VISITING THE KINGDOM OF BOOKS

After a pause, Catherine added, "But, what do you want it for?"

Pondering a little bit, Aristia decided to divulge a little information, "I would like to add a few more classes to my schedule." She left the answer at that, having no intention of continuing.

"I see..." Catherine trailed off, wondering what other classes needed to be added to her already existing classes.

Before she could inquire more, Alaric distracted them.

"Look mama, there's a butterfly!" It was only when Alaric spoke excitedly while pointing at a butterfly with colourful wings, that Aristia remembered that he had come with them to the garden.

[Alaric doesn't attend formal classes since he's only three years old, but he's very smart. In my world, I started learning even before I could talk. It wasn't formal learning though, it was more like my family members teaching me letters and words and singing nursery rhymes, well, that's what I was told. But that's nothing special, I think it's done to everyone. As a big sister now, I have to do the same for Alaric so it'll be easier for him once he starts his own classes.] She nodded to herself.

In this world, noble children only officially started attending classes when they turned five years old, and were taught to read and write by a governess a year before; at four years of age. Aristia's governess was Mrs. Cedmond, one of the very few women in her time who could read and write.

Aristia, thanks to the novel, knew that the women in this world weren't taught how to read and write, not to talk of attending classes until a few decades ago, even before Catherine reached the age of five, when the then young former King Melvin Amberale issued a decree that all genders would be allowed to read and write. Before that only a few noble ladies knew how to read and write their own names.

At that time, it was considered irrelevant for females to know how to read and write. Even now, it was almost only the children of the aristocracy* that were able to read and write because they were the ones who could afford to hire a tutor. The commoners could not afford it and nobles would not want to lower themselves by teaching the commoners.

After the little stroll in the garden, Catherine decided it was time to go back into the mansion. She dismissed her lady-in-waiting, and parted ways with her children after giving them kisses on the cheeks.

"Come with me, Al." Aristia said to Alaric while the maids followed behind. Alaric nodded and followed her even though he had no idea where they were going.

"Where are we going, Tia?" Alaric asked curiously after they had walked a little distance.

"We're going, dear brother, to a kingdom filled with wisdom and knowledge."

"Where is this kingdom? It's in the mansion?" He asked again with amazement and curiosity in his eyes.

"You'll see." Aristia replied.

After a few turns and getting lost but pretending to have gotten to where they were deliberately, Aristia finally found the place she was looking for.

Adeline and Cassandra were wondering what Aristia was talking about and where she was going, but understood when they noticed where she stood.

However, they wondered why she had to take them through all those corridors when she could have come there directly.

Aristia stood in front of two large and sturdy double doors and releasing Alaric's hands, she pushed the door open, albeit with great effort. She walked in while gesturing for Alaric to follow her as she looked around the grand room with lots and lots of towering shelves.

Aristia was awed.

[A paradise to a bookworm or book lover.] She had come across this place during one of her tours around the mansion. She hadn't entered it though.

"Welcome to the library, Al. This... is the Kingdom Of Books." She introduced dramatically with a smile as she led him to one of the sofas in the library, and Alaric giggled.

"What will we do in the library, Tia?" He asked curiously.

"We'll visit the residents of the book Kingdom by reading books." Aristia replied simply, puffing up her chest and imitating the accent of a British Minister.

This time, Alaric laughed loudly, but stopped when he realized something "But I can't read." He said and Aristia nodded.

"I know that. That's why we're here. I'll teach you how to read." Aristia said, reverting back to her normal, childish voice and Alaric smiled happily.

"Now, just to find you a suitable one to start with. But how hard can that be?" She smiled to herself.

___

A/N*

The terms "noble" and "aristocrat" are often used interchangeably, but they do have differences:

Noble: Generally refers to individuals who hold a hereditary title of nobility granted by a monarch or sovereign authority. Nobles typically have privileges and social status inherited through their family lineage. They can include various ranks such as dukes, earls, barons, etc.

Aristocrat: Refers more broadly to individuals belonging to the upper class of society, often associated with wealth, landownership, and social status.

While nobles are aristocrats by virtue of their titles and privileges, not all aristocrats hold noble titles. Aristocrats can include wealthy landowners, prominent businesspeople, and influential individuals who may not necessarily hold noble titles.

In summary, all nobles are aristocrats, but not all aristocrats are nobles. Nobility specifically pertains to those holding hereditary titles conferred by royalty or sovereigns, whereas aristocracy encompasses a broader range of wealthy and influential individuals within society.

_

I hope this helps everyone to understand what I mean when I say 'aristocracy'. It doesn't necessarily refer to nobles. Aristocrats without noble titles are also part of high society. They just lack the titles and status of nobility, but they also have status themselves that comes with their wealth, influence and prominence.

When I say 'aristocrat', it means both nobles and those without noble titles in high society.

However, 'nobles' will mean only those with noble titles.

I hope this answers any questions anyone has about it. If you got more questions, feel free to ask them in the comments ^_^