Chapter 89
Juliana Timberline looked up at the mansion, so magnificent it could be called a castle. The Upper River in the capital, where land prices were so high that even most nobles found it difficult to live. Among them, the most splendid and beautiful place was here, Prince Noah's mansion.
The view was breathtaking, overlooking the river that crossed the capital, Hamel Cathedral, and the Royal Palace far in the distance.
Countess Timberline admired the garden, where leaves were falling one by one, and the scenery, before glancing at the main building's front door.
"...A guest has arrived, and this is how they treat them."
She muttered quietly, straightening her back as she waited for a servant to appear. After a moment, a middle-aged woman with neatly styled graying hair appeared and bowed politely.
"Welcome. Her Highness is waiting for you."
At Betty's words, Countess Timberline's expression twisted. She took off the hat she was wearing and scanned Betty up and down, speaking sharply.
"Your greeting is all wrong. What kind of words are those to say upon seeing a visitor who has come to the mansion?"
Betty simply lowered her eyes and remained silent. Countess Timberline shook her head slightly and muttered.
"From head to toe, there's so much to teach."
She spoke softly, but loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. Betty, with a stiff face, quickly led Countess Timberline inside.
"This way, Madam."
"Madam? Are there only one or two Madams?! Refer to me as Countess Timberline."
"...Yes, Countess Timberline."
"Apologize clearly if you have done wrong."
"Yes, I apologize."
"Lead the way. It would be good to hire a proper manager first. Tsk."
Countess Timberline raised her head and strode forward as if it were her own home.
She quickly scanned the hallway and walls, nodding her head. As expected of a royal's house, it was very impressive, but no matter how she thought about it, it was too much for a commoner who had suddenly risen in status.
Soon, a splendid white door opened, and Countess Timberline put on a very, very social smile.
What caught her eye before the dazzlingly beautiful reception room was the elegant Princess Consort. Countess Timberline smiled as if greeting a family member she hadn't seen in years and curtsied politely.
"I greet Your Highness."
Olivia returned the greeting with a smile at the very courteous and polite attitude of Countess Timberline.
As Countess Timberline approached, Olivia smiled and lightly offered tea. However, Countess Timberline hesitated for a moment and shook her head.
"I have come for Your Highness's education, so if it's alright with you, how about we skip the tea for now?"
"Then, shall we? Betty, you may leave."
"No, no. Just a moment, Your Highness."
"..."
Countess Timberline quietly looked at Olivia's body before asking.
"Why are you not wearing a Corset?"
"It's very uncomfortable to wear, so I don't wear it unless it's absolutely necessary."
"Oh, dear. You mustn't do that. Then you won't be able to adjust when you really need to wear it. Nobles usually wear it from the time their bodies are being shaped. They always wear it, except when they are sleeping. Put on a Corset first."
It was something she wanted to avoid as much as possible, but since she had been observing, there were hardly any women in Herot who didn't wear Corsets. Even the servants in the mansion were wearing them.
Eventually, when Olivia nodded with a heavy heart, Countess Timberline ordered Betty.
"Go and bring Her Highness's Corset and a dress that fits her perfectly."
When Betty turned to look at Olivia, Countess Timberline's brow furrowed slightly. Olivia nodded slightly to Betty.
"Yes, Betty. Would you go and get it?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
As Betty left the room, Countess Timberline smiled slyly and let the words slip out.
"Your Highness, Betty is a maid, not a lady-in-waiting."
"......?"
"Lower your words. That way, those below will know that they are below. Among the many things you will have to learn in the future, the most important thing is to know the line of authority. You must make those below that line aware that Your Highness is superior to them."
"I see. But even Prince Noah doesn't speak down to Betty."
"......"
When Olivia mentioned the Prince, Countess Timberline was silent for a moment before changing the subject.
"I looked around the mansion when I arrived, and although it looks fine on the outside, there are many places that need attention. For the sake of Prince Noah and Your Highness's social reputation, I think you will need a lady-in-waiting to manage the mansion and assist you both. I'll look for someone suitable for you."
Olivia blinked quietly and then smiled.
"Thank you for your kindness. But please just tell me which parts need attention. Hiring a lady-in-waiting is something I think I should consider after I've settled into the mansion."
"I see. I was only giving you advice for the sake of Your Highness's reputation. It's really a problematic mansion. For example... the layout of this reception room doesn't reflect the latest trends at all. And the curtains... I could believe they were made half a century ago."
Countess Timberline rolled her gray eyes around and frowned slightly.
