Arianne is in her office, legs and arms crossed. A woman stands in front of her, 3 books balanced on her head. As a result of the young lady's fatigue, the books fell. Arianne stares at the latter and looks at her watch/clock.

"2 hours and 26 minutes..."

The young woman does not answer, she seems to look away.

"What do you think about that?" Adds Arianne

"E....uh, I think I..."

"Go home. I had no intention of hiring you anyway." Arianne interrupts by tidying up her work surface

The young woman comes out of the office looking depressed. The servants watch her leave, not surprised.

"She's the sixth to be refused by Miss Arianne this month..."

"Really? Yet given the time she spent here, I thought that..."

"Never underestimate Miss's cruelty. It's a good thing this young woman was refused: she wouldn't have lasted two weeks..."

Arianne sighs in her office and closes her green paper with some golden decorations.

Arianne's thoughts (narration in square bubbles)

A few months have passed since the famous accident in which I lost my life. It seems to me that I wanted to go somewhere in a hurry....

But unfortunately, it was impossible to remember the circumstances of my death. My memories are blurry. However, I have tried many times to remember every detail..... Giving me a headache!

The only thing I know for sure is that I died in a carriage while I was on my way somewhere...

How can I explain that I am still alive, and that I am younger than when I died?

Arianne comes out of her office with a decided step. The servants, surprised, stood on their side to let her through.

"Hello, Miss!!!" They say in chorus

Arianne approached them and said:

"What day is it today?"

The servants freeze as if they were afraid to give an answer. One of them goes for it:

"Today is Wednesday the 6th..."

"That's not what I asked you. You can't even answer such a simple question! Consider yourself unemployed from now on." Arianne cried out

The servants bow their heads.

"Since my question is so complicated for you, I will give you the answer: it is the king's birthday! A celebration is being held in his honor tonight. All the nobility is invited. So.... Where is my dress?"

The maids look away in fear.

"C....as you were having an interview with the young woman, we thought that..."

"Well, you better go think about it outside..." Answer Miss before being interrupted

"Arianne!"

"Mother?" She replied

"I want to talk to you."

(…)

"I know it's important for you to have servants respect you, but you should refrain from dismissing them... The rumors about you are currently good, don't ruin it." Says Arianne's mother

"Yes, Mother. I will try to control myself in the future so as not to dishonor the De Fiennes family."

"Well, get ready for the King's birthday party. Your maids are waiting for you. I am counting on you to make a good impression on Prince Nathaniel." Add the mother

"Yes, Mother. I will take my leave, with your permission."

Arianne and her parents travel to the royal palace by coach. Upon their arrival, servants take care of welcoming the family.

The palace is full of nobles, we can see counts, marquises, dukes.... All the best people are obviously present, because no one would dare to miss the king's birthday.

In part of the room, the father of the Asbourg family talks to a duke.

"Ah! Duke De La Mare! Let me introduce you to my son Orion. He has just returned from abroad." Says Orion's father.

"It is an honor." Answer Orion

"Oh! Did you just finish your studies at the best school on the Eastern Continent?" Ask the Duke

"Indeed. But I have to tell you, I missed my homeland!" Answers Orion, trying to participate in this conversation

Orion's thoughts: "If they think I'm interested in their conversation... I have something more important to do here."

The Duke turns to a young woman.

"Lily, come here for a second." He said

"Let me introduce you to my daughter Lily..." Added Mr. De La Mare before being interrupted by the murmurs of the crowd

Arianne makes a remarkable entrance. Everyone starts whispering.

"She's the daughter of the Marquis of Fiennes!"

"Did you hear the rumor about him?"

Arianne smiles a little bit but makes sure to remain neutral. She takes a determined step towards the king to pay her respects.

The king coughs a little, servants bring him water. Arianne looks at the scene and approaches it.

"My respects, my king. I am Arianne de Fiennes, daughter of Charles de Fiennes..."

The king coughs and has not yet answered. Her cough doesn't seem to want to stop.

"A chamomile infusion." She adds

Everyone is looking at it.

"That's what my grandmother used to take to calm her cough. And, to my knowledge, it has always been a relief," Arianne says.

The king does not make you smile.

"Hmm, I'll take note of it."

Arianne smiles, happy with her action. She feels gazes at her. The prince was staring her.

"Prince Nathaniel!!!" she thought

"I hadn't noticed it!!! Calm down, Arianne.... The fact that he witnessed this scene may be useful to you..."

The king speaks:

"I am delighted to finally know what the famous Arianne de Fiennes looks like. It seems you got the highest scores from the Academy of Sciences."

"Oh, I am honored to see that my low exploits have reached His Majesty's ears."

The king giggles.

"And humble on top of that. I wish my sons would be so modest!"

He starts laughing his head off.

A counsellor arrives and whispers something in his ear.

"Oh, perfect. Let's get started!" Answers the king

"Make room for Her Majesty's gifts!"

After this announcement, Arianne began to smile while looking in the direction of the prince.

"Be ready Prince Nathaniel! The serious things are about to start!"