“My lady.” Another maid stepped towards me, holding out her palms together. “Please let me change the spoon.”

“My lady, please conduct yourself properly.” The butler who had just been by the door, amazingly appeared beside me in no time flat, placing a hand over his chest as he bowed.

“Elena,” father’s voice was that of reproach, as he looked at me with his piercing eyes. “Your manners are truly atrocious.”

It seemed I travelled hundreds of years in the past only to be told the same thing by my parent. Well, this was embarrassing.

“Uh…I’m sorry?” I smiled, retracting the spoon that was about to enter my mouth. I sheepishly placed it in my maid’s open palms.

“I am sorry that I have not been a good father the past year. But I will rectify that by giving you more attention.”

I nodded my head. How sensible. I received a new spoon from another maid, and continued eating.

“Which is why I will have to employ a governess to teach you etiquette and the like. I think I have been inattentive for far too long.” Father downed his glass of wine, and dabbed his napkin against his lips. I was tempted to ask for a drink as well.

“A governess?” I echoed. In my past life, I never had a governess to oversee my studies, much to the chagrin of the estate’s staff. My father back then never thought of what I actually needed as a lady of social standing, which was why I always made a fool out of myself during elaborate dinner parties.

“Yes. Since your mother passed,” father gulped hard, a flash of grief crossing his eyes, “No one has taught you what you must know. You are already ten years old. There have been talks of an impending engagement between you and the Crown Prince. We can’t have you act so thoughtlessly in front of the Royal Family.”

Upon the words ‘engagement’ and ‘Crown Prince’, the staff in the dining area audibly gasped. From excitement, consternation, or just for a dramatic effect, I didn’t know. Everyone was so theatrical.

“Why must it be me?” My face twisted into that of distaste. “There are other daughters of noble houses that could match with the Crown Prince. Why do I have to marry him?” I tried my best not to sound so whiny.

“Elena,” my father’s voice was now dripping with honey, “There is no one better than yourself in this kingdom. The Montcroix House is the oldest and most powerful house just second to the Royal Family. No one is a better match than you.” Father now looked very pleased with himself.

“But how can I even marry a guy I don’t even know?” I rolled my eyes. Technically I ‘knew’ Arion, but it was different from my own modern perspective. The Arion I ‘knew’ would fall in love with someone else and have me eventually beheaded. So, why would I risk myself to be in an engagement with someone like that?

“I see, so that is your main concern?” Father looked thoughtful as he rested a hand beneath his chin.

“Among other things,” I said. Other things like dying in the future by the prince’s hands. “Then I will ask His Majesty if he will allow Crown Prince Arion to visit our estate once in a while, so you may build up a friendship before your engagement is fully announced.” My father nodded, pleased with such reasoning.

“WHAT?!” I almost jumped off the chair in bewilderment. I was glad the spoon I held my hand didn’t fly off or hit someone in the face.

“You needn’t worry, Elena. You may finally see the Crown Prince’s face. I know that you have also told your mother about how you’ve wanted to marry a prince, back when you were younger.” He looked wistful, his eyes looked caught up in a memory.

I almost spat out my pudding.

“Daddy, that’s not what I meant at all.” I tried to set him back on the right track. “Daddy, I—”

“Hendrik, follow me into my office. I will write a missive to His Majesty this instant.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Father stood up from his chair, his face determined. “I will be back, Elena. Do not worry, you can trust your daddy.”

The butler followed my father out the door, while I could hear him say, “Hendrik, give me a list of the best available governesses in the Capital. I will write to them about employment.”

The door shut behind my father, and I was left with a spoon in one hand and a gaping mouth.

I wanted to scream. This was not how I intended our talk to be! Now I had to deal with meeting the Crown Prince earlier! I wanted to faint dramatically into a couch right now.

I tried to recall what the Crown Prince really looked like in my memories, but it was as if I was looking at a fangirl’s version of her idol, which didn’t help at all. I was pretty sure Prince Arion wasn’t so sparkly.

“My lady, is the pudding not that palatable for you?” a maid stepped towards me.

It’s been over a week since I’ve been in this place, and because of my changed behavior, the staff were more sociable towards me as well. I no longer screamed, shouted, or hit anyone because of my temper, and although some maids were still hesitant, a couple were also bold enough to try and reach out to me, simply because gaining favor from a duke’s daughter would benefit them regardless. I didn’t mind it at all. I was more thankful that I could be given a chance to right my wrongs.

“No, it’s good.” I shook my head while placing the spoon beside my plate. “It’s just that I am very surprised by my father’s words. I think I need some fresh air.”

“Certainly, my lady.” The maid bowed. “Do you wish for me to accompany you on your walk?”

“No, it’s alright.” I stood up and waved my hand.

Another thing that would benefit the maids from currying favor with me, was the promotion to become my personal attendant. In the past, no one dared to be the personal attendant of the duke’s daughter because of my appalling character, but now that I have changed somewhat, the thought seemed more appealing. The promotion would mean more money, after all. Who didn’t want more money?

But I wasn’t in a rush to appoint anyone. I had to get to know them first in order to ascertain if they were truly as trustworthy as they seemed. It’s hard to discern these days. A face can smile at you, but the next moment, stab you in the back. I’ve had my share of experiences, so my circle of friends had always been small. Soyun and Chunho were my only best friends.

Remembering them made my heart ache. I wish they were here with me right now.