"Until now, Prince Noah has been living alone, so there haven't been many visitors, but in the future, Your Highness will be inviting various people here. At such times, the beauty of the mansion is as important as the food you prepare."
"......"
"I'm only saying this because it's me. Am I not the advisor that the former Queen Consort chose herself? Surely you're not uncomfortable with my advice?"
Olivia stared at Countess Timberline.
Just as the silence was about to turn into an awkward stillness, Betty, who had gone to get Olivia's clothes, appeared. She was accompanied by two maids holding a screen.
Countess Timberline stood up from her seat and took the Corset directly.
"Your Highness, I will assist you."
"There's no need for that."
"No, it is an honor to assist Your Highness."
She mixed sharp words with soft words and smiled gently.
Countess Timberline personally helped Olivia take off her clothes. She didn't mind bending her knees or bowing her back at all. Her touch was also gentle.
But the touch of tightening the Corset was not gentle.
"Gasp!"
Olivia's eyes widened at the pressure she felt in her chest and abdomen.
"Countess Timberline, it's too tight. I'll adjust gradually, so loosen it a little."
"I have taught many noble young ladies. Trust me, Your Highness. It feels like you're going to die at first, but you'll get used to it in a week. No one dies from a Corset."
Then she put a pink dress that had been temporarily prepared on Olivia. Countess Timberline personally fastened the buttons on the back and said with a smile.
"Look. The line changes like this. You look really beautiful."
She finally put the Corset and dress on Olivia, and even made her wear high-heeled shoes.
"High-heeled shoes make your legs look longer and force you to straighten your back. You have to have dignity in your posture for your subordinates to trust and follow you. You're not very tall, so always wear shoes even inside the mansion."
Countess Timberline styled Olivia's hair and even did her makeup herself. After decorating Olivia to the point where she could go out right away, she smiled with her eyes.
"Indeed, you are beautiful. The higher your status, the less you should show your bare face, even to those close to you. Your Highness, you must always maintain this level of grooming from now on. But......"
"......"
"Did you perhaps choose this dress, Your Highness?"
Countess Timberline knew that couldn't be the case. If she had her own family, maybe, but since she didn't have one, someone in the mansion must have chosen it. Or the dress shop sent it on their own.
As expected, when the Princess Consort didn't say anything, Countess Timberline smiled and criticized her dress as well.
"I'll choose your clothes for you from now on. Marchioness Letium is my sister-in-law on my mother's side. Her fashion is always a hot topic, and I've chosen most of it myself."
"I see."
"Well, then, first of all......"
Countess Timberline frowned slightly and slowly turned around Olivia, scanning her body up and down.
Then, she whispered with an expression as if she were looking at a poor piece of work that she didn't know where to start.
"Let's start by correcting your posture."
"Lift your shoulders a little more. No, no. You're lifting them too high. Oh dear, you can't let your back collapse when you do that."
"Make your gaze clearer. Your shoulders keep shaking when you walk. I'm telling you not to do that."
"When you hold a teacup, your pinky finger shakes. It seems like you want to stretch it out habitually, but fold it in. No, the sound is too loud when you put the teacup down. Try again."
"Again."
"Again."
"...It's a long-standing habit, so it's not easy to change."
"Again, Your Highness."
Countess Timberline relentlessly drove Olivia without resting for a moment. The Countess, who had arrived at the mansion around 10 a.m., did not leave until after 4 p.m., and during that time, she commented on every movement Olivia made.
"Ah... Your Highness, even after I leave, practice your walking and sitting posture. And this is a list of the personal details of the nobles in the capital. It's essential for you to be active in society in the future, so please memorize it as quickly as possible."
She handed the exhausted Olivia a vast Biographical Dictionary and turned gracefully.
But Countess Timberline did not leave the mansion that way.
"Goodness, what is this garden? Has the chandelier been cleaned? When were the curtains made? They're so old and outdated, I can't stand to look at them. These days, even the provinces don't use things like this. How can the mansion where Prince Noah stays be at this level......"
"......"
"It can't be helped since someone without a background is in charge of management. Prince Noah is busy, so he won't have time to manage these trivial things."
Countess Timberline also poured out all sorts of fault-finding and harsh words to Betty, who had come out to see her off.
Finally, when she got into her carriage and disappeared out of the mansion, the servants who had been hiding in various places sighed deeply and muttered.
"...It was like she came here determined to find fault."
"I know, right?"
"She's going to come every day now, what are we going to do?"
The servants' complaints disappeared into the cold air.
