Original subtitles

Straighten your back.

Spread your legs.

Relax.

Your muscles are stiff as a board.

I'm doing my best.

Waist, back, shoulders, chest, abdomen, hips.

Not one of them passes.

That face is the only thing saving you.

Alice, stop wasting time on distractions.

Father... In three months, you will marry the Duke of Hesse. It will be a

tremendous honor for House Alton.

This is Miss Villeneuve.

I paid a fortune to bring her here from the Northern Kingdom.

For the next three months, she will correct your posture, your speech, and

the way you conduct yourself with your husband.

Father, I've never even met the Duke.

Enough!

I am not asking for your opinion. This is an order.

You're not flexible enough.

Your whole spine is stiff.

You have none of the curves you should.

If the Duke of Hestel saw you like this, he would think he was marrying a corpse.

There's no softness here.

The Duke will feel nothing but bone when he holds you.

We are starting from scratch.

I can carve a block of wood into a woman in three months.

But only if you do exactly as I say.

What are you going to do to me? For the next three months, I will teach you more

than posture and speech. I will also teach you what sex really is.

You've barely been holding the stance for an hour. Are your legs already

giving out?

Lower your hands.

Move your legs two more inches apart.

A noble woman stays composed.

Whatever is done to you, you do not flinch.

Spill one drop and you get one lash.

That is your punishment.

Hold it there.

Don't spill the water.

Don't drop the fruit.

Keep it in place, drop it, and you start over.

Anna, please, I can't keep going.

Once you become the Duchess of Hedza, you will have to stand through

ceremonies much longer than this.

You need to get used to it.

That is all for today.

play with things like that. Never touch that filthy junk again.

Stand up straight.

You're a noble lady, can't you even maintain proper posture?

Useless!

What am I supposed to do?

I don't want to marry that man.

I heard you gave Miss Villanovia quite a headache on your very first day.

You're marrying the Duke of Hesse in three months and you can't even stand up

straight.

Are you trying to disgrace the entire House of Alton? I paid a fortune to

bring you here.

Your job is to turn her into a proper woman.

Teach her how to please a man, satisfy her husband, and keep the Duke satisfied

in bed.

If she's still as stiff as a board in three months, you won't see a penny.

Rest assured, madam.

Since your posture training has already begun, Anna will take your measurements

for the wedding gown tonight.

The dressmaker will begin work next month.

Do I really have to take everything off? I can't take accurate measurements with

your clothes on. If your wedding gown doesn't fit on your wedding day...

You'll become the laughingstock of high society across the Dudget. You'll

humiliate House of Alton, too.

Your waist is too thick, and your breast too small.

Stop. It's too tight. I can't breathe.

Get used to it.

Once you marry the Duke, you'll have to wear this every day.

I told you.

I'm uncomfortable.

Are you finished, Miss von Alten?

That slap won't solve anything.

You know exactly what you should and shouldn't do.

I've had enough.

I don't want it to live like this.

All I have to do is jump. Then I'll never have to endure those humiliating

lessons again. I won't have to marry that disgusting man either.

Jump.

If you jump, you'll only stain the ground below.

By morning, the servants will bring buckets of water and wash it away like

they're cleaning up trash.

Who do you think would shed even one tear for you?

That would still be better than being humiliated like this.

Killing yourself before you've even fought back?

That's humiliation.

Listen to me.

Whatever happens, as long as you're alive, there's still hope.

Miss von Alten, put those thoughts out of your mind. Stay alive.

Ten more minutes.

Hold still.

Raise the corners of your mouth a little higher.

Remember what it feels like to have everyone beneath you.

Everyone out.

No one comes in without my permission.

Have you forgotten the rules already?

Open your mouth.

Your teeth are too sharp. That makes kissing uncomfortable.

Your future husband won't like it.

This will make kissing more comfortable.

That's all for today.

These are the materials for tomorrow's lesson.

Go through them beforehand.

To make sex pleasurable, positions matter.

You need variety but every position still has to feel right.

Lie down.

Relax. This is the most common position for a wedding night. Wrap your legs

around his waist.

Stop. Please don't do this.

Step one.

Feel his body against yours as he moves closer.

Lift your hips to meet him.

The cowgirl position takes a lot of strength in a woman's lower back.

Lift your leg here.

Bring your head closer and rest it in the crook of my neck.

Relax.

Don't go stiff as a board.

