Stone Thrown into the Lake

Chapter 12

It’s rude to interrupt someone else’s sentence right in the middle. This was something that Mrs. Harris had always emphasized. So, a young Yvor had to accept all of her malice and accusations that she uttered.

Yvor continued to speak plainly, because now it had nothing to do with her. For Yvor, Mrs. Harris’ hatred held less weight than one of Duran’s grimaces.

“I’m thinking of resuming my classes.”

“It’s late in the morning, so get ready to start from the next class.”

Mrs. Harris answered immediately. It was a fight that wasn’t even worth one hour of her time. At 18, Yvor had reached the end of her education, but she still spent a full day learning all sorts of miscellaneous things.

What did she learn at this time? As she recalled the lessons, she smiled a little. From morning to night, she vaguely remembered the knowledge that she had to put into her head. It was to the point where she had no spare time, other than time to work as the lord of the castle.

How useful was it? During her life as queen, she seldom used what she had learned. Of course, that might be because she wasn’t a queen who could serve as a role model for the nation.

Mrs. Harris frowned when Yvor laughed. The girl never laughed in front of her. As a child, Mrs. Harris told her that girls shouldn’t laugh, because she hated seeing it. Yvor finally answered the older woman.

“No, I will only take classes in the afternoon.”

“You mean afternoon to dawn, right?”

Yvor replied, “Until dark.”

“That’s too short!” Mrs. Harris said sternly.

Nightlife invited corruption! Rest makes a person idle, and pleasure leads to sin. Yvor, in particular, had to polish herself without taking a single break.

Yvor read the hatred directed towards her again in the words she used. She was so accustomed to dealing with Mrs. Harris, and couldn’t recall why she was like that. This was another unknown in the past.

“I’m going to have my younger brother accompany me to class.”

Yvor waited for Mrs. Harris’ lecture, but she remained silent. Eventually she said,

“Duran?”

Mrs. Harris frowned as she said this. Yvor narrowed her eyes, she’d used his given name. Even if it was her right as a teacher, Duran was not one of her students. Mrs. Harris should have used a more respected tone because he was a young master of Salzmia.

“That’s right.”

After replying, Yvor took a sip of her tea. She frowned at Mrs. Harris, who was still standing there. The moment she decided to spew out her rudeness, Yvor spoke up.

“But Mrs. Harris, why did you call Dew in such a manner?”

Indeed, it was not proper manners. Mrs. Harris had no choice, but to remain silent as Yvor reprimanded her for her rudeness.

“I was… I was in a hurry.”

Instead, she gave an excuse.

“I’m sure you were. I always keep an eye on my tutor’s etiquette and listen well.”

As Yvor spoke, she put Mrs. Harris in her place. She wondered if she dared to say more than this. But saying that she always kept an eye on her and was listening, it was the same as saying that she could never make another mistake again.

In other words, she was watching. She dared to tell her who she was, this alone was outrageous. So when Yvor opened her mouth again, Mrs. Harris was really surprised.

“Be careful not to make the same mistake again, you won’t be forgiven twice.”

Mrs. Harris’ expression twisted in confusion, she couldn’t understand what the heck she was hearing. Yvor put something resembling a smile on her face, but she really didn’t want to forgive those who insulted Duran.

She was a woman who was willing to cut out her enemy’s tongue, and poison her stepson’s meals. Now she was willing to envelop her hater with love, just because she lamented not being able to love Duran more properly, and regretted not recognizing those who’d been loyal to her.

It was not easy for her to endure the insults to her younger brother. She was someone who’s committed countless evil deeds in order to raise her brother to the top of the world.

It was because of her faults that Yvor Adela had overlooked what her servants were doing to Duran.

Those who had given their lives for her, were also mocking the person who gave meaning to her life, but she also had to apologize to them. There were several times when she was so angry that she couldn’t make a sound, as if something had blocked her voice.

Yvor made sure to eat every meal with Duran. He still didn’t know dining etiquette, but her maids no longer made fun of him. It was because they were loyal to Yvor in the end. They wouldn’t be loyal servants, if they insulted him in front of their master.

Even if her maids didn’t make fun of him, Duran always frowned during mealtime. He couldn’t help but feel ashamed that he didn’t know how to eat elegantly. He also felt sorry for Yvor, who had to eat the same meal as he did, so he tried his best to hide his shame.

