Episode 5

Some time earlier.

It had been three years since Elouise took Juliet under her care.

Her life had changed dramatically.

The biggest change was that Elouise had fallen into debt. She had once been a capable governess—but that was when there was only herself to support. Just one more mouth to feed was enough to drive her finances toward ruin.

Juliet was just an eleven-year-old girl. The kind of things expected for a girl that age required the sort of expense which never ended.

As a result, Elouise’s reputation quickly shifted from “a teacher worth every coin” to “a money-hungry teacher.” In Maine, there was no one who could teach young ladies as well as Elouise, so her popularity didn’t falter.

Still, she took on more work despite her schedule brimming with appointments. She taught Toulous not only to nobles but also to merchant families hoping to climb the social ladder. In any other town, this might have drawn criticism and dwindled her client base.

But Elouise was not shunned. Instead, she was invited more frequently by elderly noblewomen. There was only one reason for this. Maine was a small town, and the rumor that Elouise was raising her late sister’s daughter spread quickly.

The older women of Maine invited Elouise over with sympathetic expressions, offering her tea and treating her kindly.

Elouise did not require their pity—but she did need the tutoring requests that came through their networks. So she accepted the invitations every time. Of course, the little gifts presented to her after tea were also a nice perk. Juliet liked sweets, and since Elouise couldn’t afford sugar, the cookies and pies wrapped in cloth after tea were a welcome treat.

That day had started like any other.

Among the young ladies she tutored, the most cheerful was Bella Visena. Recently, Bella’s grandmother had come to stay at the Visena viscount estate. Until recently, she had served the Queen in the capital and had only just returned to her hometown for an extended vacation and her granddaughter’s debutante season.

The strict lady had evaluated Bella’s Toulous as soon as she arrived and was delighted by her improvement. When she found out that Elouise was behind it, she promptly extended an invitation—to which Elouise gladly accepted.

The problem was that the tea party was much more crowded than expected. In the small social circle of Maine, the old woman had quickly taken command. Everyone adored her status as “the lady who once served the Queen.” Over twenty people attended her afternoon tea.

Most of them were either Elouise’s students or parents of her students, so she was able to join the gathering with polite ease.

However—

“So… I heard your daughter is a little lacking?”

It was still difficult to get used to how direct some elders could be. Elouise took a sip of tea to collect herself. She had taught others, “When confronted with sudden rudeness or at a loss for words, raise your teacup to your lips,” but applying that lesson herself left her breathless.

She gently set down her cup and smiled brightly at the lady.

“I’m sure to someone from the capital, many shortcomings must be noticeable.”

“Oho, that’s not what I meant.”

The old woman glanced at her granddaughter Bella, then back at Elouise. Elouise also peered briefly at Bella. Bella wore an awkward expression, caught after having shared her governess’s circumstances with her grandmother.

Elouise gave her a faint smile. “It’s all right. Honestly, it would be peculiar if someone in Maine doesn’t already know my situation.” As their gazes met, the old lady clicked her tongue gently.

“She needs a proper match soon… but I hear she’s not quite right.”

Elouise maintained a smile as she faced at the old woman, unable to come up with an adequate response. The lady offered her a pitying look and shook her head.

“Raising someone else’s daughter alone must be difficult.”

She didn’t even know where to begin countering that.

Elouise bit down hard on her teeth behind her professional stance. She had a hundred retorts in mind but no safe way to deliver them. In a town like this, offending someone of such caliber could cost her everything.

What made it worse was the woman’s kindness. That was the most difficult part. She wasn’t mocking Elouise—she genuinely felt sorry that a young woman was tasked with raising her sister’s unusual daughter alone.

Elouise had to fight the urge to stand up and leave. Thankfully, Bella came to her rescue. Perhaps attempting to make up for spilling her teacher’s private matters, she forced a laugh and changed the subject.

“Oh, Grandmother, shouldn’t you be worrying about my marriage first? What are you saying?”

“Ah, Bella. Who’d marry such a little rascal like you? I’m worried about you too, goodness.”

“Grandmother!”

Bella laughed and deliberately stirred her teacup with a clatter. The crisp sound of the spoon in the porcelain rang out. The unrefined motion caused the old lady shake her head.

