By Zephyria 
I never imagined Poplar Kiadris would remain in the capital.
Hestia Yeldidus had seized the position of Yeldidus Former Duke. She stayed in the capital to sort out the businesses her father had been running there, and in return for taking on some duties at the Imperial Palace while Ruben was away during Floyd’s subjugation, she was now reaping considerable rewards.
Poplar Kiadris, who had been subjected to something that was either a kidnapping or a rescue by Hestia Yeldidus, was also confined to the capital.
But what could Poplar possibly do in the Empire’s capital? When she used to frequent high society, there were many places hosting parties, but I heard that for a long time after my disappearance, the entire Empire was so somber that even small tea parties were nonexistent.
Like those who were not born into wealth, Poplar had only practiced how to be a good spouse and knew nothing of state affairs or business.
Everyone knew Hestia Yeldidus was protecting her, so no one dared to treat her poorly, but the label of being born to the wicked Duke Kiadris always followed her. Because of this, she felt perpetually out of place in the capital.
That was also why Ruben was able to bring Poplar to my etiquette class.
She was one of the most skilled in etiquette in this capital, and the woman with the least to do.
❖ ❖ ❖
I entered and sat, waiting for her.
Poplar stood at the door precisely at the appointed time. Even though the door was already open, she announced her arrival through the maidservant accompanying her.
As I entered the room, two maidservants stood at attention in a corner of the square room.
The lady covered her chest with a folded fan and held the hem of her skirt with her other hand, bowing her head slightly. Most courtesies felt excessive to me now. I responded with a simple nod, and the lady spoke with a sharp voice before even offering a first greeting.
“Your angle was incorrect.”
“…Excuse me?”
“When you nod, you can’t just twitch your chin like that. Even though I am your subordinate compared to Duke Ernhardt, you should have straightened your neck and shoulders and bowed at least ten degrees more.”
“…Ah. …Like this?”
“Yes.”
After nodding once more, I raised my head.
The woman, whose bright red hair was braided and coiled into a bun, seemed to exude a fierce aura with every blink of her eyes. I had thought she looked striking from afar, but up close, her eyes, nose, and mouth were all dazzlingly beautiful, resembling a Crown Flower.
The woman’s slender hand gripped the fan tightly. Was she scared? I hadn’t released my energy, nor had I said a single threatening word to her. Poplar’s behavior, constantly watching my reactions, made me feel quite awkward.
“Then… how should one offer a first greeting?”
“Since you are my superior, Duke, you should have entered ten minutes after the appointed time. Once I am here and state my name and purpose, you, Duke…”
“No, my surname is shared with my family, so that title is burdensome. Lord Ernhardt is sufficient.”
“…Yes. Lord Ernhardt should respond in a way that is comfortable for you and then invite me to sit. If I happen to act in a way you dislike, it’s fine to leave me standing.”
“Inviting a guest to sit first is something I know as well. Let’s talk while seated.”
“…Yes.”
She half-opened her fan to cover her chest and bowed her head gracefully once more to express her thanks.
I was amazed at how her shoulders didn’t sway even a millimeter as she moved. This, too, was a form of training. If this woman had learned Stealth techniques, she would have reached quite an advanced realm. Poplar gently gathered her skirt, and after waiting for her to sit, I sat opposite her.
Now I understood why Hestia Yeldidus was so protective of her.
From a distance, she seemed like a Sagall, but her actions were those of a complete Rabbit. I could easily picture how Richard must have manipulated her. A woman who had received no affection from her family and could not make friends, having been raised with strict discipline, couldn’t hide her anxious gaze when placed alone in an unfamiliar environment.
No, this was only visible to my eyes, which had awakened to the Eye Technique.
Her movements were graceful, and not a fingertip trembled without purpose. Her initial sharp criticism, aimed at me before any pleasantries, was also transparently motivated. She wanted to seize the initiative. She assumed I wouldn’t listen to her.
I had no intention of manipulating this young woman. It was enough for her to learn what I taught. After all, that was why I had invited her. I decided to act meekly.
Therefore, I spoke in the gentlest voice I could manage.
“As a courtesy of the host, I intend to serve tea from now on. I would appreciate it if you could observe whether my demeanor or the sequence is acceptable, Young Lady.”
“Yes. Then I will gratefully accept your hospitality.”
If there was one thing I was skilled at, it was handling tea ware. Having learned from my mother, who was a Duke’s daughter, I was confident this meticulous woman would be satisfied. I was sure of it.
For about three minutes, that is.
“…Lord Ernhardt, may I ask why you place the teacup handle at the four o’clock position?”
“Pardon?”
This was before I heard her answer.
