Episode 89. The Princess's Etiquette Teacher
Juliana Timberline gazed up at a mansion so grand it could almost be called a castle. The Upper River, a capital city where housing prices were so high that even the most aristocratic couldn't afford them. Among them, the most splendid and beautiful was this one: Prince Noah's mansion.
The view was breathtaking, with the river running through the capital, the Hamelin Cathedral, and the royal palace in the distance all visible at a glance.
Countess Timberline glanced at the main entrance of the main building as she admired the garden and the scenery with its leaves falling gently.
“...A distinguished guest has arrived, and this is how you treat her.”
She muttered softly, straightening her back as she waited for the attendant to appear. A moment later, a middle-aged woman with graying hair neatly tied up appeared and bowed politely.
“Welcome. Her Highness is waiting for you.”
Countess Timberline's expression suddenly darkened at Mrs. Betty's words. She took off her hat, looked Mrs. Betty up and down, and spoke sharply.
"You've got the greeting wrong from the start. Why do you say that to a visitor who comes to your mansion?"
Mrs. Betty simply lowered her eyes and remained silent. Mrs. Timberline shook her head slightly and muttered.
“From one to ten, there will be a lot to teach you.”
She spoke softly, but loud enough for everyone present to hear. With a stern expression, Mrs. Betty quickly ushered Mrs. Timberline away.
“Come this way, ma’am.”
“...Yes, Countess Timberline.”
“If you did something wrong, apologize clearly.”
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
"Show me around. I think it'd be best to start by bringing in a proper manager. Tsk."
Mrs. Timberline held her head high and walked confidently as if it were her own home.
She quickly scanned the hallways and walls and nodded. It was indeed magnificent, befitting a royal residence, but no matter how she thought about it, it seemed excessive for a commoner who had risen to prominence overnight.
As the gorgeous white door opened, Mrs. Timberline had a very, very sociable smile on her face.
The first thing that caught her eye, even before the dazzlingly beautiful drawing room, was the elegant Princess. Mrs. Timberline smiled and bowed politely, as if she were meeting family for the first time in years.
“Hello, Your Highness.”
Olivia also greeted her with a very polite and respectful attitude.
“Welcome, Countess Timberline.”
As Mrs. Timberline approached, Olivia smiled and offered her tea lightly. But Mrs. Timberline hesitated for a moment and then shook her head.
“First of all, I came here for your education, so if it’s okay with you, would you mind skipping the tea?”
“Well, shall we? Mrs. Betty, you may leave.”
“No, no. Just a moment, Your Highness.”
“...”
Mrs. Timberline looked at Olivia's body for a moment and then asked.
“Why aren’t you wearing a corset?”
“It was so uncomfortable to wear that I didn’t wear it unless absolutely necessary.”
"Oh, no. You shouldn't do that. Then you won't be able to get used to it when you actually have to wear it. Nobles usually start wearing it from the time they get their bodies in shape. They wear it all the time, except when they sleep. You should start with the corset."
It was something Olivia always wanted to avoid, but since observing, she noticed that there are hardly any women in Herod who don't wear corsets. Even the servants in the mansion were wearing them.
Finally, when Olivia nodded with a complicated feeling, Mrs. Timberline gave an order to Mrs. Betty.
“You go and get the corset of Her Highness and a dress that fits her body well.”
When Mrs. Betty turned to look at Olivia, Mrs. Timberline's brow hardened slightly. Olivia gave Mrs. Betty a small nod.
“Yes, ma’am. Could you please go and get it for me?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
As Mrs. Betty left the room, Mrs. Timberline smiled faintly and let the words slip away.
“...?”
"Keep your speech low. That way, your subordinates will know you're their subordinate. Of all the things you'll learn, the most important is understanding the line of decision-making authority. You must make those below you aware of your superiority."
“I see. But His Highness the Prince doesn’t treat Mrs. Betty rudely either.”
“...”
When Olivia mentioned the Prince, Mrs. Timberline was silent for a moment, then said something else.
"I arrived and inspected the mansion. While it looked fine on the outside, there were a few areas that needed repairs. For the sake of His Royal Highness and Your Highness' social standing, I believe you will need a maid to manage the mansion and assist them. I will find someone suitable for you."
Olivia blinked quietly and then smiled.
"Thank you for your kindness. Just let me know what needs to be addressed. Hiring a maid seems like something I'll have to consider once I've settled into the mansion."
"I see. My advice was purely for the sake of Your Highness's honor. This mansion truly is fraught with problems. For example, the layout of this reception room doesn't reflect the latest trends at all. Even the curtains... I'd believe them even if they were from half a century ago."
