"Girls, Miss Peterson is here", Kathryn screamed from downstairs.
She was already dressed to go out and leave the two girls with the butler and their governess.
Immediately Janielle heard the governess was here, she ran downstairs with her new book and pen excitedly. Miss Peterson stared at the low-life she was going to start training soon. As usual, Janielle didn't care, she sized her governess slowly. She looked posh and old but very elegant.
"Welcome Miss Peterson", Janielle greeted politely. This made Miss Peterson's heart skip a beat. She had never been greeted by her students which was quite expected as her students were royalties and I'll mannered brats like Zoe.
"How old are you and what's your name?" Miss Peterson asked.
"I can see you guys are getting along well, I'd be heading out now", Kathryn said to Miss Peterson amidst smiles and then she turned to Janielle, "make sure Zoe attends her lessons" and then she headed out.
Janielle sighed and then turned back to Miss Peterson to answer her question, "I'm Janielle Moore and I'm 16 years old".
Miss Peterson nodded, "oh, so you're older than Zoe".
Janielle nodded quickly, Happy that Miss Peterson started up a conversation with her.
"You're at a marriageable age, why aren't you married instead of wasting your time attending lessons", Miss Peterson said which made her face fall almost immediately. As if planned, Zoe walked in to chirp in, " I also told her the same thing. Why can't she just go back to the village and help her suffering old mom".
"She's not suffering!", Janielle replied, already getting angry.
"Oh yeah? Then why did she bring you here?", Zoe asked trying to taunt her.
"Enough!! Why are you just coming downstairs Miss Zoe", Miss Peterson said angrily. She knew Zoe was a little witch.
"I haven't been feeling too well", Zoe replied curtly.
"Do you Know who I am, how dare you talk to me like that?", Miss Peterson asked angrily.
"Please just start the boring lectures for today so I can go back to sleep", Zoe replied non-challantly. Janielle saw the way they were exchanging word rudely at each other but her mood was already too soured to say anything besides her mother told her exchanging of words harshly was unladylike.
Her mood quickly brightened up and she started enjoying the class. While Zoe was busy looking for opportunities to throw insults at Miss Peterson, she was learning. She already knew how to read and write. Miss Peterson then gave her a book about the power hierarchy in the kingdom of Frostlake. Zoe was so annoyed about Janielle's enthusiasm to learn but she said nothing, having Miss Peterson as her sole Target for the day.
While reading, Janielle looked up and noticed a bruise on Miss Peterson's left cheek, it was faint yet noticeable, "Miss Peterson, is your cheek alright, there's a bruise on the left one".
Miss Peterson blushed and covered it slightly, "it hit the carriage door while the carriage was moving. You know these rough roads in you guys area". Janielle just meant to be nice but Miss Peterson turned it to an insult. Janielle tched and turned the other way to continue reading.
*. *. *
Soon the class was over, Miss Peterson really enjoyed that day's lesson became of Janielle. Janielle was indeed a lively and loveable person according to rumours.
"Do the assignments before I come next week", she said and left the house.
"You, what do you think you're doing, smiling at Miss Peterson? She's a witch!", Zoe told Janielle and ran upstairs. Janielle just shook her head. She wondered whom Zoe got her attitude from, surely it was not her mom or her dad.
*. *. *.
Miss Peterson soon arrived at the palace, it was almost time for her lessons with Stella. Stella was like the king's daughter. Her mother was a maid and she died while giving birth to Stella. The king happened to be at the servant's quarters at the time of the incident and took the baby. This obviously sparked rumours about the maid having an affair with the king before she died and the child being the king's legitimate daughter which was not true.
King Tyler didn't even know what was wrong with him when he took the child. Such luck for the poor girl Stella! She was already 5 years old and still the cutest child Tyler had ever seen and he had taken her as his own. He even gave her the status of a princess which made his mother slightly angry.
Miss Peterson entered the castle smiling which was so unusual. Stella soon heard Miss Peterson's footsteps which she could recognize even from her sleep. She then went to meet Miss Peterson with Thomas following her quietly"miss Peterson!".
" Hey Stella. How are you?" Miss Peterson asked.
That question made Thomas blink twice, when did Miss Peterson start caring, something was fishy.
Stella was was still young didn't quite notice, she just liked the vibe of Miss Peterson that day but answered innocently, "I'm fine", she replied and giggled cutely.
"If I may ask, Miss Peterson, the cause of your overly excited mood today", Thomas asked politely.
"Nothing much, did you know the letter that you gave me the other day from the king was an appointment to start training another young maiden?" She asked excitedly.
"Really?", Thomas asked feigning ignorance.
"Yes, a young girl of marriageable age and she is one of the sweetest and most ladylike girl i've taught in my life. The lesson was not as hectic with Zoe as it used to be", Miss Peterson said and yawned softly.
Thomas nodded quietly and made a mental note to tell the king about what happened, "you seem tired Miss Peterson", he noted after noticing her yawn.
"It's ok", she said and then looked at the direction of Stella who already started using her pen to decorate her textbook, "hey stop Stella!".