A brave man may not live, but he cannot die

Chapter 262 Upper Class and Lower Class (Part 1)
July 20th, 1454 (Shenyun Calendar), sunny.

Just a quarter past six, a maid in a simple apron quietly opened the bedroom door. The girl on the bed didn't move, sleeping like a baby while hugging a huge dragon doll.

The maid placed warm mouthwash and a copper basin on the bedside table, then walked to the balcony and pulled back the sunshade. A magnificent lake view rushed towards them; a layer of hazy morning light floated on the mirror-like lake water, and the restless summer breeze blew into the air-conditioned room along the window, brushing against the girl's sleeping beauty-like profile.

She mumbled something and rolled over, exposing her snow-white breasts and one shoulder to the air. Such a lovely sleeping girl, yet her posture resembled that of a wild woman; the down comforter was a mess, its ends indistinguishable.

The maid quickly pulled up the blankets for her. Although it was the height of summer, there was an arcane array under the floor of Branson's mansion that regulated the temperature and operated all day long. The room was as pleasant as autumn under such luxurious touches, and one could easily catch a chill if one was not careful.

"Miss, Miss, Miss Dale," the maid whispered, leaning over the bedside.

Seeing that the girl still did not wake up, she reached out and pushed her shoulders, rocking her like a baby.

This action was quite inappropriate; physical contact without the master's permission would be severely punished in the strictly regulated aristocratic household. However, the girl in bed had a good personality. Although she was occasionally willful, she did not act like a spoiled young lady when interacting with the maids of the same age. In private, they were like friends, and she would only complain a little when shaken awake.

As she was being rocked, Xia Dai'er groggily opened her eyes.

She sat up as if in a daze, without saying a word, her eyes silently staring at the ceiling, her soul and body awake in separate states.

The maid washed her hands clean in a copper basin, tiptoed onto the bed, and began to massage the girl's cheeks.

Her delicate skin brushed against her fingertips, and her pale pink hair cascaded over her snow-white shoulders, filling her with envy.

The sixteen-year-old's skin was like a soft-boiled egg with a yolk inside. The young lady's just-woke-up appearance made her feel a cute and aggressive urge, and she rubbed and pulled her cheeks like she was petting a kitten, as if she were handling a lump of dough.

"Ugh, Betty, I'm going to throw a tantrum!" Chaldie pouted, her mouth rubbed to wake her up.

"No, you need to stretch your face fully. You've been sleeping on your side the whole time; you need to relax your tense cheeks, otherwise your face will become uneven."

The thought of her cheeks being one big and one small made Xia Dai'er have no choice but to endure the maid's rough treatment.

An asymmetrical face is unacceptable.

"What can I do? Sleeping on my stomach hurts because of the pressure, and lying on my back is too heavy. I can only turn to my side."

She looked down, but couldn't see her belly at all. Her vision was mostly blocked by her huge, firm breasts, and she couldn't help but sigh.

It's so heavy, I really want to get a smaller size.
The maid, Betty, also looked over instinctively. After admiring her for a moment, she asked somewhat uncertainly, "Young Miss, have you grown taller recently?"

"Grow taller" is a euphemism.

"It seems... my bra is a bit tight." Xia Dai'er sighed more and more frequently. "Let's have a tailor come this weekend."

After finishing the facial massage, the clock struck 6:10.

The maid placed the neatly folded clothes on the bedside table and reminded Chaldale, who was still sitting on the bed in a daze, "Miss, time is running out. Hurry up and change your clothes, or Ms. Elaine will get angry again."

The maid left the bedroom and gently closed the door.

Although she really wanted to go back to sleep, the clear chirping outside the balcony told her that if she didn't get up soon, she would be in trouble.

She had no choice but to reluctantly get up and begin washing and dressing.

After changing her underwear, she stood in front of the full-length mirror, weighing herself in her hands for a while, her little face showing a pained expression—it really had become tighter.
But soon, her pained little face turned into a silly grin, a grin that made her look a bit like a lovesick girl.

Clamp it like this, then slide it along.
So be it, as long as he likes it.

