My Second Marriage with the Mafia Kingpin

"Again!"

Ashley pursed her lips as the word she had been hearing all morning rang out once more. She turned to the source of the voice.

There stood a refined old madam, upright, a folding hand-held fan resting in her grasp.

The instructor’s hair was neatly styled in a bun, with volume at the crown that made her look like an evil stepmother. Though aged, with visible wrinkles on her face, her petite figure and poise remained elegant even when simply standing still.

"Do it again," she said, her voice as strict as her features.

A deep exhale escaped Ashley, and she nodded, recomposing herself as she picked up another book and placed it on top of her head. Chin high, she straightened her back and walked in her high heels, balancing the book.

Ashley walked in a straight line, managing to reach the end without the book falling.

But alas...

"Again!"

Her frown deepened, and this time, she turned fully to the madam. "Are you serious?"

In her previous life, all she needed was to walk across the room without the book falling off her head. Once she did that, they were done.

Madam Reina—the most sought-after private etiquette instructor among the elite—didn’t answer. She simply maintained her strict composure, not breaking even once. She watched Ashley stomp her foot, yet Ashley still followed through anyway.

But as Ashley placed the book on top of her head again, Reina finally spoke.

"Young Madam, you are attending an event for the first time." Her calm yet stern voice made Ashley turn to her. "What others fail to understand is that your appearance is not the most important factor in making a first impression. Regardless of whether you are wearing the most expensive outfit or how precious the necklace you wear is, it will not matter."

Madam Reina sauntered toward her as she continued, "It’s how you carry yourself from start to finish." She reached for the book in Ashley’s hand and adjusted it properly on her head.

"What I want you to do is not merely maintain the balance of this book, but to balance it with confidence." Finally, Madam Reina met Ashley’s eyes. "I am not asking you to repeat this for no reason. This is precisely why I was hired."

Moreover, if not for owing Lucian, she wouldn’t have accepted this invitation at all.

There were many elites who had wanted to hire her, but she had rejected them all for personal reasons. Ashley was her first student in a long time—and likely the last. Hence, she wanted to do this properly.

As for Ashley, she stared at the madam quietly.

I didn’t realize it, but she doesn’t look as scary up close, she thought, quickly snapping out of it. "Sorry."

"It’s alright." Madam Reina nodded as she walked away. "Do it again."

When she reached the side, she turned gracefully, adding, "This time, with confidence."

Ashley drew a deep breath and placed the book on top of her head, looking straight ahead. There were also other lessons waiting for her, but instead of continuing immediately, she paused as thoughts of the past crossed her mind.

Did she just pass me before... just for the sake of it? She wondered. But then again, she stayed with me for a long time.

That had been the very reason Ashley used to hate this instructor. But after almost two days of staying with Reina, Ashley realized not only how wrong she had been, but also how sincere the people Lucian had hired to help her truly were.

"Walk with confidence," she whispered, blinking as she took a step forward.

But after just one step, Ashley stopped. She removed the book from her head and turned to Reina. "How do I... become confident?"

Her question made Reina’s brows rise slightly. "Pardon?"

"Well..." Ashley touched her neck as she looked away. "How do I even explain this?"

If this were a mission—something she needed to execute flawlessly—then she was confident she would return victorious. If it were about how foul-mouthed she could be, she would win gold. If it were about how many pranks she could pull, then it wouldn’t be a problem.

But for an event where she would have to meet people from the upper echelon... she wasn’t so sure.

Even in her previous life—despite all the awful experiences she had endured in such gatherings—Ashley knew it was never a place where she truly belonged. Not that she was scared anymore, but rather... she wanted to do it right. Achingly so.

"Let’s just say... how can one be confident in that kind of place?" she asked, simplifying it as best as she could. "As you mentioned, it’s my first time attending that kind of social setting."

Reina tilted her head slightly, her interest piqued. After a second...

"Pfft—" she covered her lips with the back of her hand. Even her laughter looked graceful. When she recomposed herself, a smile Ashley had never seen before settled on her face.

"Young Madam, confidence is self-assurance," she hummed. "I don’t think you lack self-confidence. What you lack is experience."

No, Ashley had plenty of experience. Just... awful ones.

"Being yourself is one piece of advice I can give," Reina added, eyeing Ashley from head to toe with satisfaction. She nodded in approval before meeting her eyes again. "But in this instance, you already possess the best accessory for that night."

"Huh?"

Reina smiled subtly. "Weren’t you bringing the Master as your plus one?"

"Oh..." Ashley nodded innocently. "Yes, he’s coming. But what about it?"

"Isn’t that alone the best accessory you could have that night?" Reina lifted her brows meaningfully. "Young Madam, your husband rarely attends events unless he deems them necessary. And yet, he will be attending a charity ball—as a plus one."

"Half of the guests will attend for the cause. The other half will be there for a chance to build connections with him. Naturally, they will approach you as well," Reina continued confidently. "How you utilize that is entirely up to you."

"You are standing in a crucial position, Young Madam," she added knowingly. "It is crucial in a way that you have countless options. The only thing you need to do is choose which path you will take."

"Oh..." Realization slowly dawned on Ashley’s face as she grasped Reina’s meaning. "In other words, you’re saying that before I make a name for myself, people will first know me as Lucian De Luca’s wife."

"Exactly." Reina nodded, pleased by Ashley’s quick understanding. "You are Lucian De Luca’s wife, and that is your current value. Do you know how much that is worth, Young Madam?"

Ashley pursed her lips. Strangely, she didn’t feel any displeasure at having her value tied to a title—or to a person. If anything, she found herself more open to it, because... it was a reality she couldn’t deny.

"I think I understand now," she murmured, placing the book back on her head as she faced forward.

Ashley drew a deep breath, closing her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, she let go of the book and stepped forward. This time, she didn’t balance it; she owned it.

She sauntered ahead, exuding confidence and quiet maturity.

Watching her, Reina’s smile stretched in satisfaction.

"Now... that," she murmured, "is how the Madam of Dominion walks."