Second Life of the Villainess

Chapter 5

"But, I don't know too many people. I am a bit young..."

"Do not worry. I'm sure that all of my acquaintances will like Miss Aria. It would also be of great help to you, miss."

"Teacher..."

Aria, who didn't finish her speech, suddenly hugged Sarah's waist. Since she was still short, her face was buried into Sarah's belly as she sniffed back her runny nose, making Sarah slowly pat her back due to how pitiful she looked.

'What sins could a child who hasn't even blossomed yet ever commit?'

It hadn't been long since the lectures had started, but the constant worry and continued comparison between Mielle and Aria had subconsciously brought some anger to Sarah.

It wasn't like Aria had wanted to be born out of low status. It was pitiable that the judgement could be following her like a tail. It was too much pain for such a nice little girl to endure. That was why Sarah had brought up the subject, to please Aria.

"How is mealtime these days? Are you doing as I have taught you?"

"Of course! It's all thanks to Teacher Sarah!" Aria raised her head as if she did not sniff, and replied with a bright smile.

Looking down at Aria, who was excitedly anticipating for dinner, caused Sarah to burst into laughter.

Thinking about the previous night's dinner, Aria smiled.

What Aria hated most were vegetables. She didn't find the texture pleasing because they were soggy when cooked, but even uncooked vegetables weren't good. Vegetables were a staple for commoners, so she had eaten them every day to the point of nausea before she entered the count's family. So, every time a salad or varied vegetables were presented to her, she wouldn't eat them. Instead, she would make an incredible mess on her plate, turning everything inedible.

Initially, maids would take out new vegetables again, but every time, she screamed that she didn't want to eat, and they didn't touch her plate any more.

As a result, she had always been an unwelcome guest at the dinner table, which was set up to improve family harmony and relationships. Therefore, everyone gave up her table manners and mocked her, including her mother.

However, such Aria began to quietly eat her salad. It was not bad to eat salad with dressing. Although it wasn't tasty, she felt no need to cause a ruckus because of it.

At first, no one noticed. The food in front of Aria had always been so messy that nobody wanted to look at her.

The first to notice the change in her table manners were the maids, who were the ones who cleaned up Aria's tableware, then the count, and finally, her mother.

"Oh! When did you learn these table manners, Aria?"

"Teacher Sarah taught me."

"Oh, my God!"

What followed after were pity and an apology for not properly assigning her the right teacher after witnessing how her manners and behaviour had changed.

Of course, when she had first entered the family of the count, she had been assigned a personal tutor, but she hadn't been able to learn basic etiquette then because it was too difficult and boring of a study for a girl who had run around and played in the street all her life. Thinking back, the count and his wife began to blame all of that on the talentless tutor.

And that was precisely what Aria was after. It was not only to display that her background wasn't the reason for why she hadn't been able to learn but to show that as long as she learned properly, she was able to keep up with them.