“See? Even after all that tutoring, Miss Starwood must be having a hard time. Isn’t that right?”

“Oh no, not at all. Bella is an excellent student. She’s simply playful because her dear grandmother is here.”

“Is that so? If she keeps this act up, I’m planning to marry her off to someone from the Hanger family.”

Everyone blinked at the unfamiliar name. It wasn’t a family from Maine. As they tried to place it, a baroness suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!".

“Oh, you mean that merchant family that gained wealth from mining?”

“Yes, those lowborn miners.”

Before Elouise could even process the term “lowborn miners,” the old woman sighed.

“It’s bad enough that common merchants without a title come and go within the palace, but their son? He’s notorious for leading women astray. If His Majesty didn’t favor that mining scoundrel, the boy would’ve been executed years ago.”

“Oh, Grandmother! Who talks about executions these days?”

Bella gasped. Nonetheless, the old woman tapped her finger on the tea table again. Even the gesture was weighty with dignity.

“That maid Miss Teba, the Queen’s favorite, cried for three days after being seduced by that scoundrel. And a few years ago, Lady Claire—Her Highness the Crown Princess’s cousin—refused to marry after being dumped by him.”

“My goodness, are you seriously suggesting Bella should marry such a man?”

One of the other women blinked in surprise. The old woman wrinkled her nose and chuckled nastily.

“Figure of speech. Why would I assist such a family? His Majesty, wise as he is, has yet to bestow them a title. That miner Archibald Hanger lets his son run wild, seducing foolish girls to grab a title for himself. What do people like that know about manners?”

“But the Hanger family is incredibly wealthy…”

“Pah.”

The old lady thumped her finger on the table more harshly this time. The baroness fell silent.

“Money isn’t everything. If you’re born human, you must have dignity!”

Such as not insulting someone else’s daughter in public.

Elouise thought to herself as she raised her cup again. The old lady turned to Bella.

“Understand, Bella. Always mind your conduct. If things don’t improve, I’ll return to the capital alone this winter.”

“Oh my! Really?”

Bella lit up at her grandmother’s words. Harsh as they sounded, they meant she intended to present Bella at the capital’s social season this winter. Bella’s face instantly brightened.

The others were just as thrilled. A debut in the capital. It was the dream of many, but for girls in a place like Maine, it felt impossibly distant. A baroness with two daughters leaned closer to the old woman.

“What a marvelous plan, madam. Who will be Bella’s chaperone?”

Chaperones for debutantes were usually well-connected ladies—older, respectable women who could help the girl blend smoothly into society. Close relatives didn’t usually fill that role.

The baroness clearly hoped the old woman would be the chaperone for her own daughters. The intent was obvious, but the old woman smiled shrewdly.

“I haven’t decided, but I might ask Countess Pike—my dear friend.”

Countess Pike! Everyone’s eyes sparkled. She was particularly close to the Queen.

But to Elouise, it felt like another world. At thirty-two, she was old enough to be a chaperone herself. Of course, she was unmarried and had never debuted, but the point still stood. Elouise gaped blankly at the gold trim of her teacup glinting in the sun.

Then—

“Come to think of it, I hear your daughter is close in age to Bella? What should we do about that…”

The old woman clicked her tongue again, shifting the topic back to Elouise. Caught off guard, she replied, “Ah, yes.” The old woman gave her a pitying look.

“She’s fourteen—just the age to debut. But from what I hear, who would marry her like that?”

“…Thank you for your concern.”

Elouise barely managed a smile. Meddling elders were nothing new, and this wasn’t quite mockery—but it wasn’t welcome, either. She wished they’d drop it.

But the old lady kept going.

“If it comes down to it, I could help find her a match. The Visena name still holds some weight in the capital. Fortunately, I hear she’s quite pretty. Even if she’s a little slow, she could meet someone respectable.”

“If you say so…”

“Oh, Grandmother. Juliet’s still just a child. Help me first!”

Bella, unable to stand it any longer, tried to intervene. But the old woman shook her head.

“So unladylike. What girl asks for a match before she’s even debuted?”

“…My child isn’t very ladylike either…”

Her voice was hollow. But the old woman responded quickly.

