There were many things Aracelis found interesting about reincarnating as a royal. Watching the duchy knights train at daybreak, wandering through the vast library filled with ancient tomes, or simply sinking into the heavenly softness of her bed, one that was far too luxurious for a ten-year-old, especially compared to the rough cots she remembered from her previous life. She even enjoyed studying, something she had never minded before.
But if there was one woman who could make anything unbearable, it was Viscountess Eowyn.
Minutes turned to hours as Aracelis sat, posture perfect and hands folded neatly in her lap, listening to the viscountess drone on about proper etiquette. The woman's jet-black hair was tied in a tight bun, and her dark eyes seemed to bore into Aracelis every time her attention wandered.
"Lady Aracelis, you will be expected to know the difference between formal and informal dining settings by the time you are presented to the court. Pay attention," Viscountess Eowyn snapped, tapping the edge of the desk with her slender, gloved fingers.
Aracelis fought the urge to roll her eyes, a habit that would surely have earned her another lecture. Ten-year-olds from my old world didn't need to know six types of forks, she thought. I didn't even know there were that many.
Instead of responding, she offered a polite nod, pretending to absorb the information being spoon-fed to her. In truth, her thoughts were already miles away, wandering through the halls of the estate or back to the knights' training field, where steel clanged against steel in rhythmic, satisfying precision. Anything but this.
It hadn't been long since Aracelis found herself in this world, a world that was, in many ways, a dream come true for a former orphan. Reincarnated as the second daughter of Duke Venides, one of the most powerful noble families in the kingdom, she was now surrounded by luxury she could never have imagined. But, despite her new life of comfort, Aracelis quickly learned that being a noble came with its own kind of prison.
Her older sister, Amara, was the family's shining star—poised, talented, and already the focus of every courtier's attention. By comparison, Aracelis was just the "other" daughter, one who was meant to sit still, be quiet, and not embarrass the family name. Not that it bothered her much—she had far bigger things to worry about.
Like getting the next book in her favourite series without her escort nights or maids knowing.
Daydreams and Escape:
"Now, Lady Aracelis, what is the proper use for a salad fork?" Eowyn asked, her tone dripping with condescension.
Aracelis blinked, realizing she hadn't been paying attention for the last several minutes. She glanced at the table in front of her, where an array of cutlery lay perfectly arranged. "Uh… for salads?" She spoke slowly even though she knew the answer from studying books, she just didn't want the attention.
Viscountess Eowyn sighed, a deep, exaggerated breath that conveyed her complete exasperation. "No, Lady Aracelis, it is used only for the first course of the evening meal, typically a light appetizer, not for the salad itself. I expect better from a daughter of the Venides family."
And I expected not to be lectured about forks by the time I was ten, Aracelis thought dryly but kept her face impassive.
Her mind began to drift again, imagining herself sneaking out to the duchy's forest or perhaps the farthest part of the estate's gardens. There were still corners of the estate she hadn't explored, and the thought of adventure excited her far more than the endless lectures on dining etiquette.
As Viscountess Eowyn continued her lesson, Aracelis wanted nothing more than to feign illness or something of sorts. The viscountess was far too sharp to be deceived by such obvious ploys. Aracelis would have to endure, at least for now. Still, that didn't stop her from quietly counting down the minutes until the lesson was over.
Eowyn went on to discuss the proper way to hold a goblet, but Aracelis hardly heard her.
And so, the lesson dragged on, with the viscountess lecturing about the most minute details of noble life while Aracelis dreamed of sword training, she wished she was doing that instead.
As the session finally came to a close, Aracelis let out a quiet sigh of relief. She had survived another lesson, all she had to do was survive the next thousands to come.