Selene learned fairly quickly that the library she had was considered small by Noble standards and that she was on the outskirts of the Empire. They weren't boarding any enemy territory, thankfully, but it definitely wasn't giving a good impression. It seemed the original Selene was outcasted from the Gaea Family but not outright disowned. Likely they were hoping to sell the original off to some person of higher power, if only to gain favor.
It didn't matter to the new soul. What did, was the fact the few servants that were supposed to guard her weren't being paid well. Most of their money was spent to make sure she was happy. That she had everything she needed. As kind as that was of them, she didn't want to burden them with that. So, that was the first thing she read about; agriculture.
There were plenty of books on it, thankfully, and when she found a map, she was able to see that they were settled on a fertile patch! Which was amazing!
"Can we buy seeds?" Selene asked Miss Olly.
Miss Olly could only give her a confused look, as if she was unsure she had heard her correctly. She then slowly nodded.
"I believe so, but if we buy seeds then we cannot buy sugar or the expensive meat."
The young child tilted her head, humming to herself. She briefly wondered why either of those were important. Then she remembered and nodded, a grin growing.
"I don't need sugar or the expensive meat! If we have seeds, we can grow more food and save more money! I read it in a book!"
Miss Olly's face twisted in confusion for a brief moment at the first part of her words, then looked thoughtful at the second. Yes, if they could grow their own food, there would be more money to spend on other things.
Glancing to her charge for a second, she turned to the side, calling over a younger maid, a woman with blond hair braided down her back. The younger maid's face was round and had a button nose and her eyes were a sparkling blue. She was pretty, but also average looking in almost every way.
"Watch her." Was the only order and Miss Olly left.
The new maid gave the young lady a sweet smile, stepping closer and bowing politely.
"Hello, Lady Selene, I am Amzi of the Zia River Village."
"Hello, Miss Amzi." Selene gave her a polite bow in return.
"Oh! My Lady, you don't... You don't have to bow."
The young soul watched as Amazi's face fell into what she could only assume is sadness. She didn't know what kind of sadness that was, but she didn't like how it looked on her.
"Miss Amzi," she reached a hand to her, "did my Empire hurt your Village?"
Her blue eyes widen and then she shook her head.
"Not... Not within my father's lifetime." Her words rang with sorrow, her head bowing so I could no longer see her face. She refused to take the young lady's hand.
"Do you have a last name, Miss Amzi?"
Her head raised up, her eyes wide in surprise. She then gave a distant smile. She remembered the day she had asked her father that. He gave the same look she was giving to her lady.
"Father said our name was that of the crystals that give us our strength, Azul Lapi."
Selene took one of Amzi's hands. They were rough with work, but they felt soft at the same time. Soft with care and compassion.
"Amzi Azul Lapi, what a pretty name." She chirped. "May you tell me more?"
Her eyes shone with tears and an emotion she wasn't familiar with, but she could tell it wasn't bad. No, the young maid gave a smile and almost eagerly nodded her head.
The young soul smiled back to her, tightening her grip on her hand. She could only wonder what Amzi would tell her.
~~
After that day, they planted seeds- earning all of them ten points and a new Nonmagical Skill- and Miss Lapi taught the young lady about her Village! She even showed her some of the water magic that her people could do! It was amazing!
The seeds would take time to grow, which the young soul didn't mind. However, she knew that only growing plants wouldn't keep them stable for long, and what if her blood family decided to cut off the money? No, she couldn't let them hurt the people watching over her like that! If she was a Nobleman's daughter, then she needed to make sure to provide for the people in her care!
She had decided that they should have a small herd of goats and sheep. It would not only provide better for them, once they learned how to spin, but it would give them milk and meat! They could make a few recipes that the new Selene already knew with milk and if they make it into cheese, even more recipes along with something else to sell!
Of course, getting everything set up meant the house had to go months without meat. Not everyone was happy with that, but they weren't exactly hostile about it either. It was Amzi that came up with the idea to hunt their own meat during times like this. Selene's family owned the property and there were plenty of wild animals roaming around anyway. Plus, it would keep the population of both predators and prey in control.
They agreed to this, as some of them would rather die than not have meat! The young lady found it a bit funny on how much they loved meat, but she found no place to complain at this point in time. Instead, she joined them on the hunts.
She had read that some hunters gain unique Skills and she was curious on what they would be. Plus, they might come in handy in the future.
It likely was when hunting and farming were on the table, everyone began relaxing around the young noblewoman. Even before that, she would try her best to help them with whatever, but they weren't too fond of that. Now, they seemed to have grown used to her being strange. Used to her kinder and more compassionate way. Every time one of them asked why, she would always respond the same.
"I am a Noblewoman, and you're under my care! I must make sure you are well fed and taken care of!"
They found her words to be both silly and comforting. It wasn't very long before they were like her new family. They were always there and more eager to help her learn than her real ones anyhow.
Miss Olly became a mother figure to Selene, making sure that she had proper etiquette and manners for a Lady in High Society. Miss Lapis was like a big sister, she was only eleven years older than she was, but she protected her the best she could and teased her when she became comfortable enough to do so. The rest of the staff soon opened up to her about their home villages and cities, some showing her their unique magic! On her birthdays, they would sometimes buy her new books or teach her their native languages and customs. Those days were wonderful!
Though, as simple as her life was being a noble girl, she did have to deal with the occasional assassin and poisoning. Turns out, that was how she became Selene Gaea! She was literally poisoned to death! With her new relationship with everyone, and the fact they didn't have to spend so much money on expensive things, they were able to occur antidotes for her. The last time they could only get the basic antidotes and there wasn't much home for her surviving. Not that the new Selene could blame them.
The whole situation led to her finding out she could make herself poison resistant! Like she was going to die by poisoning! What a horrible way to die! And that would only make them worry about her more, she didn't want that. Besides, she also didn't want them spending money on something that they could make themselves!
"Sele, you... You have a letter..." Amzi said to her lady one day.
The letter was carefully placed on a silver tray that was polished pristinely. Selene frowned at the sight, looking up to her in confusion.
"No one sends me letters."
She nodded, stepping forward, tilting the tray so she could see the seal on it. The wax was a seaweed green color with the emboss print of a shield and a Warhammer in the middle of said shield. It was a very simple design but elegant, nonetheless.
"It's from your family."
The world seemed to stop. The family that didn't care to even send a single letter or present for ten years now sends one when she's on the cusp of adulthood. They clearly wanted something, but what? Marriage most likely.
The young woman looked to Amzi, her face tight with worry and a barely concealed anger. The same anger whenever she would find an assassin cornering her little sister in one of the halls. She wanted to hurt them but unlike the assassins, she couldn't. Even showing such a face to them would make than likely get her killed!
Selene could only give her a smile, taking the letter.
"Thank you, Amz. Let's see what they want."
She nodded stiffly, waiting for her to finish reading the letter. It wasn't hard, the wording was simple, far simpler than what one was to except of a Duke's letter. He likely thought his own daughter was stupid or excepted her to have a servant read it aloud. Either way, it was almost disrespectful.
"Miss Lapi, please tell Miss Olly that I would need my finest clothes packed along with my weapons. It seems my Father believes it is time I make the family proud and join my brothers in defeating a monster."
The blue-eyed maid bowed her head and left without a word. Selene sighed, glaring at the letter. She was perfectly happy there, mostly forgotten and left alone. Yet, that wasn't even the greatest thought on her mind.
Was she even ready to fight a monster?