The eye bags beneath her eyelids darkened by the next morning, and I forgot to mention my frustration with being uninformed of changes within my staff. A loyalist at heart. She worried over the royal family for two days straight before finally being summoned again. She left without hesitation again.
During that time the others and I walked on eggshells again. The rising tension was almost unbearable until a certain someone came to visit.
It was not who I expected, but it was a pleasant surprise nonetheless.
Meng Jialin.
Kissae let her in, and she bounded into the room valiantly. She was clad in black outdoor wear and had a large saber hanging off her belt. Her long, silky black hair was pulled up into a large bun with several pins sticking out of it and holding it together.
She came around breakfast time looking rather bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for that early in the morning. Not literally. To my knowledge, she doesn't have a tail.
She beamed at me and naturally took her seat across from me."Good morning, tater tot. How do you feel about a little excursion with your dear mother?" In this instance, I knew she was referring to herself, and I raised an eyebrow. I know for sure that's not in my itinerary. I put down my homework on an end table and picked up something to eat.
I layered some butter over my pain perdu, which is just a fancy way of saying French toast. "What kind of excursion are you referring to?" I sank my teeth into the bread and waited for her response.
Ow. That feels kind of weird. I think I'm gonna lose my baby teeth one of these days.
She picks up a few fruits from my plate and pops them in her mouth with no hesitation."A little walk around the grounds. Just a stroll with your brothers and me." That does sound tempting…and it is the weekend, but I'm supposed to start my morning with Lady Anne today. She wants to start teaching me how to interact with others in high society using tea. Apparently, it is very important to my future social life if I learn this skill early.
"I have a prior engagement that will last until around noon today. After that, I'll have four hours of free time. Is that time agreeable with you?" If not, there's nothing much I can do.
Meng Jialin smiles to herself and considers it. "It's just enough time for what I have in mind. I'll pick you up myself this afternoon and take you with me."
I furrowed my eyebrows but agreed. Take me where? The back gardens? I've never been, but that's the only place I can think of that would have enough room for a stroll.
She dusts her hands off, throws me a small bag, and leaves as quickly as she came. Her heels clicked against the floor and slowly faded away into the distance. Kissae resumed her post after the door was shut.
What did she get me this time? More weapons? I set my toast down and opened it gingerly. A few gold coins were lying haphazardly on the surface, and I collected them into my own space bag without changing a shade. It's well known now what I've come to expect in gifts.
The contents underneath, however, are not what I typically expect.
Gloves? Why are there openings, though? I inspected the soft leather gloves until it came to me.
[Archer's Gloves]
It looks like gloves meant for archery. Its brown leather covers only the index, middle, and ring fingers.
I ran my fingers over its surface and frowned. What is she planning?
This better be for a stroll and not for hunting of some sort. Today is my day off.
I put the gloves in my space bag, and it disappeared into the faint white mark on my thigh magically. Thank you, sister.
I finished up my breakfast and got dressed with Kelly's help. It can't be helped. Today I have to wear a slightly more formal dress as recommended by Lady Anne.
This just so happens to be one of my gifts from the birthday party. A baby blue dress with delicate silver embroidery and puffed sleeves. A silk sash was tied around my waist, forming a bow in the back. At its center was a cluster of pearls matching the intricate ribbons sewn on my skirt and decorating my shoes.
A smaller ribbon of the same color was used to tie my hair into a small bun.
Mei Xue inspected my appearance and nitpicked at it until she was satisfied. So many pearl pins were jammed into my skull that I feared I might start getting a signal from my world.
Time to go.
To save time, Kelly carried me to Lady Anne's study room so we could be there on time. Once we were within ten feet of the door, she placed me gently on the floor and let me walk on my own. I feel so heavy. Formal clothing sucks.
