It was a very lovely afternoon. The sun is high up in the sky and is being covered by the fluffy clouds. The summer air was tranquil, the birds chirped a melodious tune which added to the already harmonious atmosphere.

I was in the garden with my maids, being surrounded by flowers, and enjoying the picturesque scenery. The tea tasted good, and so are the cookies which Lily baked for me. It looked disfigured but the thought put into it is what makes the cookies special.

'So what if it's too sweet and crumby? It's amazing!'

We had an academic break that would last for a week and it started today. It's kinda funny because I had only gotten to the council just yesterday and now my duties are being halted.

I don't mind it though...

"Say, Mari, what if you see a big bird flying in the sky? A really big one?" Amy asks while staring at the horizon. .

Amy would sometimes spout something like this out of the blue. Her questions would always leave us utterly bewildered and confused.

He turned towards Mari who was at my side putting flowers on my hair with Lily and Freesia.

"And then you get to ride it?"

Mari's hands halted, "What? Why would I ride a big bird?" and then continued what she was doing earlier.

Amy blinks at us, "Yes but, just imagine it. It would be pretty cool right?"

She looked like she is amazed by that sudden idea of hers.

"That would be physically impossible," Freesia declares.

I saw Amy's crestfallen face but she pouted after a while.

Sorry to burst your bubble Freesia, but it is possible in the modern world, and it is also made in metal.

If I said that out loud they might look at me like I had lost my mind.

"But it's possible, isn't it? There is a griffin after all," Lily interjects.

Erin chose that moment to come back from the kitchen with some more snacks. She placed it on the table and I immediately salivated at the sight of the strawberry tart.

'Mrs. Noel created a masterpiece again!'

"A griffin?" Mari questions.

My ears perked up at the mention of the mythical creature that I am familiar with.

'A griffin? Isn't that...'

Amy's face brightened and jolted from her seat.

"Ah! That half-bird half-lion!"

"Oh? Are you all talking about the legendary bird that lives inside the Agera dukedom?" Erin butts in and sat down beside Amy.

I slowly bring the teacup on my lips as I paid my full attention to them. Hearing that surname instantly reminded me of the glaring fact that I am inside of the novel world which I put to heart.

And reminded me of my favorite male lead. Fufufufufu~

'Sorry Nathan but Lukas is at the top of my list. I am still your number 1 fan though~'

"I also heard about it! It can only be seen in the northern territory right?" Mari then exclaims.

Amy grins and nodded her head, looking so excited.

"Yes! It's very exclusive in the Agera dukedom!"

Erin hummed, seemingly deep in thought.

"Now that I think about it, isn't the insignia of the Agera Family, a griffin?"

I nodded as I sipped my tea, agreeing with her.

Amy then grinned at Mari and the others, "So it is still possible to ride a big flying bird then?"

My mouth stretches into an amused smile as I tried not to laugh at her antics. Amy is still a child.

I then caught sight of the figure of my dad walking towards us. He halted after he got closer and smiled down at me.

"Good afternoon, father!" I greeted and beamed at him. "Are you going to the palace now?"

"Hmm, but I have something to tell you first," He started, "Countess Miller would be visiting tomorrow for your etiquette lessons."

My eyes blinked in surprise then smiled at him, "Okay father. I will do my best~"

"I'm sure you will," He uttered and warmly look at me.

The Marquis then nodded and left for the palace. I looked at my attendants in a query, Countess Miller doesn't ring a bell. I'm not sure if I'm familiar with her so might as well ask them.

"Is this Countess Miller my former instructor?" I asked no one in particular.

Erin shakes her head, "I'm afraid that she's a new teacher milady. The last one was Countess Dodds and you weren't on great terms with her," she explains.

Hmm...

I wouldn't be surprised by that fact. Nadia, just as I mentioned before, wasn't a good person so she might not be a good student as well. Furthermore, her etiquette sucks. If I were her teacher, I would flunk her without second-guessing.