Mrs. Timberline frowned slightly, her gray eyes darting back and forth.
"His Highness the Prince has lived alone so far, and he hasn't had many visitors. But from now on, Your Highness will invite a wide range of people here. At such times, the beauty of the mansion will be just as important as the food it serves."
“...”
"I'm saying this because I am. Aren't I the advisor Her Majesty personally selected? Surely you wouldn't be uncomfortable with my advice?"
Olivia stared blankly at Mrs. Timberline.
Just as the silence was about to turn into an awkward hush, Mrs. Betty, who had gone to fetch Olivia's clothes, appeared, accompanied by two maids holding a curtain.
Mrs. Timberline rose from her seat and took the corset herself.
“Your Highness, I will serve you.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“No. It is an honor to serve Your Highness.”
She smiled gently, mixing sharp and soft words.
Mrs. Timberline personally helped Olivia undress. She didn't even bother bending her knees or bending her waist. Her touch was gentle.
But the hand that tightened the corset was not gentle.
“Huh!”
Olivia opened her eyes at the pressure she felt in her chest and abdomen.
"Mrs. Timberline, it's too tight. Loosen it a little so I can gradually adjust."
"I've taught many noble ladies. Trust me, Your Highness. At first, you might feel like you're going to die, but you'll get used to it in a week. No one dies from a corset."
Then she dressed Olivia in the pink dress she'd temporarily prepared. Mrs. Timberline buttoned the back herself, speaking with a smile.
“Look at this. The lines are so different. It’s truly beautiful.”
She forced Olivia into a corset and dress, and even put on high heels.
"High heels make your legs look longer and force you to straighten your back. Your posture should exude authority, so those below you will trust and follow you. Since you're not particularly tall, always wear heels, even inside the mansion."
Mrs. Timberline styled Olivia's hair and even applied her makeup herself. She made Olivia look ready to go out, then smiled brightly.
"Indeed, you are beautiful. The higher one's social standing, the more likely it is that one will not show one's true face, even to those closest to one. Your Highness, from now on, you must maintain this level of pretense. But..."
“...”
“Did Your Highness choose this dress?”
Mrs. Timberline knew that couldn't be true. If she had a family, it might be different, but since she didn't, someone within the mansion must have chosen her. Or perhaps the wardrobe department had sent her there.
As expected, when the Princess didn't say anything, Mrs. Timberline laughed and even slapped her dress.
"From now on, I'll be choosing your clothes. The Marchioness of Letium is my sister-in-law. Her fashion choices are always a hot topic, and I personally choose most of them."
"Yes."
“Yes, then first of all...”
Mrs. Timberline frowned slightly and slowly circled Olivia, looking her body up and down.
Then she whispered with an expression as if she was looking at a rough draft, and she didn't know where to start.
“Let’s start by correcting your posture.”
"Raise your shoulders a little more. No, no, no. You're lifting them too high. Oh, you can't let your back collapse just because you're doing that."
"Please be more specific about your eye contact. Your shoulders keep shuffling when you walk. I'm asking you to stop doing that."
"When you hold a teacup, your pinky finger wiggles. It seems like you habitually want to open it, but try folding it. No, it makes too much noise when you put the teacup down. Try again."
“Again.”
"Again."
“...It’s a long-standing habit, so it’s hard to change.”
“Again, Your Highness.”
Mrs. Timberline pressed Olivia relentlessly. She arrived at the mansion around 10 a.m. and didn't return until after 4 p.m., keeping tabs on Olivia's every move throughout the day.
"Ah... Your Highness, even after I'm gone, please practice your walking and sitting posture. Also, this is a list of the personal details of the capital's nobles. It will be essential for your future social activities, so please memorize it as quickly as possible."
She turned away gracefully, handing the exhausted Olivia a vast biographical dictionary.
But Mrs. Timberline did not leave the mansion that way.
"My goodness, what a garden. Has the chandelier been cleaned? When were those curtains made? They're so old and worn that I can't even look at them. Even in the countryside, they don't use things like this these days. How can the mansion where His Highness the Prince resides be in such a state..."
“...”
“It can’t be helped when someone who has never seen anything like it takes charge. His Highness the Prince is so busy that he probably doesn’t have time to take care of such trivial matters.”
Mrs. Timberline also hurled abusive language at Mrs. Betty, who had come to see her off, and picked on her every possible excuse.
As she finally got into the carriage and disappeared from the mansion, the servants hiding everywhere sighed deeply and muttered.
“...It seemed like she came here determined to nitpick.”
“That’s why.”
“I guess she’ll be coming every day now, which is nice.”
The servants' grumbling words disappeared into the cold air.
