasure, I couldnt pack any heavy luggage as I was in a hurry. I ended up appearing shabby in front of the Duchess. Ill be careful next time.

Its okay, Mrs. Cellon, dissuaded Ercella. She was a little surprised but wasnt offended by her shabby attire. And at least, it wasnt like Ercella to say, Yes. Be careful next time.

Thank you for your understanding, Leory smiled calmly.

That was her first meeting with Leory Cellon.

Oh dear. Your Grace, the origin of Harat is Haraz, and you have to pronounce it Haraj in this part.

And a week had passed since that meeting.

Ercella focused her attention on Leorys point.

Its similar but different. Likewise, Miet is derived from Miraz and means fine morning. It is used to invite someone for a meal.

I see. Ercella followed the text in the book according to the instruction, albeit clumsily.

Excellent!

She was just repeating the phrases and felt shy when showered with praises.

Splendid!

Leory would shower Ercella with innocuous praise whenever she did something. Ercellas body shrank. Why is she so generous with compliments? Because she was so generous, instead of becoming proud, Ercellas embarrassment only grew more

Sleah means precious, and Sleah di Miraz is a more polite way of saying, Id like to invite my distinguished guests to the table.'

If you go further, there is Sleti, a modified form of Sleah. Sounds cute, right? When referring to objects, it means precious, and when referring to people, it is used to mean to love.

At that moment, Ercellas voice following her pronunciation died down.

Ill always love you.

Words she had heard from her father, mother, Eshahilde, and even Caron, unfamiliarly surrounded her ears.

Ercella put her hand on the back of her neck. She didnt know why the familiar words felt so unfamiliar that day.

Seeing Ercella distracted with her lips pressed tightly, Leory asked, Is it difficult?

No, I was distracted for a moment. Letscontinue. Admitting her distraction, Ercella tried to cool off her feverish neck. Come to think of it, of course I was. How can I not squirm when you say it with that face? Its weird to stay still like a wooden board.

Right, right.

Her heart felt lighter as she drew her conclusion. After getting refreshed from that conclusion, Ercella focused on the class again.

Thats it for today, Leory stretched and said cheerfully.

Well done.

She also didnt forget her compliment which Ercella didnt necessarily hate but wished shed stop because it made her more embarrassed. So for the first time, she refused Leorys words, Its nothing really. Ive learned Lenartian but since its been a while Ive forgotten it a bit.

At that, Leory replied hesitantly, perhaps embarrassed, Even so, youre doing a great job.

She couldnt believe it, coming from the topper of the entire Gracivan. Ercella muttered sullenly, But isnt it useless?

Visit ., for the best no_vel_read_ing experience

Juan said no knowledge was useless, but she thought Lenartian was really useless for her.

Well, youre right.

Leorys unhesitating agreement gave more certainty to the notion in Ercellas mind. At the short answer, Ercella scratched her cheek awkwardly. Isnt it a waste of time to study Lenartian? Perhaps, it would be better for me to study something else.

Leory was disconcerted by Ercellas timid, muddled voice. Inwardly, she was blaming herself for appearing stern.

Then what would you like to study?

This time Ercellas words stopped abruptly. Leory beckoned to Ercella, who was blankly staring at her.

Tell me if theres anything you want to learn, Your Grace. Well study it together. Oh, let me ask you a question before that. Do you think what you learn has to be useful?

N-no, but Ercella hesitated. To consider something worth learning only if it was useful was against her familys policy. The process of learning itself was a meaningful act. But when did that belief become clouded?

Thats right. Learning doesnt necessarily have to be useful. Take alchemy for example. Countless people failed after working on it for centuries, and Im sure everyone knows by now that alchemy is a worthless discipline. Nevertheless, some students want to learn alchemy in Gracivan, where the talented gather. They still put their effort in it, despite knowing its not substantial. And I dont think those efforts were meaningless. Alchemy has developed algebra, as well as led to the discovery of various substances. Although they failed in converting non-metals into metals, they laid the foundation for chemistry.