She pinched her lower abdomen, which was so flat that there wasn't an ounce of fat, and her silly smile deepened.

Judging by her exaggerated bust size, Xia Dai'er's waist is incredibly thin. Although her natural figure prevents her from being as thin as those skinny girls, she can still comfortably wrap her arms around it with one hand, making her proportions extremely exaggerated.

However, my thighs are a bit chubby.

She's been controlling her appetite for the past two weeks, and although she's lost three pounds, the fat on her thighs hasn't decreased at all.
She was very distressed, but he liked it very much, and he would squeeze her like that, sliding her back and forth.
Men are such strange creatures, spouting weird things like "Takarada Rikka." The girl wondered if this was some kind of philandering cat from the East that she had never seen before.

dong dong dong.

There was a knock at the door; it was Betty, the maid. She called softly through the crack in the door, drawing out her voice, "Young Mistress—"

Xia Dai'er was startled. Oh no, she had been spacing out for too long!
She quickly tied her hair up, rushed out the door, and ran to the side hall on the first floor.

"Don't run, don't run," Betty whispered as she chased after them.

Actually, I can't run very fast. When I run without wearing a special vest, I wobble around and it hurts. Also, when I go downstairs to see the steps, my view is blocked.
The Branson family had many rules. For example, running was forbidden, and servants had to speak softly. After the matriarch, Jenny, married into the family, the household almost rivaled that of aristocratic families.

First, there was a strict schedule. Underage children could only sleep in a little longer on weekends. Even Elon or Jenny never lingered in bed, following the rhythm of rising with the sun and resting with the sunset. In the eyes of royalty and nobility, only impoverished and ill-mannered brats would linger in bed, which was considered a bad habit.

Then came the morning class.

When she rushed to the side hall in a panic, she heard a "bang!" from inside. Xia Dai'er was so frightened that she buryed her head in the sand like an ostrich and quietly slipped in through the door.

Many boys and girls were sitting in the side hall, some around the same age as Xia Dai'er, and others still looking like they were twelve or thirteen years old.

They were Xia Dai'er's distant cousins; in terms of blood relation, they went back to her great-grandfather's generation or even further back.

Their parents also worked for the Branson family, and regardless of their abilities, they could get rooms in the estate just by using the "Branson" surname.

In terms of status, all of these people combined are far inferior to Xia Dai'er. After all, the Branson family's wealth exploded during Xia Dai'er's father's generation, and the inheritance rights of many companies were firmly held in the hands of the head family.

Hearing Xia Dai'er's footsteps, none of the boys and girls dared to turn around. They all sat stiffly on small wooden stools, which were uncomfortable to sit on, yet they were required to meet difficult rules such as 'ears and shoulders level, chin and collarbone no more than a finger's width apart, upright posture but relaxed expression'.

The woman surrounded by wooden stools and holding a pointer was Ms. Elaine.

This gray-haired, stern-faced woman was Jenny's expensive tutor hired from Ron. She was said to have once worked for the royal family and could turn a beggar into the most authentic Ron.

“Miss Chaldie—” she said, crossing her arms and speaking in an unfriendly tone.

Chaldie chuckled awkwardly as she sat down. "Good morning, Ms. Elaine."

“You’ve been getting up half an hour later than them lately, yet you’re always late. That’s why I disagree with Madam’s indulgence of you, because the more indulgent you are, the more likely you are to take chances.”

She raised her pointer, a thick, soft rhinoceros hide wrapped around a bamboo stick. Most of the Ron nobles had been hit with this thing when they were young, and the sight of it would make them shudder. It was said that Ron's ancestor had learned it from the hero Link. A single lash was painful and loud, but left no mark. Link's house was filled with the sound of this whip at midnight.

Xia Dai'er thought she was about to be hit and shrank back in fear. But Ms. Elaine only tapped her temple and clothes, frowning as she said:

"In any noble family in Ron, no girl would ever have her hands stained with sweat. Look at yourself, you look like one of those comical factory workers in an Imperial poster. My dear, make elegance a part of every step of your life—"

Xia Dai'er asked timidly, "What's wrong with being a female worker?"

