At 2 PM, Goethe was promptly awakened by Swart.
No nightmares.
Two hours of deep sleep had completely restored Goethe's energy.
In the washroom, Goethe carefully washed up and changed his clothes.
The visit at 3 PM today was crucial for him.
"Extraordinary Language"!
Is there anything faster to understand an unknown than learning its language?
Naturally, it's having someone teach you that language!
Goethe understood this principle well.
Moreover, learning someone else's knowledge naturally meant calling them a teacher—something that, in his homeland, carried a very special meaning.
So, Goethe was very serious about it.
Starting from the shirt, vest, trousers, shoes, coat, overcoat, to the hat, everything was brand new.
All purchased from a store on Pine Avenue.
They even threw in a new oak cane.
It all cost 12 gold crowns.
If Goethe didn't know that Swart wouldn't dare embezzle his money, he would have thought the latter had pocketed some.
"Truly expensive!"
Goethe thought to himself, and couldn't help but think of the black bread that cost one and a quarter copper coins per pound.
Clearly, these were two different worlds.
Well-dressed gentlemen couldn't possibly understand the hardships of laborers.
Laborers could only fantasize about the lives of gentlemen.
Perhaps...
Their bowls were made of gold?
Goethe touched the collar and cuffs.
The workmanship was solid, and the fabric was good.
"Don't worry, 'James & James Tailor Shop' won't cheat you. It took them thirty years to build their reputation—Old James may have bad eyesight now, but Young James has perfectly inherited his skills."
"If you can, I suggest you get a custom-made suit. Ready-made is convenient, but sometimes custom fits better and is more suitable for certain salons."
"And!"
"They gave you that cane as a favor to me."
Swart suggested with a look of pride.
Then, before Goethe could say anything, the sheriff leaned in and asked in a low voice.
"Is Syrah... smooth?"
This wasn't the first time the sheriff had asked.
In fact, ever since the sheriff knew that Syrah had been in his office, especially after he found the items on his desk pushed aside, leaving a gap wide enough for someone to lie down, he had confirmed something.
And then?
The sheriff first felt a moment of sorrow.
Then, a strong curiosity took over.
This curiosity not only dispelled the sorrow but also made him willingly run errands for Goethe.
After all, he had never heard of Miss Syrah staying overnight anywhere.
"Smooth."
Goethe casually replied.
Swart then clasped his right fist into his left palm.
"As expected, smooth!"
"Let me tell you, the first time I saw Syrah..."
The sheriff's interest was immediately piqued, and he was about to launch into a lengthy speech, but Goethe didn't listen.
He was in a hurry.
He left the police station and borrowed the station's carriage.
Goethe headed straight for 10 Feffery Street.
Feffery 10 was close to the Linden District, a very well-secured area with well-dressed pedestrians on the streets.
Especially the many ladies holding parasols.
Along the way, Goethe saw many signs hanging under doorplates.
"Aila Camellia Room"
"Siri Handicraft Workshop"
And so on.
At 10 Feffery Street, there was a sign under the doorplate that read "Mrs. Pence's Classroom."
Goethe felt like he was walking down a street full of "cram schools" back in his hometown.
However, compared to the solemn expressions of everyone back home, as if they were marching to battle, the atmosphere here was much better, with everyone smiling, except...
Kiel.
He was also in formal attire, wearing a hat and holding a cane.
Before he saw Goethe, he was smiling as he politely declined a friendly advance from a lady.
But upon seeing Goethe, his face immediately turned cold.
As if Goethe owed him 100 gold crowns.
"You were almost late!"
When Goethe walked up, the other person spoke even more coldly.
"If you could see the clock by the roadside, it's now 2:45. I arrived fifteen minutes early."
Goethe pointed with his cane at the clock by the roadside.
There were similar clocks, standing on the ground, near Pine Avenue and Fefri, but they weren't those heavy grandfather clocks. Instead, they were clocks supported by a slender iron rod, with a round clock face at the top.
They were wound by a designated person.
These clocks made it more convenient for people who were out and about.
However, there were no such clocks in the Pine Street or Boulevard districts.
The city hall initially wanted to install them, but the residents of these two districts refused.
