Chapter 4: "Re"-Learning everyday etiquette

"When holding a teacup without a handle, place your thumb in the six o'clock position with index and middle fingers in the twelve o'clock position. At the same time, slightly raise your pinkie for balance and to prevent spills. If you are holding a teacup with a handle, place your fingers on the front and back of the handle with your pinkie slightly raised."

I look down at the drink with a reddish-brown hue, a deep minty aroma filling the room. My fingers tried their best to hold on to the hot teacup with the correct methods while slowly reciting the note written down.

Learning etiquette is tougher than anticipated, and the concept is quite foreign to her, especially dining and tea time rules. I am the kind of person who is more fond of physical activities than things that require me to maintain an elegant and delicate ladylike persona. It is not a bad experience even though half of my brain is filled with knowledge that I never thought I would learn.

Rather, I would prefer a hot cup of dark coffee to this fragrant peppermint tea. Energy drinks are drinks consumed daily by most college students and adults to function throughout the day. Things like that are cheap and convenient, unlike brewed tea.

I takes a sip of the drink, the soothing minty taste clears the heavy fog in my head. Tea still contains caffeine like coffee and other energy drinks so it is just a healthier option for tiredness or simply for Amelia's recovery. 

'My migraine is gone~'

Some part of me wondered if I might have suffered a heart attack in my sleep from the concerning amount of caffeinated drinks I consume daily.

'Water is overrated' - I joked to no one in particular as I placed down the teacup on the saucer with a light clack.

I reached out her hand, grabbing a small tea sandwich from the three-tiered tray. The soft bread and sweet jam does wonders for my mood. I want to shovel all the treats on the trays if I could, but...:( I'm learning etiquette right now. And something tells me that shoveling cake in your mouth isn't the most refined.

"You are doing excellent, my lady. Your skills should return in no time. The countess will be proud."- Ariadne smiled warmly, her sparkling purple eyes and striking figure filled with elegance and grace. That Laurel's family specially trained handmaiden, alright. I pull the memory issue card, and somehow they didn't even doubt it. Something about poisoning side effects combined with the effects of the cure, the doctor, or whoever it was, told them about it being a possible outcome.

I honestly didn't catch most of what they were saying since they were talking over each other at the time...meh. For now, classes are my main focus and... um... what was it again? Oh, right, noting story line things down should be a priority as well. Hm...

It is a bit hard since these maids guard me like a hawk from the moment I wake up until I fall asleep. I'll need to figure out a way around that as well. Transmigration is hard:(.

The current Duchess Andrea Laurel was known for her strict curriculum and outstanding talent in etiquette training. Most servants and employees in the family are to be trained under her before directly serving the main house. Noble ladies flock to see her in the manor everyday just to get her to teach their children.

The madam will carefully hand-pick between the one she favors the most and teach them how to perfectly handle all plausible twists and turns when serving the young masters and mistresses. No error will be tolerated when you have taken up the role upon yourself.

Only those who have earned the trust of the senior management will be able to enter the annex where the members of the Laurel family live. Otherwise, they will stay in an separate annex outside of the Laurels ground.

And that would also apply to the children of the Laurel household.

If not for the political problems occurring in the kingdom, she would have come here herself to help Amelia "re-familiarize" herself with etiquette and her daily duties after lying in bed for so long.

' I have somewhat got used to Amelia's daily routine already'

It has been about one month since the first day I arrived in this fantasy-filled land. I found out that Amelia had been unconscious for almost two months after the poisoning incident. Adrenaline did a great job of numbing down the pain in my sore muscles that day.

A few days after she woke up, doctors of all kinds came to her room by the Duchess order to help her quickly recover from the incident. From then on, Amelia received what she would perceive as an expensive rehab program from a VVIP hospital room that one would usually sees in a Korean drama.

Everything from physical activities to an all in all-in-all luxury spa treatment.

Physical activities and learning different subjects were simple enough but lessons on etiquette are very challenging. Everything needs to be done with perfection, every angle down to the millimeter is important. I felt myself aging faster than my old high school teacher.

Running deadline right before the due date would be preferred rather than me sitting here to listen to some lady talks about the correct way to point her pinky when holding a teacup.

