Lady Felice’s Secret Class - Chapter 12

Claude’s somewhat cold tone made Madam Depende’s eyebrows twitch, but fortunately, she took a sip of her tea without saying anything further.

“So, what happens if the coach simply refuses to continue?”

Madam Depende savored her tea before replying Claude’s question.

Though her face appeared calm on the surface, Claude subtly lifted his upper body from the chair’s backrest.

“Aunt.”

Claude pressed, urging her to answer. Without meeting his gaze, Madam Depende responded in a low voice,

“…If she quits on her own, there’s nothing to be done.”

Claude smiled brightly at that.

“If the relationship coach fails, then I’ll give up on love and marriage altogether. And I expect you to persuade Her Majesty as well.”

Madam Depende set down her teacup and lifted her eyes.

Looking at Claude’s face—a spitting image of her late brother—she blinked slowly. Twenty years ago, she had found it hard to accept that her brother had been unfaithful to Nelleys.

Back then, she even considered trampling on his grave, but not anymore.

Her nephew had become a great joy and healing for both her and Nelleys. Ironically, her brother’s mistake had instead become their light.

“I take it as a sign you want to cut off all talk of romance for now.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be a successful romance if the relationship coach failed.”

Madam Depende took another sip of tea.

With the Kelton Barony heavily in debt, giving up halfway was not an option. And Claude was undeniably a prince. Whether now or later, his status would be announced.

Knowing that fate couldn’t be denied, Madam Depende accepted her nephew’s proposal after a brief thought.

“…Very well. Fine.”

She set down her teacup and smiled.

“Let’s do it that way. But you must attend your lessons diligently and show genuine effort to improve.”

“Of course.”

* * *

Felice took a deep breath as she pulled a brown envelope from the cupboard. Inside was enough money to cover two months’ worth of interest and part of the principal. Normally, even one month’s payment would have been tight, but thanks to Duchess Vanessa’s success, the debt payoff could be brought forward a bit.

“Just a little more hardship and it’ll be over.”

Felice reached to close the cupboard but paused. In the corner, unlike the thick brown envelope in her hand, lay a pristine white envelope. The thin white envelope contained living expenses.

“…When exactly will you come down?!”

Startled by the loud voice from outside, Felice pushed her thoughts aside and closed the cupboard.

“…Hmm, two months’ worth?”

Felice handed the envelope at the door without letting the man inside. He leaned crookedly on his cane, looking down at her.

“So, finally, after working as a tutor, you’ve managed to lure in some rich old man, huh?”

“If you got the money, check it quickly.”

Felice snapped sharply.

The man chuckled and pulled the money out of the envelope.

Between his brief laugh came a strong scent of alcohol.

“You should’ve done this sooner. These days, young women resort to prostitution. Work at the laundry by day, prostitute by night.”

Suppressing her boiling anger, Felice waited silently as the man counted the money. He was also a victim, after all. The misfortune caused by her father wasn’t hers alone; this man, who had lent money, was in the same boat.

“Oh, by the way, I hear the music hall’s short on prostitutes lately. Ever thought about it? Sing a little and they might even put you on stage as a singer. The money’s good. With your looks, you’d pay off your debts fast. Don’t you think it’s time we both quit this miserable meeting?”

Felice clenched her fists tightly and snapped her head up. She couldn’t take it anymore.

“You only see what you want to see. Seems like all you do is drink and prostitute.”

Felice retorted with a scowl.

The man paused his counting, smirked, and looked at her.

“Yeah, that’s right. These days, my life is nothing but booze and prostitution.”

His frank admission made Felice’s eyes tremble.

“My father lost all my money to a con artist. I managed to recover financially, but my wife left, and my daughter died. What’s left for me now is this damn debt, booze, and prostitution.”

He flicked the edge of the bills with his fingers, then stuffed the money back into the envelope.

“Looks about right for two months.”

The man turned his back and left.

Felice went back inside and closed the door, then sat down behind it, closing her eyes tightly for a long while.

Resentment welled up again.

What exactly is family?

Is it that she has to endure her father’s mistakes because that’s what family means?

“…I should stop thinking about this.”

Felice shook her head and stood up.

“Yes. I just need to get through the prince’s lessons well. Then I can pay off this debt. After that, I’ll go rest in Grandfather’s hometown in the countryside. Yes, that’s the plan.”