Duchess Ella was an inspiration to both men and women alike, and even children. She was the perfect example of "if you try hard enough, then you will be able to succeed." And eventually, she did, even if she didn't join the imperial army because she wanted to at first, she had all kinds of memories there, be it happy or sad. The imperial army was like a home she could always return to, at any time if needed. The imperial army was home to many soldiers who had no relatives or were simply distant from their blood relatives. The imperial army was the perfect example of 'Blood doesn't define family,' and it indeed didn't.
It was amazing how much the imperial army had so much love and care for each other. They treated each other like siblings and family members. They would always help their comrades whenever in danger, even if it meant risking their lives. The imperial army showed that even if your not blood relatives, you can be a family.
Blood doesn't define your family at all, and it never will. Blood isn't the equivalent to one's family, after all.
It was just another misconception society had put on many of the people.
Duchess Ella was also the queen of sarcasm, and she was a woman with little to no fears.
"What are you doing just standing around there? What do you think you are? Sleeping beauty?Sorry to break your heart deary but no one would ever go out with you when you look like that."
Melissa stifled a laugh, Duchess Ella could be pretty funny at times, and this was one of those rare moments.
Too bad most of the time, she doesn't come out as funny but instead sarcastic. Melissa was sure Duchess Ella could pass as a comedian.
Who knows, maybe in Duchess' Ella's second life, she might be a comedian.
"Sorry, Duchess Ella, I was simply thinking about the ball as there is so much to prepare."
"Ah, the ball is tomorrow, am I right? I guess I'll be going as it's your debut. I need to see the star, of course."
"My, you flatter me, Duchess Ella. I'll be looking forward to seeing you at the ball tomorrow then."
"Make sure to bring in lots of food. I need it, for my swordsmanship diet, of course. A good meal is required before a heavy workout. Speaking of which, make sure not to slack off tomorrow. Your guests might try and humiliate you, especially since this is your debut. They want to see how you would react to even the slightest humiliation, what your facial expressions would be like, etc.
Don't let your guard down. It's like a war out there."
"No worries, Duchess, I'm prepared for anything that comes my way.
After all, I'm the Lady of the Shayla estate."
Resuming their swordsmanship practice, Duchess Ella had noticed that Melissa's attacks were slower than usual.
Did she perhaps have something in her mind that kept making her attacks so slow?
The Duchess had even caught her off guard on one of her attacks before, which was a rare occasion.
Deciding that it was enough, Duchess spoke up about Lady Melissa's slow movements.
"Why are your movements so slow?
What are you thinking of?"
"My apologies, Duchess Ella. I must've been so caught up with the ball tomorrow that my movements got slower and slower."
"Fine, make sure you stop thinking about the ball. Just relax, and everything will be okay."
And so they continued the duel. Melissa was now faster and quicker after Duchess Ella had mentioned her slow movements.
The duel had ended up with a tie, and now it was time for her etiquette lessons.
"Thank you for today's lesson Duchess Ella, and I hope to be seeing your face at the ball tomorrow."
"Yes, yes, I'll make sure to attend."
Lady Melissa rushed into her room elegantly so that her teacher, Duchess Riani Brovando Sinora, wouldn't scold her.
Lady Melissa was late to her etiquette lessons with Duchess Riani Brovando Sinora, hoping that Duchess Riani wouldn't scold her as she was quite the strict teacher. She usually gave Lady Melissa an earful at her most minor mistakes or errors.
But Duchess Riani secretly cared for her students, and she couldn't express it well. Lady Melissa knew this as whenever she finally did something correct, the corners of Duchess Riani's mouth would twitch a bit upwards, showing a bit of her smile.
Lady Melissa would try not to smile most of the time, which ended up failing because as soon as Duchess Riani saw Melissa's mouths twitching even a simple bit.
She would suddenly go back to her stern and indifferent face.
After all, she was called 'The Cold Duchess' for a reason, and many feared her because of how she acted.
She would humiliate anyone who even dated to try or do anything to her. So nobody ever humiliated her in fear that they would be a laughing stock.
