The Princess's Private Tutoring - Chapter 10

Episode 10. Wholesome and Decent

***

Morning had come. Though it was the first lesson, Celestia’s heart, preparing for her second official meeting, felt as light as walking on clouds.

“Are you going to wear that outfit again today?”

The dress inspired by Lady Eldorado’s idea had been stuffed in a corner.

“No, I’ll wear what I usually wear today.”

“Why? Didn’t you see some results yesterday?”

Celestia shook her head.

It was true Killian had an erection yesterday, but she wasn’t entirely sure it was because of her.

To be honest, Celestia thought it was more likely that his reaction wasn’t caused by her.

‘He might’ve just been surprised.’

Not knowing much about men, Celestia regarded an erection as something akin to a hiccup that popped out when startled.

What made her happy yesterday was simply the biological confirmation that he wasn’t defective.

She couldn’t even imagine Killian getting aroused because of her.

He was the kind of man who frowned every time their bare skin touched, so her thoughts were justified.

‘I thought he didn’t dislike me… was I just full of myself?’

Celestia’s emotions swung up and down more than a dozen times a day.

She hadn’t been like this when Killian was away from the kingdom, but now that they’d met, she couldn’t control her heart.

Who said first love was innocent?

Who said it was sweet because it was immature?

‘It’s a relief if it’s not just pathetic.’

Determined not to fumble today, she headed to the classroom, vowing to face him with poise.

Killian was waiting for her in the same conference room as yesterday. Once again, he sat far from where Celestia’s seat was prepared.

“Do you like today’s outfit, Sir Killian?”

“It’s a very appropriate outfit for a lesson. Please have a seat. The lesson materials are at your place.”

Celestia glanced down at the seat in front of her.

A stack of thick reports had completely occupied her space.

To Lyla and Anne, it was enough to make them sigh, but Celestia didn’t mind at all.

She was concerned about something else.

“Sir Killian, isn’t it too far for a proper lesson?”

“There’s no issue.”

Killian opened the first page of the report without even glancing at Celestia.

She gave him a side-eye, then sat down.

“I’ve compiled key points to understand for each country likely to attend the Sun Festival.”

Celestia quickly flipped through the pages to get a rough sense of the contents.

From nations with deep ties to the Kingdom of Mason to newly formed dynasties after recent civil wars, the material Killian had prepared was extensive.

The depth would be evident upon reading.

Though her thoughts were full of Killian before the lesson, she changed once she opened the report.

The youthful softness on her face disappeared, and her eyes shone brightly with intelligence.

Celestia carefully examined the contents.

Killian, who had far better eyesight than others, observed her. A look of interest briefly passed over his face.

After reading for a while, Celestia raised her head.

The distance was too great for her to see his expression clearly, so she asked, “Can you see me?”

“Yes, I see you clearly.”

“I can’t see you very well.”

Killian ignored her grumbling.

“Do we really have to sit this far apart during lessons?”

“You should experience the seat you’ll occupy later. That will always be your place, Your Highness.”

It was the top seat, where the king would usually sit.

Celestia’s cheeks lifted slightly. She liked how naturally he assumed she would become king.

He was truly different from other men.

Even after King Perriorson publicly declared he would pass the throne to Celestia, most noblemen gossiped behind her back.

“He says that now, but when the time comes, he’ll find a suitable prince among the relatives or take in a son-in-law.”

Celestia pressed her lips together to compose her crumbling expression.

“Pages 1 through 30, I already know. Let’s skip them.”

“Understood.”

“Next time, ask me beforehand what I already know. Or better yet, give me a short test.”

“Yes, I will.”

Celestia’s suggestion was logical. Killian readily accepted it.

Had he known what scheme she was planning, he would’ve never agreed.

“Then shall we look from page 31 together? Starting with the domestic situation of the new nation, Everon.”

Killian lowered his head. And so, he didn’t see it.

The glint of mischief that briefly flickered in Celestia’s eyes.

***

The first lesson lasted a full three hours. Both Celestia and Killian were extremely serious during the lesson.

Celestia asked questions whenever something puzzled her, and he answered without hesitation.

When their opinions occasionally clashed, Killian, despite being the teacher, respected Celestia’s viewpoint.

That said, he didn’t simply let her off the hook.

Naturally, this led to heated debates. They were intense, but there was never any hurt feelings.

“I could never be a diplomat.” Lyla, who was attending to Celestia that evening, said.

“Same here. Wow, when I brought the tea earlier, watching the two of you study was just… amazing. Passionate and intense! Sir Killian, who said he couldn’t teach the princess, was extremely enthusiastic,” Anne chimed in, echoing Lyla’s words.

“It was good, wasn’t it?”

Celestia let out a soft chuckle. She could never fool her ladies-in-waiting.

She hadn’t even brushed against him, but today’s lesson had been incredibly satisfying.

She had enjoyed listening to his low, charming voice for three hours, and once again found herself smitten by his attitude, so different from other teachers.

Most of Celestia’s instructors had a similar mindset, and it showed in their behavior.

They let things slide because she was a princess.

That underlying condescension, perhaps even jealousy, had hindered Celestia’s growth.

The instructors assigned her low-level tasks and praised her instead of correcting her mistakes.

More than ten instructors had been replaced because of that. Yet their lenient attitudes never changed.

‘Maybe it was flattery.’

She fully understood the desire to curry favor with the future ruler, but it had stunted her development.

In that sense, Killian had impressed her by rigorously pointing out her logical flaws during their debate.

He genuinely wished for her to grow.

“He’s really amazing.”

“What is?”

“He explains things so well. Like he’s been to those countries himself… his descriptions are vivid. I honestly wondered if he’d traveled instead of spending two years at the Academy.”

“Oh, come on. Would he really have traveled? I heard he’s known for being an exceptional scholar. Didn’t you even get copies of his Academy transcripts?”

Lyla’s rebuttal made Celestia laugh.

“I was joking. Someone as diligent as Killian wouldn’t have gone traveling. That’s why he’s amazing. How can he know the domestic affairs of other nations so well without even going there? He even knew things I’ve never read in the newspapers.”

“Why didn’t you ask him?”

“I did.”

“And what did he say?”

“He said he knows someone.”

“In every country?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s more impressive than his vivid descriptions. He has friends all over the world?”

“Right? Killian really is remarkable.”

Celestia smiled.

“By the way, tell us! Did you really only study for three hours?”

“Yes, we… hmm, oh.”

Celestia clutched her throat. Speaking loudly for three hours across such a long distance must have strained her voice.

“Oh no! Our princess’s sweet voice has turned to sandpaper!”

Lyla and Anne cried out in alarm.

“I’ll go fetch a doctor!”

“I’ll prepare warm water!”

“I’m fi—ugh, I’m fine.”

Celestia tried to stop them, but it was too late.

Just thinking about bitter medicine made her shudder. But maybe this wasn’t such a bad turn of events.