Well, thats a bit off-topic. I have a habit of saying what I think. So what Im trying to say is Leony flipped the pen in her hand and looked Ercella in the eye. Whether its useful or useless if you put a limit on learning, Your Grace will never learn anything. Diplomacy, politics, economy, management, sociology, geography, language as well these arent studies that will bhelpYour Grace.

It wasnt a tone meant to enlighten an ignorant. Leorys voice even sounded dull at first glance, as if reciting something obvious.

Its presumptuous of me to judge a duchess, but allow me for this instance. The Duchess Ive been watching for days is pretty smart. Perhaps because youve studied languages of many countries from a young age, you understand the transformation and flow of writing well. Proper early education has positively affected your skills. Your memorization skills are good, too. And you diligently work on the assignment I give you. But you lack confidence.

If I think youre good enough, youre good enough. You may not be a genius, but youre an adequate student. So dont underestimate yourself. If you dont see a purpose in studying something, you can add your own meaning to it. Then it wont seem as useless as it used to be.

Leony, who had been constantly praising her, took a step back and gave an objective evaluation this time, You can decide what to use your knowledge for. Think about it. Theres nothing that cant be done if you put your mind to it, except for changing your gender or your identity.

Leory closed the book and massaged her stiff shoulders. Ercella stared at her. It was the third time someone said that to her. Juan, the Baroness and Leory all seemingly distant strangers.

* * *

As she walked through the corridor lined with candlesticks, Ercella was lost in thought.

Have I been living with my heart closed all this time? Not really

Ercella couldnt forget Leory Cellons words that she was doing well enough. Ercella had already had that feeling three times. Coincidentally, they were all strangers. Everyone kept telling her to do what she wanted to do, even though she thought she didnt deserve to. What she wanted to do now was related to Vicent naturally as the regrets of the past were so deep.

What I want to do

No.

Ercella shook off her thoughts. Even now, she was sufficiently enjoying herself. It was shameless to expect anything more to be done now.

Good afternoon, maam.

Upon seeing her, a maid stopped cleaning the window and greeted her. Who knew how many seconds had passed before Ercella accepted her greeting, feeling odd.

Good afternoon, Anna.

Then Annas shoulders twitched like a stream of current passed through them.

Whats wrong?

Are you having a hard time at work?

What?

Visit . for a better_user experience

You look tired.

N-not at all. Annas head shook violently in denial.

Ercella was puzzled by the unnecessarily intense movement. Instead of asking why, she praised Anna with some good words, By the way, I liked the shoes you brought me last time. Good job. You can choose next time as well.

Annas lips, which were initially shut like clams, fluttered open at the Duchesss praise, O-of course. If youre fine with me

But I Anna put forward her sentence and looked at Ercellas face. It wasnt rude, but Ercella tilted her head at the suspicious glance. The quiet maid was acting strange today. Her pale lips parted only after Ercella gestured for her to speak.

Are you sick, Madam?

Should I call for a doctor?

Ercella was speechless at the sudden mention of the doctor. Do I look pale?

Im fine Why?

Nothing. I was being presumptuous.

Anna, however, only gave a vague answer and left. Ercella looked at the wide hallway, but Anna had already disappeared not to return.

Feeling her body drooping, Ercella suddenly heard a faint piano sound. A gentle melody like the waves of water glistening in the sun flew to her with the wind. Ercella strolled as if possessed by something.

Her enchanted steps stopped at the end of the hallway. The source of beautiful notes was behind the door she was standing at. Ercella turned the doorknob and pushed the door carefully.

Through the gap, a boy was seen playing with his back against the sun. Vicente, with his long fingers spread over the keyboard, looked as insensitive as a rock, but his performance did not stop.

He does seem to like his piano lessons.

The melody flowing smoothly like water was beautiful. Ercella closed her eyes and appreciated the pleasant sound. However, at some point the sound stopped; flustered, Ercella opened her eyes. Vicente was looking straight at her.

Ercella staggered back. Vicente was approaching her at an unhurried pace. Of course, but he didnt seem too happy with her.

