The Troubled Hidden Assassin (Part 2)

My instructor was a woman around her thirties. She was seemingly kind when we greeted each other. However, judging from the memories, this one was quite strict.

And the memories were not wrong at all. Even the slightest mistake, she was able to spot it, like a sharp sniper. She even scolded me that during our greetings, I didn’t use the traditional formal noble greeting. My memories did have that, but that wasn’t mine and I didn’t experience it, and since I didn’t think it would be that important, I well... greeted her formally in my own way. Plus, she didn’t even say to greet that way last time she taught Estelia.

By the way, the instructor was also an aristocrat, bearing the status of a Marquess. She was the lady of their household, and was asked by Father to teach me. Their family was apparently close with ours.

Actually, this instructor of mine was quite scary, well for others it would be. But not really that scary for me. Compared to the organization on which you make a small mistake they would slap you on the face hard, this was on a much brighter side.

Then when we were working about the way I walked, I was confident in that regard. Oh boy, I was perfect… though that was what I expected.

“You have improved compared the last time we met. However, you have yet to reach perfection.”

Yup, that's what she said. Years of assassination training wasted. I was quite hurt to be honest.

She placed a book on top of my head and had me walk around the hall several times. I would start again if it fell. Well, as it was expected of me, it did not fall. But she was not yet satisfied, so I walked straighter than a straight pole.

My hips swayed hypnotizingly. I delicately clasp my hands before my belly, movement so graceful, and a facial expression so regal. We were at it for who knows how long, I think around an hour or more? Although I didn’t think much of how long it would take, so I didn’t count.

It took a long time since she had me repeat it several times even though I was already doing fine. She must have wanted my performance to be impeccable.

She was surprised though that I was able to do well in that short time frame. Estelia was not that enthusiastic about improvement here, and only provided a small effort for development. Therefore, progress took a lot of time. However, I was used to learning and practice. Therefore, I was able to follow and improve in a short time.

That was even though it was my first time being taught here. The only thing I had were memories, and memories alone. They were not muscle memories or something like that, but only akin to images, you could say. So I could only remember how the movement goes. That being said, I did have my regal skills from assassinations which helped a lot. Gracefulness was useful in some missions after all. In short, I was already familiar with this type of thing, so I did not need much improvement.

Then, after that, we had a short break.

After that break, we had language lessons. Manner of speaking, formalities, like that. Not that much noteworthy or hard.

Then dining etiquette. Be graceful and neat. There were a lot of restrictions. But I guess that was to be expected during formal events, or banquets, or something similar in nature. She had me show her how to dine like a proper royal. The memories of Estelia were a lot of help.

Thankfully, she gave me a passing remark.

Everything was going swimmingly well.

Then after a short break, it was time for dancing.

I groaned painfully.

First let me explain okay? I know how to dance from my past life. However, that was not entirely applicable here. Sure I do have Estelia’s memories, but then again, I didn’t have any muscle memories here. I can only remember images of the dance. How the movement goes, something like that.

And recalling it was not the same as memorizing it. Thus, well… I guess you might have expected it… I suck.

“Princess! Do it properly.”

I was being shouted at by my instructor.

“What has happened to you, Estelia?”

I had my head lowered as I visibly flinched. I was that bad to the point that she was making her frustration show.

“It appeared like we had returned to the beginning! Care to give an explanation? Why have we returned to square one?”

How cruel! It was not back to square one, at least.

“I… I have no excuse, Madame Eleanore.”

It’s not that I wasn’t fond of dancing that I was bad at it… okay maybe that was one of the reasons. But — But come on!

I glanced up at Marquess Eleanore Moira Yveno, my instructor. She had golden hair and beautiful peach eyes. She had three words in her name, like us in the royal family. Because they were a high ranking aristocrat family, they were granted a name between the first and surname. And the title of Marquess or Marquis was just below the King. Oh yes, the royal family are the ones to grant the name in the middle.

In addition, after marriage, the former surname of the woman would be erased and changed into her husband’s. Which means, unlike the world where I came from, they don’t have such things as middle names in the form of the old surname of the wife, therefore, the children also wouldn’t inherit the former surname of their mother.

Eleanore massaged her temples.

“Why have I been teaching you for a long time?”

I pursed my lips as I gripped my arm.

“You should have been familiar with it in the first place since it was taught to you when you were still a young child. Then why are you struggling with having a partner?”

Okay! How long are you gonna keep beating me up?!

Sorry okay! Sorry I suck!

“Mother, maybe we can take it slow for the time being?”

I directed a grateful and hopeful superficial look to the young man beside me. He was two years older than me, he had a charming face, golden hair and bluish eyes. He beamed a smile which would captivate ladies who were easily fallen or fooled.

Eleanore let out an exasperated sigh.

“Jalen,” she uttered his name as she contemplated. “... Very well. To your poses.”

I should also mention the other why I was failing other than the fact that I suck at dancing and not quite fond of it. You see, last dancing sessions were solo, meaning I didn’t, or rather Estelia, didn’t have a partner. This was the first session to have a partner, and what Eleanore brought was none other than his son, Jalen Moira Yveno.

We faced each other. Eleanore picked up a string instrument, a vynelin. It resembles a violin, strings and bow, while the musician would play it by their shoulder, basically a violin. She had only brought it twice, so this was my first time seeing it personally.

“I shall be playing the music slowly.”

She said as a slow and gentle music spread throughout the hall.

I looked at Jalen with concerned expressions. I also had a thought, he was smiling all while, ever since this began. I was sure it wasn’t because he was amused by me. I bet this guy was happy she had to dance with me. And have a chance to touch me. I am confident about that conjecture.

