"I will ignore what you just said," I remarked, leaning back on the chair behind me.

If I compare the Herman mansion to Ethalion's, the latter is bigger, no doubt. It's a ducal house after all. They have more status than us and this is the first time I entered one. Though the quality of things isn't that different from ours, it certainly is a beautiful house.

"These past two weeks have really worn me out! Every single day, I endured intensive training from the strict butler. Plus the Duchess's temperament is just like Bea that I don't even know how to get closer to her. I don't even think I had impressed her all this time!" She started grumbling on, letting out her sentiments while I listened attentively like the good friend I am.

"Hmm hmm..." I hummed.

I will let her grieve her heart out for now.

"Plus the etiquette lessons... Like... It's even keener than my usual ones," she added– "And what's more nerve-wracking with that is, my teacher is the Duchess herself! She doesn't show her expressions that much– No. She actually doesn't show them at all! So I'm always wondering if I'm doing it right or not!"

Gwen is rolling off...

'Ah, this tea is nice. I wonder what brand this is?'

As she speaks, she would also mindfully refill my cup if it's already almost empty. Her movements aren't awkward either, nor clumsy, and it was quite impressive to watch her do things. This just meant that her training and the lessons she's getting from the Duchess are paying off.

Her tone is a lot softer than usual too. Before, she would be loud as heck whenever she rants but now, she's ranting yes, but not to the point of shouting all her words.

"And then, I almost don't have free time. My entire day would be packed with schedules that I feel like I'm going to vomit," –how exaggerated my friend– "I mean, I have to look at documents and stuff and read more stuff. You do know that I am not great at reading things, right?" Gwen looked at me with an expectant expression on her lovely face– "And after reading so much, I have to practice brewing tea. I drank more tea these past two weeks more than I did in my lifetime! I feel like tea is running in my veins now."

Oh, she's just being a diva, basically.

What tea running on veins? What the hell...

But your point is well taken.

"I also started arranging flowers so much that my pollen allergy is already cured now. And I can also name 25 types of flowers too and what benefits they have for a person's well-being."

"That's great. Congrats on that achievement," I commented.

It may sound monotonous but it's not like that at all. It's a genuine phrase so get off my hair.

Gwen let out a sigh, "And I have to mind my actions all the time. Be graceful, be pretty... And of course, help manage the dukedom and oversee the household. It's... It's exhausting..."

My eyes narrowed at her last statement.

"Exhausting, you say. Yet you're smiling as if you're having the best time of your life."

She's complaining like this and ironically has such a happy expression. Isn't she just bragging in my face?

"Well... Even though it's tiring, it's still fun. The Duchess doesn't pressure me that much, nor does the others. And learning new things every day is nice." Her smile then widened to the point that it showed her pearly-white teeth.

One of my brows rose, "Hmmm? Was it that? Or it's not because you can practically see Conrad every day. You're both living in the same house, after all, and he quit the royal knights so he'll always be at home," I teased.

My day won't be complete if I don't get to tease her about Conrad and see her flustered self. Fufufufufu~

As expected, she turned red.

"Th-that's not true!"

"Ohoho, you still blush after all this time huh," I chuckled.

Gwen looked at me disapprovingly.

"Quit it."

"Ah, it's not shut up now. How graceful, Lady Gwyneth."

Of course, I won't. Heh~

"I'm telling you, it's not like that..." she pouted.

So adorable...

"Mhmm..."

Frowning, "You're not listening to me at all," was what she said.

I set down the cup on the saucer.

"Where's Bea, by the way?"

Looking back, the answer is already obvious.

"She's probably still at the palace right now. She gets home before dark though," Gwen answered.

"Both of you see each other every day and even spends time together. I kind of feel a little green. Maybe I should start living here as well..." I declared, rather playfully.

Gwen seemed to take it seriously though.

"What? You want to live here?"

I stared at her expression, mainly her widening eyes and seemingly confused face.

"I'm kidding... I don't want to disturb your lessons and your love life."

"Ugh..."

We talked a bit more about her experiences here in the Ethalion residence. She was really into it because the majority of our conversation was just her, talking while I react. It's fine though, I love hearing her stories. Moreover, she was having a blast throughout the whole thing so I definitely don't feel any negativity.

Instead, it just gave me peace, you know. I'm happy that I get to see my friend and spend time with her. The loneliness in my heart slightly faded away and now I'm not that lonesome anymore.

"Do you want to go outside? I know you love the outdoors so let me tour you in the garden," Gwen offered and had already stood up before me.

"I'll take you up on that," I replied and stood up as well.

Gwen brought me towards the west side of the estate where the garden she wanted to let me see is located. It's that kind of garden which has high walls made of bushes which was the first time I've seen something like it. The walls are tall enough to reach a few inches over my head, though for Gwen, it would be a head and a half higher.

The sun was close to setting down soon so the sun rays are not that hot now. There were thick clouds overhead too but not the type where there's water in it. The wind was pretty strong and if not for the fact that my hair is tied up neatly, it would have been ruined.

'Thank goodness...'

Imagine if I had let it loose? That would be hell...

I probably would have been eating my hair right now so I would have to thank Erin for putting it up.

Thank you, Erin.