Lucy was having a bad morning. She had ignored her maids, who could not stop talking about the luncheon event in school for a while. But, the day had arrived and they were much noisier. They seemed to run around the entire room, seemingly trying to get her attention with clothes and hairpins, but Lucy was as quiet as ever. Taylor and Mrs Muburg ignored the fact that Lucy was silent throughout their antics, while Shilla was silently standing by the corner. Their silence only made the two nosier. The headmistress had instructed that the Lady Wickshire be present at the luncheon and they were putting their all into this task.

“The grey dress,” Lucy said. The two paused for a second before smiling. Though they did not agree with her choice of colour, they felt as though their tireless chatting had weighed down the Lady and she had finally succumbed to their constant persuasion.

“What about a brighter colour, my lady. The sun will be out. It would be best to look lively. Blue perhaps? It would help your complexion greatly,”

Taylor's words caused Shilla to frown. Help her complexion? The lady's skin was sure paler than usual and such skin tone would be better found on women with raven hair. The lady's stark white hair did nothing to better it. Yet it was not her place to say so. Lucy seemed as though she had not heard them at all. She was deep in thought.

What was the headmistress thinking, to insist that she attends this event? She had gathered enough information about it from Shilla, Methrede and Christy. She knew that this may seem to others as a simple girls academy etiquette lunch, but it was in fact not so.

A lot of socialites appeared for such events held by the school, especially the ladies, who came to keep an eye out for a good husband for their daughters. The academy hosted a lot of nobility and royalty from different countries and so its events remained the biggest thing throughout the Eastlands. Many gentlemen attended from different age groups, as this academy's events were one in a few societal functions, which could present an opportunity for people to make acquaintances with such high-standing movers of society from different kingdoms.

Lucy understood what this meant. Even though it was an academic luncheon for the ladies to show off their grace and gentle disposition which they had learnt in school, it was really just a big afternoon party for people to come and make business deals and alliances. This made her sigh. The Courtkruff academy sure lived up to its reputation as the best in the Eastlands. Just a luncheon for girls has turned into the event of the season.

“Pale blue” Lucy changed her colour and the two maids sighed in relief. It would be too bad if a Lady of her standing did not put her best foot forward during this kind of event. They did not intend to try their luck to make the lady change her mind further, or she may lose her patience. Though she said pale blue, in truth, all her clothes were pale everything. So, they got to work fast.

Lucy was more prepared than they thought. She had sent for her nanny to arrive early. Though the academy was in charge of serving as matrons to the ladies, their mothers or elder female family member still attended, to take on this responsibility and chaperone their children.

She nodded to Shilla, who left the room immediately. If she understood the headmistress well, she knew, she would not allow Lucy to come with such a person. What her purpose was? Lucy intended to find out. She needed Shilla to wait at the school entrance for her nanny to arrive.

It was time for the event and the guests had already arrived. Girls took the time to arrive a little late, so their entrance will be memorable. But the event had begun long and Lucy was yet to arrive.

The event was held in the massive east garden. The silk canopies and trees stood to help bring shade. There were sitting spots all over the venue, coupled with the chairs and tables tucked away in corners and sometimes clusters. The day was chosen well. The sun did not slap people with heat; it instead rained softly. The wind blew softly by, making the garden cool.

Ladies were dressed in afternoon dresses, full of colour and life. They sometimes held fans and most times, an umbrella to add shade when they walked out into direct sunlight. Though there were many in attendance, the garden seemed cosy and private. The headmistress walked around making small talk, while her eyes kept checking the entrance of the garden. Though there was a servant, who announced the arrival of everybody in attendance, she still looked at the entrance every few times, so as not to miss Lady Wickshire's entrance. She started to frown as the event progressed. Was the lady not going to attend?

Little did she know that lady Wickshire was seated in one of the sitting rooms waiting. Her maids tried to get her to start her journey to the garden, but she ignored them. They had started to panic. Was the lady not going to attend? They had left the room early as the headmistress had instructed they do. It was only a few minutes' walk to the entrance of the east garden. But, the lady got to one of the sitting rooms on the east wing and took a seat. They assumed she was going to wait a while for many others to arrive to make a good entrance, but an hour later, they were still there. Shilla had left a while back and was yet to return.

After waiting some more, Shilla arrived with an elderly woman in tow. The elderly woman walked in before Lucy and then bowed. Lucy's face remained unchanged. But one could see her eyes soften at the sight of this elderly woman.

“Nanny Han,” Lucy greeted.

“My lady,” the woman's manner told the other maids that she was a maid, as she had made a servant curtsy; much different than a curtsying of nobility.

But looking at her outfit, this was no ordinary maid. Her dress was very expensive and her hair was pulled up in a complicated bun. Her hooded narrow eyes rested gracefully on the floor, her dress complemented her petite form. Even though old, her skin was enviable. She looked like a lady and they almost felt the urge to bow.

Lucy did not take kindly their stiff posture. She frowned and gave them a deep look and they felt their hairs stand at her sharp look.

“This is Nanny Han. Why are you not bowing?” Lucy asked. The two maids were very flustered but hurriedly bowed.

“When you see Nanny Han, you bow,” she instructed.

“Yes, my lady. Forgive us, Nanny Han,” the two curtsied in apology. Shilla almost snorted at their behaviour. She had already been told by the lady to treat this elderly woman with respect. Words she solidified in her heart the moment she saw the woman.

“The luncheon has long begun, my lady. One must be late, but not too late,” Nanny Han said and Lucy nodded. She got up and led her nanny and three maids to the east garden.

The moment they entered the east garden, Nanny Han took the lead, while Lucy stood beside her nanny like an obedient child.

“Lady Wickshire arrives!” a servant announced. Those who had heard of this legendary lady or her mother turned to stare.

They took in her white hair and sighed. So it's true. She does have snow-white hair, they seemed to confirm. The lady in question did not glance at them, as she took in the venue. Looking around, she saw that the Courtkruff academy had outdone itself.

The headmistress put on a smile and was about to approach when she was stopped by Mr Wensworth.