5 hours later, after noon, Kaprina lays her head on the window sill and looks outside.

I sighed. Finally it was over! I had attended the rest of my classes regularly without being late, thank goodness. Fortunately, Ms. Maupin was the worst of my mentors. The rest of them were kind enough or neutral towards me. Guess I'll have to be careful in her class from now on...

It was beautiful outside today. The pink flora around the castle always caught my attention. I wish I could go outside and smell them. But... Huh? Who is that? There was a big carriage coming towards the castle at a fast pace. The horses screeched to a stop within mere inches from the two guards outside who seemed to be awaiting its arrival.

Someone stepped out of the vehicle. A light blonde curly haired woman with diamond blue eyes. Her gown was designed with a dark red and black pattern, topped with a red fur shawl. She held a fan of the same pattern.

A female guard, and what seemed to be maids and butlers followed suit, bringing out suitcases and luggage. That woman is beautiful. She looked elegant actually, almost royal, expensive.

The maids, guard, and woman walked towards the entrance. Is she staying here? Wait! What if they see me?

As soon as I heard the doors fling open I tried my best to conceal my body within the curtains while still peeking out at the new guests through the gap.

This is ridiculous! What am I doing spying on them?? Ugh. I'll just come out when they've gone deeper into the castle.

You could imagine my surprise when the woman slipped away from her group.

No way! Why is she coming this way?!

I moved my head into the curtains again to avoid being caught. My body was frozen trying to avoid any movement. I'm really done for now.

And the negative thinking manifested. The curtains were forcibly flung open and I could feel the exposure of the cold air on my skin.

The woman stood in front of me with her hand to the side, holding the drapes.

Her eyes opened wide, startled at my appearance.

"Oh goodness!" She stumbled backwards with her hand to her mouth and fell to her behind.

Her face lay shocked, still staring at me. She didn't even make a move to get up.

This was my fault. But how would I explain to this nameless woman?

In embarrassment, I removed myself from the window sill and went to offer her my hand.

Hesitantly, she took it and I pulled her up from the floor.

...Umm...

I held both my hands in each other trying to calm my nerves.

"Are you alright? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

The beautiful woman shook her head and her blonde curls with it.

"No, I...forgive me for intruding instead Princess. I wasn't aware you were the one." Her voice was a bit deeper than mine.

"Oh, you know who I am?" I asked. 

The look of embarrassment evaporated from her face.

"Well of course. One would be a fool to not immediately recognize your beauty, Your Highness."

I stared at her face blankly. Er, What?

"Ah! Forgive me. I am Duchess Greer, of Qerene. Pleased to make your acquaintance." she curtseyed.

Never heard of her. I did recognize that she did have a hint of a northern accent though...

"Pleased to make your acquaintance as well. Although, I'm sorry we had to meet like this. I apologize again."

I glanced behind the lady as I watched her butlers and maids carry on with their luggage.

"Don't worry about them, they'll find me later."

Now that I saw her more up close, I realized that was in fact very pretty. A beauty that I would be jealous of, and I rarely get jealous. She was bright, but sultry in a way and held herself quite poised and mature.

"It seems talk of your beauty does you no justice." She said, analyzing my face. It seemed we were having the same thoughts.

I cocked my head to the side. "Talk? What talk?"

She seemed surprised at my reasonable inquiry.

"Well talk of the most beautiful princess in all the 12 Kingdoms of course. They compare you to the most rare and precious flower, the Labillus, native to my city."

I didn't like this. Hearing about my looks from strangers. Change the subject... Where did she say she was from again?

"So... Qerene. Did you come all the way from there?" I asked. Actually, I have no idea where that place is. I know it's north of the Kingdom though.

The lady sighed and walked towards the window, elbows on the sill, and looking absently at the sky.

I followed.

"Yes. I stay here every fall and winter to visit my cousin, then return in the spring and summer."

While being vaguely aware that we were within the curtains again, I became more curious.

"Your cousin?

She looked at me with her foxy blue eyes and smiled slyly. "Yes, my cousin, your fiance."

No. Way!!  No wonder her eyes seemed so familiar! But overall, she looks nothing like him at all. How had I not known that he had a cousin? Wait...do I know anything about him??

A giggle. She was laughing.