Turn over. Face away from me.

This is the spooning position.

You lean back into him while he holds you from behind.

The advantage is you don't have to look him in the eye.

If you're this tense with me, what will you do once you're married?

Anna, do you think I'm useless?

That I don't know anything?

My lady.

The Duke of Hester is here to see you.

Go, Kurtz, to him.

Now!

Good. Very good.

So this is Miss von Alten.

You're even more beautiful than your portrait.

You'll do nicely as my wife.

I've brought the jewels and the deeds to three estates.

The wedding date is set.

Hand over the border defense pack at once.

Your Grace, that is most generous.

Your father tells me you play the piano.

Play something for me after dinner.

You are 19.

Good. I prefer them young.

Your wine, your grace.

Miss Van Alten's manners and piano skills still need punishing. Once her

training is complete and the wedding is closer, she can play for you properly.

That would be more fitting for your grace.

Why is she, of all people, the first person in my life to stand up for me?

Protect me and let me say no.

Stop thinking about her. Go to sleep.

Why are you here? The Duke of Hexa was here all day, and our lessons were

delayed. I've come to see whether you've been reviewing what I taught you.

Looks like you have.

But... Your technique is terrible.

You... Ms. Van Alten, your first practical lesson should come from me.

Open your mouth.

Don't clamp your legs together.

I already taught you that.

That servant woman kept getting in my way all day.

I barely got a proper look at my future bride.

Alice, I'm here.

Miss von Alten, you're not being honest.

I planned to save this technique for later.

Since you're so eager, I'll teach it to you now.

Don't bite your lip.

Let me hear you.

Remember, if it feels good, don't hold back.

Still awake?

Stay calm.

He can't find out Anna is here.

I was just getting ready for bed.

What brings you here so late, Your Grace?

I was passing by your door and heard something inside. I came to check on

you. Why is your face so red?

It's just a bit hot in here. I was about to go to sleep.

Please, leave.

Really? Why are you shaking?

Even without makeup, you're so beautiful.

What's this?

Oh no, that's the undergarment Anna just torn off.

No, it's nothing. Just an old pettiscope.

Your Grace, please leave.

We may be engaged, but we are not yet married.

Entering your fiancé's bedroom uninvited in the middle of the night is highly

improper. If word gets out, House Alton will be ridiculed.

Your reputation will suffer as well. I thought this little thing would cower

and beg. I never expected her to stand up to me. Interesting.

What a proper young lady you are.

I'll remember this, Miss von Alton.

Were you out of your mind?

That's no way to speak, Miss von Alton.

It was part of your training. You kept your composure. Clearly, our lessons are

paying off. You freak!

Get some rest.

Count von Alten, I want the wedding moved up by one month. Your Grace,

Alice's etiquette training isn't finished. If we rush the wedding, I'm

afraid... Then speed up her train! The situation at the border is unstable.

An earlier wedding will benefit both families. Surely you can understand

that, Count von Alten. If Your Grace insists, we will proceed as you wish.

Do you think Anna is strange?

She's so strict when she teaches me etiquette.

I should be afraid of her.

I should resent her, but... Every time I see her, my heart races.

When she gets close, I get nervous.

Even my palms start to sweat.

Come here.

Wash my back.

When she touches me, my whole body goes weak. I lose control of myself.

No one has ever made me feel this way. But she's my etiquette to tutor.

Do you want me to leave now?

Anna,

when did you come in?

Repeat what you just said. Look me in the eye.

Look at me.

Say it again.

I don't know. I can't bring myself to say it.

Don't pull away.

Relax.

This is where your skin is thinnest and most sensitive.

How does it feel?

It tickles.

And now?

It aches then tingles a little.

Every feeling you can't put into words is worth remembering.

You said I should remember every feeling.

I meant the way the treatment feels.

That's it for today.

Don't tell me you're actually falling for that girl.

Don't forget why you're here.

House Alton's classified military files.

I don't care how you get them.

They have a daughter named Alice.

She's naive and unsuspecting. Get close to her. Earn her trust. That'll be much

easier than going through her father. He's far too shrewd to manipulate.

You have three months. You know what happens if you fail. Understood.

Anna, don't forget why you're here.

I finally get a chance to go out, and this is where you bring me?

The market's just ahead. This is the shortcut.

Why did we stop?

The wheel's stuck. Stay in the carriage.

Who did that?

