I wonder how Vika Lamberst is teaching Kian Blake……. Surely, he’s not summoning dark spirits to paralyze him or anything like that?
I wish I could read memories too.
“Vika Lamberst isn’t giving Kian Blake any bad influences, is he? Like telling him stories about Valat, or only dark elf biographies and ghost tales? You know Vika Lamberst loves that kind of stuff.”
Simply put, Vika Lamberst was an elf who obsessively adored the Demon King, dark elves, and ghosts.
“If you’re that worried, hurry up and learn some manners. You need to internalize this world’s etiquette quickly so I can proceed as originally planned—getting closer to Kian Blake through parenting lessons or whatever. Right now, you’re more of a problem than Kian Blake, you know that?”
“I can pick up that kind of etiquette quickly once I start learning.”
“That’s not what I mean. Remember I mentioned Gillian’s wedding is coming up soon? In the novel you read, the wedding was briefly described, but since it’s a royal wedding, it won’t be simple at all. It’ll be held very grandly.”
“I know it’ll be grand. Even though it was just a single line in the novel, it was written that way. But why is that my problem?”
“Because we have to pass through the procession together.”
“Wait. So… we have to walk through that crowd together?”
“That’s exactly the problem. You have agoraphobia—you suffer panic attacks in crowded places.”
I already felt nausea rising. The moment I covered my mouth, Sikar Blake, who knew my condition well, immediately called Andrea to bring me motion sickness medicine.
Fortunately, thanks to the medicine, I didn’t vomit, but the nauseous feeling didn’t improve at all.
I suffered from agoraphobia—whenever there were too many people, I felt dizzy and terrified, often fainting.
Therefore, I had never once attended graduation ceremonies or entrance ceremonies, events always packed with people.
The only beings I never feared were children. That’s why I became a teacher at a small rural daycare.
Sikar Blake knew this well, which was why our wedding had been kept small and intimate.
“Is there… no way to avoid it?”
“It’s unthinkable for us to skip the procession at the king’s wedding. But I do have a good idea. On that day, wear a veil-hat, get into the carriage, and just sleep. When you open your eyes, everything will be over.”
“Really? But how will I fall asleep?”
“Vika Lamberst will summon a sleep spirit to put you to sleep.”
“So when I wake up, can I just go back home?”
“No, you can’t—you’ll need to greet the queen. When you wake up, the wedding ceremony will already be finished, and you’ll be with the royal family and a few select nobles.”
That still makes me nervous… But since it won’t be hundreds of people, just that small group, I should be able to breathe fine.
“So this is settled then—no more problems, right?”
“No, the real problems start now. You’ll have to meet the king and queen, yet you don’t even know what ‘dignity’ means, and you can’t dance.”
‘What is he talking about?’
“Do we have to dance?”
“You’re asking if it’s obvious?”
“Can’t we just skip it? As you know, my entire dance repertoire consists of children’s nursery rhyme moves….”
Sikar Blake narrowed his eyes again and glared at me.
“You really….”
What did I do wrong?
“You seem worried you’ll step on my feet because you can’t dance.”
“…….”
“Am I that appealing?”
“Stop it….”
“Don’t worry. You won’t step on my feet with those tiny little things.”
Should I just stomp on his foot without mercy? I was just starting to think how I could make his foot hurt even more when Sikar Blake let out a long sigh.
“I’ve never felt helpless in my life. But you… I genuinely don’t know where to even begin teaching you. So starting today, we’re beginning intensive training.”
“Intensive training…?”
“First, I’ll focus on correcting your speech, behavior, and gait. You know absolutely nothing about dealing with nobles.”
Having lived my entire life as a commoner and avoided people, I initially found everything unfamiliar—being served by someone, or commanding someone else. I struggled greatly learning those things at first.
Now that I’ve barely corrected those behaviors, I’m told I must learn how to deal with nobles. Just thinking about interacting with nobles, when I already struggle with ordinary people, made my head spin.
But somehow, the “dignity” Sikar Blake was teaching me seemed a bit odd.
“First, when nobles greet you, don’t respond immediately. Just glance at them slightly like this, then nod your head elegantly once. Understand?”
This definitely doesn’t seem like how nobles greet each other. Isn’t this how villains greet people?
“You want me to treat people like that? Nobles, even? Won’t that come across as too arrogant…?”