What was so important about the direction of a teacup handle?
Of course, I was vaguely aware that the etiquette of the Sierran Empire was meticulously crafted and detailed. However, I had thought it was sufficient to use only my thumb and index finger to lift the cup, support the handle with my middle finger, and keep my ring and pinky fingers extended at the appropriate angle.
I had perfectly mimicked my mother’s elegant posture, but I had only managed to copy the way she lifted the cup and saucer. There were so many etiquette rules regarding handling tea that I didn’t know.
“The teacup handle should always be placed at the three o’clock position. When adding sugar, move from the twelve o’clock to the six o’clock position, drawing a line without touching the teacup. You shouldn’t stir it like that. Since you’re adding hot water, the sugar will dissolve quickly without stirring the tea.”
“Ah…”
“Holding the saucer so close to the cup is no better than not holding it at all. If you, Lord Ernhardt, were a small child with small hands and a small build, it might be acceptable to hold the saucer with your left hand and support the cup. Because lifting the teacup with just your thumb and index finger might be difficult. But now… you are an adult.”
“…That’s right.”
These kinds of etiquette rules had long been abandoned due to rationalism and convenience. At the Academy, many children drank tea from handleless cups or very thick mugs.
No, that was an excuse. Being criticized so directly made me feel greatly embarrassed.
Following Poplar Kiadris’s instructions, I carefully adjusted the way I covered the teacup with my fingertips and the angle of my gestures.
What difference did it make whether I held the saucer close or far? However, since this was also a way to make a good impression on others, I corrected myself with all sincerity. Poplar’s initially sharp voice softened after three hours of correcting my tea ceremony.
Was I finally at ease?
It might not be a very important matter, but since the teacher was at ease, the student was also at ease. I asked her about various things without hesitation. During that time, I also asked about and learned a few things about Fan Language.
For example, covering the front of one’s body with a folded fan when greeting meant ‘I respect you,’ and fanning twice after sitting meant ‘I am now ready.’
“…You knew I didn’t know Fan Language when you came, didn’t you? Yet you kept…”
“Lord Ernhardt, do you not blink when the other person isn’t looking?”
“…Hmm.”
“Especially when you want to subtly convey something difficult to say aloud, you act that way intentionally, hoping that even those around you, not just the person you’re speaking to, will notice. It’s a gesture made out of awareness of surrounding gazes.”
“…May I borrow your fan for a moment?”
“That’s rude.”
“Ah.”
“…Still, I’ll lend it to you for a moment. You seem to have something you want to ask, so just this once. Next time, please prepare your own personal fan.”
“…Yes.”
I received the beautiful fan and, recalling it from memory, opened it with a crisp snap. As I covered my nose and mouth and fanned gently, Poplar Kiadris narrowed her brow.
“Who taught you that?”
“Why? Does it have a negative meaning?”
“My true feelings weren’t that. Please just let it pass. It means something like that.”
“…If I fold the fan like this again, with a snap?”
“It means you have no intention of ending it yet, right? That’s what you’re asking. After that, it’s practically asking for a fight.”
“…Tapping the table like this?”
“Everything I say from now on is the truth.”
These were the actions I had seen when I met Hestia Yeldidus at the Second Prince’s Palace.
So that’s what it meant. Understanding the meaning and matching it, I felt like I was starting to grasp it. As I was about to return the fan, she shook her head and gestured. Following Poplar’s intent, I turned it so the handle was facing me and handed it back. This resembled the etiquette for handing over a dagger or a weapon.
Looking down at the fan ribs, which were not threatening at all, I couldn’t help but smile. I realized I couldn’t learn all the etiquette ingrained in her body in just a day or two, so my priorities became clear.
“Indeed, it would be best to learn this first.”
“Fan Language?”
“Yes. Did you hear why I wish to learn etiquette?”
I saw doubt and anxiety flicker in Poplar’s eyes again. The woman held the front and back of the fan with both hands and rested it on her thighs. I was very curious if this also had some meaning.
You didn’t hear.
Did she know I had made a public proposal to Ruben? If there was no one around, her sources of information would be limited. However, this was something that could be discussed at length. I cleared away the now-cold tea leaves, which had become cold from pouring the tea the same way several times, and refilled the cups.
For Poplar, and for me. Clear-colored tea was placed before us. As long as it tasted good, that was enough.
“My future mother-in-law seems to be very proficient in speaking with this fan.”
“…Yes?”
“I need to gain the favor of an elder, and it seems understanding speech is more important than knowing how to pour tea. I just want to act amiable and show that I’m not deaf, so I need you to teach me well, Young Lady.”
Poplar Kiadris’s eyes widened.