Rina listened the whole time as her grandmother told her story... She felt there was something bigger than people expected. She felt a curiosity towards it all. She thought repeatedly, then her eyes met her grandmother's.
"Grandma, you know a lot of information about people."
Osana laughed at Rina's strange comment and then said:
"Oh Rina, believe me, I lived many years in Japan. Don't I have many stories about people? But here, from the first year, I learned a lot."
Rina smiled. She understood her grandmother. When she was young, what she didn't care for was attending festivals, distributing candy to children. Even those around her knew she was the niece of the Japanese Emperor's daughter.
"Although I had many acquaintances in Japan, I didn't delve into their lives. And in the end, when I moved to Europe, everything ended. In recent years, I haven't met with them, but still many know me."
Rina listened and then said:
"Sometimes I think acquaintances and friendships are beautiful, but honestly, I don't want to befriend more than Ron, Vicky, and Damian."
Osana picked up the cloth she was embroidering and started to continue, then said:
"You know best what you want, dear."
"By the way, when will Uncle return?"
Rina asked curiously, and the reply came:
"I don't know exactly, but yesterday he reached the east of the country with Lord James. They will stay there for a while, then they will enter the north; they have tasks there too."
Osana narrated, remembering when she received a letter from her son, then said with a smile:
"He is happy that you are well... He told me he misses you more than even us."
Osana laughed, and Rina smiled with some excitement.
"I miss him too... my uncle..."
....
Several letters arrived at the palace from a group of nobles who had heard that Rina got a cut on her head. Whoever heard sent a message for reassurance. The Southern meeting had already been held.
It took Rina days to heal, and finally she became healthy and removed the bandage from her head, restoring her bright smile. Until one day, she stood beside her grandmother and saw before her a woman... with a smile and grace. She was the wife of one of the Southern lords.
"Greetings, Your Highness Princess Carina... From today onward... I will be your tutor for noble etiquette."
Finally, learning noble etiquette!
It is a duty for everyone to possess manners in dealing with food, especially women. For a female of Rina's age with a grand rank, she must learn this.
"Greetings, Madam..."
Rina replied calmly and launched into learning, day after day...
Walking with books on her head, trying to balance, which ended in failure.
A fast, greedy way of eating instead of table manners.
Rude dealings with nobles.
Everything that is wrong according to etiquette, Rina did.
Indeed, Rina learned a lot in her childhood about sitting, walking, and grace, but a period passed and she began to deviate from the noble path. So, she started to develop her manners from all aspects.
She took two months to recover the basics and slowly began to progress in social etiquette, especially court etiquette.
...
On a new morning, taking a simple break, she was practicing her walking etiquette, then she laughed. Theobald noticed her dancing with the air because no one shared her dance. He laughed out loud, and when she focused on her father, she laughed more.
"Father, can't you see? I look grand, right?"
Theobald nodded and said:
"Don't lose your manners again."
She nodded, then remembered she had forgotten her manners even though she had learned everything in the past.
"Carina..." he called in a quiet voice, then gestured from the window for her to come in to him in the study.
She nodded and entered, heading with her new confident walk towards her father's desk, each step announcing what she had learned of dignity. "Yes, Papa?" she replied as soon as she arrived, gently closing the door behind her. Her gaze paused for a moment on the picture of her mother hanging on the wall, as if asking her for strength, then her focus returned to Theobald.
"Rina, at the beginning of next week, there will be a party. A party hosted by Marquis Huntons... directed only at the young, from ages nine to sixteen."
Rina listened attentively, then asked curiously: "And why this party specifically?"
Her father replied while staring at her, explaining the hidden political threads: "The Marquis is a smart man. By making such a request, preparing a party of this scale, and sending invitations to the young nobles, he wants two things: First, to weave bonds between the young heirs, to build an interconnected generation in the future. Second, personal interest: bringing his children closer to those of higher standing, like the Imperial Princes and the Princes of the great Duchies."
Rina understood well. And she knew her father was telling her because she would also go, to improve her relationships and position among the young nobles. So she nodded, saying: "And who will be there?"