“Rude!” Mrs. Elaine’s voice rose two octaves. “Chest out! Head up! I know it will be more difficult for you than for others, but your status is also higher, and you will live a true aristocratic life!”

"Do you really want those socialites gossiping about your husband during afternoon tea, mocking him for marrying a rude girl like an imperial factory worker?!"

Xia Dai'er thought to herself that her husband had better not know any ladies or socialites.

But she inexplicably recalled the girl Quinn waved goodbye to on the night of the Arcane Festival. That girl had very straight shoulders.

Xia Dai could tell that she had definitely received a proper education and possessed an air that was somewhere between commoner and noble. Was this something Grindelwald had taught her?
So Xia Dai'er didn't answer, but silently straightened her chest a little.

Ms. Elaine put away her pointer; she had never hit Chaldale, nor dared to.

After all, she was different from other insignificant teenagers. When others got beaten, their parents would just smile and say, "You're right to discipline them, give them more beatings." But if Xia Dai'er shed a couple of tears when she was beaten, her doting brother would just tell her to pack her bags and get out of there.

Thinking of Elon made Mrs. Elaine grit her teeth in anger. He was the least aristocratic member of the family, always talking about "all-round development in morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor," yet when he put on an act, there was nothing wrong with it.
"The confidence of nobility lies not in titles, but in impeccable manners, grace, and refined character! It lies in the articulation of your speech, delivered with beautiful cadence! When you walk down the street, you should command the salute of law enforcement officers and command the humility of passersby to give way to you."

Listening to Ms. Elaine's dry and rigid lectures, Xia Dai'er felt that chanting scriptures at school was much easier.

This morning class lasted from 6:30 to 7:40, with no breaks in between. From posture, exercise, pronunciation and articulation to wine and tea tasting, the waist could not be bent even one degree during the hour and ten-minute class. The upper class had even stricter rules than Grindelwald.

After that, Xia Dai'er couldn't leave; she needed to stay and receive special treatment.

Accompanying her was a 16-year-old boy, a tall and handsome young man with a sunny disposition. Despite his young age, he was quite composed and mature, which made him a favorite of Ms. Elaine, who considered him one of the few promising talents among the Branson family's peasants.

By seniority, Xia Dai'er should call him cousin, but in reality, their birth dates are only a few days apart. The boy's father is highly regarded by the family, serving as the general manager of the airport, and is one of the very few relatives among the many good-for-nothings who can bring positive influence to the family.

“Miss Chaldale, imagine yourself in your gown, standing center stage. Now that your father has finished speaking, it is time for you to choose a man as your partner for your first dance as an adult.”

Xia Dai'er smiled perfectly and stood there silently.

Her smile was designed by Lady Elaine; the little princess in the huge oil painting hanging in the Royal City of Ron smiled just like that, subtle and classical. What Chaldale needed to do was replicate it, replicate it so precisely that it could be measured with a ruler.

“Very well, you can’t move. You have to wait for the gentlemen to invite you,” Ms. Elaine posed the question.

"Extend my left hand, which is not holding a bouquet, and let them kiss the back of my hand while I receive their praise."

"I'm tired," Xia Dai'er said wearily.

What a ridiculous ceremony.

Although the hand-kissing ceremony doesn't actually involve physically touching the back of the hand, many uncouth and rude people don't care about such things; they can't be bothered to smell the swan even if they can't have her.
Out of politeness, the lady who was taken advantage of could not pursue the matter. Xia Dai'er did not expect that this day would come to her so soon.

Just thinking about it made her feel disgusted. She couldn't accept any man other than Quinn touching her, let alone kissing the back of her hand.

'Shadel' means 'Winter Elf' in the ancient Terran language. She was born fifteen years ago on a snowy morning, just as winter was beginning that year.

This means that there are only three months left until the girl's coming-of-age ceremony. If all goes well, it will be the Branson family's first social event with a large number of guests since her brother took office as a senator. It has political significance that Chaldale cannot understand, and it must be a grand affair.

As the protagonist of the coming-of-age ceremony, she cannot let the guests down, even if they didn't come specifically for her.

Finally, when the man chosen by your parents came before you...