Juliana Timberline gazed up at a mansion so grand it could almost be called a castle. The Upper River, a capital city where housing prices were so high that even the most aristocratic couldn't afford them. Among them, the most splendid and beautiful was this one: Prince Noah's mansion.
The view was breathtaking, with the river running through the capital, the Hamelin Cathedral, and the royal palace in the distance all visible at a glance.
Countess Timberline glanced at the main entrance of the main building as she admired the garden and the scenery with its leaves falling gently.
“...A distinguished guest has arrived, and this is how you treat her.”
She muttered softly, straightening her back as she waited for the attendant to appear. A moment later, a middle-aged woman with graying hair neatly tied up appeared and bowed politely.
“Welcome. Her Highness is waiting for you.”
Countess Timberline's expression suddenly darkened at Mrs. Betty's words. She took off her hat, looked Mrs. Betty up and down, and spoke sharply.
"You've got the greeting wrong from the start. Why do you say that to a visitor who comes to your mansion?"
Mrs. Betty simply lowered her eyes and remained silent. Mrs. Timberline shook her head slightly and muttered.
“From one to ten, there will be a lot to teach you.”
She spoke softly, but loud enough for everyone present to hear. With a stern expression, Mrs. Betty quickly ushered Mrs. Timberline away.
“Come this way, ma’am.”
“Am I just one or two people?! Address me as the Countess of Timberline.”
“If you did something wrong, apologize clearly.”
“Yes, I’m sorry.”
"Show me around. I think it'd be best to start by bringing in a proper manager. Tsk."
Mrs. Timberline held her head high and walked confidently as if it were her own home.
She quickly scanned the hallways and walls and nodded. It was indeed magnificent, befitting a royal residence, but no matter how she thought about it, it seemed excessive for a commoner who had risen to prominence overnight.
As the gorgeous white door opened, Mrs. Timberline had a very, very sociable smile on her face.
The first thing that caught her eye, even before the dazzlingly beautiful drawing room, was the elegant Princess. Mrs. Timberline smiled and bowed politely, as if she were meeting family for the first time in years.
“Hello, Your Highness.”
Olivia also greeted her with a very polite and respectful attitude.
“Welcome, Countess Timberline.”
As Mrs. Timberline approached, Olivia smiled and offered her tea lightly. But Mrs. Timberline hesitated for a moment and then shook her head.
“First of all, I came here for your education, so if it’s okay with you, would you mind skipping the tea?”
“Well, shall we? Mrs. Betty, you may leave.”
“No, no. Just a moment, Your Highness.”
“...”
Mrs. Timberline looked at Olivia's body for a moment and then asked.
“Why aren’t you wearing a corset?”
“It was so uncomfortable to wear that I didn’t wear it unless absolutely necessary.”
"Oh, no. You shouldn't do that. Then you won't be able to get used to it when you actually have to wear it. Nobles usually start wearing it from the time they get their bodies in shape. They wear it all the time, except when they sleep. You should start with the corset."
It was something Olivia always wanted to avoid, but since observing, she noticed that there are hardly any women in Herod who don't wear corsets. Even the servants in the mansion were wearing them.
Finally, when Olivia nodded with a complicated feeling, Mrs. Timberline gave an order to Mrs. Betty.
“You go and get the corset of Her Highness and a dress that fits her body well.”
When Mrs. Betty turned to look at Olivia, Mrs. Timberline's brow hardened slightly. Olivia gave Mrs. Betty a small nod.
“Yes, ma’am. Could you please go and get it for me?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
As Mrs. Betty left the room, Mrs. Timberline smiled faintly and let the words slip away.
“Your Highness, Mrs. Betty is not a lady-in-waiting, but a maid.”
"Keep your speech low. That way, your subordinates will know you're their subordinate. Of all the things you'll learn, the most important is understanding the line of decision-making authority. You must make those below you aware of your superiority."
“I see. But His Highness the Prince doesn’t treat Mrs. Betty rudely either.”
“...”
When Olivia mentioned the Prince, Mrs. Timberline was silent for a moment, then said something else.
"I arrived and inspected the mansion. While it looked fine on the outside, there were a few areas that needed repairs. For the sake of His Royal Highness and Your Highness' social standing, I believe you will need a maid to manage the mansion and assist them. I will find someone suitable for you."
Olivia blinked quietly and then smiled.
"Thank you for your kindness. Just let me know what needs to be addressed. Hiring a maid seems like something I'll have to consider once I've settled into the mansion."
"I see. My advice was purely for the sake of Your Highness's honor. This mansion truly is fraught with problems. For example, the layout of this reception room doesn't reflect the latest trends at all. Even the curtains... I'd believe them even if they were from half a century ago."