Her father smiled, enjoying her enthusiasm mixed with curiosity. "Many. The Marquis has prepared musical bands, tables of luxurious sweets, a full dinner, and dancing. It will be an opportunity to display your talents too. Your tutor will come later to give you special guidance for your behavior at the party."
Rina nodded and filled with excitement. Then she remembered a more important question: "Will... will Vicky attend?"
She asked, her heart beating with hope. Theobald laughed at the spontaneity of her question, then decided to joke with her. "You guess."
"Noooo! Papa, say it quickly!" she protested with a suppressed laugh.
He laughed more, then stood up and approached her, running his hand through her hair affectionately. "Yes, Vicky Flax will attend, and her brother Richard Flax as well."
"Yeeeehooooo! That's fair!" Carina shouted with pure childish enthusiasm and started running in small circles around the study, immersed in overwhelming happiness.
Theobald kept laughing, then commented with gentle sarcasm: "What a pity! All the noble etiquette you learned went down the drain!"
Rina stopped running and laughed too, admitting her defeat to joy. But her laugh stopped suddenly when her father's tone changed and became more serious and quiet.
"Carina..." he said, his voice carrying a note of caution. "You won't go alone... your aunt's sons will also attend. They are children and are not guilty of their mother's actions."
She stared at her father for a moment. Internally, she was displeased with the idea of sharing the occasion with her aunt's sons, but she hid her feeling and nodded in acceptance.
"So, the tailor will come tomorrow to take your measurements and will prepare a suitable dress for the party." said Theobald, then moved slowly to sit behind his desk. At that moment, the door was gently knocked, and his personal assistant entered.
"Ah! Your Highness the Princess is here? Did I interrupt you in a private matter?" the assistant asked politely.
Theobald shook his head affirmatively and gestured for him to enter. Rina understood the signal, so she retreated quietly from the study, leaving her father to the affairs of governance.
---
"I think the golden color will coordinate wonderfully with Your Highness the Princess!" said the famous Southern seamstress, after finishing taking Rina's measurements, holding up a piece of shiny golden fabric next to her face.
"Do you like it, Rina?" asked Carla, kneeling beside her to see the child's reaction.
"It seems... too shiny." Rina answered honestly.
The seamstress nodded with an experienced smile and replaced the fabric with another of a pleasant pink color, adorned with thin silver threads.
"Oh! Now I see all the boys at the ball will lose their hearts before Your Highness the Princess with this coordinating color!" said the seamstress with theatrical enthusiasm.
Carla replied with a loving whisper: "Shouldn't you lower your voice a little? Better than having the Duke hear you."
Rina looked between the two women, then said with childish confidence: "I look beautiful in any color."
Carla laughed a little and nodded: "I agree with you."
Then Rina whispered, staring at the pink fabric: "But... I liked this color."
The seamstress was pleased and nodded enthusiastically in agreement. "Good! It will be ready in time, with all the appropriate accessories! I believe you will be the most beautiful at the ball without a doubt." Then she left the place with quick steps to start working.
---
"Tell any guard to summon the Bional brothers." Theobald ordered his assistant.
The assistant nodded and left to carry out the order. It wasn't long before San and Sina arrived and stood before the Duke's desk. Theobald gestured for his assistant to leave the room and close the door.
"Listen to me well... Your mother made a mistake, and she is now receiving punishment for her error." Theobald began in his calm and decisive voice. "But don't worry, this doesn't concern you. You can visit her whenever you want, and you will accompany us to all occasions and parties under our protection until you grow up."
San and Sina nodded their heads. But while San's gaze carried confusion and submission, Sina's eyes were hidden behind lowered eyelids concealing a glint of hatred and resentment. Theobald noticed them but didn't pay more attention than they deserved, continuing in an official tone:
"Any activity or party you are invited to – whether by direct invitation to you or by invitation to our family – you will attend. Marquis Huntons is holding a party for the young at the beginning of the week, and you will attend it. We will provide suitable clothes for you, as you wish."
The two nodded again. Sina's features calmed a little, and her mind began to calculate quickly: an opportunity to be among the future nobles, to get close, to start weaving the threads of her own influence, and to spread the rumors she needed. As for San, he still seemed to simply follow his sister, without special plans.