"Countess Miller is popular in high society," Mari butts in. "She is also an elusive noble lady that's why having her visit here is already a big deal."

My head turned towards her, "Really?"

Mari nods, "The Marquis might have struck a deal with her for her to accept the invitation and to teach you milady. Well, I don't know though--" and let out a sheepish smile, "I'm just guessing."

I leaned back at the chair and think. If that is true, then I must do well with my lessons so my dad's effort won't go in vain.

Erin's eyes trained towards me, "Mrs. Dodds wasn't milady's first mentor though."

One of my brows raised, "She wasn't?"

"Uhn~ There were a few more but they all resigned after a day or two," she stated and blinked at me in innocence.

I sat there, frozen and dumbstruck. My reputation with mentors is worse than I had thought.

---------------****

Countess Miller, a renowned tutor for etiquette training among the nobility, stared at the big wrought iron gates of the Marquisate Estate.

The gates opened, and the carriage she's in rode inside. Not long after, it arrived in front of the mansion where George and the others are waiting. She got down with the help of a guard and made her way in their direction.

"Pleased to have you in our residence, Countess," George formally greeted. "The young miss is waiting in the Drawing room. This way please."

The Countess's face didn't even change and stayed frozen like a stone, making her appearing strict. She then followed behind George as they went inside the house which the latter then lead her before a big oak door.

Countess Miller readied herself to face the rumored young miss of the Herman Family as the door is being opened. Her eyes caught sight of a beautiful lady in a simple pastel pink dress standing in the doorway with a welcoming smile on her face.

The girl, after seeing her, curtsied, "Good Day Countess," she then raised her head, "Thank you for gracing us with your presence. If we ever troubled you, I sincerely apologized."

Countess Miller was befuddled and a little bit confused as to this sudden change of perspective. She couldn't believe how amicable this young lady is being in contrast to the rumors circulating about her.

'Are the rumors wrong?'

She didn't relax for a bit, still being warry with Nadia. She may be like this for now but she might let out her true self later.

Nadia gazed at the deadpanned countenance of the esteemed Countess in front of her and shrugged internally.

'She might be keeping her guard upon me.'

The two of them sat down on the sofa, facing each other and silently sizing up one another. Nadia was smiling while the other looked formal.

"I will leave everything to you, Countess, please take care of me," Nadia stated, trying to break the tension.

Countess Miller slightly narrows her eyes to her, "Right. Then for the first lesson, I need to see your posture."

She had seen her splendid curtsy earlier but wanted to make sure it wasn't staged. Her sitting form isn't bad either, if she really had a perfect posture then that would make it easier for both of them.

Nadia blinks but stood up without questioning her and stood near the Countess. She then sauntered across the room and back to where she started.

'Not bad. Her posture is much better than the few noble ladies I have taught. Countess Dodds's words don't match at all.'

She had heard that Nadia Herman was a difficult student, a nightmare for mentors like them. Countess Dodds, specifically, hated Nadia to the core and had kept bad-mouthing her with her peers.

She had heard that Nadia has bad manners, bad etiquette, and bad behavior. She's bad at everything, basically.

"Your stance isn't bad," The Countess declares as she nods, feeling pleased.

"Thank you," Nadia replied and sat down again.

"Let's see your skills in making tea."

A maid wheeled a cart to them and placed a tea set in front of them.

Nadia then started working. Her hands moved to warm up the teapot by swirling hot water inside before throwing it out. She then put the tea leaves and added hot water for the second time. She waited for a while and after some moments that passed, she carefully poured the tea into two cups.

Nadia slid one cup in the Countess's way, "For you, Countess."

Countess Miller watched everything like a hawk, scrutinizing her every move, finding flaws but found nothing. All her moves are precise with an air of sophistication. She didn't even look nervous at all and was calm through the whole ordeal.

She was greatly satisfied by these and the wariness she felt from her gradually ebbed. She's more relaxed now than before, wiping away the things she had learned about Nadia from the rumors.