Chapter 5: The proper etiquette

“Miss Freya, please sit down properly. Hold this posture and smile.” Miss Welching words while she pokes my back to teach me the proper way of sitting. After a good hour of poking me with her stick to teach me how to walk, stand and sit. It was like I was a new born calf who didn’t know how to do this basic things. I was tired for those simply things. At one point she was devastated how I seat especially seeing how I crouch and both legs are spread apart which she called not lady like.

*11 am at April 27, 2025*

“Let us now have lunch here. Maid please announce we will be having lunch practice and bring our lunch here too.” she commands Anna.

“Yes madam,” Anna replied and immediately leaves.

“Miss Welching. I am sorry if I am too much to handle,” I asked for forgiveness seeing how tired she was.

“It is nothing Lady Freya. It is simply my duty as your teacher,” she said with a calm face.

 We remained silent as we wait for Anna’s return. If someone were to drop a needle the sound will echo through the room. How I wish to just hang out with Belinda and Sasha. I miss gossiping with them. I miss those times, it seems those days have ended for Sasha will surely be busy with Queenly lesson while Belinda and I get ready for College. Life really sucks when reality suddenly comes knocking at the door. Time slipped by as I think of how this day could be just like any normal day. Going to school then have lunch and continue to wish it was 5pm. Suddenly, someone knocks on the door interfering my imagination when I was in the middle of recalling the past. “Come in” I say.

Anna come in with another maid. They set up the table in just a few minutes. Miss Welching did not show mercy on lunch. She had me memorized the usage of the different spoon and forks and how to eat elegantly, I wasn’t allowed to eat before getting everything right. Thankfully, I got the hang of it. It was purely because of my willingness to eat.  The downside I didn’t taste the food due to too much pressure from Miss Welching. I didn’t complain for it was needed and I was aware enough of the trouble we are causing the Mrithun Family. “Dear please remember to take your time with food. After this I will rest take my in the room prepared to me and be back at 3 in the afternoon. You better practice posture because we will be having tea when I get back,” said Miss Welchinng to me then stood up and said Goodbye. I bowed to her and said my goodbye too.

The moment she left I felt freedom. I lay down the bed to rest. “Lady Freya, I think it is not a good idea to lay down after eating,” said Anna with worrisome eyes. Of course she was right, instead of caging myself in my room I went outside to the garden. It was hot for it was noon. I just sit in the shade while keeping my posture because I was too scared that Miss Welching will see me slouching. It really is beautiful. I can just sit here and watch it all day. It’s getting kind of hot. “I should ask for cold water,” I said.

I went inside and ask the maid if she could get me some cold water. After a few minutes, she came back with a pitcher and glass. She handed it to me. I went back and placed the pitcher in the shade where I was sitting a while ago. All I did was stand, walk and sit but I feel tired. I think I will take a nap. I close my eyes.

“I should go back” I said to myself and opened my eyes. Seeing a man was standing in front of me. Its sir Eugene? Is Sir Eugene! What is he doing here? The palace may look big but I guess it was small if we keep seeing each other. Like the saying says what a small world.

“Good afternoon Sir Eugene, What do you need?” I said in vain because my sleep was startled for the second time.

”Oh nothing, I was curious who in the world would like to sleep in such a place under this weather. By the way, you look beautiful with clothes on too. Lady?” he whispered in my ear.

My face was flushed by his sudden act and I moved away from him. To just keep enough personal distance.

“Right, I haven’t introduce myself yet. I am Freya G. Aurora. It seems that Sir Eugene is the one who cannot forget the incident last night,” I said to him with composed face. Pushing the incident last will be long forgotten.

He just laughed afterwards sit down beside me. He tells me a story where Sasha and him played hide and sick which he says he was the best seeker. I remained silent as he goes on. I let myself drown in the beauty of the place.

After a while, I pay more attention to his face. It was familiar and seemed I knew him for a long time now. I just can’t put my finger into it. His chiseled face with bushy brows and brown eyes. He was quite tall. I haven’t ask how old he is but judging from his looks. He is the same age like us. Sir Michael was older than us by a year. He was 19 years old so Sir Eugene should be 18 maybe even 17? Nevertheless he was handsome. He looked like a model came out from the magazine. He was wearing plain clothes too but he still stand out.

