Countess of Kidman

Her Majesty

-Misses please pay attention, Her Majesty is about to come in; free the way to the meeting room and don't forget to bow when she walks in front of you.
-sure
The conversation with that girl was interrupted by Madame Wa'ren and Liling and Xiang helped me move out of the way.
A couple of minutes later I heard someone entering the room; it was easy to hear because the hallway became all of the sudden the quietest place I've ever been in. When who I supposed was Her Majesty walked in front of us the girls made me notice so I could bow at her.
We then moved all to the meeting room where one by one we presented ourselves. When it was my turn i obviously asked Xiang to accompany me but when I arrived in front of her Majesty seat i heard someone's voice say
-why are you bringing your maid with you, it's a form of disrespect!
-Lihun please! I guess my step daughter has a valid reason to be accompanied by her maid, am i right?
-yes your Majesty; i didn't have any intention to offend anyone, but if it's not a cause of bother for you, my maid was just helping me walk along the hail, I'm completely blind and i wouldn't be able to do it by myself even if I tried.
-oh, I'm sorry; The comment of my sister was inappropriate; hope you can forgive her.
-of course, isn't it the meaning of life, learning from mistakes?
I heard complete silence again, I was almost starting to think that I gained a new power, the one of making everyone freeze or shut up… if it was real, it would have been amazing.
-well said, now I'm sorry we didn't even give you a chance to tell us your name: go ahead please.
-i'm Chen Y/n, countess of Kingman. And it's very much a pleasure to meet you, your Majesty.
I replied bowing with the help of Xiang.
The formal meeting continued until lunch time where we all seated in the big garden area right outside. From what I could understand the tables were where Madam Wa'ren said, and I was in the second layer.
The girl beside me was called Norié and she was a baroness from the capital; she was very sweet and funny; we had a lot of time to get to know each other during that lunch.
-wait, Her Majesty is whispering something to Madam Wa'ren.
-really?
-yes
-i mean, they could be saying anything. I've no idea how to understand Madam Wa'ren's mind.
-you're quite right, I can't Ider… wait she is coming towards you.
-oh!
I felt someone delicately tap on my shoulder then madam's voice started running throughout my ears.
-My Lady; Her Majesty will like to talk to you after lunch; so you're asked to wait when everyone is gone. If someone asks I'll answer it's for your safety; ok?
-yes, thanks madam.
-you're welcome; now finish your lunch. You have some rice left.
-oh thanks ahah
-you're more than welcome.
She walked away and I asked Norié if everyone was watching me.
-yeah, definitely…
-than I'll tell you when the attention change to someone else
-ok smart little girl
-i like that ahah.
After a while no one was paying attention to me and I told her what Madam Wa'ren said.
-i'm sure she just wants to get to know you. You made quite the impression Countess.
-really? What do you mean by that? How did I?
-well the fact that you arrived last night so no one had the chance to see you made your arrival at the meeting room a bit seeked by everyone. Then you entered, accompanied on both sides by your maids; with a simple dress and simple hair but you looked stunning and on another level between all the girls standing there. That Miss Baroness of Donlad with her attitude went to you and tried to pick up a fight or to shame you and you turned her down immediately. Her face was hilarious!
-really ahaha. Well thank you for telling me her name, she didn't even get the chance to say her "famous" name.
-haha you're right! That's so funny!
-yeah
-no one has never had the guts to turn that witch down, you're the first, but with that you need to be careful. Having her as an enemy means that she'll try anything to make you look bad.
-yeah, that's what I thought; but exactly who is she?
-she is the daughter of one of the current wives of his Majesty, and she is the sister of the crown prince's finance, that isn't blood related with his Majesty. And she is considered the most talented girl in the court right now.
-Well, If she is that talented we'll certainly see. I didn't want her as an enemy but if she got offended by me telling the truth then that's none of my business.
-I agree, and she can't do anything to make you look bad if I'm standing here
-you're sitting… aren't you?
-ahh you little rat, you're ruining the moment!
-I was just kidding!
We burst into laughter once again, but strangely, we weren't the loudest; every group of girls that were chit chatting had quite a loud tone.
-Misses attention please! You're all allowed and invited to leave and have some free time at the dormitory area before the lessons starts. When you get up bow at Her Majesty and leave the garden in an orderly manner.
-ok madame!
We answered all at the same time and Norié was called to leave not longer after.
-i'm going, don't worry ok?
-ok
After a while the last girls were leaving and there complete silence, then i heard slow footsteps coming towards me and Her Majesty voice say:
-Countess, may I ask you to take a walk with me?
-I would be honored, Your Majesty.
-oh please, live this formal talk for when we're in public; this is a private meeting.
-sure… hem
I tried to get up myself but I obviously knocked down some things on the table behind me, and I was also a little dizzy getting up after a long time.
-oh, easy. Take it easy Countess, help her up, come one.
Xiang and Liling quickly helped me get up and accompanied me in front of Her Majesty.
-Now, if your caring maids are ok with it I'll take a walk with you while they have lunch with the rest of the maids.
-if it's what Your Majesty asks for, we surely will. Be careful my Lady, you're not fully recovered yet.
-i'll Xiang…
-may i ask what are you recovering from?
-oh, Your Majesty. My lady has rare conditions that make her body weaker than others; and traveling is always hard for her; but I'm sure that If my lady keeps thanking the medicines she'll be completely fine in a couple of days.
-oh, then it's better for you to rest in your room, i don't want you to get tired.
-no no, I'm fine now; we can take a walk
Xiang and Liling need to eat so please girls; go get some rest.
-sure my lady.
I heard them walking away as Her Majesty' voice said.
-May I offer you my arm?
-oh, thanks so much; that'll be great.
We slowly started walking away and I heard someone following us at the same pace, I assumed it was Her Majesty' maid.
