CH 80

Margaret Dudley was once known as "the perfect lady".

A lady's maid to the previous queen, she continued to be a lady's maid after her marriage to the Earl of Dudley, and served him for a long time.

She was highly trusted by the previous queen, who had personally asked her to make sure that her grandson, Edward, would have an educated lady when his fiancée was chosen.

Mariabelle, who was brought to her in this way, was a very talented student.

'She was so quick to learn that I may have been a little too strict with her, but I am convinced that it was the right education to compensate for the fact that Edward, the heir to the throne, was a bit unreliable.'

The royal family was now secure. Just as she was relieved that she could repay the legacy of the previous queen who died ten years ago, Edward suddenly broke off his engagement with Mariabelle.

Moreover, his new fiancée was a commoner saloon girl.

Mrs. Dudley, upon hearing the news, fell ill.

When she woke up, she found that she had already been appointed as Edward's new fiancée's teacher.

Annette, a commoner's daughter, did not even know what manners were.

It would have been better to teach a newborn baby.

Moreover, Annette would immediately complain to Edward that she was a little too strict with her.

Mrs. Dudley, who was trying her best to have Annette learn at least some manners by the time of the engagement, was the one being blamed for the situation.

She said, "Miss Annette, please stand up straight and walk properly."

"I'm working hard."

"Please say, 'I am trying,' not ''I am working hard.' This will never correct your posture. Let's keep a ruler on your back."

Mrs. Dudley tried to put a long ruler in the back of her dress, as she did with children who have a habit of rounding their backs, but Annette made a fuss and refused to do so.

Edward, hearing the commotion, came over and reprimanded Mrs. Dudley for Annette's tearful appearance.

"Annette is still getting used to aristocratic society," Edward said. "She is not used to the aristocracy yet, so you might want to teach her a little more slowly."

"With all due respect," she said, "we don't have the luxury to take our time. If you don't have the minimum manners for a betrothal ceremony, it is the royal family that will be humiliated."

"It is your duty to do something about it."

"If she is unwilling to do so, there is nothing I can do. I am sure that if it were you, you would have spent every waking moment trying to do something about it."

"Oh, my God, what? I'm not Mariabelle," she said, "I'm not Mariabelle. I'm not Mariabelle, so it's no wonder I can't do it!"

Mrs. Dudley suppressed her rising anger.

Annette didn't understand.

After depriving Mariabelle, who was called the perfect lady, of her fiancée status, Annette must prove to the world that she is an even more wonderful woman.

It is not enough to be ordinary. It is not enough to be just good.

If she is not more attractive than anyone else, she will look inferior when compared to Mariabelle.

That's why she was giving her strict guidance...

"Mrs. Dudley," she said, "you must be tired. I am sure you are tired. Why don't you get some rest?"

"Your Highness..."

It was, in effect, a dismissal.

Mrs. Dudley clenched her palms tightly.

The previous queen's will is...

The promise to make Edward's fiancée a perfect lady is...

I can't keep it anymore.

Mrs. Dudley bowed her head, "I understand," and immediately left the castle.

As Mrs. Dudley left the castle through the gates, she looked back at the castle one last time.

The chalk castle, which had always been shining white, somehow looked grayish and dull.