Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 37: Soren's Nature~

"Oh, it's such rubbish!" Leora yelled loudly,  slouching in her chair and stamping her feet, like some sort of toddler making a statement.
Leora, like promised, had attended her lesson the next day at sharply 9AM; meeting Soren in one of the dance halls to practice her etiquette. Soren's jaw tightened, but he maintained a calm demeanor.
"Language, Miss Leora," Soren chided," Now, stand up straight and let us begin your first lesson. You will practice proper posture, curtsying, and walking like a lady."
Leora huffed, petulantly, standing up with a bounce.
Soren nodded approvingly at Leora's compliance," Excellent. Now, place your feet together and hold your arms at your sides. Imagine a string pulling you up from the top of your head. That's it - shoulders back, chin parallel to the ground."
Leora scowled, grumbling under her breath as she put her feet together and pushed her shoulders back. Soren walked over to Leora, placing a firm hand under her chin and lifting it up.
"Parallel to the ground, not tucked into your chest like a shy little mouse. You are a lady, not a timid creature hiding from the world."
"I'm not timid," Leora whined, defensively.
Soren raised an exasperated eyebrow at her outburst, releasing her chin," No, you most certainly are not timid. Now, let us try a curtsy. You will bend your knees, keeping them together, and lower yourself into a slight bow."
Leora bent her knees, but accidentally went too low in her bow and fell on them with a small yelp.

Soren suppressed a smile, extending a hand to help Leora back up.
"Not so deep, my dear. A proper curtsy is more of a dip than a full-blown seat on the floor. Let us try that again, shall we?"
"Ugh...again?" Leora whined, miserably, rubbing her sore and bruised behind.
Soren's eyes narrowed as he wagged a finger at Leora," Such reluctance will not do, young lady. A true Victorian damsel would endure far worse than a repeated curtsy for the sake of propriety. Now, on your feet!"
Leora scowled, scrambling back onto her feet, hastily. Soren nodded, satisfied.
"Much better. Now, as you curtsy, you must also incline your head slightly and smile. A lady's smile can disarm even the sternest of critics," Soren hummed.
"What if I don't want to smile at some wrinkly, privileged old man?" Leora grumbled, forcing a grimaced sort of smile through her curtsey.
Soren's expression hardened, but his tone remained patient," Leora, my dear, you are not to speak ill of your betters. A lady knows her place and shows respect to those above her station. Now, let us try that curtsy again, with a genuine smile this time."
Leora curtseyed, nearly stumbling over but steadying herself; she inclined her head and grimaced a smile again. Soren sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Leora, I can see you are struggling with this. Perhaps we should take a short break. Edward, would you be so kind as to give us a moment of privacy?"

The butler, who had been watching from the corner of the room, nodded; blushing. Leora watched as Edward made his way out, swifter than usual. The girl frowned, confused.
"Leora, I have had quite enough of your insolence," Soren stated, firmly, snapping her out of her daze.
Leora blinked away the hazy effects of zoning out, turning to face the sullen tutor, with a pout," Huh-?"
Soren furrowed his eyebrows, straightening his waistcoat matter-of-factly," You will learn to curtsy properly, you will learn to act like a lady, and you will do so gladly. And until you do, you will spend every waking moment practicing. You will eat, sleep, and breathe etiquette until it becomes second nature to you."
"If I refuse?" Leora crossed her arms, her usual stubborn frown returning.
"If you refuse, young lady, then you will find yourself confined to this room until the day of the wedding," Soren's eyes flashed with a stern glare, but his voice remained eerily calm.
Leora bit down on her lip. With a frustrated expression; she curtseyed and inclinded her head, smiling coldly," Very well. Shall we continue?"

His stern expression softened slightly into one of approval.
"That's a start, Leora. Remember, a lady's smile can light up even the darkest of rooms," Soren hummed, raising his finger to instruct her, like some sort of conductor," Now, let us continue. Walk like a lady."
"Sorry?" Leora blinked, slowly, confused.
Soren sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Walking, Leora. A lady does not stomp about like a common laborer. She glides, gracefully and smoothly."
He demonstrated, moving across the room with fluid, purposeful steps. Leora copied Soren, but she was rigid as a rock; stumbling occasionally over her bulky boots.
Soren shook his head disapprovingly," No, no, no. You're still walking like a soldier on parade. Relax your shoulders, sway your hips gently, and keep your head high."
Leora intentionally put her head too high.
Soren couldn't help but let out a frustrated groan," Not that high, Leora! You're not trying to swallow the chandelier whole. Hold your head upright, chin parallel to the floor. It's a delicate balance between pride and humility."
"Humidity?" Leora frowned, confused, mishearing.
Soren sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Never mind, just... try to find a middle ground. And for goodness' sake, relax your shoulders. You look like you're about to be hanged," He gestured, desperately, for her to try again.