| Author: Tensei Mikami | Original Source: Syosetu | Word Count: 2269 characters |
| Translator: Jiro | English Source: Re:Library | Word Count: Unknown words |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | ||
Melia couldn’t help but feel a mixture of bitterness toward Seletina’s plea.
“Seletina, I understand how you feel, however, your body won’t last if you continue like this. Let’s ease up on the physical activities for now and concentrate on cultural and etiquette studies.”
“I love dancing. And if it hadn’t been for me moving around when I was younger I’d probably be confined in my bed by now. Miss Barbara is an amazing teacher… There’s still so much I want to learn from her! So please!”
“When you were younger? You really are-”
Melia released a heavy sigh.
Barbara’s lessons held immense value for Seletina.
For Seletina, who’d been raised like a princess and treated like a delicate object, they represented precious moments, ones dedicated to proper physical exercise—a component Seletina deeply cherished.
Barbara’s guidance was indeed strict.
Yet, for Seletina, who aspired to become a knight in the future, such demanding instruction felt perfectly fitting.
Besides, during her time as Orthus, she’d undergone rigorous training daily. Given her background, it was almost embarrassing for her to voice any discontent about the current situation.
It was all because of her fragile body.
For Seletina, being limited from participating in vigorous exercises, all while under the watchful eyes of the maids and Melia was unbearable.
Therefore, she directly and fervently pleaded with Melia, her nose running slightly.
Though she soon had Elita wipe her nose for her.
“Lady Seletina!”
Barbara, oblivious to Seletina’s thoughts, found herself moved to tears. This display of determination instilled her with a newfound courage.
She’s right! If the student is eager to learn then what right do I, as her teacher, have to hold her back?!
With a resolute motion, Barbara rose from her seat and lifted her glasses.
“Lady Melia!”
An impassioned plea. Barbara composed herself and stepped forward, positioning herself in front of Melia.
And then…
“What are you doing Barbara?”
Barbara was down on her knees, her forehead placed against the ground.
Melia was somewhat bewildered by the gesture. She understood what it meant for a lady like Barbara—who held herself in such high regard—to lower her head to the ground.
“I asked you what you are doing.”
“I’m bowing, Lady Melia.”
“Bowing?”
“Yes. This bow, otherwise known as dogeza, is the highest form of salutation used by the Samurai in the far east. It signifies an apology or a plea.”
“And why are you performing this so-called dogeza?”
“In situations like this, a samurai would perform a dogeza which to them has the same weight as harakiri. And harakiri is the act of severing one’s guts. That is why I’m using this dogeza, which is akin to me severing my life, to ask for your kindness. Please allow me to continue being Lady Seletina’s instructor!”
An apology that was made with one’s life on the line.
The impact of Barbara’s action was so potent that it even startled Melia, who’d spent most of her life as a mercenary.
Seeing Melia’s heart softening, Seletina realized that Barbara’s bow was working.
In that case…
Seletina thought and carefully arranged the wrapped blanket over the sofa, kneeling on the floor as well.
Pressing three fingers on each of her hands to the floor.
Straightening her posture, she gazed into Melia’s astonished eyes before finally bowing her head.
Seletina’s bow was what could be described as a perfect dogeza.
She had perfectly executed the samurai’s most prideful act with flawless precision.
It was what could be described as a graceful, radiant, and inadvertently compassionate dogeza.
Watching from the sidelines, Barbara couldn’t help but shiver.
This ten-year-old girl had seamlessly integrated a foreign and unfamiliar etiquette into her actions, crafting it to perfection. It was an unbelievable sight.
Barbara’s determination only grew stronger.
I will mold this girl into the world’s finest lady! This child possesses both the inherent talent and the indomitable spirit needed to achieve that! So-
“Please!”
Barbara and Seletina, side by side, both knelt before Melia.
Melia had no choice after seeing them like that.
“Do as you wish!”
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
“One, two, one, two.” chanted the instructor Barbara as she clapped her hands rhythmically.
Triangular glasses adorned her face, and bright red rouge highlighted her cheeks.
A thick layer of white powder was heavily applied, seemingly attempting to conceal the passage of time. Barbara, the instructor, had blond hair that appeared to have been dyed to mask the encroaching gray strands. She emitted a clear and stern aura while addressing the class with sharp words.
“One, two, one, two.”
Reflected in her triangular glasses was the girl named Seletina ul Gold Aldelight. She was a beauty that could be described as both intricate and enchanting.
As was their routine, the two of them engaged in strenuous training that day.
However, “Ah!” Seletina stumbled slightly. Simultaneously, her body leaned heavily.
Seeing that Barbara quickly jumped in.
“Lady Seletina, are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine. This much is nothing.”
Even drenched in sweat, Seletina managed to conjure a smile.
What a strong young lady… This child might really reshape this kingdom’s fate one day…
“Miss Barbara?”
“I-It’s nothing! Seeing as you’re okay, let’s continue!”
“Okay! I can’t complain about something like this if I am to become a knight one day.”
“That’s right. W-Wait… What did you say? If you are to become a knight?”
“What?”
“Didn’t you mean if I am to become a lady?”
“What?”
Afterwards, Seletina explained to Barbara the reasons behind her relentless dedication to becoming a refined lady and her willingness to kneel before Melia to keep Barbara as her instructor. However, the revelation was so abrupt that it stunned Barbara into speechlessness1.
{There is a lady that is said to be the prettiest of them all. I’ve witnessed that lady firsthand. Yet, I cannot let myself call her a perfect lady, for a perfect lady does not exist.}
—An excerpt from Barbara’s journal.
◇◇◇EXTRAS◇◇◇
“Lady Seletina, we’ll be starting singing lessons today. Are you ready?”
“I am Miss Barbara. I can’t wait. Despite how I may look, I’m quite good at singing.”
“I see. If you’re that confident about it, then there’s nothing for me to worry about. Then I’ll play the piano to accompany your singing.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Let’s get started then. We begin from – Oh moon!”
Barbara’s fingers danced nimbly across the keys, eliciting a beautiful melody. The countdown to Seletina’s singing began.
Three seconds, two, Seletina and Barbara exchanged nods.
One second.
“Ooooh M ↑ o ↓ o ↑↑ nnnn↓. Ooooh ↓↓ Moo ↑↑ nnnnnn ↑↑!”
Seletina’s singing was uniquely off-key.
This was one of the numerous reasons that the strict instructor Barbara believed that the concept of a perfect lady did not exist.
The scene of a small bird perched by the window, unable to withstand the cacophony and tumbling down, was something entirely expected. Yet Barbara had never encountered a similar situation before, and she somehow knew that she was unlikely to encounter a similar situation in the future.
