12: Hidden Talent

NESCA along with Agni enjoyed strolling on the bustling Imperial City, she enjoyed being in this new body. The demon citizens around did not even pay attention to them, however both of them were aware that some imperial guards were tailing them. But they pretended as if they didn't knoow. So it wouldn't ruin the vibe.

"So, this is the feeling of being free…" Nesca said as she munched a fruit cake while they were on a desert shop.

"I though you'd start dieting, Princess." Agni reminded her.

Nesca laughed. "Let me tell you as secret, Agni. No matter how small or big the portion of my food, it wouldn't affect my current weight. Maybe it has something to do with my constitution," she explained without telling her about the system.

"Why so? I noticed your intense training in the last three months, yet you didn't shed weight."

"It doesn't matter, Agni. Maybe because this is really my shape as a demon? Maybe if I learned to cultivate myself, I'll probably achieve the type of body that I want."

Agni nodded. "I see. Anyway, you are the prettiest among the royal princesses."

Nesca's smile widened. "Hmm, you are truly loyal to me, Agni."

"I will follow you, even in death, princess!"

Nesca warned her. "Stop saying such an ominous thing, Agni. Let's not ruin the vibe! We're rich now, let's splurge my family's wealth. Let's buy everything we want!"

The had fun the whole day. However, the next morning, the side palace was filled with the sound of knocking as if there was something urgent.

"Seventh Princess!"

Agni hurriedly opened the door and found several palace attendants standing outside. The leading attendant arched her head down.

"Yes? What's the matter?" Agni asked.

"Where is your mistress? Princess Fria has arranged her etiquette lessons starting today."

Nesca, who was still sitting at the dining table, slowly looked up from her breakfast. "Etiquette lessons?"

"Yes, Princess."

She raised her one brow. "Is there a problem with my etiquette? Or is it because of the rumors circulating around that I'm uncultured?"

The attendant hesitated. "It is not my place to judge, Seventh Princess. The Centum will gather nobles from across Darantha and other countries. As a member of the imperial family, you must present yourself properly."

Nesca chuckled in disbelief. "So they want to polish me before displaying me, it boils down to the royal dignity."

Agni looked worried. "Princess…"

"What? Am I wrong though?" She stood up.

Agni swallowed hard. "Please be careful. Many noble daughters will attend the class. They may not welcome you."

Nesca walked toward the door. "As if I care. Let's go, Agni. It's time to socialize and make some new friends."

Agni followed behind her. "O-okay!"

The etiquette hall was located inside the imperial academy, a place reserved for members of noble families. The moment Nesca entered, the conversations stopped. Several young demon females turned toward her.

They wore elegant dresses decorated with family emblems. Their magic pressure alone showed their noble status.

One girl with long purple hair crossed her arms. "So, this is the seventh princess?"

Another girl laughed. "She looks ordinary… and heavy."

A third noble daughter whispered loudly. "I heard she lived in the Cloud Forest because nobody cared about her, poor little fellow."

Nesca calmly walked forward and acted as if she didn't hear them. Why would she waste her precious with these brats?

Agni clenched her fists. "Princess, they are insulting you."

"I know."

"Are you not angry?" Nesca glanced at the girls.

"No. Let them, we can't engage. At least not now."

Agni looked surprised. "But, why? Considering your status, they are way below you."

"Because it's a waste of time."

The purple-haired girl moved closer to them. "You are Princess Nesca, right?"

"Yes." Nesca simply nodded.

"I am Lady Elvina of the Larkhen Clan."

Nesca acknowledge her presence. "Nice to meet you, Lady Elvina"

Elvina looked at her in disbelief. "That's it?"

"What else should I say?" Nesca acted naïve.

"You should introduce yourself properly," Elvina urged.

Nesca tilted her head. "Oh, I thought everyone already knew who I was."

Some girls laughed. While Elvina's expression darkened. "You certainly gained confidence after recovering from your illness."

