Chapter 26 (1/2)

“What does that mean? Aren’t you a senior teacher in the Imperial Academy? If you can’t educate her, who will educate her?”

“I do not know that, but I also felt self-depreciated for the first time in my life by educating Princess Polia. I do not want to have any more painful classes.”

“Don’t tell me you…”

“Yes. I would like to quit tutoring.”

It sounded like a bolt from the blue. It was only a matter of time before Edith’s resignation, not to mention Polia’s public evaluation, but also the reputation of the Cabezo family would fall to the ground.

“I’ll give you as much money as you like.”

“It’s not about money. This is a matter of my pride as a teacher. I’ll do a good job in keeping my mouth shut.”

It wasn’t something that could be solved if Edith stayed quiet. It’s about the rumors. Just as rumors spread that Emilie had killed her stepmother, no matter how much the Duke of Cabezo stopped the rumor, this fact will soon spread out into society and make a laughing stock out of Duke Cabezo.

The Duke of Cabezo tried somehow to seize Edith, but Edith was too stubborn.

She eventually left the Duke behind and left the Cabezo duchy.

“Sooobbbbss! It’s clear that I was ignored because of my bad background! If I had an aristocratic mother like Emilie, would Edith leave me?”

When Polia heard that Edith had quit being her teacher, she immediately ran to Duke Cabezo and sobbed.

The Duke of Cabezo was already troubled and his head was about to burst when she cried.

‘Emilie didn’t blame anyone when she was young, but she seemed to please me, but Polia’s crying and making a fuss again and again.’

These days, the Duke of Cabezo has become more and more unknowingly reminded of Emilie.

“You don’t think Edith would have made a fool of you? She said that she had to quit because she suddenly got busy with her work. Then this father will call Edith back.”

“I don’t need it! Edith will despise me if she comes back! Ugh! My mother died, and now I only have my father!”

The Duke of Cabezo’s clothes were wet with tears from Polia, who cried helplessly.

‘This is some costly clothes.’

The Duke of Cabezo was a little irritated.

“I see, Polia. Stop crying and calm down.”

Duke Cabezo grabbed Polia by the shoulder and pushed her away.

Edith was both a teacher and a radical thinker. She also called for the abolition of discrimination against statuses. Such Edith could not have quit teaching because of Polia’s mother status.

If she had, she would have quit a long time ago. The Duke thought Polia firmly misunderstood.

‘Anyway, I’m worried. Soon, I have to go to His Majesty the Emperor soon, and who will educate her in court etiquette?’

This was not the first time Polia entered the palace. In other words, she also received several training sessions on court etiquette. However, she has not learned proper manners since then.

When we entered the palace in the past, Emilie was next to me, so she took care of Polia whenever she made a mistake or had an accident.

‘But now she’s gone.’

I was afraid that Polia would bring disgrace again.

I was worried about not taking her to His Majesty the Emperor, but if I don’t she will be in a frenzy, asking if it is because of her mother’s status.

Duke Cabezo grasped the throbbing head. There was no answer at all.

“Ah, I cried so much that my eyes hurt.”

Polia said while rubbing her swollen eyes.

The maid Seri glanced at Polia. Even though her owner is young, she thinks her acting skills are excellent.

Seri is the personal servant girl of Polia. Soon, after Polia first came to this mansion, she assisted Polia in the distance.

Seri carefully opened Polia’s door. It was once Emilie’s room. Everything that was Emilie’s, as well as in the room, has now become Polia’s.

Polia went into the room quietly, found Emilie’s favorite vase, and threw it away. The vase broke into pieces with the sound of ‘crash!’

“I’m really unlucky in everything that is related to her!”

Polia clenched her teeth and gritted as she cried.

“Edith, that stupid thing quit being my teacher?”

“Mi, miss. Calm down.”

“I am calm!”

Polia pushed roughly the arm of Seri, who was soothing her. Seri fell down with a ‘thud’ on the floor and got up quickly.

For the little delay in getting up, there was another shriek from the little master.

“Emilie, I feel so relieved that she’s gone! How much more would you have bothered me like this if you were still alive? Don’t you think so, Seri?”

“Of, of course, miss.”

“But what’s wrong with your face?”

“Yes?”

Seri, whose complexion was dark due to the pain of falling, was startled and asked back.

“You don’t look like you like me!”

Polia pulled Seri’s hair tight.

“Aah! Aack! Miss, I’m sorry!”

“Be quiet! What if your scream leaks out?”

“Ugh, hik…!”

Seri covered her mouth with both hands until Polia was relieved. Polia let go of Seri’s head only after she tore it open.

The tearful Seri looked at Polia in fear. Polia sneered at Seri and pointed to a large box placed on one side of the room.

“Get in there, now!”

Seri crouched down in the box as if it was a familiar thing. Polia closed the lid off with a ‘bang’.

Seri curled up in the dark. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

‘It’s been wrong from the start. Something’s wrong.’

Everyone in the family said it would be nice for Seri to be Polia’s personal servant. Although Polia is a bad-tempered master, she thought that she would take good care of her and herself. But it wasn’t the case. The only thing Seri received more than others were the wounds all over her body.

It was so painful, but she couldn’t quit, let alone expose.

Seri already had too many weaknesses for Polia. Seri regretted her past of choosing Polia between Emilie and Polia.

‘I shouldn’t have held Miss Polia’s hand then…’

But it is too late to correct regrets.