“What are you doing here Sir Eugene?” I ask him out of the blue.

 “I am here to help Sasha with traveling and things with the wedding. She is here if you haven’t heard. We just got back from our palace,” he said while I just nod.

 I go back enjoying the view for 15 minutes and said “I need to go, Sir Eugene. I have to get ready for my class.” He appeared surprised by my sudden statement. Nonetheless, he just nods and help me get up then led the way into the palace. I do the curtsy and find my way to my room. I planned to stay there for much longer but I was getting chills when Sir Eugene joined me.

I was a little familiar with the place so I found my room after 3 minutes of roundabout in one of the many corridors. It was 2 in the afternoon so I just scrolled through my phone as I wait for Miss Welching to be back. I wonder what Belinda is doing. I asked the maid who was walking by where was Belinda for I couldn’t reach her. The maid replied that she was receiving lesson in the library about proper language as expected she too was busy. I thought when we come here we would be able to be together more and just tour around. I guess everyone is still busy. I will also be busy later too. I wonder where Anna is. Maybe she took some rest.

I resumed scrolling through my phone until I remembered Sir Eugene. He hasn’t told me who he was other than his name and being friends with Sasha since they were born. I looked up the in the search engine his name.  A lot of pictures of him is there. Aha! So he is indeed 18 years old and the younger brother of Sir Michael? I thought so too seeing they resemble in a lot of things like physique and facial features. No wonder he was helping Sasha with her wedding. I started to read more articles about him. Just to be sure who I am talking with. It seems that he is currently engage to the Duchess of the East. Her name is Duchess Bella Greenland. She is very pretty. A small waist that made her looked so petite. She was also called the Jade of the Monied Kingdom for her beautiful green eyes. Sir Eugene is sure lucky to have her. I wonder when the wedding will be held. I read more stuff about Sir Eugene and it seems he is a known swordsman because of his skills in the art. The more I read the more amazed I am. The next time I will surely praise him by his victories.

“Lady Freya? This is Anna. May I come in?” Anna said while knocking on my door.

 “Please come inside.” I tell her then she enter with tea and biscuits. I was so invested in reading things about Sir Eugene I haven’t notice it was already 2:45 so Miss Welching will be coming soon. Anna redid my hair and help me fix the bed to hide the fact all I did was lay down instead of practicing my posture. I need to prepare myself for the strict lesson up ahead.

* 3 in the afternoon. April 27, 2025”

Someone knocks and I tell them to come in. It’s Miss Welching with a maid. The maid was holding 2 books. I stand up and do a curtsy to show that I learned something from what she taught me in the morning. She immediately pokes my back again.

 “Bow down properly. Don’t look at the person in front of you. Just stand up immediately after bowing down. Unless the other person is the Queen or King so you should wait for them to say stand up. Remember that child,” she said to me with a stern face.

 “Yes, Miss Welching,” I reply with a smile on face to let her know I appreciate the things she is teaching me. She proceeds to sit down and have tea while teaching me the ways of Tea etiquette.

She kept on seeing my flaws in how I hold the cup and that it makes a sound when I put it down or cookies are not meant to be dunked in the tea. It felt wrong at first not dunking my cookies at the tea. I got the hang of it after a while. She also stopped me from eating my fifth cookie. She said “Even thou the food in front of you is a lot, Please refrain from eating too much for the crowd will criticize you for this behavior and may call you a pig.” I just nodded but deep inside I was still starving. I just continued to sip tea. Miss Welching just poked my back every time I slouch. We finished tea by 4 pm and handed me the two books. The books were about proper language and etiquette in meeting the Queen. She instructed me to finish a book by tonight and tomorrow she will test me if I did what she told me.

 The class ended at 4:30 pm. I escorted Miss Welching until the front door of the palace and said “I will be waiting for your return tomorrow, Miss Welching. Have safe trip.” While I wave goodbye. I think she didn’t appreciate it. She was frowning at me even at the last second before she went inside. I thought she was going to stay but she says she has cats waiting for her. Cats are of course without a doubt be a priority.

