After a few weeks, we noticed that Alex really improved on his swordsmanship, however, seeing as I was not actually good at it from the beginning, his skill is still being entirely dependent on me. He only improves at the very same rate as me, it's like he was fated to be always behind me, although I don't think that he really minds it, in fact, he looks happy whenever he's together with me. I hope it will still stay the same as we grow older.
...
After a few sessions of my etiquette lessons, my teacher gave me an assignment of organizing a tea party. I voiced my opinion saying that I don't think that I am quite ready for that, however, she said I already learned what I needed to learn, and I have the most important aspect of all, and that is consideration for others. I almost snorted when she said that to me, I mean, considerate? Am I still considered as such even when I seriously wish for the bastard to die?
Anyway, I asked Alex to bring me some books containing the records of our relationship with the other houses. I found out that among all the houses, there are 2 Dukes who serve as the right and left hands of the Royal Family, the House of Braymont and the House of Creutscher. The Braymonts are known for their military prowess while the Creutschers are known for their intellectual prowess. I decided to invite a few others, who have daughters close to my age.
.
..
...
*sigh* This will be my first time meeting other people outside the palace, I hope everything goes without any mishaps. For my first social appearance, also known as my social debut, I chose to wear a light blue dress, which is similar to the color of my eyes, and a pair of silver heels to complete the set. If I am to be frank, it all complements my thick and wavy golden hair. I don't know how it really fares according to this world's fashion sense, I just used the fantasies that I dreamt of when I was from Earth.
Wait a minute.. Now that I think about it, my mental age is clearly way higher than those of my age, I wonder if I will really be alright. I may look like a 7 year old, but I've already lived as an adult! .. Oh well, there's nothing I can do about that now, I better not let them wait any longer.
.
..
...
[Royal Garden]
"..."
Shit, I don't understand what they're talking about. What did I expect? Even though I became a young princess now, I never became fond of the things that a child will like, hell I never even got the opportunity to try having one. I couldn't just talk to them about how I am training with a sword for Alex. This is all because of that damn bastard that I am not able to enjoy my childhood now. I shed a tear.
"..!! Oh my! Your Highness, are you alright? *hands over a handkerchief*"
"Oh.." I look at the girl who was offering me a handkerchief.
I believe her name was Beatrice from House Creutscher. I wasn't quite expecting her to approach me first. With her straight and silky black hair, paired with those deep black eyes who seems to understand the world, I feel uneasy. Maybe it's because she looks like she came from Earth too. I wonder if there are others like me who retained their memories from their past life.
"Thank you for worrying about me Lady Creutscher, but I'm alright. I just remembered something that made me quite emotional. Sorry for showing such a shameful manner." I accepted her handkerchief since it might be rude to reject her offer of kindness.
I noticed just now, but unlike most of the girls, she seemed to be the most mature out of all the person here, including myself. There is just something about her that I can't quite tell.
After a few minutes, the tea party came to an end. After most of the guests have left, I was approached by two young ladies.
"Forgive my impudence, your Highness, but will it be alright for us to accompany you for a while?" asks the young lady of Creutscher.
".. That will be just fine Lady Creutscher, and if I recall correctly, you are Lady Cassandra from the House of Braymont.
"I am honored to have the Princess remember my humble name." says Cassandra as she kneels down which in turn causes her waist-length, glossy blue hair to wave.
Ahh, she smells nice hehe.. oh, I turned a bit of a pervert there, not good.
"Sandra, you are wearing a dress so it is quite improper to kneel like that! When we are wearing a dress, it's better to perform a curtsy. Didn't you see me do it earlier?" Beatrice scolds Cassandra.
"Oops sorry about that, I forgot.. and didn't I tell you not to call me Sandra?! Also, you just had to do it in front of her Highness!" Cassandra retorts.
The two of them are bickering back and forth.. Did they just ignore the fact that I am still a princess? Did I do horribly poor during the tea party?
"Anyway, sorry about not coming to your side earlier Your Highness, I think you already know but, I was observing your actions during the tea party. It is the duty of us Creutschers to evaluate the royal family, and if a member were to fail, we are given the authority to guide them back on the right path."
..!! What?! So the uneasiness that I was feeling earlier was because of that? Shit, I wonder if I did anything wrong earlier.
"Oh.. is that so? Did I pass or.. fail?" I nervously ask her.
".. You passed with flying colors your Highness. Although I can't tell you the details of it, please rest assured that you are fit to be part of the royal family." says Beatrice as she smiles warmly.
"I see.. Thank you Lady Creutscher."
To be honest, I was kind of worried that she'll fail me, simply because of that bastard, and the Creutscher family serves as his left hand.. but now I know that the Creutschers serves the whole royal family, not just the bastard.
"Your Highness, you can call me by my first name. You have earned the right to do so."
What? Did she really just speak to me in an informal manner?
"Oh.. Then, can I call you Bea?" I smirk, you think you're the only one who have the guts to do that huh? Well, two can play the game.
Beatrice looks shocked, but recovers almost immediately. "Sure, in return, I shall call you Ara."
Ooh~ feisty, I like her.
"Hah! See? I told you that you didn't need to do that evaluation-thingy of yours. I knew from the start that Ara is a good girl." Cassandra looked so proud of herself.
"If only you didn't tell me to stay away from her first, I would've been able to get closer to her faster... WAIT! Was that your ploy to get ahead of me?!"
"..Who knows?" Beatrice plays dumb and looks away.
"AHH SO YOU DID!"
"Sandra! Don't yell, it's improper for a lady."
"Hmpf! I am going to be Ara's knight anyway.. and don't call me Sandra!"
"Pfft, hahaha!" I laugh to their funny exchanges.
"Then, can I call you Cassie instead of Sandra?" I asked Cassandra.
Cassandra's face brightens up. "Sure!!"
...
Looks like everything went well today. I did a good job hehe.. Also, I think this is the first time that I get to be this close with a girl even during my past life, and they are both so pretty and cool.. except for the times when they bicker though. Anyway, I now have another reason to be happy in this world, I wonder what kind of future awaits me?