Don't come any closer.

Don't touch her.

You got lucky.

Let's go!

Why couldn't you just stay in the carriage? Why did you run towards them?

It's over.

I'm here.

I'll take you home.

What happened?

We were attacked by bandits on the way back. Alice twisted her ankle. I'm

taking her back to her room to treat it. Bandits? Is Alice alright?

I... I lost my footing.

Don't take Alice out alone again until the wedding.

If anything happens to her, you will answer for it.

Why did you come after me? Were you trying to get yourself killed?

Say something.

Don't just clam up.

I couldn't stand there and watch you get hurt.

Was I supposed to stand there and watch them hurt you? I couldn't do it.

You can shut down your feelings, Anna. You can keep everything separate. I

can't. I...

What

are you doing?

I just wanted to make sure you hadn't forgotten how to kiss.

Apparently not. Get some rest. Did you teach me how to kiss so I could please

the Duke?

I taught you so you wouldn't be afraid.

How did you... I knew you couldn't take care of yourself.

I'll sleep here tonight.

It'll be easier to look after you.

Alice, you shouldn't do this.

Shielding me, holding me, taking care of me.

Was that all just part of the lesson, too?

Of course. Now get some rest.

You're lying.

Don't touch her!

Anna, you're so tense.

I'm not.

Don't push me away.

That's an order.

Hold me, or I'll tell Father you took liberties with me and have him dismiss

you.

Alice, I taught you etiquette, not how to blackmail people.

I figured it out on my own. Now do as you're told.

You didn't push me away this time?

Because you threatened me.

Why is your heart beating so fast?

Stop that.

You said I could hold you.

Don't twist your wrist.

Keep the pour slow and steady.

Did you sleep well last night?

Focus on pouring.

My lady, Miss Mary is back from her aunt's.

Her carriage just came through the gates.

All right.

God, who is she?

How can anyone be so captivating?

She's staring at you. Focus on pouring. That's twice.

Oh, Mary, with your pinky sticking out like that, one might think you were

trying to catch someone's eye.

It's the latest costume at the French court.

A slight lift of the little finger is considered elegant.

I assumed everyone here had been taught that.

What's wrong?

I'm not hungry.

Mary, aren't you going to drink?

Miss Villanova, could you teach me etiquette as well? I'm afraid I'll

embarrass the family at social gatherings.

I don't have time.

What about the lessons you give Alice?

The servants say they involve much more than ordinary etiquette.

Who told you that?

The servants say your lessons with Alice are rather... hands-on.

Miss Mary, I'm Alice's private tutor. You've come to the wrong person.

That was... You're quite popular, aren't you? Stay away from Mary from now on!

Are you angry with me?

Is this because you saw me holding Mary?

Are you jealous?

I don't teach anyone else.

You've been my only student from the start.

Do I have to feed you mouth to mouth before you'll eat?

If Alice marries the Duke of Hesse, I'll never have any standing in this family.

But if she disgraces herself or gets caught in a scandal, it's over.

She won't become the Duchess. No loose ends.

Leave nothing that can be traced back to us.

How fortunate you are, Alice.

The Duke has looked at you 16 times tonight.

I counted.

Isn't the neckline on your dress a little low?

I saw his grace swallow when he looked at you. Mary, you're awfully talkative

tonight. I'm just happy for you.

I shouldn't have said that earlier.

Don't be mad. Let me make it up to you with this drink.

Is that enough?

Oh dear, Alice can't hold her drink. You two, take her upstairs to the guest

room.

Take her to the farthest guest room on the second floor. She's had too much to

drink. Guard the door and don't let anyone disturb her.

Who sent you?

If you won't talk, fine.

Where exactly were you trying to touch her?

Miss Mary! Miss Mary sent me!

Get out.

Zohar! Zohar!

Is that you?

You're here. I know it's you.

Don't go.

I won't be able to see you.

I'm here.

I'm not going anywhere.

They always locked me in the attic all night whenever I did something wrong.

So dark. I was terrified.

Stay with you. No one's going to hurt you.

Alice, come to your senses.

I know what I'm doing.

Alice, stop.

If you want me to stop, push me away.

She's not herself.

You... Say that again when you're clear-headed enough to know what you're

doing.

Anna, about last night... Mary drugged you.

I knew it.

Mary wanted to ruin me and take my place.

I'm not letting her get away with this.

