A Surprise Lesson

I barely had any time to contemplate my new found mathematical talent because as soon as I opened the door to exit the room I was met not with an empty hallway as I was expecting but rather Olivia reaching for the handle of the door I had just opened.

"Ah perfect, Lady Talissa I was just coming to collect you." My heart sank at that, I was hoping to track down Captain Kerrigan for extra lessons. I decided to at least try and weasel my way out of whatever was coming.

"But you said all I had to do today was classes, and those just ended so I should have free time now."

"Unfortunately for you Her Majesty has requested I give you another Etiquette lesson before tonight's banquet. I was to pull you out of class early but luckily that does not seem like it will be a problem." She said before noticing who was in the room behind me and giving a polite bow "Lord Casius, Mr. Henry, a pleasure to see you both well." Henry just responded with a grunt of affirmation while Casius answered.

"Likewise Olivia, I hope my sister hasn't given you any trouble."

"Nothing out of the ordinary for the young miss my lord, now if you will excuse us I must borrow Lady Talissa."

"Yes please get that nuisance out of here." Henry said, Casius just shrugged at that and offered a small wave goodbye as he resumed his conversation with Henry. Olivia simply bowed and then set off at a brisk pace gesturing for me to follow her. Not wanting to be left behind I quickly set off and fell in step behind her. Taking in the hall as we walked I thought. Man, I'll never get used to seeing so much money in one place. Which I knew was a strange thing to think, I had walked these selfsame halls everyday of my life, and every gaudy show of my family’s wealth was unchanged, the same gold and silver ornamentation, the same high quality expertly crafted flooring, the same crystal clear glass filling the windows. Everything was precisely as it should be and yet, it felt foreign, everything about the castle was just as my memories said it should be but everything felt new, strange and familiar simultaneously, these unexplained and conflicting thoughts were beginning to weigh heavy on my mind and a small headache formed behind my eyes. Olivia must have noticed my turmoil as she stopped and crouched down to face me, though I was so distracted with my own head I didn't notice until I had walked into her.

"My Lady, are you feeling okay? You seem unwell." Olivia asked, shaking me out of my jumbled thoughts.

"Oh um, yeah Via I'm okay. I guess I just didn't sleep well."

"I see, if you wish I can have another one of the servants fetch some tea that helps with fatigue."

"Actually, can I get one for headaches? mine kinda hurts."

"I will see it done." And with that she stood up and continued walking towards my room at the same brisk pace not giving any leeway for poor condition. This continued for a few more minutes of walking until finally we had reached my room and Olivia opened the door.

"Please take a seat My Lady while I have a servant bring you some refreshments."

"Okay, sounds good." I replied walking into my room and unceremoniously flopped onto one of the couches in the center of the room. I laid there doing nothing in particular except for rubbing my temples and trying to get my thoughts sorted, before long Olivia returned to the room.

"I have notified the kitchen to prepare you some snacks now, let us begin your etiquette lesson."

"Lesson? but Via I don't feel good." I complained. She actually looked sympathetic to my complaint but nonetheless dashed any hope I had at making an easy escape.

"I am truly sorry My Lady but, her majesty made it clear that both this lesson and attending your fathers announcement tonight are mandatory so you will just have to grit your teeth and bear with it." I thought about arguing further but in my heart I knew it was futile, a direct order from the King and Queen couldn't just be ignored no matter how poor I felt, as Olivia had said I would just have to bear with it. The lesson was grueling, how to walk, how to talk, how to sit, eat, luckily I was spared from dance lessons but everything else had to be careful, elegant, and perfect, I hated it, these etiquette lessons were the antithesis to my normal carefree attitude and it ground on my already strained nerves, worsening the pounding in my head. Thirty minutes after the lesson had started my tea and snacks finally arrived at my room with a knock.

"I apologize for the wait Princess, the kitchens are stressed preparing for tonight." Explained the maid who had brought my refreshments, she was some member of the horse-kin from a low ranking noble house who's name I didn't remember.

"Thank you Zara, that will be all." Olivia said while taking the tray.

"I'll be off then." Zara said leaving the room and closing the door as Olivia brought me what would hopefully be my relief. Greedily gulping down the tea forgetting everything I had just learned in my lesson earning me a disapproving glare from Olivia though she didn't voice any complaints which surprised me, she must have picked up on just how unwell I truly felt. However my break was far shorter than I would have liked but as soon as my spread was clear it was back into learning how to act all prim and proper. Hours passed like this and much to my dismay the tea had offered precious little relief in fact as the lesson and time passed the pain in my head only got worse but just as I was about to reach my limit Olivia signaled the end of the lesson with a small clap.

"Right My Lady, that is all we have time for, the banquet will begin soon, come here so I can set your hair." I didn't have the energy to form a reply as I plopped down in front of the same mirror as that morning and thought to myself. Will I really be okay?