*A big thank you to Angela again [1 of 4]* ☆⌒ヽ(*'､^*)chu
"What should I teach you next... I'm worried."
"It's all thanks to you Countess Achille."
"Oh my. I never thought you'd be so well-mannered. I think our class is going to be over far too soon."
Rachel touched her hair awkwardly as if it was difficult to hear such compliments.
Rachel, who was blushing and feeling embarrassed, slowly shut her mouth.
"This is the end of today's class."
The Countess approached Rachel quietly and slowly.
"You have to look right into a person's eyes. Don't avoid looking at me."
"Yes."
"No matter how perfectly you walk, if you don't have the confidence in your eyes, it's all for nothing."
Rachel nodded.
"Unless your rank is below the other lady, never lower your head."
Countess Achille raised Rachel's chin slightly with a careful touch.
"Like this."
Rachel nodded awkwardly again.
She was about to bow her head down again, but forced her head up.
"Please hold my gaze right now. You seem to be shy, but with a few practice sessions, you will soon get better."
The Countess held Rachel's chin with her hand with a compassionate smile that was uniquely hers.
Rachel's face stiffened, as she felt awkward and uncomfortable, but she immediately straightened her gaze as the Countess had said.
"You've already gotten a lot better."
"...Thank you."
No matter how uncomfortable and difficult it was, she had no choice but to follow the order.
***
The first class with Countess Achille was over after she reviewed what she'd learned.
"My lady, I'll be on my way now."
As soon as the Countess left, Rachel fell on her bed as if she was tired.
"Almost..."
Rachel let out a small sigh.
She had no idea who the heck the other people thought she was.
"Unless your rank is below the other lady, never lower your head."
According to the Countess' words just now, Rachel should've kept her head down throughout the class with her.
She was a countess, and Rachel was a commoner.
However, the Countess raised her chin, and told her not to bow down to someone lower than her.
'Who does she think I am?'
Did that mean Rachel was a higher rank than the Countess?
Was that what Countess Achille was thinking?
"Huh, what the heck is going on here?"
Rachel sighed deeply again.
She didn't understand Ian, who said she'd need noble etiquette, nor the Countess, who told her to raise her chin and to never lower her head.
She had a headache from trying to understand what Ian was thinking.
'Don't lower your head.'
What the Countess taught her was the opposite of what she'd learned so far.
