The Knight from the Fairytales

Chapter 32: Learning

Some things must be done with one continuous burst of momentum; otherwise, the drive will grow weaker and weaker, diminishing after the first attempt and exhausting by the third.

"It's nothing, it's just too expensive, I think..."

Ella's voice was very small, as if she felt very embarrassed, as though she had misunderstood something.

When you really considered the relationship between herself and the other party, it was hard to define. Whether it was a master-servant relationship or an employer-employee relationship, in either case, Ella belonged to the lower position.

Beihai had absolutely no obligation whatsoever to take care of her, let alone spend so much money.

If he really did this, it would put immense psychological pressure on Ella. The simplest point was, she had nothing on her, so what could he possibly want from her?

As for her own beauty, Ella didn't think that way. When she was being oppressed by that stepmother trio, she completely abandoned any thoughts of relying on beauty or similar notions.

"It's nothing. Compared to that money, I think taking good care of you is more important. Wealth and possessions are external things."

Beihai answered very naturally. This statement was, of course, not problematic. He helped her to gain benefits from the situation; it was mutual, a supply-and-demand relationship that both sides needed.

A transaction between two parties, even hinting at some equality. After all, speaking of it, Beihai had also utilized them.Ella mustered her courage once again. When she raised her head to look at Beihai, she read a common human emotion in his eyes. That thing was called pity.

This didn't make Ella feel disgusted; it just made her feel somewhat embarrassed.

In fact, living a miserable life, someone feeling sorry for you, that's a perfectly normal thing. It's basic human compassion.

Compared to some people pitying and sympathizing with you, if you struggle for ages insisting on self-reliance, refusing charity, stubbornly rejecting others' goodwill...

Not to say you're problematic, but it can only be said your self-esteem is too strong. So strong it reaches the point of forcing hardship upon yourself when there's none. The person offering charity didn't even think about you repaying it. Could it really be so hard to accept it now and repay their kindness in the future?

Silence was tonight's Dangkang. Beihai nudged Elsa beside him with his foot.

Elsa, who had been happily admiring the beautiful person, immediately moved upon receiving the signal and hugged Ella in one motion.

"Big sister, you're so pretty."

The plan unfolded smoothly. The other party's train of thought was immediately diverted. After all, if you let someone's imagination run wild sometimes, who knows what they might come up with.

Anyway, Beihai watched Ella's face growing redder and redder. If this continued, both sides would feel uncomfortable. So he simply had Elsa break the deadlock.

After that, things became somewhat simpler. After paying the deposit, they needed to find an etiquette teacher in the city. This wasn't hard to find.

You just needed to look inside some luxurious buildings to find noblewomen with nothing much to do.

Money paving the way was just the basics. They would circle Ella, observing her figure, face, and the aura about her.

They didn't care much about the gold coins. More important was this person's appearance. After all, once they taught her, they would definitely mention her name.

It was also tied to their own reputation. If she became popular, they could rise to a higher level. If they didn't teach her well and still gave out their name, they'd end up attracting a lot of trouble instead.

"This girl looks good. I can teach her etiquette. One gold coin is fine, I don't need much."

After looking her over, Ella passed their inspection and was accepted. They didn't ask for much tuition either.

For wealthy families, talking about money is the most meaningless thing. Using that effort spent haggling over money to instead gain gratitude and secure goodwill is far better than any external possession.

With the matter settled, when they looked back, they found Ella and Elsa playing together.

Just earlier, one was standing very stiffly, and the other was looking around, also somewhat distant. Yet in such a short time, the two were together.

"Alright, alright. Ella needs to stay here to learn some etiquette. Elsa, don't disturb. You can watch quietly from the side, or you can join in, but I think you probably won't last."

Hearing this, Elsa naturally refused to accept it.

As for Ella, facing Beihai's arrangement, she obeyed. She didn't deny her own capabilities.

Speaking of which, Ella, the protagonist of this story, had a very good point: she didn't deny herself, nor did she think she wasn't good enough.

It was just that in the environment of that manor, things were indeed a bit disheartening, which made her start doubting herself.

Even in the original story, when the King invited all unmarried ladies, Ella showed no timidity, directly stating she would also participate.

Although it earned her ridicule and that line, "You're just a maid. Are you going to dance with the Prince holding a broom?"

But she didn't deny herself, nor did she think she wasn't good enough. It was only after repeated blows that she finally couldn't hold on and broke down crying.

Now, after being bought at a high price by Beihai, she was full of confidence and composure in her studies. That kind of temperament began to show.

The noblewoman teaching her couldn't help but praise her repeatedly.

The temperament of confidence, if you are nobility and also a genius, then you naturally possess it.

But if you are a maid or a beggar, their inherent inferiority makes it very difficult for them to possess such a temperament.

Elsa also learned beside her, refusing to be outdone. For example, walking with tiny, mincing steps while holding her skirt, then hobbling along.

She walked like a person on a tightrope who, seeing the great height below, starts panicking and swaying left and right.

When learning to drink tea, because it was too hot, she directly stuck out her tongue and started panting.

Learning to eat, she also stuffed her mouth like a hamster, cheeks bulging on both sides.

She just couldn't understand why there were so many rules about eating. Isn't it just about getting full? Why must you chew slowly and swallow carefully?

This made Beihai unable to hold back. He directly started laughing, and the more he laughed, the more she wanted to prove herself. The more she tried to prove herself, the more she made a mess of it.

"Hahaha, Elsa, if you can't do it, just rest for a while. What you're doing is called 'Dong Shi imitates Xi Shi's frown' back in my hometown—imitating something so poorly it becomes a ridiculous caricature. Don't learn so much that you forget how to walk normally."

That one sentence made Elsa's face turn completely red, purely from anger.

In the end, Elsa still didn't persist. It really wasn't suitable for her.

She returned to Beihai's side, while Beihai took advantage of Ella's learning time to go out and secure a house.

Elsa scooped some clean water into a bucket, then began pouring in the bought rice, preparing to make a fire and cook.

She thought to herself, even though I can't learn those fancy things, I know how to cook.

Little Elsa, after some training, had become a little cook. Although the food she made didn't shine brilliantly, and sometimes it was either too salty or too spicy.

But it was already quite good. After all, no one taught her. Being able to figure it out herself was remarkable.

It's just that today was a bit different. Should she prepare a meal for Sister Ella as well?