Nesca smiled innocently. "It seems you are well informed, Lady Elvina. I presume you know that I'm way ranks above you. So, shut your filthy mouth!"

Elvina attempted to use magic to attack, but she held herself because the instructor had already entered.

"Everyone, take your seats." The demon woman was an elderly noble known for training royal members. She was Eanu.

She gave Nesca a furtive glance. "So, you are Princess Nesca."

"Yes, Instructor."

"Your previous education?"

Nesca paused. How will she answer her? She got a highest education while leaving as Sera in Valgard City. But as Nesca? She was severely neglected for seventy years!

"My education is… limited," she said.

The noble daughters immediately smiled mockingly, while the instructor almost frowned.

"Limited?" The instructor probed.

Nesca heaved a sigh. "Yes."

"In that case, you may struggle."

Nesca lowered her head. "I understand. I will work had to catch up."

Elvina and her gang gazed at each other as if they were planning something evil. But they remained behaved until the instructor began the lesson.

"Today, we will review imperial etiquette, noble history, magical communication, and court behavior in preparation for the Centum."

The other girls listened attentively. While Nesca appeared distracted. She looked like someone who had no interest in the lesson.

'Not this again, I've been through this in my last life, it's boring.' Nesca thought.

Elvina noticed that she was spacing out. "She doesn't even understand. What a shame!"

"She probably only learned how to eat and sleep in the forest," another girl beside Elvina with blue hair whispered.

The girls laughed as if everything was funny.

Nesca did not mind them. She pushed herself to listen because even though she had already mastered etiquette class, there were many things about demon's culture she must learn.

 

THE first test began immediately after three days to test the students how well did they listened to the class. The instructor placed several magical scrolls on the table.

"This test will measure your knowledge of demon noble etiquette."

The noble daughters confidently stepped forward.

Elvina smiled. "This should be easy."

The first section of the test was about etiquette, and the second half was about history.

The students completed the examination one after another. When it was Nesca's turn, several nobles watched with expectation.

It appeared that they were expecting to see her fail.

The instructor handed her the scroll. "Princess Nesca, you may begin."

Nesca took the scroll. The moment she touched it, the system activated.

[Knowledge Analysis Activated.]

[Imperial etiquette information detected.]

[Learning speed increased.]

Her eyes moved across the questions.

'Interesting, the system can aide me like this as well, maybe because I've acquired the knowledge in my previous life,' she thought.

For Nesca, the etiquette rules for demons were not difficult. They were simply patterns, almost identical as what she had learned in the human Kingdom of Lumienar.

[Host's soul perfectly remembered this lesson in her previous life.]

After several minutes, Nesca placed the scroll down. "I'm finished."

The room fell silent, and the student glanced at each other.

Elvina couldn't believe it didn't take long. "Finished?"

"Yes," Nesca humbly smiled.

"You didn't even take enough time. You might fail the exam," Elvina feigned concern.

Nesca shrugged. "I may not perfect it, but it's quite easy."

The instructor looked at the paper. At first, her expression was calm. Then her eyes widened.

"This…" The instructor checked again.

The noble ladies became curious seeing their instructor's reaction.

"What happened? Did she fail?" Elvina inquired.

The instructor slowly looked up. "Princess Nesca."

"Yes? D-Did I pass, right?" She was somehow hesitant.

The instructor smiled. "Your answers are… all correct."

There was a complete silence.

Elvina stared at her in disbelief. "That's impossible. How come? She did not receive formal education."

The instructor ignored her. "Not only are they correct, but your explanations are more detailed than the required answers, as if you lived through it."

Nesca smiled humbly. "Thank you, I'm not expecting it, really."

Elvina came forward. "You must have cheated."

The room became tense.

"Lady Elvina, mind your words." the instructor warned.

"But how could she know these things? She lived in isolation in the Cloud Forest only with her maid!"

Nesca looked at her. "Lady Elvina, don't forget I can read. I love to study. It happened that I'm a fast learner."

Elvina opened her mouth but no words came out, but her jaw flexed.