I should quickly perfect all of the required skills before the next family gathering. If not, they might suspect me of not being the real Amelia. I heaves a long sigh before focusing on the notes she has taken down.

I might not be a quick learner, but practice makes perfect, no?

Even when I was learning to be a good screenplay writer, a flexible and creative mind can help make an attractive storyline for the audience's enjoyment. Incorporating the desired elements into the script in a way that is intended to be logical and compelling so that the viewer can follow the story.

Screenplay writers write the dialogue of the characters, and they also write the set directions.

Utilizing pieces of information, scenes, and lines to drop little easter eggs and subtle hints to lead to a shocking twist is always her favorite thing to do when writing.

I like to research all sorts of subjects that pique my interests even if it is an array of random information s, from "Different ways to write cursive" to "The easiest methods to commit a closed room murder" and many more.

Most of them have hard-to-accomplish requirements, but things like that help me get more inspiration for my work. After all, diligence is one of my greatest virtues.

*****

In "Flower of Eden," Amelia is described as someone whose grace and elegance are known even on the battlefield. It would take less than two brain cells to know that her etiquette and manner are flawless.

Even though I still has trouble not using modern slang in my speech with a few hiccups here and there but overall most everyday elements are up to the ideal level... As idea as one would expect from someone who just risen out of deadbed not long ago.

Days and nights of practice have finally paid off.

Now that I thinks about it, in a typical isekai trope similar to this situation, the protagonist easily fits into the character mold that was given to them almost immediately. It is unrealistic, but I feels quite jealous now.

Oh, how I envies those with super convenient cheats right now.

Anyway, you can't keep crying over spilled milk. After all, hard work is repaid with suitable merit.

Amelia has holed up in the Spring Palace for the past month, other than viewing the estate from the balcony I hasn't gone anywhere else because...this place is really, really big and I got lost the moment the maids leave my line of sight. It's nothing to be ashamed of, I didn't accidentally walk into a storage room and loudly proclaim it was my room. That totally didn't happen prior to this moment.

...

So today, I decided to leave the building and explore the estate ground first.

The maids suggested visiting the side garden near the training ground to relieve some stress from how hard she has worked this past month. They practically burst with joy after Amelia agreed to let them dresses me up for my little excursion. I felt a little guilty for rejecting their plea to help me get ready for the past few weeks.

Except for the first few days when I was caught off guard by the shock and the numb muscles, I decided to get prepared by myself, though it took a bit to convince them to let me be.

After checking up on the weather, Ariande with the other servants quickly prepared for the picnic necessity. Picnic blankets, bug repellent, utensils, and many more items were placed in the basket one by one.

The chefs who seem just as excited as the maids were, prepared a basket filled with all kinds of food and drink that make my mouth water just by looking at them.

They depart soon after, before setting up a little camp in a quiet corner of the most beautiful garden she has ever seen. I was in awed the second I saw it from afar. Even all the tourist attractions that I once visited could never compare to this magnificent "side garden".

A fresh breeze blows through the garden, swaying the yellow leaves lightly, causing them to fall to the ground. Taking a bite of the berry-filled scone, I gazes at the lush nature around me, taking in some sweet fresh air and staring up into the clear sky.

At least that's what it looks like...

_________________________

[Status Board]

Name: Amelia Laurel

Age: 12

Level: 7

Species: Human

Status: Weaken- Recovering

--------------

Vitality: G

Mana: F++

Agility: G+

Strength: G+++

Intelligence: F+

Luck: C+

Overall rank: F+

--------------

Skill: [Etiquette - Uncommon]; [Determination - Rare]; [Prediction -Rare]; [Edeltraud Abdiel - Unique]; [Quick Heal- Rare]

Title: None

__________________________

Though the information on the floating board was vague, it was enough to help pinpoint the current time flow.

If Amelia is still twelth, the main storyline started over two years ago. Even though the timing is less than ideal nothing can be done about it anymore.

Following the beginning plot in "Flower of Eden", Alex Donavan - the protagonist has been chased out of his hometown with his childhood best friend Emily Cosette - his main heroine when they were barely eleven.