“That’s why she needs to meet a good man! Even if her mind is lacking, with a capable governess like you raising her, she’ll learn to be a lady, right?”

Every other word—lacking, abnormal, not right. Elouise’s head boiled. The old lady continued.

“Still, I’m glad she’s kind at heart. As long as a girl is pretty and kind, that’s all that matters. Actually, I’ve just thought of a good match—”

Elouise finally spoke.

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Hmm?”

The old lady narrowed one eye. Elouise suppressed a sigh.

“I appreciate the offer, but Juliet isn’t ready to leave my side, let alone be married.”

At that point, everyone could tell she was firmly refusing. The room went still—but the old lady wasn’t giving up.

“Girls are never ready. I was married at fourteen myself and cried all night on my wedding night. But look at me now—children, royal service—”

She rambled on about her children and how she served the Queen. Everyone smiled politely, but Elouise didn’t have the energy to keep up.

She kept her eyes on her teacup and her lips in a fixed smile. Everyone in Maine knew about Juliet—but this was the first time someone had talked about her so openly.

Are all capital nobles like this? Even the elderly?

Just as she was thinking that—

“…So, what do you think? He’s been married once, but his wife passed away, so there’s no scandal—”

Startled, Elouise realized the woman wasn’t referring to her.

She’d assumed it was another proposal aimed at her. That was common. But this wasn’t the case. No—this was directed at Juliet.

A remarriage proposal for a fourteen-year-old girl?

Elouise glanced around to confirm.

Bella appeared pale, at a loss for words.

The other women smiled awkwardly, their eyes uncertain. It was clear.

Elouise no longer felt any need to smile.

“Madam. I appreciate the sentiment, but I cannot accept it.”

“Why not? That family is one of the wealthiest in the capital—”

Do you really not understand why?

Elouise wanted to yell—but swallowed the words. Four families at this table were her clients. She composed herself and spoke firmly.

“Starting this spring, Juliet will be staying with a kind relative who has offered her a peaceful place to live while we gradually explore a suitable match.”

In her mind, a fictional aunt had just been invented. It was the safest way out. She no longer desired offers disguised as sympathy. The ladies around her offered polite support.

“Oh my.”

“That’s wonderful! Juliet is a bit... special, after all.”

The women of Maine were kind. Their words were carefully chosen—for her sake. All those years of teaching here weren’t for nothing. But the old woman scowled, clearly displeased.

“A better place? Better than the capital?”

“…Yes.”

Elouise quickly pondered through possible places. Cliff. A beautiful seaside resort town. Why that name came to mind, she didn’t know. But it fit the criteria.

“I have a distant aunt in Cliff. I’ve heard the spring there is beautiful. We plan to stay from spring to summer.”

She recalled a former student who’d met a fine young man in Cliff. The social scene there was gentle and relaxed. Borrowing that idea, Elouise added details.

There was a good doctor for Juliet’s health, and the relative was repaying a debt to her father by inviting them for a stay.

“Cliff? Isn’t that where that scandalous Duchess Bellona resides? Tch.”

The old lady clicked her tongue, displeased—but not at Elouise.

“She’s widowed and should live modestly, not ruin others’ homes. I know several women who divorced because of her…”

As her rant continued, Elouise finally relaxed.

At that moment, the baroness whispered,

“So you’ll be pausing lessons for now?”

“I suppose so? I’m sorry, madam. It was a recent decision—I meant to inform you soon.”

“Oh no, that’s fine. Honestly, it’s good timing. With the winter debutante ball approaching, I’ll be busy arranging dance lessons…”

So, the baroness was indeed hoping to ride the old lady’s influence to debut her daughters in the capital. Elouise smiled and raised her teacup again. She had nothing more to say.

Instead, she quickly began planning how to make her lie a reality.

Maybe it’s for the best.

Juliet had barely left the house lately. Without Elouise, she wouldn’t go outside at all. Maybe this was the chance to take her somewhere. Finances were tight, the debt was a problem—but she still had the Starwood estate.

She promised her lenders she’d return, using the estate as collateral, and hurried to pack their bags.

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And now.

Recalling unpleasant memories gave her a headache. Elouise sat against the bed, absentmindedly pressing her shoulder with her fingertips as she sank into thought.

A miner family, she said…

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