Anna, I need your help. What do you need me to do?

Lure her away. Keep her busy. I'll search her room for proof.

I have to teach her a lesson. I'm not gonna let her walk all over me!

She's not that helpless little girl anymore.

Mary must have some of that drug left. Keep her busy. Buy me some time.

Alright.

Miss Mary, your carriage could use some refinement.

There's an old posture exercise I've only taught Alice.

Would you like to learn it?

Yes! Anna, I'd love to.

Stand against the wall.

Straighten your back.

Stomach in.

Chest up.

Control your breathing and shift your weight.

Don't let the book fall.

Mary is far too proud to give up after one failed attempt.

She'll try again.

That means she must still have some of the drug left.

That's enough for today. You did great.

At dinner last night, Mary drugged my wine with an aphrodisiac. I found this

in a crack in her bed frame.

If you don't punish her, I won't marry the Duke. This visit has certainly been

eventful. It's just a little scheming between sisters.

Handle it according to your family rules, and we can consider the matter

closed. Father, I brought you some pastries.

Father! Did Alice say something about me? Don't believe her! I didn't do it!

She's framing me! You're denying it before you even know it. She's framing

me!

Sloppy. Send Mary to the country estate within three days. She's not to return

before the wedding.

Otherwise, I'll show everyone the drug and tell them what she did last night.

As the future duchess, I won't tolerate a scheme that could destroy the alliance

between our salt families. It's a disgrace. The little rabbit has grown

claws. I've heard that House Alton enforces strict rules.

Count Van Alton, how will you handle this? No, Father, I don't want to go to

the country. I won't go.

Do as Alice says.

Send Mary away in three days.

Lock her up now.

You're much more interesting than I expected.

How did I do back there in the study?

You've gotten clever.

I had an excellent teacher.

Mary is off to the country. The Duke has left as well. No one can interrupt us

now. You taught me how to stand, how to sit, how to kiss, and how to hold

someone.

Now it's my turn to teach you.

House Alton's secret vault can only be opened with a family token.

Two weeks. If you don't get the classified military files by then,

you'll be of no use to us. Your way out. If the mission fails, you know what to

do.

The token.

Right there.

Just a little farther.

What are you reaching for?

Nothing. I brushed against something on your nightstand.

If I'm gone someday...

There's no if, Anna.

I want to be with you forever.

Here, this is for you.

It's very precious to me.

I'll treasure it, as long as you know what it means.

The defense plans are missing.

The troop deployments for all six key fortresses have been leaked. If they

fall into enemy hands, House Alton is finished.

Only someone with Alton blood and the token can open the vault.

Which one of you used it?

Where is the missing token?

Who has it?

Search everyone, one by one.

Find out who left their room last night and who was seen in the corridor.

That feather?

I pinned it to Anna's collar myself last night.

Bring in everyone who stood watch last night! Don't let anyone leave!

She stole the token last night to enter the vault, and stole the defense plans.

The lesson hasn't started yet. Why are you here?

This is my house. I can go wherever I please.

You... Anna, the defense plans are missing.

Someone entered the vault.

Hmm. I heard.

Your father must be in quite a state.

Anna, I found something that belongs to you.

What is it?

Why was the gift I gave you lying in the secret vault?

It was you.

Did you sleep with me just to steal the defense plans?

No. That's not true, Alice.

Who are you, really?

Is Anna even your real name?

You schemed your way into my life. You taught me how to carry myself, slept

with me, whispered sweet nothings to me.

Was all that tenderness, all that affection, just a way to steal from my

family?

I won't hurt you.

You won't hurt me?

You gained my trust just to betray me. Doesn't that count as hurting me?

Everything you made me feel, every touch between us, every kiss, was it all just

an act so you could steal from me? No.

I can't explain it.

But what I felt was real.

You're one hell of an actress, Anna.

Can you cry on cue whenever your mission calls for it too?

Get out.

Leave my house.

Disappear from my life.

Miss Villanova, whatever your mission was, congratulations.

You succeeded.

The wedding has been moved up.

The Duke is pressing us. The situation at the border has changed.

You must marry him by early next month.

There will be no discussion.

I paid a fortune to have you trained in etiquette. After all this time, has any

of it worked?

Yes. A simple yes won't do! I want her flawless before the Duke and every noble

there! If she causes the slightest embarrassment at the wedding banquet,

House Alton will be humiliated. You will bear full responsibility!

