The wheels of a carriage turned as it made its way down a rocky, dirt road. Inside the luxurious carriage sat two figures, a mother and her daughter. The mother spoke in a cold and strict tone to her daughter.
"Tell me again what you're going to do once you get to the banquet Jayne."
"I am going to approach the Viscount Noress and befriend him. Then I will approach the Duchess Whinestine and ask about her recent trades with the Empire of Marsha."
"Good. Make sure that you also approach the Viscount's son Gerard and appear presentable to him. If you are successful, I will allow you to visit that maid friend of yours; but if you aren't, well, you know the consequences don't you?" Jayne looked up at her mother silently. It was the same routine as usual when they attended these parties- follow whatever directions her mother told her with no complaints. She had been raised from childhood to be a pawn to her parents. A simple tool in their hands to further their wealth and satisfy their greed. She never had a say in the matter nor did they care about her opinion on it.
"Answer me when I am speaking to you Jayne."
"Yes, mother." For the rest of the journey, the ride was silent. Soon the carriage came to a full stop in front of a grand mansion. There was a lit up path way leading towards grand doors and many guests dressed in expensive clothing made their way to the door man. Jayne wore a well-practiced smile on her face as she and her mother stepped off the carriage and approached with the rest of guests. Many of the nobles looked in awe at Jayne and whispered small admirations about her.
"Look, it's the white lily of society, Jayne Clarke."
"She's even more graceful in person! I heard that she won the national women's art competition and scored the highest in painting, calligraphy, music, and poetry."
"That's a given. I heard that she also received numerous compliments from Grand Tutor Winfred at the academy and she's also a top student academically."
As many young ladies straightened their backs and fixed their dresses after seeing her, many gentlemen also took a double-take at Jayne. Jayne and her mother approached the door man who immediately saluted them and opened the door to the banquet for them.
"Welcome, Duchess Clarke and her daughter Jayne Madeleine Clarke," announced the door man in a loud voice. Many nobles looked up at the pair as they made their way down the stairs to the floor. They were surrounded by nobles at once who showered them with compliments and greetings. After a round of pleasantries, Jayne made her way out of the nobles sight and towards Viscount Noress.
"Good evening, Viscount Noress. How are you enjoying the banquet?", Jayne asked with a pleasant smile. The viscount was one of the most prominent figures in the Empire of Xavier and was the Minister of Property. He was in charge of taxation and land agreements within the empire and was generally a wise and kind man who gave to charity regularly. Jayne's mother had wanted her to approach him to get in his good graces.
"Good evening Jayne. You look very beautiful tonight as well. This banquet is wonderful, I especially love the musicians." Viscount Noress was a man who appreciated the arts and loved attending operas and other music recitals in his free time. To get close to him, one would have to know a lot about music and literature.
"Ah, yes the music is truly splendid. It seems that they're playing a piece by Vivaldi right now. I especially adore listening to Bach as well."
"Indeed. How very nice it is to converse with someone as well-versed in the arts as much as me. Oh yes, let me introduce you to my son, Gerard. Gerard come over here!" A young man with amber hair and green eyes approaches them with a small frown on his face.
"Father, I was about to go play billiards with the other noble sons. What did you need me for?"
"Gerard, this is Ms. Jayne Clarke of House Clarke. Seeing as you two are around the same age, I hope you guys can get along well. Also, how many times have your mother and I told you to stop that nasty gambling habit of yours? It is unbefitting of you as a noble. I'm very sorry for my son's attitude Jayne."
"It is quite alright Viscount Noress and it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Gerard." Despite the awkward tension between the father and son, Jayne was left to converse with Gerard. He had a bad habit of spending too much and gambling away all his money with his friends, but since he had the support of his father, he was left unattended to do whatever he wanted. Jayne disliked conversing with people like him, but she knew of the consequences that would come if she didn't do as her mother wished.