“My Lady, if I may be so blunt.”

I turned around to see Hendrik’s eyes curved like a smiley emoji. I was dreading what he was going to say next.

“I think His Highness has taken quite a liking to you.” The hand on his chest was clenched with conviction.

I made a face. “Oh Hendrik, stop imagining things. It’ll only disappoint you.”

Hendrik smiled. “Pardon me for being blunt once again, my Lady, but you are turning into a likeable character who we enjoy serving. I am sure your mother, Duchess Charlotte, is looking at you from above, and is proud.”

His words caught me off guard. I mean, I didn’t think I did anything to warrant such compliments. The only thing I did in the past weeks was not to be so mean and angry all the time. I guess they saw that as character development.

“Though your table manners and etiquette are…” Hendrik muttered under his breath.

“Argh! I know, I know!” I stomped away, leaving the chuckling Hendrik behind. Why do they have to repeat the same darned thing? It was getting on my nerves! My manners weren’t always picked on back in the modern world! I was normal!

The people in the estate were probably comparing me to my mother, Duchess Charlotte, who in my memories, was the most elegant woman I’ve ever met. She was always a trendsetter, from her hairstyles down to her crystal shoes.  She was someone every young girl aspired to be, the old Elena notwithstanding. Unfortunately, the old Elena was born with a terrible sense of fashion, which was amplified by the ‘need’ to garner attention and popularity from not only the prince, but from peers as well. Her attempts towards being the perfect copy failed miserably.

As much as I loved the duchess in my memories, I wasn’t going to try hard to become a second-rate replica. I am who I am; not a poor imitation of anyone else.

~~~

My governess came a few days after Prince Arion’s visit.

I was getting a bit bored being by myself in this huge mansion (I did nothing but sleep, eat, and dream of eating Bulgogi,) so when I heard that my governess arrived, I immediately sprang up from my indolent position on one of the sitting room chaises, and practically ran to the front door to greet her.

I had an image of a middle-aged cranky woman who would slap me on the butt with a ruler if I did so much as misbehave, but the woman who came through the front door was the exact opposite, much to my relief.

“Oh my dear!” The woman, who seemed to be in her mid-twenties, was gasping for breath as she dragged her huge suitcase through the tall door. “I didn’t expect the stairs would be so tormenting!” She blew on a strand of red hair that fell loose from her coif.

“Hendrik, where is your assistance?” I said scoldingly at the butler who stood beside the governess by the door.

Hendrik looked pained at my accusation. “My Lady, Miss Rizanne did not wish for any assistance.”

“Oh dear!” the woman looked at me and curtsied hurriedly, looking a bit disheveled from her ride and the flight of stairs. “You must be the Lady Elena!”

Rizanne dragged the bulky luggage along the carpet as she tried to tread towards me, veins popping on her hands.

Hendrik, the maids and I, continued to stare at her, our expressions showing confusion about how to feel about this eccentric young governess.

“Miss Rizanne, please allow us to help you,” Hendrik could no longer stand seeing her struggle, and tried to take the handle of her luggage from her grasp. I should start telling these people to invent wheels on luggage, to save this kind of drama.

“Thank you, kind sir, but I am a woman who doesn’t need aid!” She said this while sweat dripped down her face, making her appear like she had run a marathon. She didn’t look convincing at all.

“Miss Rizanne,” I said, stepping in front of her. “As much as you deem yourself capable of doing things independently, you should also know when to ask for assistance. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak. Rather,” I pried her fingers loose from the luggage handle, “it is a sign of strength, as it takes more courage to accept and admit your limitations.”

I added while patting her gloved hands, “Don’t you think so, Miss Rizanne?”

Rizanne blushed as she nodded her head zealously, her blue eyes glistening. “You are a truly remarkable lady!”

Yeah. I thought so too! Heh. I gloated internally.

“Hendrik, please bring Miss Rizanne’s luggage to her room,” I said.

“Yes, my Lady.”

Usually, these governesses stay at their employer’s house while they conduct their teachings, and Hendrik had already prepared a room for her that was not too far from my own. The huge library that we had on the first floor, was prepped to be my schoolroom, with tables, chairs and even a huge chalkboard was built, just to accommodate my studies. Hendrik was in charge of it all, and his efficiency astounded me. If he were in the modern world, I would definitely take him as my assistant.

I didn’t know how it felt to be in a long carriage ride yet (as I haven’t stepped out of the mansion since I got here,) but I assumed it wasn’t good. In the modern world, I was notorious for getting motion sickness during long car rides. And don’t get me started on roller coasters! Soyun and Chunho once forced me on an extreme ride, thinking my motion sickness was an excuse cause I’m just a wimp (which was also partly true, though I denied it) and I ended up throwing up on their legs. Not my fault.

The front door suddenly opened, and my father came in through the door, looking as handsome as ever, with his black hair ruffled by the spring breeze. He had told me during breakfast that he was going out to meet a few tenants and would be back by lunchtime. He was true to his words, and I liked that. Slowly but surely, he was becoming a better version of himself.

“Are you the new governess?” Father looked at Rizanne, who had been busy tucking loose strands of curls back into her hair to look a bit more presentable in front of my hot daddy. Yeah, I totally understood her predicament.

Rizanne curtsied immediately. “Yes, Your Grace! My name is Rizanne. It is an honor for me to receive your letter of employment. I will do my best while I am here!”

I hadn’t been in school in a long time, so I hoped she wouldn’t start giving me too much of a workload. I didn’t particularly like studying all that much, especially in subjects I thought were useless.

“Good.” Father nodded towards her. He then walked to me and stroked the top of my head.

“Elena.” That was all he said as a greeting, but it conveyed what I wanted to feel. He still was awkward in showing affection, but it was alright, he was able to show his care in other ways.

“By the way, Miss Rizanne,” Father said as he turned his head towards the governess who started fiddling with her gloves, “Why are you perspiring so much?”

I turned my head away quickly so Miss Rizanne couldn’t see me choke on my laughter, but I did see her turn so red that possibly her sweat would start evaporating from the heat of her blush.

Heh.