"Is there anything else you want to say?" asked Theobald, raising his head to look at them directly.
"Yes, Lord Duke..." Sina took a small step forward, in a submissive tone. "I want... we want to visit our mother tomorrow, if that's possible."
San nodded in agreement with a word: "Yes."
"Of course you can." answered Theobald without hesitation. "Anything you need, don't hesitate to ask. You can consider me as an uncle to you."
San and Sina nodded together. And Sina felt, for the second time since her arrival, that the door might be ajar for her to play the role of the innocent, kind girl before Theobald's eyes. She gave a small, calculated smile before bowing and leaving the room.
…
"One... two... turn... three... four... step forward... five... six... back... turn... turn gently..."
The etiquette teacher's voice echoed in the spacious training room, while Rina moved to the rhythm of the count, dancing alone as if imagining a partner. Carla watched with eyes full of pride. In her view, Rina was very beautiful, like a butterfly learning to fly.
"Continue... yes, the curtsy step is good... now turn... move a little faster... adjust your hand position."
The teacher continued giving instructions, her eyes watching every detail with the focus of a professional.
"My Lady, one of your hands up, as if holding the partner's shoulder... and the other, as if holding his hand... good, good, exactly like that."
The teacher helped her fix her posture, and Rina wore low heels to get used to the feeling while dancing.
"And now, you must learn this particular dance. If you master it, you will amaze everyone... focus with me on every movement."
The teacher explained the sequence of steps in detail.
"Teacher... it's difficult." Rina complained with a grumble.
The teacher shook her head with gentle firmness. "Nothing is difficult for the Princess. Walking was difficult, and you mastered it. Now, watch me."
The teacher stepped back a little, then stood proudly and began to perform the dance. Her movements were graceful and precise, every step telling a story of elegance and an ancient tradition. Carla clapped for her with a broad smile.
"I bet you are skilled in all the arts of etiquette, Madam."
The teacher laughed modestly. "Of course, I have always loved this art. And I am very happy to transfer a part of the nobility's beauty to the little Princess."
Rina kept watching between the two women, feeling tired from the intense training, but her admiration for her teacher's skill gave her a new boost of enthusiasm.
The teacher approached Rina again and gestured to her. "Hold the hem of your imaginary dress... relax, calm your breathing... stand on your tiptoes gently... and now, follow every word."
She continued training her, step by step, with a slight correction here and encouragement there, until Rina began to catch on and adapt better.
"Tomorrow we will train more. But now, I want to have an important talk with you." said the teacher, pointing to a small chair.
Rina nodded and followed her as she sat, ready to listen seriously.
"My Lady... the next party, although it is for the young, is held for two purposes: connection... and examination." the teacher began in a serious tone. "Every move you make, every word you say, there will be those watching and focusing on it. Dancing at this party is not for expressing love or emotions, but for proving the noble culture and art that the ancient families possess. Dancing with one person more than once... is a mistake. Not dancing at all... is also a mistake. Any inappropriate touch, or an exaggerated way of expression... are all mistakes. The boundaries are strict, My Lady."
The teacher's words made Rina understand the real situation: the party is not just fun, but a small theater for instilling and testing noble habits, especially with the presence of teenagers whose feelings might begin to appear.
Rina nodded in understanding and continued listening.
"A group of adults will be watching you – not just for protection, but for observation. They see who is best in behavior, in dancing, in conversation... and they spread news about the distinguished ones in social newspapers. And the opposite is true... the inappropriate actions of the young spread quickly too. Therefore, be very careful in everything: who you talk to, how you respond, even in how you eat candy."
Rina nodded again, realizing the weight her small name carried on her shoulders.
Then the teacher began to go into the fine details: how to respond to boys' compliments without giving false hope, how to end a conversation politely, how to behave if someone tries to get closer than appropriate, how to move between groups smoothly without seeming arrogant or isolated. She was giving her a complete behavioral map, turning the ballroom into a miniature diplomatic field. Then she suddenly said:
"You must dance with at least three young men."
Rina gasped immediately and said in shock:
"Wha...what?! Three?! Nooooo!"
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