Seeing the confusion on their faces, Gordon added one more thing.
"Just so you know, don't think that a simple whipping would be the end of it. The punishment for insulting a noble is either hanging or beheading."
"…!"
The servants' faces turned pale. If Gordon, who was close to the count, said such a thing, it meant that it was indeed the count's will.
The realization that they could have lost their heads sent chills down their spines. Naturally, their attitude towards Sylas changed dramatically thereafter.
"The clothes look comfortable today. Thank you for your service."
"Thank you!"
"But it hurt a bit when you were combing my hair..."
"P-please forgive me! I beg of you!"
"Am I going to eat you or something?"
After hearing Gordon's warning, the servants were careful about every gesture and movement when dealing with Sylas. They didn't know what kind of temperament the young master had, so everything had to be done cautiously. Even a trivial action could lead to serious repercussions if it displeased him.
Meanwhile, there were slight changes in the knightly order as well, all due to Roderick.
"I saw it with my own eyes! The young master's brave feats!"
Roderick recounted his adventures to the knights. Initially, they were impressed, but as the story progressed, their expressions grew ambiguous.
"He rode like a seasoned warrior right from the start, caught a troll with three arrows, and the mercenaries followed his orders without question? Is that really true?"
"I have never spoken a lie in my life! Are you doubting me now?"
"It's not that; it just seems a bit... too much."
"Then ask Sir Gaiden. He was with me when we served the young master!"
The knights hesitated but eventually turned to Gaiden for confirmation.
"Sir Gaiden, is it true that the young master did all that?"
"Y-yes. Everything Lord Roderick said is true."
Gaiden felt a bitter taste in his mouth as he nodded. He didn't want to elevate this illegitimate child, but the problem was Roderick. If he contradicted him, Roderick would surely expose the embarrassing incident from the troll affair.
"Ah, if that's the case, then he must truly be remarkable."
Once Gaiden acknowledged it, the knights finally erupted in admiration. Roderick was known for his tendency to exaggerate, while Gaiden was a thorough realist who might lie but wouldn't embellish the truth.
If both of their testimonies aligned, it meant the truth was being revealed.
"It's like hearing tales of a hero's youth."
"I thought it was a story fit for a fairy tale..."
"The lord must have recognized that extraordinary quality in him."
The knights found a different way to understand the special treatment Sylas was receiving. Seeing the potential of a future hero, they believed he deserved such care. Simultaneously, their attitude towards Sylas began to carry a hint of respect.
As knights, they felt it necessary to honor those endowed with nobility and courage. It had been a week since Sylas arrived at the Corleone estate, and the way people treated him was no different from how they would treat a legitimate heir.
***
A week later, the Count summoned Sylas back to the office. As before, the Count and Helena were present in the office. Curious about what was going on, Sylas blinked in surprise at the Count's words.
"Did you say etiquette training?"
"That's right. Now that you've become a noble, you need to learn the etiquette of the nobility."
Unlike commoners, who can get by with a moderate amount of politeness, the etiquette of the nobility is truly meticulous. Each detail serves as a means to demonstrate the difference in status between them and commoners.
From dining etiquette to simple greetings, and the formal behaviors required in various settings—an average noble born into such a family will take months to master all these courtesies.
"Of course, it won't just be etiquette that you'll learn. There are other things as well."
Nobles are not treated exclusively just because of their lineage. They must learn complex customs, swordsmanship, horseback riding, archery, chess, rhetoric, theology, and more. Only after years of learning all the knowledge necessary for nobility can they truly be reborn as a noble.
In that sense, Sylas, who had just recently become a noble, needed education urgently.
" I couldn't find any other teachers right away. Luckily, there happened to be a suitable candidate for etiquette training nearby."
"Who is it?"
"It's Madame Martina. She is well-known in social circles as an excellent etiquette teacher."
The Count did not provide any further explanation. It was likely that Sylas, who had lived as a commoner until recently, had never heard of the name.
"It seems she visited our territory while going to pay respects to a friend. Since she knows my lady, she kindly agreed to the request, despite the inconvenience."
"Now that we are family, you must learn to behave in a manner that does not bring shame to our name. Should we be stingy with connections in such important matters?"
"You are right. I am truly grateful."
In response to Helena's words, the Count expressed his gratitude with a cheerful demeanor. Sylas also bowed deeply in agreement.
"I sincerely thank you for your aunt's consideration. I will strive to become a son worthy of the Corleone name."
"Yes, Lady Martina is an excellent person, so I hope you will learn diligently."
'Yeah, right.'
Sylas internally scoffed at the seemingly caring voice. He had heard much about Lady Martina before his return. While she was indeed famous as a teacher of etiquette, he had also heard that she taught in a harsh manner, producing results that came at a steep cost.
It was clear that she had intentionally chosen a strict, iron-willed instructor for him.
'Perhaps the other instructors will be similar.'
With so many subjects to learn, it was unlikely that etiquette would be the only focus. They were probably still searching for instructors with similar temperaments.
'Well, it's a pointless effort.'