The Japanese Tutor (PART I-II) [ONGOING]

V: Annual Steinfeld Gathering

Aya and Jeanne were inside Cesira's room to prepare make-up for the gathering. Since Aya only knew the basics, such as putting the lipstick on, applying blush, and fixing her hair, Jeanne taught her other makeup techniques that she could apply daily and corrected other things.

"Aya, you must not overdo your blush," Jeanne laughed, "you look like a tomato if you do so."

"I think I put too much powder to this, Jeanne," Aya commented.

"Sponge it one time and put it on your face. You don't have to do it multiple times."

They heard the knock from the door. It then opened. Aya and Jeanne looked at who did it.

"Lady Cesira, you are already here," Jeanne greeted, "I am teaching our little girl how to put on make-up."

"That's amazing," Cesira approached them to the desk, "the ballroom is done, and we are about to accept visitors in a few moments."

Aya peeked through the window, and she saw various people in long beautiful gowns and fancy suits.

"This is your first gathering, Aya." Cesira placed a hand on her shoulders. "I can't wait to introduce you to many people."

Luckily, the gathering took place in their Manor, not in a public hall where many people would attend, but seeing strangers made Ayako nervous—especially to the members of Cesira's family who she would be with for five years.

"Now, let's put on your dress for tonight, Ayako." Jeanne picked a red long down with yellow ruffles on the sleeves and edges of the skirt. She assisted Aya in fixing her corset. The dress, especially in lacing the ribbons on her back.

"You look so beautiful, Aya," Cesira complimented, "the guests will be attracted to you tonight."

Aya smiled at that compliment. Jeanne and Cesira went out of the private part of the manor and crossed the passageway to the building where the ball would be held. They went to the ballroom's view area, where they saw the guests entering the ballroom and socializing. The view area was where the musicians play the music for tonight.

"We must go downstairs and talk to them," Jeanne suggested, "we must not let our guests not knowing the hostess of this gathering—oh, I see the door opened, and I saw familiar people!"

Jeanne tugged Cesira along to go down the grand stairs. She looked back, and she saw Aya, who was still watching over the guests. "Ayako, come with us! You need to be introduced to the rest of the Steinfeld family."

Aya nodded and came along. When they were in the middle of the grand staircase, the music stopped, and every guest looked at the trio, especially the foreign one. Aya didn't look at them and remained her posture as she saw the four significant people approaching them. She bowed along with the guests as they went closer to them.

"You don't need to bow, Aya," Jeanne told her. Aya gave her a nod.

Cesira cleared her throat. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my husband Count Joseph Steinfeld of Buckingham, my daughter Countess Heather Steinfeld of Devonshire, Ambassador Amir Arham of Egypt, and my grandson, Hiroto Kujo."

Aya glanced at each of them—George had blue eyes, and surprisingly, he didn't seem to be senile. Heather had the same eye color as Cesira, height shorter than her father, and she looked like a woman in her forties, although her blonde hair didn't show any white hairs. Amir, wearing his white suit, had brown skin and brown eyes.

And finally, she looked at Hiroto, the boy that her father and his best friend always talked about. He had dark green irises and eyes that looked like his father's. He had natural black hair, which was the same as hers, and he was as tall as his grandfather.