I went back inside with Anna. I told her to accompany me to stroll the palace. She happily agreed and led the way. We went to the beautiful garden first to look at the fountain. The fountain had fishes inside it. They were fun to watch. After that we went through the gallery of the Mrithun and introduced me to the people in the painting. Sasha’s family had a long history being a royal. Out of all the stories Anna told me. I was attached to one of them. It was Prince Luthur and his wife, Louise. Prince Luthur was the crown prince in his times but he did not take the crown.  For he married a commoner so he was disobeying the law and was disqualified. His younger half-brother succeeded the throne. I think Prince Luthur loved his wife so much that he left the throne just to be with her. On the other hand, the Prince could have succeeded the throne and have Louise as his concubine. Basically the mistress. I guess he loved her too much that he did not want Louise to be a mistress and be his wife. Unlike now, Kings are seen to be faithful to their Queen so having concubines were banned.

We then walked to the ballroom. It was so spacious. Anna and I started to waltz imagining a big event was held there at that moment. We formed our hands like a man was dancing with us and then closed our eyes to let our imaginations run wild.

The ballroom was full of people wearing ball gowns and suits. People were happily dancing in the center while others chatter at the side. Just a happy place. A mysterious man then approach me to dance. I will gladly agree and give him my hand. He will take my hand. We will dance in the center while talking. It feels like I am floating from all of this. When will I experience this? Probably never. Might as well enjoy this. Why does my hand feel warm? Is someone touching my waist?

I opened my eyes to see its Sir Eugene again. How many times will we be meeting? Was he dancing with me all this time? I just pray that the ground will open up and eat me from this embarrassment. I can’t leave peacefully anymore. I must have looked like a child to him. Here I thought I was dancing in my imagination but in reality I was dancing with someone.

“Hi Sir Eugene. What are you doing here?” I ask him with a face as red as a ripe tomato which was freshly picked from the garden.

 “I was searching for someone when I came across you and the maid prancing with your hearts content.” He said while releasing my hand.

”I’m sorry to display such behavior Sir Eugene. But I do believe it you are also in the wrong for holding my hands and waist without permission?” I answered him while looking down at my feet. I can’t look him in the eye now. I looked like a mad person.

“Well you are undoubtedly right, Lady Freya. I am sorry for that. I was just surprised seeing you dance. Would you like to dance, again?” he formally ask and I agreed to him. He still wants to dance with me after that? I gave him my hand and we started to dance. While we were dancing I sneak a look at his face. Surprisingly, we made eye contact every time. Why is his face so red? Is he suppressing his laughter seeing how bad of a dancer I am? I should have declined.

 We dance and dance while keeping in mind I was stomping on his feet because I barely knew waltz. He didn’t complain at least once when I stepped on his feet with my elephant feet but his face speaks another story. Sometime after, Anna approached us and said it was time I go back to change because dinner was about to be serve.

“I will be going Sir Eugene. It was nice meeting you” I said to him and do a curtsy.

“Why is it that every time we meet you always leave first?” he asked but I continued to leave the room.

In the hallways me and Anna was screaming. ”Lady Freya, how did you meet Sir Eugene?” she asked with a curious face. “Oh, we just saw each other this noon and talked a bit,” I said my sneaky reply. Of course I wouldn’t tell her that I met him butt naked alone in the room on my first night here.

“When you were dancing Lady Freya, you looked well together. If only Sir Eugene isn’t engage to Duchess Bella,” Anna tells me with a face full of happy aura. “Did he just took my hand and dance with me while I was dancing with both eyes closed?” I ask Anna to clarify if what I think really happened. She nods so it did happen. I should start looking on how to put a case for harassment.

We head back into my room to change my clothes for I was sweaty from the active day I had. Then it was time for dinner. I sat down beside Belinda and Sasha. Sasha was here along with Sir Eugene. We were talking about how our days went.

“I was awake at 4 in the morning because me and Michael had some papers to sign and see if the venue was ready and a lot of stuff just happened. What about you guys? I missed hanging out with you” Sasha said telling how her day went.

Belinda answered “It was a busy day for us too. We each had a teacher. I learned today about proper language and how to walk elegantly.”

“I am tired from simply learning to walk, stand and sit like a proper lady. I wouldn’t start to imagine how your classes will be to be Queen,” I responded. We just continued to talk through our dinner on how tiring today was.

