The Tale of the Ice Princess

The Halcyon Days - Chapter 6

The lady stood there , unmoving , as if she was a statue . 

" Ummm, are you there ?" I asked , waving my hand in front of her face .

" L-liar! Do you even know what that signifies !? You must have picked it off the streets like the street urchin you are !" The lady sputtered , spit flying out of her mouth . 

I , meanwhile , sighed internally . 

How foolish could you get, i'd like to see no heads rolling today .

Simply put , house crests were only used by nobility .And nobles had a higher social status than commoners . 

As nobles protected the livelihood of commoners by warding off the magic beasts , one noble was significantly more important than a single commoner life. 

Due to this , nobles could execute commoners for defiance on the spot . Disobedience included .

An actual law . 

It gives nobles jurisdiction to execute traitors hastily . Or anyone that is disobedient or shows malice . 

For anyone who shows malice towards nobles , the protector of the lands , is " an enemy of the land" 

Additionally , the only one who could punish nobles for abuse of this law was the royal family . 

Donning my expressionless mask , i replied in a monotonous voice 

" If you are truly insistent on trying to deny my nobility , perhaps i should just -----"

" Tammy what are you doing there , we have to start the embroidery on the .........." 

An older women , in her late thirties , entered . When she saw me , she trailed off , with an indescribable emotion on her face . 

Shock ? Confusion ? I was not so sure , identifying emotions was a challenge for me . I had not been around much people so emotions were quite hard to discern . 

" Is there a problem here ? " The older lady said , walking towards us . 

" Yes , Madam Delia . This imprudent child is trying to sully our -----"

"SILENCE." The older women , presuably Madam Delia , cut off her employee . 

" Apologize to this fine lady now . " Madam Delia dropped into a deep curtsy , using her hand to force , presumably , Tammy into a deep curtsy . 

Huh? So this lady actually has a brain . 

I saw her staring fixatedly at my handkerchief , understanding etched on her face . Well , what i assumed was understanding .

Hmmm , seems like she is quick to catch on . 

However , her employee was not so blessed. 

" HUH?! What are you doing . This is a filthy stre-----" Tammy began but was abruptly cut off by the Madam .

" Quiet! You are in the presence of Nobility . Show the respect nobles deserves . It is you that is sullying the good store's name ." The Madam said in a barely controlled voice bordering on rage.

Tammy went into shock , after a moment , she prostrated herself before me . Knees on the floor , head bowed till her forehead touched the floor . 

(A/N : is that the correct word? What i was thinking was along the lines of what you see in anime )

That was the most sincerer kind of apology or respect one can show someone because leaves them vulnerable and whatnot . Well , i didn't bother learning why , so.... ya . 

" Please forgive me Milady , i was blindsided . I request for your ever kind mercy . Please , i beg of you .  " Tammy said with tears flowing down her face . Or what i assumed was tears , because the ground looked with wet splotches  . 

Woah , her attitude took a quick 180 . 

But why does it feel like she is looking at me like i am a demon about to eat her? 

One of life's greatest mysteries , i guess. 

And being the incredible , not narcissistic , person i am , i obviously replied "It is fine , you are forgiven . I feel in a great mood today , no need to spoil it with unwelcome things . I suggest you take the time off to reflect , consider this my mercy . However , i do not think other aristocrats will take to your attitude lightly . Pay heed , this kind of rudeness will result in heads rolling , i just pray that it won't be yours next . " 

With that,  Tammy left the room ,not before she thanked me over and over again , to somewhere behind one of the doors.

Well , hope that i don't see you again 

"Madam , you can lift your head " I addressed the Madam .

In a formal setting , protocol dictated that those of a lower status are unable to speak to one of a higher status than them without being acknowledged first . 

Just now , the Madam's reprimand of her employee was out of line as i did not address her first . 

But hey , i am not one for formalities . I find that they are just a waste of breath. 

The amount of time saved by just speaking bluntly compared to lacing your speech with euphemisms and formality could be put to better use . 

But , alas , society will never allow that . 

So here i am , stuck with the noble girl act . 

Oh wait , i am a noble girl . 

" Your break of protocol is forgiven , there was no better resolution . Now , Madam , i wish to order some apparel , might i employ your services? "

" I , thank you Milady for your generosity and kindness . Please follow me to the consultation room , it is the least i could do after your witnessing of my employee's shameful actions . I shall ensure that she is properly punished." The Madam said in a sincere tone , with a note of relief . 

She directed me to one of the doors that i saw , opening it .

The door itself was rather elaborate, no doubt for wealthy customers . 

Inside , it too was elaborately decorated with a table and chairs in the middle . 

Seemingly out of nowhere , a store employee entered after us , prepping the table with a tea set. The employee also pulled out a chair , directing me to sit , per protocol .

Those of higher status had to be seated first followed by those of descending status . 

Troublesome really . 

The employee then pulled out another sit opposite me for the Madam . 

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So uhh , to you nonexistent people, i just changed the synopsis to something better , or what i assume was better . I might change the title/ synopsis from time to time . 

Synopsis because my initial idea might be scratched and replaced with a new one . 

Also, if anyone ever stops by here , or even reads this , do you have a better name for the title? 

My naming skills are zero to non existent. 

Word count : 1226