Kelly lightly informed Lady Anne of my arrival through the door, and it was opened from the inside by her maid. An older woman with pale green hair and lime green eyes. Possibly a fairy or elf. She didn't speak often and mainly maintained an invisible stance by the door. Honestly, she creeps me out, but there's not much I can do about that.
I continued inside to where Lady Anne was already sitting. She left her seat and gave me a slight curtsy despite our mentor\mentee relationship. By blood, I am still a daughter of one of the three dukes of the kingdom and a direct descendant of a princess. My blood doesn't allow me to bow to anyone who isn't Royal.
I dismissed her bow with a few words and a light wave."You may rise. Thank you for inviting me here today."
She rose from her curtsy with a delicate smile painted on her face. "No. Please let me thank you for accepting my humble gathering. Your Highness brings me great honor with her presence."
I end the back-and-forth with a simple. "You flatter me. Please have a seat."
She nods and sits down first in her seat at a round table. Opposite her seat is mine. I climb up using a step stool that was already considerately placed next to it. With as much grace as I can muster, I sit down on the high chair.
For the next three hours, I'm taught the ways and value of tea. It's not exactly about the drink or whatever accompanied it while you had a taste of its rich flavor. It's about what is shared while you're drinking it. Gossip, hidden intentions, keen insight into the manners and upbringing of a noble.
Everything I've learned with her is put to use during this tea time. When it's finally done, I'm barely holding on. I'm so bored and tired it's killing me.
"Thank you for your hospitality. I had an excellent time here and am looking forward to our next encounter. Please take care of yourself in the meantime."
I turn around and leave the room as speedily as I can. Once I'm out, Kelly scoops me up into her arms and carries me away. My sweaty, exhausted body is hurried to my room so I can be peeled out of this ridiculous dress.
A quick bath and pat down later, I'm stuffed into entirely new attire. It's soft but slightly different than what I'm used to. There are hidden pants underneath the skirt that allow me to move around and aren't as restrictive as one would assume.
"Where did these clothes come from?"
Mei Xue fixed my hair into a high bun that was held up in a familiar-looking pin. "Mistress Meng had them delivered shortly after her impromptu visit this morning." It seems she also provided a hairpin. How thoughtful. You know what I miss? Scrunchies. Elastic hair ties. Simple hair clips.
I sighed and ran my hand over the fabric covering my legs. It's so breathable it feels like it's barely there, and the boots I'm wearing are cute, too. It's all in black, though. Welp.
I had a small snack and a tiny glass of water before she came for me. In the same great mood from this morning. How is she still so energetic? She stomped into my room like a woman on a mission and had a face full of satisfaction when she saw that I was all ready. I still had a small half-eaten cookie in my right hand when she caught me.
"Let's go, cherub!" She smiled with all her teeth and scooped me up from my bed. My cookie was abandoned, and I was starting to get suspicious.
She whisked me away in a hurry that had Kissae panting to keep up with her. She shared the same frantic look as me.
"Where are we going?!" My hair almost came loose when we made a sharp turn, and my eyes grew wide as I realized what part of the house we were in. I've never actually been here, but this is their part of the house.
Druvis and Meng Jialin's side of the house. It's a lot different than my side of the house. The entire space is brighter and has more color than mine. All of the gothic themes of the main house don't seem to have touched the walls of their quarters.
But that's not important. No. I think—
Meng Jialin said in a chipper tone. "Isn't it obvious?! We're going to the training grounds!" I bounced with her shoulders as she strutted towards an unfamiliar area.
I pushed her hair out of my way and locked eyes with Kissae. "The what?! Like the ones for the soldiers?" Kissae's face screwed up in disgust and confusion. Why on earth would I be going there?
She snorted. "Of course. What other training grounds are there?" She shoved open the last door like it weighed nothing, and instantly, I was blinded. Holy—It's so bright out here. It feels like I haven't seen the sun in ages. I blink rapidly to try to get rid of the feeling.
'
Is this why they say vampires are afraid of light? Jesus, it burns.