Banner
Crestmoore
Chapter 3
Night Mode
        EX

Chapter 3:

Korina bit her lip, finding herself frazzled as the mysterious women left the room. Just minutes ago, Betsy had abruptly woken her, informing Korina that her grandmother wished to see her at once. Barely half awake she’d stumbled to her feet and hurried downstairs.

She had no idea what time it was or even how long she’d been asleep but felt exhausted. She assumed it was from all her traveling and the stress of her arrival. Standing outside the doors of one of her grandmothers sitting rooms, she found she wasn’t too eager to see her grandmother again so soon.

Things hadn’t exactly gone well yesterday. She bit her lip and could only hope that they would go better this time, that she might be able to talk about her mother’s dresses. Perhaps she could reason with her grandmother.

The doors opened and Hazley ushers her forward before he turned and introduced her. Korina quickly stepped into the room and found herself caught off guard, when she saw her grandmother was not alone. She was sitting with the most strikingly beautiful woman Korina had ever seen. To be fair Korina hadn’t seen too many young women in her small camp but surely none of them compared to this woman.

She looked like something not of this world, like she’d stepped out of the pages of one of the fairy tales her mother used to read her. Yes it was almost as if this woman were a drawing or painting. Her features were so well defined and her clothes were even finer then her grandmothers.

Korina forgot herself for a moment and what she was so desperately seeking. When she came to her senses she stepped up to her grandmother and quickly asked about her dresses, not wanting to forget. Her grandmother quickly shut her down before she’d even finished speaking, saying the matter was closed.

Then the women and her grandmother spoke amongst each other. Korina learned her dresses had already been destroyed. She was heart broken and devastated. She stepped forward again and cried out. The mysterious woman had stood then and they’d locked eyes. Never had she seen such eyes, she found herself stunned, frozen in her glance.

The woman scolded her for speaking out of turn and so loudly. Her voice was sweet but there was an edge to it, that sent a shiver up Korina’s spine. She found herself frightened. Her eyes began to water and the woman stepped closer to her. Instinctively Korina stepped back and just barley managed to ask who the woman was.

The mysterious woman looked like she was going to speak but then paused. Her nostrils flared as she smelt something. Korina watched the woman’s face twist in disgust before she turned around. The woman exchanged words with Korinas’ grandmother.

She disliked the way they spoke about her as if she were not there. They made plans that clearly involved her and yet paid not attention to how she felt. She wanted to lash out but feared retribution. Instead she listened and found herself confused as to just what was going on. Korina was grateful when the woman took her leave and bit her lip, again wondering just who she was.

After a moment her grandmother let out a small sigh and said, “Don’t bite your lip. It’s a filthy habit. One not befitting of a young lady,”

Korina looked at her grandmother sourly. Was there anything that she did not find filthy about Korina. She remembered her mothers’ dresses and clenched her fists. Korina had held such high hopes when it came to meeting and knowing her grandmother but they were quickly being shattered. She found she disliked this, this...old woman... more and more.

An aching question began to nag the back of her mind. Had her grandmother always been like this, had her father known just how strict and cruel she could be. Surely not, she knew he would have never sent her here, if he had known such a thing. Perhaps time had made her cold or maybe Korina

just needed to get to know her better.

She found herself reminded of an old man who lived in her mining camp. He would snap at all the kids. More then once as a little girl, she’d seen him chasing her brother and his friend away. She’d assumed he was a mean old man and disliked him. She made a point to avoid him whenever she could.

Yet one day, when she was a bit older, she saw what had been going on. Her brother and his friend liked to shoot rocks at birds, with their slingshots. The old man chased them away not wanting them to hurt the birds. She’d seen how kind and gentle he could be picking up an injured bird. He must have nursed it back to health because later she saw him release it. She realized then that there was a reason he’d been mean. Perhaps there was a reason her grandmother was being so harsh with her.

“Hazley,” said her grandmother lifting her gloved hand.

“Yes,” said Hazley stepping up to her.

“Make the necessary arrangements,”

“Right away,” said Hazley before quickly rushing from the room.

Alone with her grandmother, Korina sought to understand what was going on. “Who was that woman just now? What is going on?”

Her grandmother sighed “That woman, was the Baroness Avianna Corday, as of today she is to be your instructor.”

“Instructor?” asked Korina

“Yes there are rules you must follow and standards you must upkeep. The Baroness will teach you the ways of our society and make you into a proper young lady,”

“I don’t understand. Why is it so important to be a proper young lady?” asked Korina. Wasn’t it better to be oneself.

“You will learn,” said her grandmother, “You must do as the Baroness instructs you. Do your best to take everything she has to teach you, to heart. It is important if you hope to even have the slightest chance of being apart of this world and attending the debutante ball, come this summer,”

“This summer?” said Korina. She and her father had never discussed how long she would be staying. She assumed a few weeks, a month at most. “Will I really be staying that long?”

Her grandmothers mouth parted slightly. Her left eye twitched. She quickly turned away and said, “You will stay as long as it takes.”