She knew that feeling too. What a shame it was that she didn’t know anything about him. What emotions does he feel? She’d realized that she knew nothing about her brother. She remembered that feeling, which was now engraved on her bones. So, she decided to let him know about the things he should have known.

It was natural to teach him the things he didn’t know. She was thoroughly educated as an aristocrat, and she could not doubt herself. Nobility had a birthright to live up to. Duran had to learn for himself the name of Salzmia that he had to carry on his shoulders.

“…Young master,” said Mrs. Harris.

Her voice sounded as terrible as the words themselves, as if she wanted to bite her tongue.

“He’s not old enough to take classes with Yvor. Didn’t I already tell you that the progress would be different?”

It was the word Yvor had been waiting for. She wanted to hear this again, because she wanted to ask something. She hadn’t been able to ask them before, because she was too dull in the past.

“How different is it?”

“What?”

“How different is the learning between my brother and I? What and how much does Duran need to learn as a young master of Salzmia?”

Mrs. Harris paused for a moment. She put strength into her hands, and her pointing rod shook as it struck the table. However, Mrs. Harris responded cautiously to Yvor’s unusual behavior.

“I heard that he learned, without lacking for his status.”

Yvor laughed out loud, what she said was very funny. Since when did the eldest son of a traditional aristocratic family not know table manners, and have someone call it ‘sufficiently learned’?

“Ma’am, these days I only use one fork at mealtime. Is this a good example of my status?”

“What shame…!”

Mrs. Harris, who had disciplined Yvor on her habits, noticed Yvor’s meaning a little too late. Her words stopped midway.

Yvor saw her reaction and immediately knew. Mrs. Harris hasn’t been properly teaching Duran. In the past, Mrs. Harris prevented her from taking classes with her brother, and she took his learning for granted .

“What do you think?”

She’d asked a reasonable question, but instead of ripping her to shreds right then and there, she waited. She allowed time for her to think before Yvor said,

“I’m not good enough, so there won’t be any problem if I study with Duran, correct?”

Mrs. Harris clenched her jaw and replied, “If that is the case, I will have to check with my own eyes how much the young master knows. That way, I will be able to prepare a basic class suitable for him. So…”

Yvor was right, Mrs. Harris would first need to test how much he knew.

Mrs. Harris, who was in close contact with the mansion in the capital, was more aware of his situation than Yvor.

‘What do you mean, young master of Salzmia?’ Mrs. Harris thought the name itself was funny.

Why would a gutter rat like him be known as such? Mrs. Harris wanted to mock the boy under the name of a test. However, when she looked into Yvor’s eyes, the rest of the words wouldn’t easily leave her mouth.

“Really?”

Yvor asked with those shining bluish purple eyes. Until just a while ago, they were placid like a goldfish in it’s bowl, but now they looked like a snake.

“To know the level of the young master, I’ll write the test.”

Mrs. Harris finished her sentence with great difficulty, but Yvor shook her head.

“I don’t think so, ma’am.”

Mrs. Harris raised her eyebrows, she wouldn’t be able to recover her pride. But that was insignificant compared to Dew, Yvor thought.

It was of course important to teach Duran what he deserved to know as Lord Salzmia, but she didn’t want to hurt his pride anymore. She wanted no more disgrace or humiliation presented to him.

She wanted to protect him. It was bound to end in scandal if it became known that he had to learn what little children were taught. She didn’t want that to happen to him. The same goes for calling a new tutor for him, there was nothing to gain but contempt, as he would only now begin his education as a child of a noble family.

Duran, who didn’t even want to change the furniture in his room, would feel uncomfortable again if she said she would hire a tutor for him. Come to think of it, he has a wonderful character.

Her Dew had enough pride and independence even without receiving an education from an early age. Yvor was as happy as a hedgehog, and happily continued talking.

“Please create it to be on my level. As you’ve said, I took a few days off and I’ve forgotten everything I’ve learned. So, I’ll learn everything again.” Yvor spoke smoothly. “Prepare the basics first, but do it for me.”

She wanted to protect him as much as she could, even if it was nothing more than a minor difference. She was only good enough to shoulder some of his burden, but she wanted to do whatever she could.

Mrs. Harris looked devastated, as if she had lost her way.