Chapter 27: The Strongest Ally Is a Former Enemy
Even the most perfect armor has seams.
No matter how impregnable a fortress is, it becomes fragile once it collapses from the inside.
Two weeks had passed since the hellish royal consort education began.
Today marked the halfway point, and the air in the library was tense.
“…Tomorrow at noon, His Grace the Grand Duke will be coming for an inspection.”
Sylvia said this while checking her notebook.
Her voice, as always, was flat and cold.
“This will be a midterm report.
I am obligated to report your progress and any ‘defects that require correction’ to His Grace.”
“Defects, you say.
…That will probably take about three pages of report paper.”
I gave a self-deprecating smile.
Over these two weeks, I had completed all her assignments, but always in an ‘energy-saving’ way.
My walking resembled Noh theater, and my curtsies barely used muscle.
From the Grand Duke’s perspective, it would not be strange if he thought I was mocking tradition.
“…I will simply report the facts as they are.”
Sylvia adjusted her glasses.
I did not miss the faint tremble in her fingertips.
Her complexion was poor.
Even with heavy foundation, the dark circles under her eyes and her rough skin could not be hidden.
Caught between the absolute authority of the Grand Duke and an unconventional student like me, her stress was clearly at its limit.
‘…Poor thing.’
The sorrow of middle management.
Just like me in my previous life.
Unreasonable demands from above, pressure from below.
If left alone, she would eventually break, or worse, take me down with her.
So she needed care.
Not care to defeat an enemy, but care to turn one into an ally.
“Sylvia.”
I closed my textbook.
“Before the inspection, may I request a little ‘supplementary lesson’?”
“Supplementary lesson?
Which subject?”
“‘Beauty.’
…Tonight, after the library is locked.”
I smiled mischievously.
“This is not an order.
…It is an invitation, from one comrade-in-arms to another.”
The library at midnight.
In the quiet space, two women sat facing each other.
Myself, and Sylvia.
But not as teacher and student.
Our faces were covered with white masks—what would be called beauty packs in modern times.
“…Lady Eliana.
What exactly is this?”
“Please do not speak.
The mask will shift.”
I sank deep into the sofa and sipped my herbal tea.
The lights were dimmed, and only the flames of the aroma candles flickered.
“This is a ‘forced reset.’
Sylvia, your skin has been screaming for help.”
“…I apologize for showing you something unsightly.”
“There is no need to apologize.
Working too hard for others until you wear yourself down… that is very common.”
I said so plainly.
She was called the ‘Ice Executioner,’ but in truth she was more responsible and earnest than anyone.
To fulfill the Grand Duke’s ideals, she had suppressed her emotions and turned herself into a machine.
“But, Sylvia.
You cannot do good work with tools that are not properly maintained.”
I patted my own cheek lightly.
“You aim too much for ‘perfection.’
It is impossible to keep scoring 100 points forever.
Sometimes you settle for 60 points and save the remaining 40 for tomorrow.
…That is how you survive long-term.”
“…Sixty points.”
She murmured the words softly.
“Such an incomplete result should never be permitted…”
“I permit it.”
I grinned.
“Because what I am aiming for is not a ‘perfect queen,’ but a ‘happy royal consort.’”
I smiled broadly.
“If I am happy, then your education earns a perfect score.
…Is that not so?”
Sylvia fell silent.
In the candlelight, I could sense her iron mask beginning to melt.
“…You are a sly one, Lady Eliana.”
After a while, she said in a trembling voice.
“Lazy, selfish, and silver-tongued.
…And yet, somehow, impossible to hate.”
“I will take that as the highest praise.”
“…This mask is cool.
It feels nice.”
“Right?
It is a high-end Imperial product.
I have extra, so please take some home.”
“…I accept.”
She smiled softly.
It was the first genuine smile I had ever seen from her.
Her shoulders relaxed, and for a moment, she was simply a woman again.
That night, we did not talk about manners or the Grand Duke.
We just drank tea and stared vacantly at the flames.
No words were necessary.
A sense of camaraderie was born between two people fighting the same exhausting battles.