Korina found her grandmother’s reaction peculiar. She wanted to ask what would happen if she didn’t get into the ball, if she didn’t find a husband. Surely she couldn’t stay here forever. There had to be a set time when enough had been enough. Before she could ask Hazley returned. He nodded to her grandmother and she nodded back to him. She waved Korina off then, “Go now, bath and depart. I do not wish for you to keep the Baroness waiting,”

Korina wanted to point out that she’d just bathed last night and shouldn’t need to again for some time but given how nice last nights bath was and how sore she was she thought it wouldn’t hurt to take another one. She turned to leave but then paused. She looked back at her grandmother. A moment of silence passed before her grandmother realized Korina was staring at her, “I told you not to stare, now what is it?”

“I...I was wondering. When we might have some time to speak?”

“Were we just not?” her grandmother asked as she lifted her cup of tea.

“Yes, well I mean...when might I be able to ask you some things? I know we haven’t gotten off to the best start but I wish to know more about you, about Crestmoore. I’d like to know what my mother was like when she was my age.”

Her grandmother paused, holding her teacup inches from her mouth. She thought about what her granddaughter had just said. Korina watched as a flicker of sadness washed over her grandmothers face. Just as quickly as it appeared it disappears. Her grandmother brought the teacup to her mouth. She finished off her tea before she set it down. “I am a very busy woman. I don’t have time to go on and on about such tedious things. Think less about questions and instead focus on preparing yourself for the ball,”

There was a knock at the door a moment later. Her grandmother nodded to Hazley and he opened the door. Betsy stepped into the room, Korina turned and moved to her but paused at the door. She couldn’t help but feel she’d said something to upset her grandmother. There were a lot of things her grandmother had done to upset her but that didn’t mean Korina had to do the same. She turned again looking back at her grandmother and said, “I’m sorry if I upset you,”

Her grandmother said nothing. Korina left the room and was beginning to think her mother might be a sore subject.

Alone Countess Vira reached for a silver locket, she wore around her neck. She held it tightly and frowned. Seeing his mistress in distress Hazley approached her chair, “Countess,”

“I never knew Dillie...at her age,” said Vira quietly. More to herself then to Hazley,

Hazley just barely heard her. He sighed and raised his hand to gently rest it on his mistress’s shoulder but thought better of it. Instead he straightened himself and said, “You are expected at the Lache’s for afternoon tea. This evening your to have dinner with Countess Gray and her daughters,”

“Yes,” said Vira hazily staring off into space. She collected herself after a moment and dropped the locket back on her chest. She rose from her chair and briskly walked to the door. “Come Hazley much to do, much to do,”

**********

Korina had thought it would be nice to bathe again, to sooth her aching muscles and relax after an already stressful morning. Yet she realized it might have been a mistake. Upon getting out she found herself even more tired then when she’d gotten in. She barely managed to get dressed and follow Betsy downstairs.

They went outside and the sky was overcast and bleak. It seemed fitting for her mood and Korina smiled for a moment. They were nearly halfway down the front path, when she realized she was wearing her slippers outside. Korina paused, panicked that she would get in trouble but Betsy assured her, given that Korina had no other shoes, it would be okay to wear them outside.

Korina thought to mention her brothers’ boots but as she continued to follow Betsy once more, she had a sinking feeling, that like her mothers’ dresses they had been destroyed. Korina groaned tired and annoyed. More and more she was beginning to dislike this trip, especially when she realized, she hadn’t even been here a full day and was being whisked back into a carriage once more.

This carriage however, was different. It pulled up as they reached the end of the pathway. Korina noticed it was smaller and when the new couch man opened the door, she saw the inside was covered in pillows and cushions.

She asked Betsy about it and was informed that the carriage she had arrived in earlier, was for traveling long distances. This new carriage was meant for shorter trips and never left Crestmoore. Korina found it strange to have two different carriages but what didn’t she find strange here. She climbed in and expected Betsy to join her but the door shut behind her.

Korina asked Betsy why she wasn’t joining her and she said her place was at the manor. She wished Korina good luck and told her she would be here when she returned. Korina let out a heavy sigh of disappointment, wishing she’d come, so that she might have someone she knew with her but to be fair she didn’t really know Betsy. She didn’t really know anyone from around here for that matter.

Korina sat back and the carriage soon took off. She planned to think about the Baroness and what her teachings might involve but soon found herself dozing. Baroness Aviannas’ estate wasn’t far but it was long enough that by the time they arrived Korina was fast asleep.

One of the Baronesses’ servants had to shake her awake. Korina had no idea where she was at first, finding herself disoriented. She looked around the carriage, looked at the young woman who’d shaken her and was frightened. The young woman quickly apologized and explained she was one of the Baronesses’ maids. It slowly came back to Korina, where she was and what was going on. Her face turned red with embarrassment.

She quickly nodded and stumbled out of the carriage. Never in all her years had she slept so much or been unaware of her surroundings upon waking. She wondered if this was something all travelers experienced or if it was just her.

The Baronesses’ house was massive like her grandmothers. Upon stepping inside Korina was struck with a sense of deja vu as she was yet again greeted by several servants. They fussed over her taking her fur robe. The butler introduced himself and gave her a once over, clearly disapproving of her appearance before asking her to follow him.

The Baroness’s house was just as much of a maze as her grandmothers house if not more so. They weaved through halls and went up and down stairs. Korina found herself getting nervous. The Baroness had been quite intimidating. She was unlike any woman Korina had ever met and those eyes...

