Chapter 92: Chapter 2, Episode 17
Translated by KaiesV
Edited by KaiesV
From then on, the journey was smooth. We made it all the way to Quanda without any problems.
What I did in the meantime was to enjoy the exchange with the students who were going to study in Quanda.
The role of the Special Goodwill Ambassador is not only to accompany them and send them to the kingdom of Quanda.
Now, they must be filled with anticipation and anxiety about leaving their parents’ home and studying in another country. Furthermore, the unfamiliar journey to Quanda Kingdom would take away not only physical strength but also energy. I can’t let this place break my heart to study abroad.
Therefore, I thought it was my role as the Goodwill Ambassador to take care of their hearts.
Even though it was 10 years ago, I too had studied abroad. I gave advice based on my experience, inspired them to be anxious, and above all, taught them to be aware that studying abroad is a position of responsibility as a representative of the Gran Kingdom. This is important to note because in the past, some people have been deported after ruffling feathers because they were out of sight of their parents.
And parallel to this was Ciel’s education as a court lady.
「Language, is it?」
「Ah, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you’re not good enough. I’m saying you need to learn how to use it properly.」
「Using it properly…」
「Yes, using it properly.」
If she has changed her course of study at the academy to a court lady course, it means that she hopes to serve the royal court as a court lady in the future. If this is the case, then the Special Goodwill Ambassador’s lady-in-waiting would be a good fit for the training of a royal court lady.
「First, against the royal family. This will be fine for Ciel with your aristocratic education. I know that my conversation with Myra-sama at the tea party was enough. But you know,」
I remember Ciel, who was called Rify on the day she first confronted me as a friend of the Royal Princess.
「There is a pecking order in the royal family, isn’t there? The people who should be respected the most are Their Majesties the King and Queen. Only the kings and queens of other countries are comparable to them. It is fine to flatter other royalty, though.」
「…Ah.」
Ciel must have realized what I was talking about. She turned her face away from me awkwardly.
「But that is no reason to disrespect Their Majesties the King and Queen, who should be respected. You understand that, right?」
「…I’m sorry.」
Ciel looks uncomfortable and mouths an apology. It’s very good to be honest, but….
「It’s fine, I’m not going to tell you that. Because I’m not the one who should be talking about it.」
「…!」
I realize it is harsh. But Ciel should realize how shameful her past behavior is. But hey, this is a whip of love. I know that Ciel will grow based on my reflections.
I continued my words without encouraging Ciel, who was visibly down in the dumps, with a devil-may-care attitude in my heart.
「Second, to superiors.」
「…How is it different from the one against the royal family?」
There is no power in Ciel’s voice in my teaching, which is close to a reprimand. But there is still enough spirit to properly question me.
「Royalty is an object of respect. Superiors in the royal court are the royal hierarchy. Well, those who are older or higher in rank often have a corresponding hierarchical rank, but it is never absolute. A good example is me and Ciel.」
「Me?」
「Yes. Ciel is a Countess, right? If you only look at the title, from my perspective as a Viscountess, Ciel is a superior. But what about my language towards Ciel? Do you think it’s the way I speak to my superiors?」
Ciel shook her head in response to my question.
「Correct. I don’t use language that is appropriate for Ciel, who is above me as a Viscountess. But that’s not because I disrespect Ciel.」
「And it’s not because I’m younger than you.」
「I agree. If Ciel were older, I wouldn’t change my mind.」
Ciel looks serious. This is the best proof that she is listening to me.
「In the royal court, I am not a viscountess, but a high-ranking lady-in-waiting, the first lady-in-waiting to the queen. And now I am also the Special Goodwill Ambassador. What is Ciel’s position in the royal court, by comparison?」
「………I am a lady-in-waiting with no title. I am supposed to be higher in rank than you, but I am your junior, a low-ranking noble.」
「That’s right. That’s the royal hierarchy.」
That’s why, I don’t have to be coy with Ciel.