Good thing Estelia wasn’t here doing this now. I imagine she would be uneasy.

I extended my hand as he extended his. With our palm touching, we revolved, and stepped back, the footwork was a bit complicated since we have to be in sync, or else we would step on each other. But since it was slowed down, I was barely managing.

But, I would almost trip occasionally which I imagine prompted Eleanore to grimace.

Of course my brain was at its full speed, trying to recall what was next. And it was the footwork was what I was having fucking difficulties with.

In addition, syncing with my partner was also the part I was struggling hard.

He pulled me towards him, his hand behind my waist as his body pressed into me, while my hand was by the side of his shoulder. Our other hand raised just about shoulder level as they clasped each other. Our face was completely close so that I could hear his breathing.

I sort of wanted to play him around, but Estelia must be silent for the time being.

With a turn, he let go of me. I was delayed for a bit since I momentarily forgot this was what was next.

This was the part where the lady would dance solo on the dance floor. My hands waved with magnificent grace as I beautifully spun around slowly. Of course I was not to focus only on the gracefulness of the hands, but also the movements of my feet and legs. I was exceedingly graceful overall… or that was what supposed to be if I knew this dance very well.

I know I must be around just a little above average. I could catched the disappointed glare of Eleanore from the corner of my eye.

Then after the solo, the gentleman, Jalen returned to me and I catched his offered hand. After some movements, while holding each other’s hand, our arms extended, distancing ourselves. Then with a quick pull, I returned to him with a spin as let my body fall and let him catch me. I looked up at his eyes as he looked at mine.

My breathing was rough since this body didn’t have much stamina.

After a short stare down, he carefully carried me up. We faced Eleanore, he bowed deeply and I curtsied.

Eleanore sighed, apparently not satisfied. But Jalen was still all smiles as he turned to look at me.

“That was a better performance compared before, your highness.”

I timidly stepped back as my eyes went around, as though trying to come up with a response.

“This was only possible due to your suggestion of slowing the dance… You have my thanks, Jalen.”

“Please think nothing of it. We improve in due time, I am sure you will perfect the dance “Fluttering Petals”.”

Fluttering Petals, it was apparently the name of the dance.

I grinned widely within my heart, impressed by what this man was trying to do.

He’s trying to get on my good sides it seems. I see.

He wanted to win this maiden’s heart.

Good luck on that.

I could see through his motives, and I could also get a grasp on what he was thinking about me. Since I was a meek lady, he must be thinking that I was an easy target. If he complimented me, and tried to give the impression that I could rely on him, he must have thought that I would fall for him. It may not be for an instant, but at least it would happen slowly.

I stole a glance at Eleanore with my innocent gaze.

Was this perhaps also a scheme of that woman?

Having your family enter into the royal family circle, that would be quite an achievement. It would undoubtedly reap incredible benefits for their family. It was comical actually, that they were targeting me because I was the one who appeared so vulnerable.

That being said, I didn’t have that impression from Eleanore. So I must be wrong that she was scheming something like it. For all I know, this could be Jalen’s personal plans. Perhaps driven by the merits he would receive, or by his manly instinct. But then again, it could be both.

But I shouldn’t be thinking much about this. I would do very well to prioritize my dancing skills.

Shit. Screw dancing.

“After a short break, we shall be returning to practice at once. Do you understand, Estelia?”

“U-Um, yes Madam! I understand.”

Then we have our short break, with Jalen offering me a towel to wipe away my sweat.

Of course, Jalen was striking conversations with me. Which I was obliged to respond to. I wasn’t annoyed by this, but rather it was quite entertaining, the way he was trying. He also seemed to be showing his handsome appearance as he often fixed his hair.

But of course, this didn’t cause any change within me.

Then we spent another round of practice. Once it was done, it was time to say goodbye.

“Estelia, please remember to practice if you have free time to do so. I expect some improvement next week.”

Eleanore said as she went for the door.

Jalen looked at me.

“I enjoyed the time I spent with you, your highness. I am looking forward to next week for the time we may meet again.”

“... I as well, Jalen. Take care on your way back home.”

With that, they left.

Mera then came to me, she had already prepared the bath, so I immediately went there to wash myself clean.

***

I had dinner then with my family with the exception of my father. He has yet to come home, but this often happened whenever he was out of a mission to exterminate monsters in the forest.

Of course, with my father gone for the time being, mother was visibly tired. She must have handled the jobs that were supposed to be father’s.

You can do it, mother!

I cheered her on from the inside.

My brother on the other hand was incredibly chatty as he asked me about how I was during the tutor of Eleanore. I told him honestly what happened, then he encouraged me as I appeared to have lost motivation and upset.

I sort of wanted to go out to take a look at the wisteria since it was now night time. However, this over protective family of mine adamantly compelled me to go back to my room to rest.

Thus, I have no choice but to comply. I was planning to do something anyways.

When I returned to my room, I stood up as I stared out from the window. I waited for the food in my stomach to digest. Otherwise, a full stomach would complicate what I was going to do later.

Around more than half an hour, I began stretching.

I was to exercise this body.

Yes, in my personal room, I did stationary jogging, I began to sweat profusely as I breathed rapidly. Once I was no longer able to keep jogging, I rested for a while, of course I didn’t sit down. I rested with trained breathing. I sort of wanted to shout, but that was a no go.

Then after a while of rest, I exercised my arms, carrying what was heavy in the room and stressed my arms. Did a few sit ups, curl ups, and a couple of push ups.