She bit her lip and then stopped herself, remembering what her grandmother had said. Instead she twisted her fingers and attempted to calm herself. A few seconds later they arrived in front of set of elegant doors. Korina took a deep breath as the butler opened them.

She followed him into the room and found herself surrounded by dozens of mirrors. The walls were practically covered in them. Korina had only ever seen her mothers hand mirror that was covered in cracks. Her eyes lit up as she took herself in, all of herself. She ignored the half a dozen female servant that were standing in a line and approached one of the mirrors.

She reached out to it, her eyes growing wide as she took herself in. It was like...there was another person mimicking her. She found it fascinating. The butler took his leave and after a moment, one of the women stepped forward from the line and cleared her throat. Again Korina found herself embarrassed and apologized. She looked around and didn’t see the Baroness.

Korina asked where she was. The woman who’d stepped up, informed Korina she would be meeting with her later, after her sizing. Korina vaguely remembered hearing something about meeting with a dress maker. She wasn’t quite sure what it entailed. She’d never had a new dress before. She’d always just worn other peoples clothes.

She stood there and the women all looked at her. Korina realized she’d never been surround by so many new faces all at once, nor women for that matter. Her breath quickened and her heart pick up. She wasn’t sure what to do with herself and settled to look at the floor. Unable to help herself she bit her lip yet again.

The woman that had stepped forward, seemed to pick up on Korinas’ lack of experience. She quickly took charge and told Korina where to stand. There was a circular platform a few feet away. It was several feet off the ground. Korina went to the platform and stepped up on it.

The women all seemed to know what they were suppose to be doing. They quickly went into action. They fussed over Korina, removing her night gown. She was too overwhelmed to feel embarrassed or know what to do. Her eyes darted around the room panicked. Some of the women seemed shocked that Korina was naked underneath her nightgown.

The head woman was more professional. She scolded the girls for gawking and then smiled at Korina. She seemed delighted that Korina would need everything, from undergarments to dresses. It was going to be quite an order. Korina watched as the woman took measurements with a special string. She called out numbers and another woman wrote them down.

Her waist measurements seemed to surprise the room. It wasn’t uncommon for a woman not to be corset trained but for one of such standing was quite rare. The head women seemed to fret over this. Korina heard her talking to another women, wondering if they could get a starter corset made for an adult woman. It would have to be looked into. Korina had no idea what they were talking about.

Korina was given her nightgown back and gladly put it on, grateful to be clothed once more. She had a feeling, later on she was going to look back at this moment and shriek. Some of the women started to bring over different kind of fabrics and colors. The head women quickly snapped her fingers, stopping them. She insisted the Baroness would make those decisions as Korina hadn’t the experience with such things.

The head woman instructed Korina to step down from the platform and she thought she was done. Yet a few seconds later the woman pulled up a chair, gesturing Korina to sit. Korina sat down and the woman sunk to her knees. She carefully took hold of Korinas’ legs one at a time. She lifted them, measuring from the tips of Korinas’ toes to her calves. When she was done she had Korina stand on some parchment. She drew around her feet with a sort of black chalk. Korina found it all so fascinating.

She had no idea how much time had passed but it felt like no time at all. Soon enough the butler returned and she was leaving the room once again. They weaved through more hallways and up a flight of stairs before coming to a stop at two more elegant doors. The butler opened the doors before nodding to Korina, “She’s expecting you,”

“Thank you,” said Korina her voice catching in her throat. She cautiously stepped forward and entered the room.

The doors shut quickly behind her and she felt on edge. The room was dimly lit, the curtains were open but the room was so large that the midday light did not even reach half the room. Korina bit her lip, stepping forward, slowly. There were so many decorations and furniture that it took her a few seconds to spot the Baroness.

She was sitting in an armchair, in the shadows. A beam of light just falling on one of the chairs arm rests. She slowly sipped tea. Stepping closer, Korina realized she’d changed. She was wearing a new dress that seemed even better then the previous. Her hair was different too, done up in a bun with strands curling down every so often.

Korina felt just as intimated as before, if not more so. She felt a shiver run up her spine and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up, yet still she approached. When she was a few feet away she paused and quietly said, “Hello, again,”

Korina waited for the Baroness to respond, to acknowledge her but the Baroness just continued to drink her tea. After nearly a minute, Korina realized she must not have heard her. Again Korina spoke, louder, almost a bit too loud, “Hello,”

The Baroness leaned forward and Korina thought she would greet her but she simply put her tea down. She poured herself some more but did not pick the cup back up. She sat back in her chair and pulled a handkerchief, seemingly out of nowhere, dabbing her mouth. Once she was done, she put the handkerchief away and folded her hands on her lap, clasping her fingers. She looked forward, shifting her gaze every so often as if she were pleasantly waiting. Not once did she acknowledge that Korina was there.

Several more minutes passed as Korina waited for the Baroness to say something. When she didn’t, Korina wondered if she might be hard of hearing. Korina moved to stand in the Baroness line of sight, making sure she could see her. Yet the Baronesses’ expression didn’t change, her gaze continued on as if she were looking through Korina.

