The rest of the interviews with the tutors went pretty much the same as with the first, with the reason for teaching me always being some form of flattering compliment, with the exception of the last. She said, “If you were to see someone with as much magical talent as in yourself, you would at least want to befriend them.”

Her name is Natasha Broffenberg, the rumored top magician in the continent. I don’t know why she went through the trouble of the interview when she probably could have just told my parents who she is. Then again, maybe she didn’t go through the entire process.

Anyway, my mother and I decided that the best tutors for me would be Earl Mannes and the magician, where the Earl will manage my academic studies and the magician, my magic studies. The Earl was the only one who made a lasting impression, and even if he seems a little fishy, he doesn’t give me any bad vibes. As for the magician, who wouldn’t want to study under the top mage of the continent? Who knows how she even found me though…

Since Papa finished his work, he’s supposed to take me to see the nightloques tonight. As I finish dressing up, I check my outfit in the mirror. My personal maid Alisha stands to the side with a fur coat in her hands. She’s been here since I was born, and she’s not much older than me, so she’s like family. “Young Miss Nova, it will be cold at the lake,” she says.

“How many times do I have to tell you to stop addressing me with ‘Young Miss?’” I take the fur coat from her hands. “You’re like family, Lish.”

“However, the rules state that-”

“Forget the rules. I’m the daughter of a duke, and my word is law in this house only under my parents.”

“However, if someone outside were to hear-”

“Let them whisper. It doesn’t matter since everyone working in this household is considered family until proven otherwise.”

She sighs. “Very well. Then I shall call you Miss Nova.”

“Just Nova.”

“Miss Nova.”

“Just Nova.”

“Miss Nova.”

It’s my turn to sigh as I facepalm. “You really are stubborn, aren’t you.”

“It’s called being compromising, Miss Nova. However, if this was before, you would have stopped trying after my comment about the rules.”

I guess it really is hard to continue acting the same way after remembering my previous life. Putting on the cloak, I leave the room, saying, “See you later, Lish.”

My father is waiting downstairs in front of the entrance of the house with my mother. I’m guessing she heard about it and made some time to come with us. After all, she’s always ahead on her work.

Walking down the steps, I try to look as elegant as possible. Maids and butlers on both sides curtsey or bow while saying, “Have a safe trip,” as I pass. When I reach my parents, my mother looks like she could die from happiness.

“Honey, don’t you think our daughter is a little too cute?” she says, crouching down to hug me.

“I think our daughter is too precious for this world,” my father replies unashamedly.

I stand smushed in my mother’s hug. “Can we go now?”

My mother lets me go. “Of course. We don’t want to be late for the sunset.”

A butler opens the doors and my father carries me out to the carriage, a very extravagant carriage with room enough to fit at least eight people. The outside is painted a nice blue color, and the seal of our house, a sword pointing down wrapped lightly by the tail of a phoenix that sits on the hilt with its wings spread out, is on both sides. Inside, the seats are finely furnished with dark green, cotton cushions.

My father places me between him and my mother. Despite my desire to see the view on the way, as the carriage moves, the steady rocking lulls me to sleep.