Lessons

Countess Bianca seemed to treat Kalina with much more respect after their first meeting. In fact, when Kalina arrived for their next lesson, the Countess greeted her with a deep curtsy.

"I apologize for my actions," Countess Bianca said. "I had heard some unkind rumors about Lady Kalina, and something must have come over me to believe them."

'No, they're all true.' Kalina put down her teacup and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

"All is forgiven," Kalina replied. "Though the part about me being unknowledgeable is true. I hope that the Countess will be able help me."

"Of course. Shall we learn a little history?"

The Solythaire Empire was the most prosperous country in the continent of Marx, rivaled only by the southernmost kingdom of Jassian, which specialized in mining. The Empire had territory containing both large ports by the sea and lots of fertile land, making it the trading hub of all the nearby countries.

"Hundreds of years ago, the first emperor Rubius I united three warring countries and expanded the economy. He was the first to propose international trade, which made it possible for many merchant families to gain substantial wealth. He also created an alliance that ensured a thousand years of peace between the countries."

Countess Bianca showed Kalina a map that showed the continent and the countries' borders. Solythaire covered nearly half of the land and was bordered by many moderately sized countries, with the smaller nations located further away. Kalina guessed that this was to keep Solythaire's power in check and prevent the smaller countries from being usurped.

"The Ephraim dukedom is located at the southeastern border of the Empire and controls one of the Empire's main ports. It also manages the Jassian-Solythaire border and trades their alcohol and fresh produce for Jassian's gemstones and metals."

'Oh,' Kalina thought. 'We have more power than I thought.'

Countess Bianca continued to tell Kalina about more prominent emperors and their reigns, as well as some ancient myths.

"Some say that during the period of time before the Empire was founded, magic existed and was used by the countries to fight each other. There are accounts of holy swords, healing potions, and even devices that could tell the future. However, once the countries were at peace, the magic was sealed away to maintain a balance of power between countries.

"But that's just a legend," Countess Bianca added. She had wanted to tell a fairytale to amuse Kalina, since she was still a child, but the young lady seemed to have no interest in it.

"Shall we move on?"

Kalina spent the rest of the morning learning mathematics and grammar. She performed brilliantly and was praised by the Countess, who said she was one of her brightest pupils. Well, it was only because she had already learned everything before.

After a light lunch on the terrace, Kalina resumed her lessons with the Countess, this time focusing on etiquette. She studied table manners, walking and sitting postures, and social etiquette.

"Since you are of high social standing, the only people who you must speak formally to are the royal family and the Duchess and Duke." The Countess reminded Kalina as the latter practiced walking gracefully while balancing a small stack of books on her head.

"Additionally, other nobles are required to greet you first at any social gathering."

Kalina finished walking and a maid poured her a cup of tea, which she drank after returning to the sitting area. Though she had just learned how to respectfully eat in the presence of others, her execution had no flaws.

"Lady Kalina is very naturally graceful," the Countess commented. "I imagine that Lady Kalina could easily become the Flower of Society when she debuts."

Hearing the Countess' words, Kalina paused. The "Flower of Society" was a title that was associated with the most beautiful, talented, and virtuous noblewoman in the Empire. In her past life, Lucille had become the Flower after posing as the saintly sister of the Duke's wicked daughter.

Kalina recalled that Lucille had connected with affluential nobles early on and had used them to spread false rumors about Kalina. Of course, they never reached Kalina's ears, who stayed at home and only went outside to be compared to Lucille.

"I hope that will be the case." Kalina smiled shyly. "I thank the Countess for her praise."

"Ah, if Lady Kalina plans on becoming the Flower, how about holding a tea party for young ladies that will be debuting alongside you?" The Countess suggested, moved by Kalina's bashful appearance.

"A tea party?"

"Yes, it is always important to establish connections at a young age, especially for noblewomen. You could invite some ladies from the neighboring territories over to chat. They definitely won't refuse a request from you, so invite whoever you'd like."

Countess Bianca handed Kalina a list of noble ladies who lived near the Ephraim dukedom. Kalina's main estate was at the edge of the territory, so it wouldn't take long for the ladies to arrive by carriage.

'Hmm...' Kalina scanned over the list, using her knowledge of future events to pick out the ones that would be of most use to her.

'That count? The one who was arrested for secretly running an illegal business?' Kalina frowned as she looked over the candidates. Many of the nobles on the list did not have anything that would benefit her, or were engaging in unlawful acts behind the scenes.

'Oh, this one...Count Willick. Didn't he discover one of Jassian's abandoned mines on his territory? His family even entered high society after that, too...I'll have to make connections with him, for sure.'

Through this process, Kalina meticulously picked out a group of six ladies from the neighboring lands. They were all from families that would, at some point in time, advance in social status or have immense success.

"The daughter of a merchant family? Are you sure, Lady Kalina?" The Countess asked after Kalina told her about her picks. After all, a Duke's daughter wouldn't usually acknowledge the nouveau riche that had become noble from running businesses.

"I believe social status should not stand in the way of relationships."

'It's just that her brother is a skilled entrepreneur that will become a great help to me.'

"O-Oh, is that so?" Countess Bianca answered sheepishly. 'Lady Kalina is very considerate for her age,' she thought. 'It seems the rumors really were false.'

"Yes." Kalina smiled back softly. "After all, I'm making friends, not business partners, right?"