「Third, this is against the opposite. Ciel. Overall, this is the closest I can get to your way of speaking. Stout, haughty, arrogant. You are aware of how easy it is to give that image. This is why no matter how right you are, you always make them cry.」
「I’m not trying to be condescending.」
「It seems condescending, which is the problem.」
Ciel is pressed to silence.
「You don’t have to be needlessly bossy just because you’re the boss, and conversely, you don’t have to be obsequious. It’s all about balance.」
「…It’s hard.」
「Well, not as much as you might think. You don’t have to change your language, but saying it with a smile on your face and saying it with a frown on your face make a difference.」
While there are exceptions, a smile tends to make a good impression and a frown tends to make a bad impression. Just a little bit of awareness will make all the difference.
「Now, in light of all this, what do you think of the language you’re using towards me, Ciel?」
「…!」
I haven’t rebuked her for her language towards me, the Special Goodwill Ambassador so far, but it is definitely not something that Ciel, a lady-in-waiting should use.
「Ah, b–but I know it’s rude to my superior, but I didn’t mean it that way…」
「I don’t expect Ciel to think any less of me.」
「R–Really?」
I smiled, and Ciel let out a relieved breath.
「If Ciel doesn’t want to be a lady-in-waiting, it’s fine with me, but since you’re going to Quanda as a lady-in-waiting for the Special Goodwill Ambassador, I know this can’t go on as you are now.」
Ciel nodded.
「You… should I call you Marsha-sama instead…?」
「Fufu, yes. You’re right to call me that in public. But only in public is fine. Because I am happy for Ciel to speak normally.」
「…What the hell was that.」
「Last then. I believe Ciel’s language to me is this way.」
I finally lifted the edge of my mouth to look at Ciel, and she shuddered.
「Four, to those who have forgiven you.」
「Huh!!!!」
Ciel’s face instantly turned bright red, and I replied with a big smile. What a reaction, just as I had expected. Tsundere is the best. Seriously cute.
「Ahh… ah… ahh…」
Ciel began to tremble without words, and although I thought I might have abused her a little too much, I wanted to see this reaction. I couldn’t resist her desire, so it couldn’t be helped, right?
「Ah, by the way, I won’t hear any denials. I believe what I want to believe, so don’t take offense.」
「! Then it’s not the same no matter what I say!」
Yes, oh, yes. So give it up.
「Well, that’s beside the point. What I’m trying to say is that the reason you use all four is to protect yourself. Think of it as a tactic to survive in the royal court.」
If she chose to be a court lady instead of a countess, I can teach her how to survive in that magical palace.
「…I’ve seen your tone change from person to person over the past few days, and at first I thought it was awkward that you would change your attitude towards people… Let’s see. It made a lot of sense… No, I’m convinced.」
「I see. You think you can do it?」
「Would you please stop underestimating me so much? It’s no big deal for me!」
Ciel is in countess mode, but alas. That’s not the attitude of a lady-in-waiting.
「Ciel…」
「I–I know. Just give me a minute. Nhn, hmm–hmm!」
Ciel immediately noticed the meaning of my gaze, coughed a few times, took a deep breath, and then her expression suddenly changed.
Her mouth is slightly smiling, her strong eyes have a slight arc to them, and she smiles in a way that one would not expect from the strong-willed Ciel.
「How about this, Marsha-sama?」
How soft even her tone of voice is, as if she were the daughter of some deep-rooted family.
「…Fufufufu.」
What rises from the bottom of my stomach is joy. It was natural for me to rejoice because I was sure of what I was seeing. Some people may think that this is a bit much, but no matter how much I explain the royal hierarchy, it is not so easy for the daughter of a high-ranking noble to hang her head against me, a low-ranking noble. The pride they’ve cultivated since birth gets in the way.
But Ciel did it. And she did it under a mask of perfection. It shows the spirit of her aspiration to become a court lady.
「Keep it up, Ciel. I’m counting on you.」
The feeling was a thumbs up and a wink. But I didn’t think Ciel would understand the meaning of that, so instead, I grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a pep talk with a big smile.
I’m sure I was imagining things when I said that, Ciel seemed to be shivering.
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