-i'm very sorry for what concubine Lihun said, she is very impulsive.
-oh it's really not a problem, it happens a lot so i got used to it. And her Grace was just trying to not make anyone disrespect you… I think
-no means, the right thing to say would be that she didn't want anyone to disrespect her. But we are going to leave this comment betweens us.
-Certainly I'm not going to tell anyone. But her Grace sounded a little offended when you apologized for her.
-I know, she is a little bit… hem… selfish; but don't tell anyone
-don't worry i won't, but i think people might get it without thinking too much about it.
-hahaha, what a silly little girl. Now tell me, how was the ride here? I've heard that you come from far away.
-Yes, it was a little challenging but I received a great welcome the night I arrived; Madame Wa'ren was very kind and understanding.
-really?
-Yes, why is that surprising?
-Well, I've known many of His Majesty's daughters in the past few years but I've never found one that could melt Madam Wa'ren's heart. You must be very special…
-thank you for complimenting me, your Majesty, but i think it's mostly because if people don't see me as a weirdo they see me as a fragile thing that can't do anything by herself.
-I don't think that's the case, I really see your potential, and I think Madame Wa'ren saw it too. I'm sure you'll be as good as all the other rich, high ranked girls, if not better.
-I'm honored by your kind words, Your Majesty.
-don't be, I'm just telling you the truth. Now I'm going to be around in the next few days; to see how the different lessons are going. And Court ladies who are trying to make their way up to a high position can be very mischievous, so if you have any problem don't hesitate to tell me; ok?
-ok, thank you for your concern Your Majesty
-oh.. there's a step!
-oh
-sorry I wasn't looking at the pathway myself, i was immerse in our conversation
-don't worry your Majesty, I was too; I would have noticed the changing of the flooring myself if I paid attention.
-Now, I'm afraid we don't have much more time. I would've loved to spend more time with you but I have to go back to the palace.
-oh, it's fine; I know it must be impegnative being the Empress.
-yeah, sometimes more than others.
-if you have to go i won't waste your time
-ohh please, you're absolutely not a waste of time!
-thank you, your Majesty.
-Now we are near the dormitory area, it's better if the other girls don't see that we have been together, so If you wait a minute I asked my maid to go find someone that can accompany you.
-ohh that's very thoughtful of you, your Majesty, I'm so thankful.
-ahh, don't worry young girl; i am still your mother in law even if it's a bit more complicated than normal families.
-yeah, i know.
-ooh, my maid is back.
-Your Majesty, My lady.
I heard a girl voice say, and I sounded a little familiar, like I had heard it once or twice.
-what's your name young lady?
-my name is So-lien, Your Majesty, I serve the Baroness of Somir. My lady allowed me to accompany lady Chen to her room where her maids have prepared the medicines.
-ohh so you serve Lady Lu Norié! I've seen that the Countess and your Lady have been enjoying each other's company at lunch
-was it that noticeable?
-just a little bit. Ahah
-Now I have to leave, have a good day Lady Chen.
-thanks your Majesty, have a good day too.
Her Majesty made her way to the entrance of the palace while So-lien helped me to the dormitory and to my room.
-thank you So-lien, you've been very helpful. And thank the Baroness for me.
-i'll sure do, have a good day my lady.
-you too.
I turned around and felt the door opening. As soon as I entered Xiang and Liling started harassing me with questions.
-girls please, i need to take my medicine and relax as much as I can before the lessons...
-yeah, sorry my Lady
-don't worry… about the lessons, did someone deliver the paper with the schedule?
-oh yes, today you are going to attend three classes: handwriting, music theory and general manners. As far as we know not all of the girls that were at lunch today will be attending the same classes at the same times, so it'll be a little less stressful.
-that's a good news, thanks Liling
-i'm sure you're going to be fine in all of the three lessons my lady, your musical talent and knowledge is indeed spectacular, your manners are way more practices than a lot of girls I've seen today, and seen your provenience everyone will be envious of that; your handwriting is getting better quickly so I'm sure you'll be more than fine.
-i hope so, but thanks for your compliments Xiang
-you're welcome, here take this
-thanks, did you girls have a good rest?
-Yes we did, and did you have fun? How was the walk with her majesty?
-very enjoyable, she is absolutely the most kind and down to heart woman of power I've ever met, not that I've met many of them but she is really sweet and caring; I enjoyed talking to her a lot.
-wow that's amazing
After a while we got prepared and one of the mansion's maids told me to go into the courtyard where I immediately heard a lot of people talking. I took  a seat on one of the pillows with Lillling’s help and waited for the teacher to arrive. After a couple of seconds I heard some slow but steady steps coming and every girl immediately started running to their seats.
-what is happening Xiang?
-the teacher has come, is the third princess, His Highness’ third legitimate daughter. She is very famous for writing amazing novels and her handwriting is spectacular!
-oh ok, wow; I didn't think her highness had such talent.
-Sisters-in-law shall we start with our lesson? For those who don't know me, I’m Ki Sho Jin, third daughter of the Emperor and the Empress. today and in the next few months I'll teach you how to have a much better and more elegant handwriting.
And with that the lesson started and she gave us some poetic phrases to write down to see at what level we were all at. Let’s say i struggled a bit and as soon as Xiang started helping me i heard someone loudly say
-look at her, she can't even write a letter without her maid’s help; why is she even here!
I recognized the voice as Miss Baroness of Donlad’s voice. She was talking to some other girl but purposely talked loudly so everyone could hear her, especially me.

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Author's Note
That's all I have for now, i really hope you can give me feedback and ideas on how to continue the story.
Have an amazing day, bye💕
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