“Ladies, I will be your musical instructor for the next month. At any time, you do not feel like keeping up with the schedule I will work out for you. Please feel free to let me know before taking your leave. There will be no refunds for the failure on your part.” I spoke clearly.

My eyes might have scanned all the girls but it lingered upon the noble girl the longest.

“You may call me Instructor West. Please do not feel obliged to utilize nicknames or first names even if you know it. We are not friends, co-workers, or lovers. I like professionalism at all times. Speaking of which, for singers, you must come in with clothes you would wear on stage. Adapting to the most realistic settings will make you a better singer before you even get upon the platform.”

I looked at the commoner amongst them and she bowed her head in response. Mother taught her well, it seems.

I turned to the two in breeches but my comment this time was only for the merchant daughter.

“Breeches are fine for knight’s training, riding horses, and long walks through a beautiful garden. But for indoors activities such as playing an instrument, gowns for any and all occasionals. If you must wear something less restrictive than there are summer dresses that will do.”

The red-head bristled before nodding her head. I shook my head at her lack of manners. I turned to the actual noble of the three.

“I can tell you are used to getting your way and thus my words will fall onto stale ears. However, I must say this, coming into my house wearing fashionable riding wear is disdain. I hope you can refrain from the unnecessary display of immaturity and bring forth a change of perspective from now on.”

The noble blushed and bowed, I curtised in response and turned around.

“Please follow me, ladies.”

I led them through the halls, mixed with musical instruments designed to be showcased in glass cages, well-crafted marble statues of the famous, along with a plaque detailing important information.

The girls looked on with a mixture of emotions, only two had nervous excitement in their eyes. The commoner while nervous had a different emotion, one of longing. I ignored the signs that said she was trying to be something she was not, musing about how prepared my mother was.

My mother is brilliant to have thought of this after only receiving reports of my musical interests since leaving her. The woman had a wide brim sight that many noblewomen lack but it might also be her downfall one of these days.

I opened the grand doors to the musical hall. I would not be hosting major events any time soon but the decoration was in line with the if. I lead them past the stage to a set of doors lined against the wall.

Inside was recording equipment, musical instruments, along with the sound proofing walls.

I picked up a black marker from the file holder hanging by each door. Only five doors but that was enough when thinking of teaching five students every month. The time spread out to them would be incredibly trying.

I stood in front of the only singing booth, with a glance, I asked. “What is your name dear?”

My eyes were locked onto the commoner girl who was trying not to show her nervous habits. Like chewing upon her lips, where you could see teeth marks from her doing it when my back was turned.

“Clara Benton.” She spoke clearly, properly enunciated her name.

I wrote it upon the white plaque in beautiful calligraphy.

“Do you have a clock or pocket watch, in which you can carry around safely?”

Clara looked as if she was about to shake her head but then froze.

“No, my lady.”

I walked to the side, where a purple rope hung from a bell. I gave it a short tug and spoke up.

“If you happen to need to go to the restroom, need something to drink, or need a break. Feel free to ring the bell, my servants or knights will attend to your needs in the quickest and proper manner.”

I walked to the next plaque and before I could speak, a servant came in with a warm smile.

“Yes, my lady?”

“Can you bring me those watches I bought from the clocksmith?”

“Right away, my lady.”

I turned to the noble girl. She was probably going to be my best student, already trained on musical talent since young.

“Bethany Cameron.”

I turned and began writing upon the plaque.

“What is the best time for you?”

Bethany tilted her head, thinking seemed to be taking place.

“Noon to four.”

“And what do you wish to learn?”

“Piano, composing, maybe violin as well.”

“You have the voice to sing, do you not want to add that in as well?” I copied her speech habit as a mockery.

“Oh, I thought that was implied.” She tilted her head in response.

“Mm.”

I moved on.

“Robyn Atkins.”

I glance at her before gesturing with my eyes at Clara. My servant silently passed one of the watches to the girl before fading into the background.

I turned and wrote Miss Robyns name upon the plaque.

“What do you wish to learn?”

“Violin.”

I glanced down at her fingers and then her forearm. If you were to compare her to someone who has been practicing or staying fit, then her arms were thin. While her posture is proper, her height is acceptable, I do not know if she could hold up an instrument for extended duration.

“Do you wish to hear my recommendation?”

“Of course.” She spoke in a friendly tone, not professional.

Bethany rolled her eyes on the side at the lack of decorum.

“I think you would be better suited to the piano.”

Robyn looked confused and I could see she had other thoughts in mind. So I released my thoughts of setting her onto the right path, it was her father's money anyway.

“Your classes will start after Lady Bethany, for the next two hours. Please be ten minutes early.”

I was just about to turn to Clara when I felt someone reaching towards me. I stepped back, the hand narrowly avoided me.

Robyn didn’t even feel any shame for trying to grab onto my sleeve.

“Excuse me, should it not be four hours? Like Bethany?”

Bethany’s feathers were instantly fluffed.

“Lady Cameron to you. Please do not mistake me for one of your friends.”

Robyn rolled her eyes before turning to me.

My hands came so close to rubbing my face.

“Miss Robyn, have you ever played an instrument before?”

“Well no but..”

“Have you ever attended dance lessons for formal balls?”

“No, but I did attend numerous parties.”

“Miss Robyn, please be here fifteen minutes prior to your two hour session.”