“It’s about projecting dignity. You’re a duchess.”
If I interacted with people exactly as Sikar Blake described, it would indeed be very convenient. But I’d never treated anyone that way in my entire life.
If I couldn’t convincingly play the dignified duchess as Sikar Blake described, I’d rather at least try to play the graceful duchess.
“I don’t think I can pull off the role you’re describing. You know that. Haven’t I been polite all this time…?”
“You were just timid.”
“We call that politeness. Anyway, teach me how to become a graceful person with proper etiquette fitting this world.”
Reluctantly, Sikar Blake described to me the image of a graceful duchess as he understood it.
“When they introduce themselves first, say their name once. If they try to speak to you again, ignore them and walk away. If you prolong pointless conversations, you’ll run out of things to say and end up clapping and laughing along just to keep up. The thought of my wife giggling ‘hehehe’ with noble ladies gives me chills.”
Normal people live like that. You villain.
“I’m not that sociable anyway, so I couldn’t do that even if I tried. And I can’t act haughtily like you suggested either.”
“I admired the guts you showed when you dared to speak down to me fearlessly just to protect your pride.”
That was partly because I believed Sikar Blake’s personality wouldn’t lead him to kill someone useful like me over something so trivial.
“As you know, I tend to be shy around people I don’t know well….”
“You weren’t like that with Vika Lamberst. You spoke your mind confidently.”
“I’d never actually met Vika Lamberst before, but I knew exactly what kind of person she was. And I knew you’d be on my side, so I could say those things.”
“In that case, the solution is already here.”
“Solution…?”
“I’ll always be on your side, even among other nobles. So trust me and walk around with your head held high.”
Apparently, this was beyond Sikar Blake’s comprehension—he’d never been shy or intimidated by others in his life.
Seeing me lost in deep thought, Sikar Blake must have sensed I was troubled, so he placed a cookie in front of me.
I was somewhat grateful he remembered I liked cookies. I was craving something sweet at that moment too.
“You don’t need to appear nice to other people. To them, you should seem difficult to approach. That way, you’ll be more comfortable too.”
He wasn’t necessarily wrong, but I was more comfortable being kind to people than acting haughty. That’s precisely why it was a problem.
“Thank you for the cookie. I’ll enjoy it.”
“Eat it and cheer up a bit. Maybe it’ll help lift your sagging motivation.”
“I already feel half better.”
“Good. Our Happy used to wag his tail instantly whenever we gave him a snack whenever he was feeling down.”
As I took a bite of the cookie, I nearly spat it onto Sikar Blake’s face. Did he think of his dog every time he felt I liked him, since apparently only his dog and family ever liked him?
Anyway, thanks to Happy’s love of snacks, I got to enjoy this snack time. I silently thanked Happy, who must now be on Rainbow Star, before settling into my snack break.
I wanted to savor my favorite cookie and drink a cup of coffee, but just as I finished the cookie, musicians entered the room, making that impossible. I whispered quietly to Sikar Blake.
“Who are these people?”
“Musicians. You need music to practice dancing.”
“No, no. We can do it without.”
It’s uncomfortable! But Sikar Blake ignored my opinion entirely and told the musicians,
“Begin playing.”
The moment Sikar Blake gave the order, a flood of intense string music poured forth.
I’d never imagined this—I had to dance aristocratic social dances in front of live musicians.
Unlike my serious demeanor, Sikar Blake remained utterly composed. Well, he’s always composed.
“We won’t start dancing immediately, so don’t tense up unnecessarily.”
I told him I couldn’t figure him out. I stared at Sikar Blake as if asking what he meant.
“First, you’ll familiarize your ears with the music. That way, when you start learning the dance, you’ll pick it up faster.”
True, learning the rhythm first would help me learn faster. I thought that was a good idea—until the music started.
The music was so soothingly gentle it made lullabies seem stimulating.
Already, sunlight streamed lazily through the window onto the plush sofa as I listened to classical music, and my eyelids kept drooping.
I tried to keep my eyes wide open by straining them, but my eye muscles felt loose, and I couldn’t keep them properly open.
Unable to resist the overwhelming drowsiness, I fell asleep without even realizing when—like fainting.
While asleep, I felt someone firmly holding my hand, but I couldn’t easily wake up.
After all, the afternoon sunshine was so warm and cozy.
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