Because they believed pocket watches were more practical.
Or rather...
Pocket watches were expensive enough.
"As a gentleman, arriving half an hour early is the basic etiquette."
Kyle snorted.
Then, seeing Goethe pointing at the clock with his cane, he raised an eyebrow.
"A gentleman shouldn't behave so rudely."
He said.
"Refusing a lady is gentlemanly behavior?"
"Or rather..."
"Are you deliberately refusing her to attract more ladies and prove your charm?"
Goethe retorted.
Although the two were supposed to be on the same side, the indifference shown by the other during their first meeting, and his current impoliteness, made Goethe realize that while the other might not be an enemy, he was certainly no friend.
Moreover, there were undoubtedly some issues he wasn't aware of.
This must be related to "interests."
His appearance had infringed upon the other's interests, even if he wasn't aware of it!
Otherwise, Goethe couldn't understand why the other would act this way.
After all, the other didn't seem to be an idiot or a lunatic.
Therefore, Goethe had no intention of backing down. He wasn't the type to smile at someone after being treated coldly.
Who hasn't lived for the first time? Why should I give in to you?
"Even if it's my second time, I won't give in."
Goethe silently added.
"Nonsense!"
Kyle reprimanded, but the next moment, he avoided Goethe's gaze, turned around, and walked toward the doorbell.
Ding, ding ding.
After Kyle turned the handle of a hanging bell, the sound of a bell rang out from inside No. 10 Fefri Street.
A moment later, a middle-aged butler came out.
"Is it Young Master Goethe and Young Master Kyle?"
The middle-aged butler inquired.
After the two nodded, the butler opened the gate and welcomed them inside.
"The lady is still teaching other young people."
"You may wait in the living room for a moment."
"Would you like tea or coffee?"
The butler led the two to a corner of the living room, then bowed and asked.
"Tea."
"Water."
Goethe asked for tea, while Kyle asked for water.
When the butler left to prepare the drinks, Kyle sneered again.
"When the host asks about beverages, do not refuse, and do not ask for something too expensive. This will trouble the host—especially when visiting for the first time. This is not gentlemanly."
"Being hypocritical and fake is what a gentleman does?"
Goethe retorted.
On the surface, Goethe was dismissive, but secretly, he frowned.
Because, in his "memory," there was no such "etiquette."
Or rather, he hadn't received any formal etiquette training.
You must know that the Wayne family couldn't be considered wealthy.
Although they were richer than the average family and could hire a tutor to teach him to read, the etiquette lessons were only touched upon briefly before Goethe switched to practical courses.
As for a real etiquette teacher?
With the Wayne family's financial situation, they couldn't afford to hire one.
And Kyle?
He had clearly received a good education.
Compared to him, Goethe was at a disadvantage, full of weaknesses.
In such a comparison, it was obvious whom "Mrs. Pence" would favor.
And Goethe knew very well what happens when a student is favored by a teacher.
There was no need for special treatment.
An occasional word of guidance would be enough.
How should he turn this disadvantage around?
Goethe sipped his tea, thinking.
Seeing this, Kyle laughed.
"It seems some people really aren't gentlemen."
"They haven't even seriously studied the basic etiquette courses."
As Kyle spoke, he gracefully picked up his water glass, sipped it quietly, then checked his pocket watch, noticing five minutes remaining. He got up to ask the butler for the restroom.
He planned to take care of personal matters before the lesson.
Taking a bathroom break during the first lesson was not gentlemanly.
Goethe followed silently.
The restroom in the house was large and clean, for teaching purposes.
There were three urinals in a row.
Kyle chose the last one. When he saw Goethe enter, he didn't greet him, but when Goethe chose the middle one, standing next to him, Kyle frowned.
"This is not gentlemanly behavior!"
Kyle protested.
Goethe acted as if he didn't hear, first glancing sideways to confirm something, then openly turning his head and looking down, then—
"Tsk."
After speaking, Goethe deliberately shook a little.
Instantly, Kyle seemed struck by lightning.
In that moment, the bright restroom darkened.
Immediately, Goethe exclaimed.
"Kyle, you peed on your shoes!"
(End of the chapter)