She did not like the feeling, frustrated Korina didn’t understand what was going on. Clearly the Baroness was expecting her, clearly the Baroness must have heard, if not seen her by now. Korina licked her lips and found herself reminded of the game her brother used to play with his friend. They would pretend Korina was invisible. Both boys would ignore her, to the point that she thought she was.

No matter what she said or did they wouldn’t react. She’d get more and more upset, often bursting into tears before running off to find someone who could see her. Eventually she grew wise to their little game and didn’t find it very fun. One day when they played it, she kicked her brother in the shin as hard as she could. He cried out then, hopping around on one foot. She smiled thinking he couldn’t ignore that now could he. To her delight they never played the game again.

Korina looked at the Baroness now, imaging what would happen if she kicked her in the shin. Her grandmother would no doubt be devastated. Perhaps she would even perish on the spot. Korina frowned and then sighed trying once again. She gave the Baroness the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps she was in deep thought. Korina often found she could lose herself in thought and be completely unaware of what was going on around her.

She cleared her throat and spoke again, “Pardon me, my grandmother sent me to learn from you… We met earlier,” The Baroness did not react. She began to examine a loose thread on her dress and then messed with one of her curls, wrapping it around her finger, to give it more shape.

Exasperated Korina waved her hands inches in front of the Baroness’ face, “Excuse me,”

Again nothing. Korina grew tired of this game. She sat down in a chair, across from the Baroness and sighed. Several more minutes passed as Korina got to thinking, what if...she had truly become invisible. It was a silly thought but at the same time, the Baroness was not a child. From what Korina understood of this world, everyone was very proper. The Baroness would not play such a games, surely not, Korinas’ eyes widened but then that would mean, she truly was invisible.

Korina shot forward in her chair, no, no it couldn’t be…but if she were. She had an idea, she reached forward, if the Baroness could not see or hear her, perhaps she could see something she moved. Korina lifted the lid off the Baronesses’ teapot.

The Baroness looked then, her eyes darting to the lid as Korina stood and lifted it high above her head. Korina watching the Baroness, her face twinged with annoyance. She looked up at Korina like she was an idiot but it was clear she could see her.

Korina put the lid back on the teapot and then asked, “Why do you not respond to me, when I speak?”

The Baronesses’ nostrils flared but she said nothing, turning away from Korina. She began to feel hurt. She, she wasn’t a small child. If, if the Baroness did not wish to acknowledged her, she didn’t have to stand here and take it. She would leave. She would returned to her grandmother and tell her, clearly the Baroness did not want to teach her. What else could she do. Korina turned on her heels angrily, she strode towards the door, just as her hand reached for the knob the Baroness called out, “Lesson 1, Proper Greeting,”

Korina turned, “Excuse me,”

“No,” said the Baroness sharply, “Excuses, allowances are something you can not afford right now.”

“I don’t understand,” said Korina stepping forward.

“When you greet someone of social standing higher then your own, you are to first curtsy, lowering your gaze beneath them as you are beneath them. Then you must wait for them to acknowledge your presence. Never speak unless you are first spoken to,”

“This is quiet confusing,” said Korina, “I curtsied the other day and was told not to,”

“By whom?” said the Baroness annoyed.

“Betsy,”

“Who is Betsy?”

“One of my grandmothers servants,”

The Baroness rolled her eyes, “Of course.” She sighed. “The way of our society can be quiet complex to an outsider but you would do well to understand that title and status are everything here.

One of a lower station always shows respect and deferes to those above them. Given your standing you are to always curtsy to everyone, with the exception of servants,”

“But uhh...how will I know who is and is not a servant?” asked Korina.

The Baroness paused for a moment thinking it over before she answered, “Until you learn the face and names of those above you. You shall approach with caution. Upon meeting someone you will pause and count to three in your head. If they bow or curtsy to you then they are a servant. If they do nothing then you shall curtsy to them. Now leave the room and try again,”

“Try again?”

“Yes,” said the Baroness, “I will not accept your arrival without a proper greeting.”

Korina stood there for a moment. She thought it was silly, they had already met, were already talking but she was instructed to do as the Baroness wished. She turned and left the room, stepping into the hall she found the butler was still there. He was standing alert with his hands behind his back. When he saw Korina, he quickly bowed to her. Korina almost curtsied back to him but stopped herself. She quickly turned and went back into the room.

The Baroness was again drinking her tea. Korina walked up to her, pausing a few feet away, she curtsied. She almost said hello but again stop herself. Instead she stood up straight and waited. The Baroness continued to casually drink her tea. Korina wondered if she’d done something wrong but after a moment the Baroness spoke “Good.” She leaned forward, putting her teacup back down. Then she sat back in her chair and said, “From this moment on, I will not acknowledge your presence, unless you greet me properly, understood,”

“Yes,” said Korina uneasily. “But uh,”

“What,” said the Baroness,

“What do I do when the servant bow to me? How should I respond?”

The Baroness sighed, “You choose to speak to them or not, but you are to never curtsies to one beneath you,”

“Why not?”

“Because they are beneath you,” said the Baroness obviously. Korina wanted to know why people were considered above or beneath each other but before she could ask the Baroness moved on.