Robyn stared in confusion and I turned to Clara.

“Miss Clara, you will have an hour session, from nine to ten in the morning. Thirty minutes to learn how to read musical scores and write them. Next thirty minutes to perfect your musical voice.”

I turned around after she bowed her head. Opening one of the doors, I showed them what the practice room looked like. In the middle of this room was a grand piano, to the sides was a chest that held replacement parts. One wall was lined with rows of different length string instruments.

To the side of the piano was a stand with musical notes on them.

“Today, we are just going to experience how much help you will need.”

I walked over to the piano, lifting the cover, straightening my dress, while taking a seat.

“On the podium is a musical score that I wrote up last night. I will first ask you to sing along, then play the piece yourself. Please inform me if you are incapable of reading the notes or words.”

I glanced at Clara and she walked to stand in front of the podium. My fingers began to depress the keys, eliciting a melody. Clara's eyes scanned the paper before a very strong accented voice blended into my melody. There were a few hiccups but for the most part, I could see that as long as the song was playing. She was on tune. It cut off and she lost her way after a few bars.

“Next.” I spoke up without praising her.

It was clear she needed to learn to read the musical notes.

I ignored the knights who brought in a small table, the servants who place non-acidic fruit, and fruit juice which was nourishing to the throat.

Bethany was perfect with and without music but she didn’t have the emotional aspect. She was just reacting as if the piece was all in one tone.

My ears could not handle Robyn’s crying.

Mm, yes a break.

After sending the girls home, I enjoyed a splendid bubble bath. Had a magnificent romance novel written by a noblewoman from the south. A great start about a knight falling for another female knight. Something that is frown upon by general consensus but it is powerful of her to want to sell novels like this.

My ears pricked at soft padded footsteps. I counted them while picking up my wine glass, shifting my body weight to spring out if needed.

Seventeen steps, too close to come from window entrances or the balcony, which was on the opposite end of the bedroom. The bathroom door opened and black hooded woman stepped in, she tossed back her hood and I relaxed.

“Did she get captured?”

“Yes, my lady. Just as you predicted, she was caught returning to her father's safehouse. They took her out to the east woods. A cabin deep in. Six sentries in double shifts, every four hours.”

“Did you see any symbol or item that would designate who they are?”

“No, they wore common street clothes and masks. They exited through a common smuggle point and they had a wagon that they sent back to a farmer house.”

I nodded and rose out of the table. She grabbed a towel, spreading it out as I took a step out of the tub. Her greedy hands were drying me off, well, really using the pretense of drying me off.

“I take it she is seeing a doctor, right now?”

“Yes. The kidnappers are dead and I have my group spread out to watch anybody coming in.”

I glanced at her with half-assed glare.

“I thought I said not to kill them but report it back to me?”

She shrugged, eyeing me with more than a subservient gaze.

“We were already there. So we handled it. If you didn’t want me to assist, you shouldn't have called me back.”

I sighed and set down upon the stool. I reached for the brush but she snatched it. Her gloves were thrown down to replace it. She carefully brushed my hair like she used to do, when my father allowed me to teach my first class.

“Next time wait upon me. They know I am here and they are waiting for me to make a move. I don’t want to find out that you are hung from a tree because of foolishness.”

“Of course, Princess.”

“I told you not to call me that.” I turned and glared into her grey eyes.

She had a playful smile on her lips and I sigh. Asking for help from a lover was never the right move but I was sitting at ground zero. It would take me too long to train up a replacement.

She grabbed my chin with her rough padded fingers, tilting my head back. Her saliva wet lips found mine and I closed my eyes as memories of the first time I kissed the infidel. Her eyes had widened and she blushed through the whole day of training.

It was hard not to notice what happened, nor the fact she wouldn’t stop staring at me at dinner. All the old hands would teased her which made her more embarrassed but she would always find ways to touch me or just watch me. I thought it was cute then but now.

I could feel a different kind of energy in her. She was more confident and aggressive. I think I might like this side of her.

I broke the kiss and grabbed the towel, wrapping it around myself.

“Take off your clothes and join me in bed, yes?”

I couldn’t help laughing, the sound of rapid padded foot stomps, jumping, and curses. Sounds of coins clinging to blades bouncing off each other. It was a whirlwind of noise that left me breathless before I even reached the bed.

I flipped the covers back, taking a seat to stare at her scarred body. Unlike my own, which was flawless, she was riddled with sword wounds along her forearm and shoulders. Her sides and back had long crisscrossing cuts.

She was not the best in the class, it was obvious by the scars that reminded anyone of her failure. Having a wider stockier body did not give her a lot of points in being a better warrior.

I bet fifty gold coins it was due to her not being able to control her emotions to make the best decision at the time.

I clicked my tongue as she turned to me with a wolfish grin. She flew over the carpeted floor, tackling me back gently. Her lips ignored my lips and sought my neck. Drifting down my collar bone, to my breast. Her fingers were at least skilled at something as they worked their way between my thighs. Leaving me with a tingling sensation that quickly built up into a heat that colored my cheeks.

I wrapped my fingers into her short hair, reveling in the feeling of her lips against my nipples. The scratching, heavy tongue lashing, and my favorite dizzy love of being bitten. I pushed her down while scooting backwards. Spreading my legs open further.

Ha, at least my night was going to be good.