"You would like to know about Osric Caravans?" Vasily asked, surprised.
"I would," Aristia nodded.
"I see," Vasily nodded. Osric Caravans is a well-known traveling caravan which sells rare and unique jewels, precious stones and many other unique items. The name of the owner of the caravan is unknown, but his last name is said to be Osric. No one has seen his appearance and rumour has it that he is not from our Kingdom. Regardless, he is still a very successful businessman and merchant, even in Amberale." Vasily ended her explanation.
"Is that all you would like to know, Princess Tia? Why do you want to know about the Osric caravans?" Vasily asked curiously as she stood up and prepared to leave.
"Yes, that is all I would like to know, for now." Aristia nodded. "And I'm just curious." She added with a shrug, standing up to bid farewell to her tutor.
"I see," Vasily nodded in understanding.
No one could tell what was on Aristia's mind as she hummed to herself. She return to her room to prepare for the next class which was etiquette.
The dance class had been moved to be held after the etiquette class as the it would be more physically tiring. So, Aristia's parents decided it would be best if it was set as the last class for the day so that Aristia could rest immediately after it.
Aristia's etiquette tutor was a strict lady with the common brown hair and brown eyes. She was calm and collected. Lady Marilyn, a lady from a second generation Baron family.
The class started not too long after she arrived. Aristia would admit that she had learnt etiquette in her world and could already be considered perfect but this... this was too much.
"Keep your back straight, Your Highness, and chin up. You are a representative of the esteemed Grand Duchy and Royal family of Amberale." Lady Marilyn said, using a short cane to place against her back.
Aristia thought incredulously, staring at her with disbelief but not showing it.
[Is it possible for my back to be even straighter than it is now? Well, excuse me but I was praised for my perfect posture, lady. And am I expected to tilt my chin up to the sky? And what's that cane for?!]
The lesson continued with Lady Marilyn instructing her on what posture she should have when walking.
That was the second class she had for the day.
The next class after that was dance.
In the dance room, Aristia exchanged greetings with her dance instructor before the dance lessons began.
Baroness Loretta Tindall did a great job as a dance tutor, but Aristia was already a good dancer, so she just smiled politely as she received countless praises from the Baroness who was impressed by her pupil's ability to grasp quickly what was being taught.
'I expect nothing less from the third princess.' She thought, as she continued to the next lesson.
That was the third and last class she had for the day. The history class was held for three hours, but the rest of the classes spanned from one hour and thirty minutes, to two hours with a break in between each class.
She was taking five classes in total, and the classes were held five days a week. The same classes weren't held every day though, but history was. Today, she had history, etiquette and dance. Tomorrow, she had history, embroidery and music.
She spent the rest of the day snacking, taking walks with Alaric, Catherine or both, drinking tea with them, studying and sleeping.
***
The next day, she got up to prepare for history class. After her history class and break, she headed for her music class.
Stepping into the assigned class, Aristia greeted the now familiar aristocrat woman who had been tutoring her in the use of musical instruments.
She was from the side branch of a Viscount family known for her talent in playing musical instruments. She had brown hair and brown eyes.
[It's like the rest of the characters in this world only have different shades of brown for the hair and eyes.] Aristia thought.
After the necessary exchange of greetings, the music class began.
"Today, you will practice playing notes, chords, and scales. Then, after you have mastered the concepts of notes, chords, and scales, you will be taught how to produce these sounds with your instrument, which is the piano. This is the first step to learning how to play music. Start by practicing notes first, then move on to scales, and finally to chords. Then, once you have familiarised yourself with these different components, you will practice playing a whole song from start to finish." The Lady, whose name was Stella, said.
Aristia nodded and played a note, pretending to be practicing apprehensively.
After the lady was satisfied, she spoke, "It is good that you have mastered the keys so quickly. We are moving on to the scales."
Aristia nodded as the woman spoke to her, educating her on things she already knew but in a different way. That was the second class she had that day. After that class was embroidery.
Her tutor was another aristocrat from the side branch of a Count. She was called Lady Alette.
She was patient and attentive and had been tutoring Aristia on embroidery, and Aristia who was a renowned fashion designer and CEO of a famous fashion company had to pretend like she was just getting the hang of it.
***
After the embroidery class, Aristia went to her room to take a bath. As she lay in the bathtub, she sighed as she thought of what to do. She had never been so free doing nothing before, and she wasn't used to it.
She got out of the tub, got dressed and lay in bed beside a napping Alaric. She had dismissed Adeline, saying she wanted to be alone. She needed time alone to sort out her plans.
An hour later, after she had rested and sorted out her plans, she got up and walked to the Grand Duke's study. She knocked on the door and opened the door upon receiving permission to enter.
She was surprised to find Catherine there too, but that would make things easier for her. After greeting the couple, she walked over to the sofa and sat down as Wilson called for the butler and ordered him to prepare another set of refreshments for her.
Shortly after, the Butler returned with another set of teaware and filled up a cup for Aristia. Aristia nodded in thanks, and the Butler left to give them privacy.
Aristia glanced at the tea before looking up at the couple. "Father, Mother." She called seriously.
The Grand Duke and Duchess paid more than the usual attention as this was the first time their daughter had addressed them that way, notifying them that she was about to say something that she wanted them to consider seriously.
"What could the matter be, Tia?" It was Catherine who asked.
Aristia took a sip of her tea before saying, "I would like to add a few more classes to my schedule."
"Classes?" This time, it was Wilson who spoke. "But, you are already learning all the classes required for noble girls your age. You also have the best tutors in the Kingdom."
That was true. Wilson had made sure that all her tutors were the best, praised in their various fields of tutelage.
Aristia paused, aware of the request she was about to make.
"I am aware of that and I greatly appreciate it. But, it's not about the tutors. I want to add classes like horse riding, swordsmanship and archery."
"I could learn them secretly." She added to make things easier as she knew that those classes were meant for the male gender, and their society wasn't accepting of a female learning what the males were required to learn.
"...!"