After finding their way around for a few weeks and making their way to a city, they encounter a carriage that was attacked by bandits. The wagon's escorts seem to have all run away or slain. There were only two survivors left alive in the incident. The pair of children ended up saving their life by helping them escape from their pursuer.

The noble who got rescued then decided to give them sponsorship as payment for saving his life. Afterward, they were sent to the institution of Gauravan where Amelia eventually meets them and becomes one of their allies.

All of the most talented pupils gathered there from many different kingdoms and empires to brandish their value and capability in gold. Competition for the top seats never stops until the very last second just like competitive sports tournaments on Earth.

In the novel, the main character has already reached a rank of E+ when he enters the academy. It might sound quite low but around 30% of adults over the age of 20 in the kingdom have E rank with even less than 15% having proper training and education. Almost 20% of people can't go past C rank even if they train their whole life.

A person can only rank up after achieving certain requirements. Every time your rank goes up a level, you experienced a limit break. It helps reformed one's body to match their intended occupation and it is not as pleasant as it sounds. Some people could even lose their life with just a small mistake during the process of limit break.

Amelia is almost as strong as the average adult on Earth so you could say that she received quite a buff just by being an side character/ ally already. She even received the unique sword skill of the Laurel clan bloodline- Edeltraud Abdiel which is not common even in the bloodline.

Even though, Amelia doesn't have any overwhelming cheat skills or buffs, I came to find out that Amelia is quite adept at using a great sword. When I was training with the sword instructor, my body movement was swift and light as if Amelia was the one controlling the body and not me.

The Laurel clan is a Ducal clan with unique for-wielding weapons and unrivaled talents that even rival the royal family itself. Competition between different family members and members of the royal family is nothing strange at this point.

In the novel, the royal family held close relations with the clan, even the crown prince and his siblings usually come to the estate weekly despite his busy schedule and competes with the first heiress on all kinds of things from studying to swordplay. They were known as the closest of friends and were almost inseparable.

Other clans saw it as a target of envy and a nick on their pride so they usually use any method possible to bring down the Laurel clan. Because of this reason, children of the family never leave the household until they have proper training and knowledge to match it before debutante.

Despite a few drawbacks, there are many great perks to being in the Laurel family compared to other households.

Money and protection.

They are old money at this point, everything from information guilds to businesses in fashion provides them with an endless supply of gold coins.

Not to mention, their overwhelming fame all across the kingdom and continent. It was like when a super famous celebrity walk down the red carpet whenever one member passed by a random location.

My introverted soul would have already screamed its heart out at an unprepared phone call much less have a crowd following me every step I take. Luckily, the clan's business and political stance doesn't effect their members personal life since the family keep their mouth close on personal/ family matter away from outsider.

With my debutante being at least 3-5 years away, these worries will be put on halt for now.

"I want to explore"

Standing up from the picnic blanket, I quickly finished off the pasties as I started to wander around the garden. My servants have already left to finish up some chores so what is the point of being here if I don't look around right?

Gardeners can be seen walking around taking care of each tree with their utmost ability. Every plant, bush, and flower is pruned to perfection, not even a single leaf out of place. All come together creating a breathtaking canvas that can even slap the main character a few times in the face.

I would work this hard too if I was paid a salary that matched the effort I put in.

Strolling alongside the flower wall, I couldn't help to notice a type of flower similar to that of Earth's rose. In this foreign world that I have only seen through the lines of a book, my presence feels so out of place with everything around me. There is no electricity, no electronic devices, and no ongoing sound of traffic in the back of my head at every moment.

Nothing in this place fit in right with my perception of common sense anymore. Even the flower looks completely different compared to those I have seen in the past.

Seeing something with an inking familiarity with suddenly makes me feel so at home. I held up my hand lightly caressing the soft flower petals welcoming a warm feeling in her chest unbeknownst to the wide smile I had on my face.

"...Amelia?"

A soft voice rang out snapping me from my thought. I turn my head to see a young girl with short fiery red hair, her piercing blue eyes seem to look right through my soul itself giving me the chills. Her long black robe seemingly fluttered in the gentle wind as she brushed back a few stranded hairs. Her mesmerizing look make the filter in my mouth crumble like sand as I blurted out the first name that I thought of in my mind.

" Sister Amber? "