The dishes were out one by one and we started eating. The whole table was noisy from different story from each person. According to Mom, She struggled to drink tea because coffee was in her blood while my dad just laugh telling his story when the teacher asked him to duel. He looked so happy. Just after a day of learning etiquette my family seemed more refined. Even my monkey brother is somewhat a proper human now. I can’t wait to see how we will be after a week.

Mr. Mrithun stands and taps his glass with his spoon “Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Sir Eugene ET Blanc. He is the younger brother of Duke Michael. The one who will be marrying my beautiful daughter, Sasha. Sir Eugene extends his hands to us and said if there anything you would need. You can ask him.”   Afterwards Sir Eugene stands then introduce himself. After we ate dinner. Of course it was like a five hotel dishes if I have ever eaten in one. Everything was just scrumptious.

 “Wanna hangout in my room?” I invite both of my friends because it was a lifetime since we hang out together.

“I am sorry. I need to take a rest because tomorrow I have a lot of things to do,” Sasha’s response with a sad face.

“I too would love to do that but my body is sore from all those lesson. I just want to marry my bed,” Belinda’s sarcasm reply.

I didn’t anticipate they would agree because everyone was busy. “It’s fine. I just remembered I also need to finish a book. I would die tomorrow if Miss Welching knew I was slacking off. Well, goodnight. See you tomorrow”

We said our fair wells and went to our chambers for it was getting late. I was too happy before getting here. I thought we would be traveling a lot. They did promise that will happen next week after the wedding. Just have to wait I guess.

“Lady Freya, the bath is ready for you. You were thinking too much that you haven’t responded to my question,” Anna tells me while I get up from the chair. The lukewarm water feels nice after a long day. When we get home, I will pester my dad to buy a bath tub. Thou how on earth will it fit in our bathroom. I guess the plan already has failed. I think I had enough of this. Its time I go out and read the book.

“Anna, didn’t I tell you to go and take a rest too?” she shakes her head side to side. “My bad, Please Anna take a rest. Have a goodnight and sweet dreams, Anna,” I tell her while pushing her out of my room while she hesitates and persuades me she will stay to brush my hair. “Yes, Lady Freya. Have a goodnight sleep too,” she tells me and leave.

As I dry my hair I read through the first chapter of the book. “I just say, yes your Majesty or yes you’re Highness that seems easy,” I said and continued to read so I learn more things about being a lady. One of it was how I shouldn’t refuse my first dance. It was unacceptable to refuse the first dance. I does not matter if I were a stranger. I fear that I should learn waltz again. It will be embarrassing if I were to step on a strangers feet. It also said that why it was special. The first dance was special. Some nobles use this to confess their feelings. Married people dance too with their loved one. The King and Queen will dance first before people actually invite each other too dance.

Sounds amazing. Will someone ask me to dance? I heard that in the wedding we will also be dancing. That is why the teachers will be teaching it to us too. I read at least half of it. I will finish the book tomorrow. The book wasn’t a thick one. It consisted of at least a 200 pages with pictures. I can simply finish it by tomorrow. “Oh its 10:30 in the evening already. Its time I take a rest,” I said when I opened my phone. I lay down on my bed. Subsequently sleep is slowly coming.

“Wait a minute! Sir Eugene is the one I saw in my dream in the plane.” I shouted then got back up. That is right. It was him, weird enough it to be him. I haven’t met him yet by that time or looked in the internet. He is strange both in my dream and real life. Is this what people call Déjà vu?

Sleep suddenly left me. I just got back up and read the book. I couldn’t sleep anymore. My head was wrapped around the Déjà vu I just experienced. “Where was I again?” I ask myself while flipping the pages of the book.

After an hour I finished ¾ of the book. I learned that Queens usually hold parties and if you are invited it was tradition you should reply within the day if you are coming. For the Queen needs to finalize the numbers and organize a lot of stuff. It was unacceptable to just come unannounced. The royal guards will not let you come in even if you are the president. I guess that was right. Even at school when you are late, they wouldn’t let you enter until the next subject.

“It is 11:30 already. I need to rest.” I then climbed my bed and close my eyes to helpfully get sleepy again. But someone knocks on my door. Who could it be in this hour? Anna maybe.