“For the purposes of your training I am willing to make certain... allowances. Because you know nothing of how this world works I will speak with you in an informal manner. However let me be clear about this at the outset. You are never to speak to anyone as we speak to each other. It would be the greatest breach of protocol. I am your teacher so, for now, I will accommodate your ignorance. But once our training is done and you understand the proper method of conversing with your betters you will speak to me as those methods dictate. And never, never in the informal manner I am allowing for now. Is this understood?”

It was a lot to take in, “I...think so,”

“Good then let us hope for all our sakes you are a fast learner. We have much to cover and so very little time. For today I will simply assess you and make adjustments as needed. Do your best not to make the same mistake twice,”

Korina nodded finding herself more and more overwhelmed by the second. The Baroness didn’t seem to skip a beat, already moving on to the next topic of discussion, “Now let us discuss sitting. As my guest you are not to sit until I give you permission to do so and when I stand you stand,” The Baroness gestured to the chair across from her. Korina looked at it and frowned. She’d already sat it in, had already messed up on that too.

“Well,” said the Baroness waiting.

“Sorry,” said Korina.

“Don’t apologize, sit down. A gesture,” said the Baroness again motioning to the chair, “Is a form of permission,”

Korina sat down. The Baroness was obviously annoyed, “Keep your knees together...or cross your ankles. Never sit with your legs open. I shouldn’t have to teach you common sense as well,”

“Sorry,” said Korina with a sigh.

The Baroness leaned forward and reached out for her teapot but pulled back, “Another thing you are never to touch someone elses things, less they give you permission. You should know if you were in the company of any other and had touched their teapot, you would have been thrown out,”

Korina went to apologize yet again but the Baroness asked, “What were you even doing?”
“I...ahh...well…I thought I might be invisible so I...I thought maybe…if I moved something you would see-” Korina just stopped talking. The Baroness’s flat expression was clear.

They sat in silence for a moment before the Baroness asked, “Do you have a mental defect, that your grandmother is unaware of?”

“What is a mental defect?”

The Baroness looked at her with piercing eyes. “I will address this nonsense only once. It is not possible to be invisible. Do not ever think you are invisible even if no one acknowledges your existence. Above all never tell anyone you think it is possible. People will assume you are not right in the head.” The Baroness looked Korina up and down, “Even if they were correct to do so until our business is concluded you will at least pretend to be of sound mind. Do I make myself clear!”

“Yes,” said Korina embarrassed.

The Baroness leaned forward and lifted her teapot, pouring Korina some tea, “Feel free to refresh yourself at your leisure, lunch will be served shortly,”

“Thank you,” said Korina. She scooted forward in her chair and lifted her tea cup. She smelt the tea before taking a drink. It didn’t have a flavor, if anything it just tasted like hot water. She reached out picking up a biscuit. It was sturdier then her grandmothers ones and had cinnamon in it, with raisins. Hungry Korina quickly devoured it, finding she quite enjoyed it. She picked up another one, biting into it before she looking up at the Baroness. She did not look happy, if anything she looked rather upset.

“What is it?” Korina instinctively asked, bits of crumb falling out of her mouth.

“You’re eating!”

“You said I could refresh myself at my leisure,”

“Yes and then I informed you that lunch was to be served shortly. A lady never eats before a meal. You may sparingly drink up to one cup of tea but there is to be no food,”

Korina put her half eaten biscuit back down, swallowing the food in her mouth. She took a sip of her tea before she put her cup down and then asked, “If I’m not to eat before a meal, why are the biscuits even here?”

“They are simply aesthetic. You’ll find a lot of things in this world are aesthetic,”

“What is aset asethic?”

The Baroness held her fingers to her temple, rubbing it, “Beauty, for the purpose of appreciating beauty. They are things that are meant to be looked at and never touched,”

“Oh,” said Korina. She didn’t get it but apologized, “Sorry…”

“Stop apologizing for every little mistake you make. After a while it becomes repetitive and the meaning loses all affect. If you are truly sorry as I have said, do not make the same mistake more then once,”

“I...it’s a lot to take in,” said Korina looking to the floor, “I mean there seems to be a rule for everything,”

“In most cases there are,” said the Baroness sighing, “I don’t expect you to learn them all. But you must learn the basic common sense and decency that even the most loathsome of women must possess in order to function properly in civilized company. Can you read?”

“Yes,” said Korina.

Avianna turned and picked up a thick book that was on a small table next to her chair. She handed it to Korina, “Show me,”

Korina took the book and looked at the cover. It read, ‘The Proper Etiquette of Being a Lady.’

Korina opened it and began to read the first page aloud, “Welcome to the ninth edition of The Proper Etiquette of Being a Lady. In this...ex...exemplary manual you shall learn all the dos’ and do nots of being the perfect proper lady.

“Enough,” said the Baroness, “You will read this and then you will read it again and yet again. I want you to memorize it. When you’re not with me, I want you reading this book or practicing the things I have taught you.”

Korina stared down at the book, it was quite thick and heavy. There were so many words on each page. She’d read full books before, mostly old romance tales and poems. Those books however were not that big and the words never filled the entire page, such as this book. She frowned not looking forward to reading and rereading this book. Still it might have some answers to her seemingly endless questions.

“You’re slouching,” said the Baroness. “Shoulders back, chest up a lady is to never slouch,”

Korina adjusted herself, sitting up straight. The Baroness stared at her for a moment before moving on, “I’ve been informed you own nothing in the way of clothing and shoes?”