"You're late AGAIN?!"
Duchess Riani's angry voice echoed throughout the hallways.
Yep, Duchess Riani was pissed off. It looks like Lady Melissa would be dying before she even had her debut to society. Ah, I guess Lady Melissa lived a good life.
"My apologies, Duchess Riani, I was sending off my swordsmanship teacher, Duchess Ella Rosera. Besides, I'm only late for 2 minutes this time."
"2 MINUTES, YOU WERE LATE FOR 2 WHOLE MINUTES! IT'S NOT ONLY YOU COULD HAVE DONE A LOT IN 2 MINUTES!"
At this rate, Duchess Riani's voice was booming across the whole Shayla estate, and Lady Melissa was pretty sure all the maids and servants could hear Duchess Riani's voice.
After a few minutes of silence, Duchess Riani finally decided to punish Lady Melissa due to her tardiness.
"Because you were late, I will punish you by holding this stack of books on your head while walking for 30 minutes."
"It should be simple for you, right?
An esteemed lady from the Shayla estate could be able to do a simple task like this, right?"
Ah, it looks like today was a bad day for Duchess Riani. Well, it seems like Lady Melissa will be suffering for the next 30 minutes or so now.
"I will do as you wish, Duchess Riani. "
Before coming to the Shayla estate, Duchess Riani took a few books that she had read in her carriage.
More specifically, she took out the three books called 'Proper etiquette lessons for dummies' 'Etiquette lessons for peasants' 'The Shayla estate.'
Lady Melissa was surprised at the last book; she didn't know that books about her family were published. Duchess Riani was probably curious about what the book had contained and just bought it immediately when she saw it at a bookstore.
"Don't keep staring at the last book. We don't have all day now."
Lady Melissa took the stack of books and tried to put them on her head and balance them while walking in a straight line and back for 30 minutes.
"Oh yeah, and I forgot to told you, if any of the books fall, then then you have to redo your 30 minutes, so best of luck, Lady Melissa."
Melissa breathed out a sigh. She was tired, and it hadn't even been 30 minutes yet.
At least she wouldn't have any etiquette lessons tomorrow with Duchess Riani, which was a good thing.
Speaking of tomorrow, she couldn't hold her excitement to meet those three men.
They were all very good-looking, of course. However, she had rarely seen their faces in the past, except for Gaston. Of course, she had seen him countless times when he was guarding the Crown Prince's chambers.
And when she did saw their faces in the past, she didn't pay much attention to them. After all the past, she had only thought it would be useless to pay attention to anyone that wasn't the Crown Prince.
"YOU DROPPED THE BOOKS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING STANDING STILL!?
HURRY UP AND GRAB THEM! YOUR TIME WILL BE RESET!
Don't make the same mistake TWICE, or else I will have to punish you by walking with these three stacks of books for an HOUR."
After numerous failed attempts of trying to balance the books perfectly, Melissa had finally succeeded.
She was thankful that this tiring lesson could finally end. Duchess Riani had even been laughing at Lady Melissa's suffering numerous amount of times.
Her etiquette lessons with Duchess Riani had ended up being over 2 hours because of Lady Melissa's failed attempts.
At least now she can relax after taking a long warm bath in the bathtub.
Her legs were sore, so she decided to call for a maid to massage her body after showering.
"Ah, that was a good shower. My body feels so much better now. Time to call in the maids."
"Sophia!Sophia!Come in!"
"Please massage my body and legs, and I had quite a tiring lesson with Duchess Riani today."
Lady Melissa had chosen Sophia to massage because Sophia was the best at massaging. She was one of the maids Lady Melissa felt most comfortable talking to.
After a few hours Sophia finished massaging Lady Melissa. Lady Melissa wasn't sore anymore. Times like these made Sophia feel like an angel to Lady Melissa.
"Thank you for the massage. You may now leave."
"Yes, Lady Melissa."
Melissa rolled around in her bed. She was excited for tomorrow.
How would the three men look in real life?
She couldn't wait to find out.