Mrs. Timberline frowned slightly, her gray eyes darting back and forth.
"His Highness the Prince has lived alone so far, and he hasn't had many visitors. But from now on, Your Highness will invite a wide range of people here. At such times, the beauty of the mansion will be just as important as the food it serves."
“...”
"I'm saying this because I am. Aren't I the advisor Her Majesty personally selected? Surely you wouldn't be uncomfortable with my advice?"
Olivia stared blankly at Mrs. Timberline.
Just as the silence was about to turn into an awkward hush, Mrs. Betty, who had gone to fetch Olivia's clothes, appeared, accompanied by two maids holding a curtain.
Mrs. Timberline rose from her seat and took the corset herself.
“Your Highness, I will serve you.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“No. It is an honor to serve Your Highness.”
She smiled gently, mixing sharp and soft words.
Mrs. Timberline personally helped Olivia undress. She didn't even bother bending her knees or bending her waist. Her touch was gentle.
But the hand that tightened the corset was not gentle.
“Huh!”
Olivia opened her eyes at the pressure she felt in her chest and abdomen.
"Mrs. Timberline, it's too tight. Loosen it a little so I can gradually adjust."
"I've taught many noble ladies. Trust me, Your Highness. At first, you might feel like you're going to die, but you'll get used to it in a week. No one dies from a corset."
Then she dressed Olivia in the pink dress she'd temporarily prepared. Mrs. Timberline buttoned the back herself, speaking with a smile.
“Look at this. The lines are so different. It’s truly beautiful.”
She forced Olivia into a corset and dress, and even put on high heels.
"High heels make your legs look longer and force you to straighten your back. Your posture should exude authority, so those below you will trust and follow you. Since you're not particularly tall, always wear heels, even inside the mansion."
Mrs. Timberline styled Olivia's hair and even applied her makeup herself. She made Olivia look ready to go out, then smiled brightly.
"Indeed, you are beautiful. The higher one's social standing, the more likely it is that one will not show one's true face, even to those closest to one. Your Highness, from now on, you must maintain this level of pretense. But..."
“...”
“Did Your Highness choose this dress?”
Mrs. Timberline knew that couldn't be true. If she had a family, it might be different, but since she didn't, someone within the mansion must have chosen her. Or perhaps the wardrobe department had sent her there.
As expected, when the Princess didn't say anything, Mrs. Timberline laughed and even slapped her dress.
"From now on, I'll be choosing your clothes. The Marchioness of Letium is my sister-in-law. Her fashion choices are always a hot topic, and I personally choose most of them."
"Yes."
“Yes, then first of all...”
Mrs. Timberline frowned slightly and slowly circled Olivia, looking her body up and down.
Then she whispered with an expression as if she was looking at a rough draft, and she didn't know where to start.
“Let’s start by correcting your posture.”
"Raise your shoulders a little more. No, no, no. You're lifting them too high. Oh, you can't let your back collapse just because you're doing that."
"Please be more specific about your eye contact. Your shoulders keep shuffling when you walk. I'm asking you to stop doing that."
"When you hold a teacup, your pinky finger wiggles. It seems like you habitually want to open it, but try folding it. No, it makes too much noise when you put the teacup down. Try again."
“Again.”
"Again."
“...It’s a long-standing habit, so it’s hard to change.”
“Again, Your Highness.”
Mrs. Timberline pressed Olivia relentlessly. She arrived at the mansion around 10 a.m. and didn't return until after 4 p.m., keeping tabs on Olivia's every move throughout the day.
"Ah... Your Highness, even after I'm gone, please practice your walking and sitting posture. Also, this is a list of the personal details of the capital's nobles. It will be essential for your future social activities, so please memorize it as quickly as possible."
She turned away gracefully, handing the exhausted Olivia a vast biographical dictionary.
But Mrs. Timberline did not leave the mansion that way.
"My goodness, what a garden. Has the chandelier been cleaned? When were those curtains made? They're so old and worn that I can't even look at them. Even in the countryside, they don't use things like this these days. How can the mansion where His Highness the Prince resides be in such a state..."
“...”
“It can’t be helped when someone who has never seen anything like it takes charge. His Highness the Prince is so busy that he probably doesn’t have time to take care of such trivial matters.”
Mrs. Timberline also hurled abusive language at Mrs. Betty, who had come to see her off, and picked on her every possible excuse.
As she finally got into the carriage and disappeared from the mansion, the servants hiding everywhere sighed deeply and muttered.
“...It seemed like she came here determined to nitpick.”
“That’s why.”
“I guess she’ll be coming every day now, which is nice.”
The servants' grumbling words disappeared into the cold air.
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