“I...well I had some dresses and a pair of boots but as you’ve heard they were destroyed,” said Korina sadly.
“As I said you own nothing in the way of clothing and shoes. After you leave I shall make arrangements for a full wardrobe. I shall put a rush on the basics but even then it should take some time. Using today’s measurements I will look though what I have on hand and should be able to send you something in the morning.”

“Thank you,” said Korina, though her heart wasn’t in it. She knew it was nice that her grandmother and the Baroness were getting her new clothes but there was nothing wrong with her old ones at least as far as Korina was concerned.

“Fix your face,”

“Excuse me?” said Korina.

“Lesson number 2. Presentation! You must always have a pleasant expression on your face. A lady is to never express unpleasant emotions. She is to never frown or show her temper, even if there is a reason for it. You are also to never cry in public with the exception of mourning of course. If someone close to you passes you are only to wear black for a week and your face must always be hidden by a black veil only then can you openly cry,”

Korinas’ face twisted in disbelief. She was to never express unpleasant emotions. Who were these people? Who was it that came up with such a horrible rule? The Baroness sighed, “Again fix your face. You’re like an open book. I can read every emotion your feeling. I might as well be reading your thoughts. You must fix this...practice, practice, practice always be pleasantly smiling,”

Korina gave the Baroness a sharp look. She didn’t want to “fix her face” She wasn’t a doll, but still she bitterly smiled. The Baroness chuckled. “For now it will do but you need to work on those eyes of yours. They are far too wild and fierce. Look at my eyes, even if I were in agony you would never know it.”

Korina looked into the Baroness ice blue eyes. They indeed looked pleasant and kind and yet they held so much more. Korina furrowed her brow peering into the Baronesses’ gaze. Their eyes locked for several minutes in a staring contest. Eventually Korinas’ stomach rumbled bringing them back to their senses. Korinas mind felt full and foggy as she apologized, “Sorry...I… I haven’t eaten anything since last night. I’m a bit hungry,”

The Baroness eyes darted from side to side, lost in thought for a moment before she collected herself and responded, “Some people go days without eating, now drink some tea. It will help sooth your stomach and should tide you over until lunch,”

Korina leaned forward and lifted her tea cup. She finished off her tea before setting it down. The Baroness looked displeased that she’d finished her cup so quickly. “Your face?” said Korina.

“What about it?”

“You look displeased, isn’t a lady never to show an unpleasant emotion?”

“Yes, but as I said I’m making allowances for you. How else will you know I’m displeased with you,”

Korina sighed and wondered when she wasn’t.

“Now let us move on to some questions.” said the Baroness.

Korina smiled. She had quite a lot of them but before she could ask a single one. The Baroness asked, “What is your full name and where do you come from?”

“Oh,” said Korina realizing the Baroness meant, she was going to ask some questions. She sighed disappointed but at least she knew the answers, “I am Korina Deluna Andon. I come from the Avilini Mining Camp.”

“Mining Camp...You grew up in a mining camp?”

“Yes,” said Korina.

“That explains quite a lot. What do they mine there?

“Osite,”

“So I take it your father, is a miner?”

“My father, Rumen Andon is actually an inventor. He only mines so that he can build his inventions. He’s really good. One day he’s going to be world renowned and were going to travel the world.”

The Baroness looked at Korina and then shifted her gaze to the side simply saying, “How nice,”

Nearly a minute of silence passed, the Baroness leaned forward, picking up her teacup. She took a sip of tea before continuing once more, “Your mother was, Dillie Bray, the only child of Countess Vira Bray?”

“Yes,” said Korina, “She passed away when I was as child,”

“Were you an only child?”

“No,” said Korina, “I had a brother, Brend. He...he died some years ago as well,”

“Older or younger?”

“Older,”

“I see,” said the Baroness taking it all in. She sat for a moment and then sighed, “So you’ve come to Crestmoore to attend the Debutante Ball and find a husband?”

“Well...not only,” said Korina. “I also came to meet my grandmother. Yesterday was the first time we met.”

“Overall though your goal is to marry,”

“Yes, I suppose,”

“My next question is going to be blunt and a bit vulgar but it is important if we wish to proceed. Are you are virgin?”

“Ah…a virgin,” said Korina blushing. “I...uh...yes,”

“Have you ever had any contact with a man unrelated to you?”

“Any contact?”

“Exchanging letters, holding hands, hugging, kissing, any intimacy,”

“Oh, no,” said Korina. She couldn’t even imagine doing such things without turning beet red, “No not at all I-”

“Calm yourself.” said the Baroness before putting her teacup down. “Now that we’ve covered your family and virtue. Let us move on to your talents. Do you have any?”

“Talents?”

“Yes something that might give you more value. Do you speak another language, cook, sew, sing, play an instrument?”

“Uh...I think I can play the piano,”

“You think,” said the Baroness flatly.

“Well it has been a while,”

“Show me,” said the Baroness standing up.

Korina wasn’t sure if she was suppose to stand up as well. She darted out her chair and took to her feet. The book on her lap fell on the floor nearly crushing her feet, “I...I’m sorry,” said Korina retrieving it.

