Chapter 243

Before I knew it, I let out a startled cry.

Everyone’s eyes turned to me in an instant.

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s nothing.”

At my father’s words, I shook my head vigorously.

“But I’m just starting to engage in social activities now.”

“That’s true.”

“A nanny’s role is going to be really important, so wouldn’t it be better to choose carefully? We should consider things like experience and other qualifications…”

“Taking experience into account, a former head lady-in-waiting of the Imperial Palace would be quite helpful.”

“That’s, um… true.”

Yes. It is true, and I know it, but—

‘Madam Arcia was Dahlia’s personal tutor!’

I suppressed the urge to shout and clutched my head.

Personal tutor.

Just saying that makes it sound like she only taught scheduled lessons and kept her distance from Dahlia, but in reality, that wasn’t the case at all.

Dahlia only arrived at the Astra manor after she became an adult.

There was a mountain of things she needed to learn, but since she was older, she couldn’t possibly have a nanny.

So they just changed the title and assigned Madam Arcia to Dahlia as her personal tutor.

As a replacement for a nanny.

And what did it mean that she was Dahlia’s nanny substitute?

That she and I had countless conflicts.

“It would be nice if you knew your place, Your Ladyship.”

“What did you just say?”

“You should at least be aware that a single tear from Lady Dahlia could have you dragged to the underground dungeon.”

Dahlia was an exceptionally special and important existence, possessing three divine blessings.

Unlike me, who had a fake blessing, she had the real thing.

On top of that, her Healing blessing had even developed to its fourth stage.

In other words, as long as someone was still breathing, she could bring them back to life.

‘Though it took a while to reach that point.’

Regardless, that was an ability worthy of being called a miracle.

So, the entire world praised and revered Dahlia.

Not only the Astra Dukedom but even the Imperial Palace practically worshiped her.

Madam Arcia was immensely proud of Dahlia.

And just being Dahlia’s nanny substitute gave her enormous power.

Since Dahlia elevated her status and granted her real influence, Madam Arcia was willing to do anything for her.

And that hostility usually ended up directed at me.

‘I nearly died several times because of that woman!’

And now, that very same person was going to be my nanny?

No way.

“Dad, since my nanny is the person I’ll spend the most time with, can’t I pick someone I actually like?”

“You?”

“Yes!”

“Hmm… Finding someone suitable to be a nanny for a high noble will be difficult.”

My father’s concern was valid.

I wasn’t just any noble—I was a direct descendant of the Astra ducal family.

Naturally, the standards were incredibly strict.

And there were only a handful of people who could meet those standards.

Yet, at the same time, we couldn’t just settle for someone who didn’t fit.

If my nanny had even the slightest flaw in her career or reputation, people would gossip endlessly.

Why would she hire someone like that? There must be some issue—

‘But even so, there’s no way I’m letting Madam Arcia be my nanny.’

“If I can’t find someone, I’ll ask for your help.”

Since I was being firm, my father nodded in agreement.

“Alright. You can choose yourself.”

“Yay!”

I beamed, determined.

Even if I had to search the entire empire, I would definitely find someone else!

Madam Arcia was an absolute no-go!

***

The requirements for a high noble’s nanny were explicitly listed as only three:

– Must be of noble birth.
– Must have graduated from the Academy.
– Must have a letter of recommendation from another nanny.

Of course, these were just the official requirements.

They were nothing more than a bare minimum. The unspoken expectations were far greater.

“Here are the résumés we’ve received.”

Michelan neatly organized the documents and handed them to me.

As soon as word spread that I was searching for a nanny, applications flooded in from all over.

I carefully examined them one by one.

“Hmm… Hmm…”

The applicants were all quite influential.

After all, I was not only a third generation scion of House Astra but also the daughter of General Daymond.

Only people who were confident in themselves would dare submit their applications.

But…

I set the documents down and slumped into my chair, frowning.

Seeing my expression, Michelan asked,

“Is there no one you like?”

“No.”

The résumés themselves were perfect.

That was expected—they were all outstanding in terms of qualifications.

But what wasn’t written was the problem.

Especially personality.

Nanny Nanti takes money to introduce her charges to low-ranking noble families…

I tossed Nanti’s résumé aside.

Madam Lusillon is part of the Imperial Consort’s faction, so she’d definitely report everything I did to Imperial Consort Othellia.

Another résumé, straight to the trash.

Madam Marque? Why is she even on this list? That lunatic secretly beat children without their parents knowing. Wouldn’t there be a huge scandal about her three years later?

Anyone who abused children belonged in prison.

“Hmmm…”

No matter how much I searched, I couldn’t find a suitable candidate.

Most nannies were from provincial noble families.

For them to make a name for themselves as nannies in the capital, they couldn’t have ordinary personalities.

‘So I guess it makes sense that there aren’t any genuinely good ones…’

But still!

Shouldn’t they at least have some sense of professional ethics?!

The lack of suitable candidates was a real problem.

Sensing my frustration, Michelan spoke up.

“Come to think of it, there was an attempt to find you a nanny when you were younger as well.”

“Oh, right.”

Dad had tried to assign one to me.

But I had refused.

Back then, I simply didn’t need one.

“Didn’t you say you had someone in mind back then, Your Ladyship?”

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