Yes, my lord.

What's the matter? I was only trying to put this over your shoulders.

I don't need it. All we have left is the waltz for the wedding banquet.

First rule of ballroom etiquette.

When you take a gentleman's arm, don't let it go slack and don't hold it too

stiffly. Too loose looks frivolous. Too tight is improper.

Do you have to act this?

Like what?

I can't even straighten your collar?

No.

Fine.

I won't touch you again.

Once you're married, my mission will be over. You won't have to see me again.

Mission? The training hasn't finished. Once the final lesson is over, I'll

leave. You should've left a long time ago. When you leave, don't leave a

single thing here.

You don't even wanna say goodbye?

No.

You said you never wanted to see me again.

Why did you save me? You haven't taught me the wedding dance. If I make a fool

of myself at the wedding and the Duke rejects me, I'll disgrace Aus Alten.

That's why I saved you. I didn't do it for you.

Stay in bed.

I'll have the kitchen make you some porridge.

Alice.

Thank you.

Get some rest.

Three days.

Find the traitor who stole the defense plans.

Once we have proof, execute them in public. No mercy.

Defense plans?

Execution in public?

It's too dangerous for Anna to stay here.

Father will trace it back to her sooner or later.

No. I have to get her out.

What's wrong?

Why are you still up at this hour?

I don't want Anna teaching me anymore.

I want a new etiquette tutor.

As soon as possible.

Ridiculous. Anna has worked hard, and your manners have improved.

You're about to marry the Duke of Hedsa. Why replace her now? She's a terrible

teacher. I don't like her. Do you think marriage is a game? Do you have any idea

how many people on the Duke's side are watching this wedding? If you make one

mistake at the wedding banquet and embarrass yourself in front of him,

you'll disgrace all of House Alton.

Anna will remain your tutor and you will take your lessons seriously.

This is not up for discussion.

Straighten your back.

Your movements are too sloppy.

I'll move however I want.

It's none of your business.

I'm your etiquette tutor.

As long as I'm still your tutor, you will follow my orders.

Don't touch me!

I have to force her to leave.

If she hates me and father thinks she can't teach me, she'll leave this

dangerous place.

Who do you think you are? You're nothing but a servant my father hired. What

right do you have to lecture me? How long will you keep pretending?

Do you think I don't know what goes through your mind every time you touch

me? Are you trying to squeeze one last payoff out of Mimi before Malice? I...

She's not fit to teach me.

She gives half-hearted lessons, picks on me for no reason, and she just shoved

me. I never want to see her again.

Fire her! Get her off this estate now!

Enough! Do you know how close the wedding is? We don't have much time

left. If she stays, I won't get married.

Oh, my God!

Alice, put the knife down!

Go.

Leave tonight.

I never want to see you on this estate again.

You win.

Take everything with you. Don't leave a single thing behind.

Fine.

Alice.

Baroness Villanova, welcome home. We're relieved you're safe. We heard your

mission in the South was extremely dangerous. Truly admirable.

Duke of Helsel, do you take Alice Van Alten to be your lawfully wedded wife?

I do.

Alice Van Alten, do you take the Duke of Helsey to be your lawfully wedded

husband?

No one has ever respected me.

No one has ever treated me like a person.

To them, I am property.

A plaything.

I never had a choice before.

From now on, I decide how I live.

I'm not marrying that disgusting man.

I... She

doesn't!

What are you doing here?

Get out! Don't ruin my wedding! Leave! Now!

I lied to you from the moment we met.

It was all for the mission.

But one thing was real.

I fell in love with you a long time ago.

Come with me.

Please. How dare you!

Guards! Arrest this madwoman at once! Don't touch her.

How dare you make a scene on the Alton State?

I know you drove me away to protect me.

Alice, I'm not letting go this time.

Alice, after the Duke called off the wedding, he took back all the money and

valuables he had given us. The estate's coffers are empty. Creditors are at the

gate every day. I know I wronged you by forcing you into that marriage. We've

come to beg you.

Please ask Baroness Velloni to help us. For old times' sake, anything at all

would help.

When I was seven, I made one small mistake.

You locked me in the dark attic for three full days.

No one came looking for me.

That's when I became afraid of the dark.

It was also when I began to hate you now.

I don't need your kindness or your pleas.

From now on, I want nothing to do with you.

Because of you, I'm not afraid of the dark anymore.