The next day at noon.
As promised, Duke Valerius appeared in the library.
“…Now then, Sylvia.”
The Grand Duke sat on the sofa and turned a sharp gaze toward the head maid.
“Let me hear your report.
Is this girl’s education progressing well?
Her defects, her unfit conduct as royalty—tell me everything.”
His intent was obvious.
He meant to have my flaws listed here, then impose harsher training or crush my spirit entirely.
I stood silently beside them.
My posture was maintained through ‘skeletal stacking.’
I did not look at Sylvia.
How she reported was her choice alone.
Sylvia stepped forward.
Thanks to last night’s mask, her skin was glossy.
Her expression was the usual poker face, but there was no hesitation in her eyes.
“I will report, Your Grace.”
Her voice rang out clearly.
“As for Lady Eliana’s progress…
It is ‘extremely favorable.’”
“Oh?”
The Grand Duke raised an eyebrow.
“You say there are no defects?
That manner of walking, those relaxed movements—do you approve of them?”
“Yes.
I approve.”
Sylvia declared firmly.
“At first glance, Lady Eliana’s conduct may appear lazy.
However, it is in fact the ultimate form of refinement, stripped of all excess.”
She gestured toward me with an open palm.
“Achieving maximum effect with minimal movement.
…This is not mere preservation of old traditions, but an evolution that adds a new interpretation for a new era.”
“…Evolution, you say?”
“Yes.
The hardships endured by past queens are accomplished effortlessly by Lady Eliana.
That is because she understands the underlying principles.”
Sylvia adjusted her glasses.
Light glinted behind the lenses.
“As her instructor, I can state this unequivocally.
…Lady Eliana possesses the kind of ‘strength’ the royal family needs going forward.
Further correction is unnecessary.”
It was not a lie.
But it was not the full truth either.
She had wrapped my ‘laziness’ in the beautiful word ‘evolution.’
It was the strongest possible defense.
When the drill sergeant declares someone perfect, no one can object.
The Grand Duke looked utterly taken aback.
A glowing evaluation from his trusted subordinate was the last thing he expected.
“…Sylvia.
I did not expect you to speak so highly.”
He turned his gaze to me.
“What did you do?
Did you bribe Sylvia?”
“Of course not.
I simply attended my lessons diligently.”
I replied calmly.
I could never admit to bribery by face packs.
The Grand Duke looked back and forth between us for a moment, then snorted.
“…Very well.”
He stood, leaning on his cane.
“If the ‘Ice Executioner’ has given her seal of approval, then I have no objections.
…There is still half the education period left, but continue as you have been.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“However!”
The Grand Duke added a warning.
“Next week’s ‘rehearsal’ will not be so lenient.
…Do you truly believe that mountain road can be conquered by carriage?”
“Please look forward to it.
I will show you perfect ‘purity.’”
The Grand Duke smirked and left.
It seemed he had accepted the report.
Or perhaps he had noticed Sylvia’s change as well—the improved complexion and the sense that a burden had been lifted.
The door closed.
The tension drained away.
“…Thank you very much, Sylvia.”
“No thanks are necessary.”
Sylvia turned back and gave a small wink.
The iron-masked woman had winked.
It was a shocking sight.
“I merely stated the facts.
…Besides, if you were disqualified, my supply of face packs would be cut off.”
“Hehe.
I have a lifetime’s worth in stock.”
We laughed together.
No longer teacher and student.
We were accomplices, and the strongest partners imaginable.
With this, the internal threat was gone.
My appearance and manners were now protected by the ironclad shield known as Sylvia.
All that remained were the external enemies.
Yes—the physical ‘holy pilgrimage’ mountain road.
Ten kilometers of bad terrain.
Mud and dust.
All to be conquered with a ‘pure vehicle.’
I pulled out the blueprint for the modified carriage Claude and I had designed together from my desk drawer.
“Now then.
Let us put the finishing touches on this.”
With the strongest maid at my side, I was now invincible.
Just wait, holy land.
I would conquer you gracefully, without leaving even a single tire mark behind.