Ms. Elaine gestured for the boy beside her to move.

He nodded slightly, then knelt on one knee in a perfectly standard half-squat position. His body, hands, and gaze were all slightly forward, landing on Xia Dai'er's pretty face as he looked at her.

"Please forgive my intrusion. Goddess above, beautiful Ms. Chaldale Branson, may I have the honor of being your first dance partner?"

This first dance has many unwritten rules. For example, believers from the same religion should be the first to invite her to dance, while male guests who cannot refuse should be put later. There can be a certain number of men who go forward to extend invitations, otherwise it will seem that she is unpopular.
Because those invited to dance must be single, of suitable age, and possess sufficient social standing, the first dance at a daughter's coming-of-age ceremony is often a contest of face among noble families. How many people can be invited, how many can be refused, and how many high-ranking officials will have their sons perform this favor—how to strike the right balance—is a true test of the host family's emotional intelligence.

The person chosen to dance this dance is often predetermined by the parents, especially in families with more prestigious titles. This is equivalent to letting the son-in-law make an appearance in social circles in advance, as if declaring sovereignty. The engagement banquet is usually held on the New Year after the coming-of-age ceremony.

Of course, things aren't absolute. You can also choose your father as your partner for your first dance, which can convey to the outside world that you're not considering marriage yet or are still looking for a suitable husband without being impolite.

However, Chaldale couldn't do that; whether her father could attend the coming-of-age ceremony and how he could attend were both questions.

“Miss Chaldale,” Ms. Elaine frowned and reminded him, “Extend your right hand that is holding the bouquet, hand it to him, and accept the kiss on the hand. This procedure must not be done wrong.”

Xia Dai'er certainly didn't have a bouquet of flowers in her hand; she was just an underage girl whose bottom was sore from sitting.

But the eagerness in the boy's eyes was genuine.

The two were separated by several generations. If the Branson family had not risen to prominence in the previous generation, the head of the family would very likely have arranged for his daughter to marry him in order to win over a distant relative with great ability. Such a thing was not uncommon among nobles who advocated the purity of bloodlines.

However, things have changed. The Branson family, which owns the only airport in the Southern Continent, is no longer a distant relative that can afford to marry into. It would be more appropriate for Xia Dai'er to marry a nobleman with a title, such as Ron or a British nobleman. With her outstanding appearance, she could even go a step further and it would be normal for her to choose a nobleman with a large territory.

But that doesn't mean the boy has no chance. His father has been trying to get information from Jenny these days. With Reeve Branson not involved, Chaldale's marriage is still undecided, and marrying into the family to solidify her position is a safe choice.

Unfortunately, Jenny has always been vague about this.

The boy said gently, "Don't worry, I won't actually kiss you."

Xia Dai'er forced a smile and hesitantly extended her hand.

But before the other person could even grasp it, it immediately pulled back.

"My stomach hurts," she repeated innocently to Ms. Elaine.

Ms. Elaine sighed, "Let me correct your ballroom dance moves."

"I'm here, Auntie—"

"Got it! I'll be here this morning."

Before Xia Dai'er could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Ms. Elaine, who could not accept such vulgar language coming from the mouth of the girl she was teaching.

"I'll have an extra twenty minutes of cello practice tonight, and I'll let the housekeeper know," she said coldly.

Xia Dai'er nodded obediently; the cello teacher was much easier to talk to than this old hag.

The coming-of-age ceremony also requires performing talents, from playing the violin to dancing, none of which can be omitted.

"Brother Lucas, I'm going now," she said to the boy beside her.

"My stomach hurts, do you want me to take you home?"

"no, I'm fine."

The boy smiled and gave her an "I understand" look, showing no sign of annoyance.

Unfortunately, Xia Dai'er didn't respond to him like she did when they were children.

He watched her leave with gentle grace, only slightly tightening his fist at his side.

Ever since that near-death experience traveling with the convoy out of town, the girl has been a completely different person. She used to be able to chat warmly with me occasionally, but now she only treats me with polite politeness.
He didn't understand what had happened, and felt a little empty inside.

(End of this chapter)