I let out a sigh, it couldn’t be helped. As Fray treated me like a piece of luggage, I answered Leila’s question.

“Yes, Leila, please come in.”

The door opened, and Leila stepped in with her usual perfect posture. "Lady Carine, Professor Karvin is ready for your lesson. Shall I help you prepare?"

I gave a small nod and she went to work.

Ahh, what should I do?

Since escaping Fray’s iron grip was out of the question, the least I could do was to try and weasel out of the private tutoring.

I considered various excuses—my head injury, a sudden cold, spontaneous amnesia—but knowing Mother and her Talent-full staff, they’d see through it faster than I could say “apple pie.” So, I abandoned the idea.

Leila was brushing my hair with her usual precision. Meanwhile, in Feyt’s body, I was being unceremoniously carried off by Fray like a bag of baggage. Great. Where was she even taking me?

“Lady Carine?”

“Hm?” I looked at Leila through the mirror. “What’s the problem?”

“You seem to be deep in thought. Is something the matter?”

“It’s nothing, trying my best to focus.”

“I see,” Leila said as she did the finishing touches, ensuring I looked presentable. “Shall I accompany you there, Lady Carine?”

“That would be great, Leila.”

We walked down the corridor and headed downstairs where the study room is located. The mansion seemed quieter now, with staff mostly resting on the upper floors. The only ones in the corridor seemed to be knights—security, if you will—patrolling.

One such knight spotted us as we walked by and bowed. “Good afternoon, Lady Carine.”

Caught off guard, my body managed a bow back, “Good afternoon.”

Nailed the greeting again, that’s creepy…

After he left, Leila and I resumed our walk to the study room.

I wondered to myself, why was there security inside the mansion? Shouldn’t they be outside?

Nah, I probably shouldn’t think too deeply about this. Nobles can do whatever they want, after all… Me included! Maybe.

“Lady Carine, we’re here.”

We finally arrived at the study room door. Leila opened it to reveal a small, cozy room that would be inviting if it weren’t for the inevitable stress of juggling jogging and listening to a lecture at once.

Based solely on Carine’s memories, lectures weren’t my forte. I could read and learn from books just fine, but listening to lectures would almost always lead me to learn almost nothing.

I’m a read-a-holic, not listen-a-holic…

That was probably why Mother instructed Leila to keep me in my room so I could gather up my focus.

Professor Karvin, an old man with hair that had seen better days, was already seated at the desk. His drowsy eyes met mine and he gave a warm smile.

“Good afternoon, Lady Carine. Shall we begin?”

Ahh, I really don’t want to~

“Yes, we may,” I reluctantly said.

The lecture started as soon as I took my seat. Professor Karvin began droning on about the duties and responsibilities of nobility.

“Now, Lady Carine, as you approach the age of maturity, it’s important to understand the weight of your responsibilities as the heir of a duke. As you may know, soon you will accompany your father to observe the lives of villagers outside the capital.”

The words coming out of Professor Karvin’s mouth seemed to blur together as I felt a sudden jolt in my other body.

…

“Faster, Feyt!” You can do better than that!” Fray’s voice boomed through the streets of the village, her encouragement sounding more like a drill sergeant’s commands.

“Y-yes!” I managed to squeak out.

What the hell?! I was dropped off by the village gate and was suddenly told to jog to the other gate?!

I was trying my best to keep up with Fray, but these thin sandals ain’t helping! I could feel every damn rock digging into my feet on this god-forsaken road!

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

…

I slowly focused my attention back on Carine and managed a weak, “Y-yes, observing the villagers… very important.”

The professor stared at me, his eyebrow raised. “Indeed, but can you explain why you must understand how people outside cities live their lives?”

As I tried to focus, another wave of exhaustion hit me from Feyt’s body.

…

Fray had me jogging at a relentless pace, my legs and lungs felt like they were burning.

“Come on! Don’t tell me you’re giving up already!” Fray shouted from afar.

I was trying my best, dammit!! But bugs kept trying to invade my mouth and nostrils!!

…

“Lady Carine?” Professor Karvin asked.

“U-uh! Yes! It helps us… rule better?” I said, trying to ignore the pain of my other body’s legs.

I was embarrassing myself, dammit! How could I focus on a lecture in the middle of a marathon?! Feyt’s body was on the brink of collapse and I could barely sit still as Carine!

“That’s correct, but it’s more nuanced than that, Lady Carine.” The professor sighed, shaking his head. “With kids like these… Setus is doomed…” I could hear him whisper.

I didn’t have super hearing as Carine, meaning his whisper was clearly audible. It was almost as if he wanted me to hear it.

As I pondered about it, I felt a weird, sudden, relaxing sensation on Feyt’s body.

…

I had collapsed, thankfully Fray caught me before I hit the ground.

“Good work! Not as good as before, but I’ll allow some leeway for today.”

