"Didn't we fail your trial?" Young Master Zoro asked hesitantly, his face flushed, inside the dojo.
"Hmm, that was just a small test of your talents," Nero said, moving the mask on her face to the side and playfully poking Zoro's shoulder.
"But, I didn't expect you, kid, to be such a romantic. Do you like older ladies?"
"Hmm, Kuina can certainly be seen as a beauty in the making. Your taste isn't bad at all!"
"N-nonsense! It's not like that at all!" Zoro secretly glanced at Kuina, and seeing her expression as usual, a hint of disappointment flashed in his heart for some reason.
"Kuina is an opponent I must surpass, not the kind of relationship you're talking about!"
"A strategy? I understand, starting like this… 'the early bird catches the worm'… and then… Hmm!!" Nero covered her head.
Hathaway's eye twitched as she retracted her palm-chop: "Your Majesty, please don't speak so carelessly to children."
"How can this be called speaking carelessly? Perhaps Kuina has the same thoughts, no?"
Nero turned and asked Kuina, who was on the other side trying to drink tea but was clumsy with her hands.
"Sorry, Nero-sama, I have no thoughts at all."
The answer was too firm, causing the atmosphere to suddenly turn cold. Nero looked at Zoro somewhat awkwardly.
Disappointment was clearly visible on Zoro's young face. Regardless of whether either of them had such thoughts, this categorical answer was still quite hurtful.
Nero scratched the back of her head, trying to smooth things over, but in the end, she just patted Zoro's back: "Hmm… how should I put this… don't mind it, first loves are usually not perfect."
"So noisy… I told you I don't care at all!"
"Hmm, hmm! I know!" Nero nodded cooperatively, pretending not to hear the tremor in Zoro's voice.
"Didn't you say you would teach us? Let's start now!"
Hearing Zoro's words, Kuina also stopped struggling with the teacup and looked over, her eyes sparkling.
Nero changed to a more relaxed posture: "Etiquette…"
"…"
"Please teach us!" x2
The two knelt down again, dragging their almost immobile arms.
"Hmm, no good!" Nero shook her head.
"Nani? Didn't we agree that you would teach us?"
"No, I meant your etiquette is no good!" Nero said with a playful smile on her lips.
"I don't want you to still be so rude after learning from me. My reputation would be ruined!"
"During the recovery period for your arms, Hathaway will teach you properly."
"Huh? What's the use of that? Stop dragging your feet and just teach me swordsmanship!"
As soon as Zoro heard he had to learn etiquette, his entire face immediately fell, and he loudly protested.
Although Kuina didn't say it explicitly, from her expression, it was clear she had the same thoughts.
"The so-called Way of the Sword is also an extension of the Way of the Heart. Regulating one's words and actions will make swordsmanship more elegant."
Hathaway took a few steps forward, moving to stand opposite the two: "As Your Majesty said, since you are to learn swordsmanship from Your Majesty, merely having talent is not enough… Young Master Zoro, Miss Kuina."
Hathaway used honorifics for the two, and her expression, unlike Nero's smiling one, was cold and quite intimidating to two young children.
Looking at Hathaway's face, the two were unable to utter a single word of rebuttal, instinctively casting their pleading gazes toward Nero, who was watching the show from the side.
Nero returned a smile and a thumbs-up.
"…"
Seeing the two's small gestures, Hathaway didn't wait for their reply and began to inform them of their upcoming schedule.
"Etiquette is a compulsory subject for every noble, and Nicuss's Royal Etiquette is sought after by upper-class individuals all over the world. This includes standing, walking, sitting…"
The rascal Zoro and the tomboy Kuina listened to Hathaway's incessant talk, exchanged glances, and involuntarily swallowed, their throats dry… "Your arm is raised too high, relax your shoulder naturally, don't keep it stiff."
Hathaway wielded her teaching whip with impressive force, and Zoro and Kuina looked miserable.
They had been learning etiquette from Hathaway for about a month. Initially, they planned to just go through the motions, figuring they could learn swordsmanship once their arm injuries healed.
But Hathaway, it must be said, was truly dedicated. Seeing their perfunctory attitude, she said nothing until their arms had healed, then coldly uttered a single sentence.
"Until Young Master Zoro and Miss Kuina's etiquette meets the standard, swordsmanship will be indefinitely postponed. Whenever your etiquette is up to par, that's when you can begin to learn swordsmanship."
"Nani?" x2
Ignoring their despairing expressions, Hathaway reminded them: "The two of you, please maintain sufficient respect for His Majesty. Although His Majesty's attitude towards you is amiable, please do not become overly complacent."
On one hand, she reminded them of Nero's identity, and on the other, she emphasized how hard-won such an opportunity was.
These youngsters, who had not yet seen how vast the world was, could not yet comprehend what kind of opportunity they had truly encountered… Time returned to the present.
"Today's practice ends here." Hathaway pulled out her pocket watch and checked the time: "Young Master Zoro and Miss Kuina's etiquette is basically up to standard. The rest will depend on tonight's practical assessment."
"Thank you for your guidance!" x2
Zoro and Kuina bowed, looking no different from well-educated noble children.
"Then, tonight's dinner for His Majesty will be entirely hosted by the two of you. I will monitor the entire process and grade you, so please pay attention to your words and actions."
"Hai!" x2
Their attire was also very different from a month ago, now being the uniforms specifically for Nicuss's valets and maids.
Initially, Hathaway intended to teach strictly according to royal etiquette, but then Hathaway witnessed what it meant to be 'a rotten log that cannot be carved.'
The result of repeated compromises was a special training class for maids and valets.
Even after this month, they were barely acceptable, only 'passable.' If these level of candidates hadn't been noticed by Nero, they wouldn't even be fit to stand before her in Nicuss.
Looking at the two, who now seemed quite proper, Hathaway felt no sense of accomplishment, but rather a feeling of exhaustion.
Before the dinner assessment began, she planned to find a place to rest for a while, to avoid witnessing the upsetting scenes that were to come.
After Hathaway left, Zoro and Kuina's elegant demeanor instantly crumbled.
"Dinner tonight… quickly, think of everything we need!"
"Tonight, Master will also be joining us!"
"Dinner for two? Cutlery… flowers… dessert… what else do we need?"
"Before that, we need to prepare the chairs, the carpet, and the tablecloth…"
"Kuso! Why are there so many troublesome things? It's just a meal!"
"Idiot! It's not your first day knowing this!"
Kuina and Zoro squatted on the ground, counting on their fingers, beginning to think about what preparations were needed.
Hathaway, who hadn't gone far and was still behind the door, sighed deeply, her face full of dark lines.
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