I open the door to see Sir Eugene. “Sir Eugene, what are you doing?” I ask him while examining him. He was carrying clothes and a towel. Don’t tell me he is here to bathe? I can’t keep on living like this.

“Well you see. I forgot to tell the ducal couple or the maid that the water in my room is broken. So here I am asking you could let me take a shower. I promise I will not lay a hand on you. I just want to clean myself.” He persuades me. I shouldn’t because he might be a pervert thou if he was then last night he would have probably did something already.

“Please come in Sir Eugene.” I point my hand signaling him to come in.

“Thank you, I will be fast for it is almost noon.” He said then goes inside the bathroom.

I just sit down the bed and finish the book. It was fun reading it too. Seeing pictures on how to do things like dance, curtsy or how a man will kiss the maidens hand. I was like a 5 year old reading a picture book. Unknowingly I fell asleep.

The ballroom looks so bright.  This is what ballrooms look like in real life. Everything just sparkles. The gowns of the women look so beautiful. No one looks the same. Each are standing out on their own. The men look so handsome in their suits. Very manly indeed. As I observe the people I came to a conclusion they were out of place. Not out of place rather out of time. Everything was design like the old time as if I was living in the 18^th century, maybe it’s the theme? Oh the first dance is about to start. The King is now standing up and asking for the Queens hand to dance.  The Queen takes his hand and they approach the center and dance. The scene looks unreal. They are looking eye to eye. Truly in love with each other. I was standing not too far from the center to watch the King and Queen dance.

I blended well in the crowd. I was wearing a blue ball gown. It was decorated with tiny pearls in the neckline. White beads were used to follow the lines of my curves. It was far plainer than the rest. I blended well with the crowd.

The dance is about to come to its end. The single men are now checking if a lady will be willing to dance with them. I wish someone would dance with me. “Lady, would you mind to give me your first dance?” A man was talking to me and asking me to dance.

“Well, I am not a good dancer but I would love too,” I said and I give him my hands. He took the lead and just waltz. What a handsome man. Black hair, blue eyes and a face that can charm even a goddess. He was tall that I am looking up to him and his body was sturdy and muscles. Just by touching his shoulders and his hands.

“Lady, May I ask what is your name? This is my first time seeing you.” he asked

“I am Lady Freya. I am a visitor so this is my first time.” I respond to him

“For beginners you are doing amazing. Until now you just stepped on my foot for at least five times already,” he said with a grinning face. I was looking at his ocean eyes, I think I fell too deep. The way he leads the dance was very comforting. Having black hair was common yet when I look at his hair I wanted to touch it. The way he looked at me was so captivating that I remained staring at him. Wondering what would happen if I fall will he catch me.

“I told you I am not a good dancer so whose fault is it do you think?” I tell him while holding my embarrassment inside. Thou I was embarrassed I remained looking in his eyes still mesmerizing as ever.

We then just danced through the song and then it ended. He lead me the way away the dance floor.

“Can I join you through the party, Lady Free..Freya..Freya”

This voice is familiar. I open my eyes it was Sir Eugene waking me up. Now this is irritating. This is now the third time.

“I’m sorry to disturb you sleep princess. I was going to leave but you are about fall from bed. Were you dreaming about me? You were smiling,” said by Sir Eugene who was sitting at the end of my bed.

“Sorry to burst your bubble but I was dreaming about my prince charming. I wouldn’t dream your ugly face in the first place. Oh my I mean thank you for waking me up and not letting me fall down from bed,” I said and bow down to hide my embarrassment in the way I replied. That was not a proper answer. If Miss Welching was here I would be getting a handful of nagging. Just thinking of it make me skin shiver.

“It’s fine. I will be taking my leave. No need to get up. I will close the door and thank you for letting me use your bathroom. Goodnight, Lady Freya,” he said then left.

Well, he didn’t look like he was okay in the way I responded. I was really out of line too. Why am I feeling sorry when he touched someone while they were asleep? Well I was about to fall so I am clearly in the wrong. I should say sorry the next time we bump to each other again. I should also sleep too. I should be ready for the Queen of wrath, Miss Welching.