“For today”?? Oh god, I better not have to do this tomorrow too…

I couldn’t even talk properly, I felt like my lungs had already given up.

“Alright, let’s get you home!”

Fray grabbed me by the sides and placed me onto her back. With my arms over her shoulders, she began carrying me back home.

It would be a relaxing, wholesome moment were it not for my legs and lungs screaming at me. But, for the time being, I was thankful for the opportunity to fully focus on Carine.

…

“Lady Carine, if I may ask, is something troubling you?”

Professor Karvin’s question pulled my focus back. “N-no, nothing! Why do you ask?”

“From what I can see, your body is here, but your mind seems elsewhere.”

Yep, that’s about right.

“I must ask you to focus, Lady Carine. Your role in this land is far greater than you could imagine. One day, you would bear the name of the Sareid. My role is to train you so that you may hold up to that title in the future.”

“Of course, Professor. I’ll try my best to focus.”

With Feyt out of the game, I could afford to focus more.

“Are you sure? Even now I could see your eyes staring into nothing.”

Ah, shoot, I spaced out.

“I was… merely trying to concentrate.”

Professor Karvin eyed me suspiciously. “About what? The lives of those outside the capital?”

“Yes, of course, that,” I nodded fervently.

“Hmph, I doubt you ever even stepped foot outside this mansion ever since you were born.”

Who’s this old man? He was respectful to me before, now he’s acting like I’m some sort of brat?!

I felt challenged, I wanted to prove him wrong. The name Carine Sareid bears the mark of perfection, and I intend to live up to that!

“I assure you, Professor Karvin, I can see the suffering of those who are born without silverware presented to them.”

Professor Karvin leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Then tell me, Lady Carine, what is it that separates a town from a village? Is it the fact there are no cakes ready to buy at a moment’s notice?”

“No, of course not.”

This old man was definitely looking down on me. I’m not some uncultured brat! I knew very well what a typical village was like, heck, I was experiencing it right then and there.

“It is the houses, made out of rickety wood that would creak with every step. It is the roads, filled with rocks that dig into your feet as you run or walk. It is the insects that loudly buzz around you everywhere you go, some of them assaulting your face when you’re only minding your own business.”

As you could probably guess, I was complaining about my jog around the village as Feyt.

Professor Karvin observed me silently, his cocky demeanor slightly toned down. "And what of the people? Do they wear plain dresses without a hint of gold? Or perhaps they go about in nothing but rags all day?"

Where did that come from? Almost everyone I jogged past was wearing modest, traditional clothing.

“You must be joking, they may not wear dresses or suits but they do dress well with what they have. Such a way of thinking is harmful to have, don’t you think?”

Professor Karvin stroked his beard as he flashed a small grin. “Yes, harmful indeed.” Without warning, he stood up and fixed his tie. “Lady Carine, it is rare for someone as young as you to have such an understanding of the less fortunate.”

“What do you mean?”

Professor Karvin looked out the window behind him, staring at the distant castle as he explained, “Listen closely, Lady Carine. Me and the third Prince had been fighting for a better education practice for future heirs of aristocratic titles.”

More education?! Like I’m not pushed to the limit already.

“Our efforts had been fruitless thus far, and as a result, many young noble heirs don’t seem to understand even the basics of what a village is.”

He began taking a slow walk, pacing around the room. “Every kid I have taught personally either believes that villages were merely slightly impoverished versions of towns or places of extreme poverty. Some who believe this weren’t even kids, mind you. Setus as a kingdom was heading in a rather dire path.”

“What you’re saying is that most nobles are clueless about the commoners?”

“Precisely. They lack the empathy and understanding necessary to govern effectively. They see themselves as rulers by birthright, not by the mandate of the people.” He paused, glancing back at me as if to gauge my reaction.

I didn’t know what to say, so my face remained stoic.

Professor Karvin resumed his pacing, with hands behind his back. “It truly is a shame for a kingdom that prides itself on its academy to not take my and the Third Prince’s concerns to heart. Imagine the potential they could have if they were taught properly at a young age. Sure, some learn of this as they grow older, but so much potential is wasted.”

I didn’t know what he was talking about, to be honest. I remembered being educated properly for my age, maybe a little too much, though. Could other aristocratic kids have it easier than this?

“The kingdom believes that the current education is more than enough. They argue that further education can be pursued at the academy. But the Third Prince and I believe it could be better, far better. We needed proof to convince them.”

“Proof?” I tilted my head.

Karvin nodded. “Yes. If someone young was already wise and benevolent, their potential would shine brightly, undeniable even to the most skeptical. That’s why I became a private tutor. I wanted to find, or at least teach, someone who could be our proof.”

He stopped pacing and leaned slightly towards me, his eyes locking onto mine. “And you, Carine, you are the proof the Prince is looking for.”

“...Huh?"

----------------------------------------

image [https://i.imgur.com/RdC5Gde.png]