Resetting Lady

Raymond was a competent teacher.

There was no unnecessary excess in his teaching, and his corrections were always spot on. However, it might be a stretch to call him a regular teacher. Unlike the other instructors who followed a strict schedule and visited at fixed times, Raymond’s visits to Prince Lewis were irregular.

He felt more like a special guest than a typical instructor. Unlike the older teachers, who were politicians or scholars, Raymond was young, tall, and handsome, with a good sense of when to remain silent.

The older teachers, perhaps because of their backgrounds, would talk endlessly once they started, often rambling about topics unrelated to the lesson, dumping their thoughts on Lewis. Lewis didn’t mind studying or absorbing random knowledge, which was fortunate.

However, sometimes what the teachers shared was overwhelming for him. They would often speak plainly about things that should have been delicately explained to a child. This applied to academic matters as well as emotional ones. After a year, they no longer treated him as a child. Lewis didn’t have the luxury of remaining a child. He needed to become a political figure as quickly as possible. Fortunately, Lewis was more mentally mature than his peers.

Though there were more physical activities, the time spent on horseback riding and basic physical training was different from the time spent with Raymond.

“Why don’t you come as often as the other teachers?”

“There’s no need to spend too much time learning self-defense shooting. It’s just for your personal protection. As long as you know how to load and shoot, I believe that’s sufficient.”

In other words, there was no need for frequent visits. Lewis felt a bit disappointed. His time with Raymond felt like a break from the constant pressure of his studies.

“I heard my father is good at hunting. But I suppose he doesn’t use a pistol like this for it, does he?”

“Hunting with this would certainly be difficult. Even this pistol is still too heavy for Your Highness. Once you gain more muscle, I’ll bring something more suitable.”

“And for now?”

“You wouldn’t be able to lift it.”

Raymond looked around, picked up a log, and handed it to Lewis. As Lewis tried to hold it, he stumbled under the weight. Seeing this, Raymond commented,

“It’s about that weight.”

“Indeed… I’m not ready yet.”

“Do you like hunting?”

“I’ve never done it, so I don’t know. But since my father enjoys it, I’m curious.”

Crown Prince Gueuze enjoyed hunting. Lewis was still too young to understand the thrill of killing animals, but he likened it to swatting away small bugs or crushing them with his fingernails.

He tried to understand. And so, Lewis also tried to comprehend the strange feeling he sometimes got when his father looked at him. Lewis wanted to understand his father, but he hadn’t yet succeeded.

“How long will it take?”

“I’d say you’ll be ready around fourteen or fifteen. That’s when most start hunting.”

“I see.”

“……”

After pausing for a moment, deep in thought, Raymond made a suggestion.

“In that case, how about we go to the forest on the days I visit? As part of our lessons, of course.”

Although Lewis hadn’t particularly wanted to hunt, the idea of going to the forest was refreshing. It was his first time venturing beyond the garden. He marveled at the towering trees, so large that even six adults stretching their arms couldn’t encircle them. The trees were far taller than anything in the garden.

“It’s nice to get out.”

“I think it would be good to hold our lessons outdoors whenever possible.”

“Is that allowed?”

“Yes, it was the Marquis’ order after all. I can show a little flexibility… especially since I don’t visit often.”

Raymond spoke as he looked down at Lewis, who was resting beneath the trees. Raymond kept a respectful distance.

“I may not come often, but whenever I do, let’s try to go outside.”

“There’s no need to push yourself too hard.”

“…If there’s a problem, please blame me. I’ll take full responsibility and step down. It was my mistake as a teacher for choosing the wrong location.”

Lewis closed his eyes as he sat.

He could hear the birds chirping, but soon the sound faded from his consciousness. He drifted into sleep, and when he woke up, he found that Raymond was carrying him. Being carried like a child was a strange feeling for Lewis.

“You should’ve woken me.”

“Just keep resting. It won’t take long.”

The marquis hadn’t placed Raymond by Lewis’s side for just one reason. A person of his stature wouldn’t move for a single reason. He would have considered various possibilities and benefits before arranging things as he did.

Lewis thought he understood why. Raymond was young and famous for earning the favor of many people. Beyond his striking appearance, his entire demeanor exuded confidence and discipline. He was kind without being arrogant.

While he may have lacked the knowledge or status of Lewis’s older tutors, Raymond’s ability to win people over was something you learned by witnessing it, not by reading about it. He didn’t speak much to Lewis—instead, he demonstrated everything through action.

Just as Raymond had earned Lewis’s favor, it was clear he could do the same with others. Whatever the reason the Marquis Penceir had for placing him there, Lewis found his time with Raymond enjoyable. Unlike the other teachers, Raymond brought a sense of romance, a glimpse of something beyond the rigid reality Lewis was used to.

.

.

As Lewis grew older, his tutors began to compete, pouring even more effort into their lessons. Initially, they had resented teaching a young prince, but Lewis’s diligence and eagerness to learn eventually won them over.

Moreover, as their own children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren grew up, the stakes grew higher. The current king had marked Lewis as the next in line, so the possibility of him becoming king was very real. These tutors started to see the potential benefits to their families. Even if they themselves wouldn’t enjoy the glory, their descendants might. Classes became more political, and the elderly scholars began to choose their words more carefully. Family, glory, honor, the future.

Raymond’s position also had its potential benefits, and it made sense for him to seek them. After all, as his godfather and relative, the Marquis Penceir had shared some of Raymond’s story with Lewis.

“He’s someone driven by revenge.”

“He doesn’t seem that way.”

“Has he never mentioned it to you?”

“No.”

“That’s surprising. Surely, if you help him, he’ll repay the favor.”

“It’s truly… strange.”

But Raymond had never asked Lewis for anything. Not once had he mentioned revenge. Lewis, though still young, had already started receiving requests from his other tutors. Meet my granddaughter, meet my grandson. Developing my land would surely benefit the country. Do you know this baron? This count? This duke?

“Is there anything you want to ask me?”

“It’d be good to strengthen your arm muscles.”

“…Alright.”

But Raymond never spoke of revenge.

Lewis vaguely thought that if Raymond ever did ask him for something, he would gladly grant the request. And if Raymond ever did ask, it would surely be important and necessary.

***

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