“Give it to me,” said the Baroness. She took the book from Korina and set it back on the table. “Now, follow me.” The Baroness moved to the corner of the room and Korina saw a small piano. In the clutter, she’d completely missed it. “Play for me,”

“Uh...well...its different from the one we have back home,”

“Piano’s are nearly all the same. Now if you can play, do so,”

Korina pulled the bench out and then sat down. She ran her fingers over the keys. They were so smooth and shinny. She pressed a few of them down. The keys sounded different from the ones back home. Perhaps this was how they were suppose to sound. The Baroness loomed over her, “We don’t have an eternity...Korina,”

Korina nodded and started playing. Her fingers moved gently, cautiously. She made mistakes her first few attempts but eventually managed to pick up on the song her mother had taught her. The Baroness watched her for a moment and then closed her eyes listening. When Korina stopped just short of the end, the Baroness snapped, “Continue,”

Korina lowered her hands from the keys.

The Baroness opened her eyes. “I said continue,”

“That...that is all I know,” said Korina sadly.

“Really,” said the Baroness. Without warning, she moved sitting next to Korina. She danced her fingers across the keys playing the last three notes, “There is this here, then there, and finally here once more and that is it,” Korina watched the Baroness, eyes wide as she repeated it again and then yet again. “Now you do it.”

Korina excitedly mimicked the Baroness’s movements. When she was finished the Baroness smiled. “Well there you go. Now you know the whole song,”

Korina played the last three notes again and again, her eyes watering, before she burst into tears. The Baroness scoffed, “What did I tell you about crying?”

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” said Korina looking to the Baroness. “Its just my mother was teaching me this...this song and then she..she...I didn’t know how close we were….to the end...I…”

The Baroness just stared, Korina quickly turned back to the keys and began to play the song from the beginning, a smile on her face.

*****

Velona didn’t close his eyes this time, watching her. His chest twinged with…with pain. He’d heard this song a million times by now. It was simple, insignificant. It was a child’s song. Yet this girl played it as if it were a precious masterpiece. Velona stood, he could not bare to sit next to this...this fool any longer.

He turned his back to her and the piano taking several steps. He listened as the song came to an end. Not even a second passed before Korina started up again. Velona turned and thought to tell her enough. Yet he just stood there, staring at her back. A strange feeling came over him...he couldn’t quite describe it.

When Korina finished the song, she turned until she could see him. Her eyes were lit up. They were already big and now they were full of such overwhelming joy. “Thank you,” said Korina, “Thank you,”

Agitated, he snipped, “It was nothing. Any child of five could play this song. It will not do in public. I shall have to teach you another,”

“Another,” said Korina delighted.

Again his chest felt tight. He’d changed corsets, when he’d come home. Perhaps he was putting on weight. Yes, that was it! He’d have to watch what he ate or perhaps order a larger corset. Korina continued to look up at him, with admiration and he looked down at her with disgust. The pleasant smile on his face, wavering ever so slightly. The girl didn’t seem to notice, she turned round and began to play that dreadful song yet again.

He sighed and then heard a knock at the door. His butler, Hagan, entered the room a moment later. Korina was so caught up in her playing that she didn’t notice. Velona put a hand on her shoulder squeezing it. Korina stopped playing and looked up as Hagan first bowed to Velona and then to Korina.

“Yes,” said Velona after a moment.

“Lunch is ready,” said Hagan

“Thank you,” said Velona.

Hagan nodded and left the room. Velona looked down at Korina, a strand of her hair had fallen over the top of his hand. It felt soft. He pulled his hand away shrugging it off. “Shall we,”

Korina smiled and got up. Excitedly she rushed to the door, “Wait!” he called.

“Yes,” said Korina turning. The sunlight hit her just right and he could see through her nightgown... could see the shape of her body. His eyes lingered for a moment before he looking away, he nearly snarled at her but managed to keep his voice pleasant, “You are to walk behind me or beside me, if I take up your arm. It is my house, you are my guest and I am always to be first,”

He could tell she was slightly annoyed but she came back to him. Velona smiled politely, a thin veneer, and passed her. As they left the room Korina lagged behind him most improperly. He listened to the thump of her footsteps as he led the way to the west dining room. Though he’d barely eaten anything all day, he suddenly found he’d lost his appetite.

*****

All throughout lunch the Baroness scolded Korina, from how she sat, to the utensils she choose to use, and the sounds she made when eating. It would seem there was nothing she could do right. It got to the point where Korina didn’t want to eat anymore. She just sat there quietly, waiting for lunch to end. Yet it went on for what felt like forever. Just when she thought it might be over, the servants would bring out another course and then another. Korina didn’t understand why they needed to have so many different foods in one sitting.

When the Baroness finally got up from the table, Korina was overjoyed. She found she was still hungry but would rather eat later, at hergrandmothers’ estate, then be scolded again. They made their way to another room and she’d noticed the sun was going down. It wasn’t quite sunset but it was getting late. Surely she would be leaving soon.

They sat down and set out to have another “pleasant” conversation. After a minute or two Korina asked how much longer she’d be staying. The Baroness was offended, she’d even dared to ask such a question. Apparently, a guest was to never ask their host, how long they would be staying. Korina would stay as long as the Baroness so desired.