Now youre stealing glances at me? His sharply raised eyebrows threatened as if he didnt like her.

Ercella did steal a glance at him, however, she felt falsely accused, yet she couldnt refute it.

Obviously, it wasnt intentional, but she was caught peeking at him. Ercella, who had somehow become a stalker, instead of clarifying said what she always had on her mind, Should I hire a piano teacher again?

Its fine. His refusal was as swift as an arrow.

Embarrassed, Ercella began fiddling with her ear.

Glancing at her, Vicente said, Dont do anything for me.

Finishing his sentence, he passed by Ercella. Ercella looked sullenly at the distant boys back. Dont do anything for me, huh?

I havent done anything for you.

Not having done much for you is the problem. Her confidence crumbled in the cold wind. But I cant just stand still anymore. Ercella was determined.

Her determination was revealed at dinner.

You eat well. Is it delicious? Well, youre still growing after all.

Vicentes knife slicing the lamb scratched the plate and made an abrupt noise. As Harsens gaze lingered there for a moment, Vicente immediately admitted his mistake, Sorry.

Visit . for a better_user experience

However, he resented her even as he apologized because the mistake just now was not entirely his fault.

In the meantime, the woman who shared half of the responsibility smiled cheekily, Its nothing to be sorry about. Id do more than that when I was your age.

Vicente narrowed his eyes. What is this about now? Even if he quietly glared at her, he didnt think he could break her iron mask. She was alone in another world of cheerfulness that raked Vicentes insides and turned it into a world of chaos.

Harsen, did you hear the teachers say that our Vicente is so incredibly talented that he could be called a genius.

I didnt know the teachers were making such a fuss.

Of course. It was Ercella who was being fussy, not the staid Academy teachers.

But I will never send him to Gracivan or to study abroad.

Seeing her act so friendly, Vicente thought Ercella was a bit out of it. But there were things he could not do in front of his father.

Now that I think about it, I think youve grown taller. I dont think the clothes we bought last time would fit you anymore. Lets buy you some new

Clifton.

Vicente called Clifton, interrupting Ercella. It felt natural yet subtly intentional.

Did you call me, Young Master?

Mother seems to be bored with her mouth. Serve her more food.

Huh?Ye-yes. Cliftons eyes were wide in vivid embarrassment.

Ercella was just as surprised. She looked down at her portion on the plate. She still had a few slices of lamb leftover. Ercella looked at Vicente in bewilderment.

Vicente twisted his lips into a smile, You must be hungry. Please wait a little bit.

Ercella forced her lips up. Of course she knew he meant for her to shut up.

But Ercella couldnt give up. I can match his pace at any time. On the contrary, she got more aggressive.

Yes, bring some. It tastes good.

Her lively voice sounded contrived to anyone, but Clifton timidly complied.

Yes, Madam. Pleasewait a moment.

After Clifton left the dining room, Ercella picked up a knife and fork. She looked at Vicente sitting across from her, but he didnt spare a single glance for Ercella.

Looking sullen, Ercella began to poke the lamb on the plate. She did the same with the second plate. Her eating speed slowed down noticeably, but Ercella stuffed it all. Lianne and Beths faces grew pale with each piece she ate. They signaled to each other, but Ercella emptied her plates.

She thanked Vicente in an elated voice, Thanks to you, I got to taste this delicacy for a long time.

Then you can have some more.

S-sure. Give me one more, Ercella ordered Clifton, determined to see who would win this. Clifton was about to hurry into the kitchen.

Thats enough. Harsen, who was watching the situation quietly, gently rejected Ercellas demand.

Yes, Master.

Ercellas eyebrows rose with discontentment. Why? Its good, though? Ill eat

If you cant eat, just stop.

Her stubbornness was turned to nothing at Harsens dismissal. Ercella reluctantly looked down at her belly. She accidentally overate. I feel nauseous

The latest_epi_sodes are on_the . website.

When Harsen saw Ercellas dark complexion, he beckoned Vicente, You take your leave.

She sighed.