Korina slouched in her chair, wondering just how much longer that would be, after all today was only suppose to be an assessment. The Baroness started up polite conversation once more until she could no longer take Korinas’ abhorrent posture. Without warning, she stood and pulled a book from a shelf. She placed it on Korinas’s head and expected her to move around without it falling off.

She said a true lady moved with such grace that she could always balance a book on top of her head. Korina began to think she was just making up rules now. She thought it was silly, but the Baroness said Korina could leave, when she walked from one end of the room, to the other without the book falling.

Korina was more then eager to accept her challenge. She didn’t think it would be that hard but soon found out it was quite difficult. She couldn’t make it more then three steps, without the book sliding off her head. Sometimes she’d catch it but most the time it would fall to the floor. The Baroness just sat in her chair and watched with slight amusement.

It only made Korina more determined. She bet the Baroness didn’t think she could do it but she’d prove her wrong. She bit her lip and focused, after a few dozen tries, she managed to get half way but in her excitement the book fell.

She started up once again but continued to have difficulties. She grew frustrated, whenever her temper rose the Baroness would remind her to smile through it. Korina glared at her but put on a smile. Her grandmother had said the Baroness was to teach her but so far all she’d done was joyously point out Korina mistakes.

Korina grew tried after a while and began to think she might never leave this place. The Baroness must have also come to this realization. She stood and took the book from Korina. She placed it on her own head and moved around the room. She almost seemed to drift as she told Korina it wasn’t about speed, it was about grace, fluid movement and above all balance.

She turned away from Korina and curtsied to one of the walls. Not once did the book look like it might fall, if anything it almost seemed attached to her head. After a moment the Baroness’s took the book off her head and gave it back to Korina. She informed her that she would never ask Korina to do anything she hadn’t already mastered.

Now that Korina had seen how it was done she tried even harder. She moved slower, steadier. It took her nearly two dozen more tries but eventually she made it from one end of the room to the other without the book falling. She was so excited, she jumped up and down, knocking the book onto the floor.

The Baroness didn’t praise her. She simply sighed and informed Korina she should practice doing everything with a book on her head, in private, until her posture improved. Korina took her advice in to consideration and thanked the Baroness for her time, thinking she could finally go now.

She nearly leapt to the door but the Baroness called her back. She informed Korina, she must leave as she entered “properly”. Korina walked back to the Baroness and curtsied. The Baroness waited several minutes before she acknowledged Korina. She informed for her, she’d send a carriage over first thing in the morning and that their training would being, much to Korinas’ dismay.

Korina again went to leave but the Baroness called out to her. She turned, wondering what she’d done wrong this time and found she’d forgotten the book, the Baroness wanted her to memorize. She’d left it in another room but at some point, a servant must have brought it in to this room. At least Korina hoped that was the case. She didn’t think the Baroness would own two copies of such a book.

She stepped forward and took the book. The Baroness smiled and bid her a good night. Once again Korina turned to leave. She couldn’t help cringe as she approached the door, thinking she’d be stopped yet again. However the Baroness said nothing and thankfully she was able to step into the hall. The butler was waiting for her, just outside the room. He took her back to the main entrance and she put on her fur robe.

It was dark when she stepped outside and a bit chilly. She could almost see her breath as she looked up at the twinkling stars. She quickly rushed to the carriage that was waiting for her and got in. They returned to her grandmothers and she made sure not to fall asleep, this time, not that she could if she wanted to. It was quiet chilly inside the carriage, by the time they arrived home she was shivering. She didn’t wait for a servant to open her door. She quickly let herself out and rushed inside.

Korina was barely inside a minute, when Hazley appeared. He summoned Betsy and Korina happily greeted her before asking if she’d missed dinner. She also wondered if she might see her grandmother. Betsy informed her, she could eat dinner whenever she liked, in the dinning hall or in her rooms again. Her grandmother however was not available. Korina assumed she’d already gone to bed but learned she was out at a party and wouldn’t be home for some time.

Tired, she requested her dinner in her room. Betsy left to let the kitchen know. Korina attempted to go to her rooms on her own but quickly got lost. One of the servants had to help her. Once she was back in her rooms, she sat on her couch and opened the book the Baroness had given her. She hoped to find answers.

She found there were rules for nearly every situation, in some cases several, but no real answers. She was told what to do, but not why. There also didn’t seem be anything about who had created all these rules either. Korina mostly glossed over the pages, wondering how anyone could live like this.

When dinner arrived, she thanked Betsy and quickly ate it. She smacked her lips, slurped her wine and relished in eating however she pleased. Her belly full, she looked at the book and sighed. She picked it up and moved to her bedroom. She climbing into bed for the first time and found it was soft, far softer then anything she’d ever laid on. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of it.

She cracked open the book again and attempted to read a fewpages but closed it after a minute or so, yawning. Her grandmother...was overwhelming, the Baroness was exhausting, and trying to learn the ways of Crestmoore... it was all so much. She knew coming here things might be strange, even difficult but in this moment, she couldn’t help but wonder if they might be impossible…

Thank you for reading^^

Menu

© 2011 Leona Keyoko Pink All Rights Reserved Contact Leona at LeonaKeyokoPink@gmail.com

May not be reproduced in whole or part without express written permission.

Thanks for reading!