Was my expression that shocked? I rearranged my features into a neutral expression. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks from embarrassment.

Her laugh was funny...it made me want to laugh as well but I held my lips in place with much effort.

At any rate, they looked nothing alike. If she were the sun, then he were the moon. 

"Oh! If he hasn't taken a shine to you yet, don't worry about it. I'm sure he will soon."

Yeah, right.

"Um Your Highness..."

"Yes?"

She was confident now and spoke with a high head.

"We are by far distant in title, but close in age. Since we will be seeing each other often now, may I address you informally?"

Informally? How are we close to the same age?

"Wait , how old are you?"

"I just turned 19..."

19?!  My eyes automatically drew from her eyes to her chest and...They were way bigger than mine!

She giggled again.

I answered her question and agreed to her talking to me informally, and in turn I would address her without title as well. Greer....

We talked a little more and I found out lots about her. Her father had actually attended the masquerade ball, but went back to Qerene that same day. He stays here too, during the fall and winter. But why had he not come with her this time? She also said that she attended lessons while being here and we both laughed about Ms. Maupin and her tight hair bun. When I asked about her mother, she avoided the subject...so of course, I didn't bring it up again.

Greer was lovely, although she did not talk as mature as she looked, often making snide jokes about the Queen, but lovely nonetheless. 

I didn't know exactly how long we talked, but it was definitely for a while. "I must take my leave now, my maids might be starting to look for me." 

Oh. I hadn't realised it got so late. The sun was still up but I could tell that it would be setting soon. 

"Ok, I won't keep you. Do you know the way?" I asked.

She gave me a bright foxy smile. "I've been here longer than you, you know." 

Ah- True. It's not like she would get lost anyway. Not everyone is like me....

"Sorry." I said apologetically. 

She removed her hands from the window sill and stretched them high. My arms were cramped too after being in this position all this while. 

"Greer?" 

"Yes?" she asked still stretching. 

"Will you be doing lessons tomorrow?"

Her arms fell to her side with her shoulders slumped, and now a sour look of distate came upon her face. 

"Yes... in fact I will. Ugh..." she grumbled, and closed her eyes while bringing her hand to forehead and rubbing it as if she had a headache. 

I smiled now, amused by her begruntled reaction.

Her profane complaints were cut off as her eyes lit up. "Ah, but you'll also be there as well now won't you? I haven't had a lesson mate since..." 

She didn't finish her sentence and instead her eyes fell to the ground in...sadness? It was as if she was remembering someone. A old friend perhaps? 

Whatever it was, it was short lived.  The look disappeared, bright again. 

"Never mind. At least I won't dust away in boredom now." 

Greer looked at me with her head cocked to the side and flung her arms around me in a warm, tight embrace. 

Aurgh!! I can barely breathe!!!

I put my arms around her as well and tapped her on the back awkwardly. She didn't seem to notice the gesture. 

I liked it like this actually, I don't think i've been this relaxed with any outsider since I arrived here. 

My body was released after a few long seconds but her hands were still on my shoulders. 

"I'll see you at Ms. Maupin's lessons tomorrow then? We can laugh at the old hag together!" she said excitedly.

"Yes!" I nodded, still a bit gauche at her blatant physical openness. 

Her hands fell off my shoulders now. "Good!!" and she clapped her hands together lightly with anticipation. She turned and waved me a final goodbye before skipping off like a child towards the West Wing. 

Yes, older...but certainly not mature for her look. 

                                                                                         ***

I sat on my bed and kicked off my heels to let my feet get comfortable. Oddly enough, I was a bit nervous about lessons tomorrow. Greer had been so....so... open? If that was the right word at all. It's quite odd actually. 

I'd only just met her but I still felt happy to have talked to someone at least. Back at home, I only had one childhood friend that I'd shared with Damond. The chefs daughter. After she left I didn't really know what friendship was like... It seemed like she knew a lot about me though. What if she's just trying to get close to me because of my title? It's not like everyone likes who I am. Perhaps she hopes to gain something from me? What if... 

I kept thinking deeply while chewing the nail of my finger. Her chest is way bigger than mine too...

I jumped at the sound of a knock on the door. "Come in!" I said. It must be Eloise. 

Of course...I was right.  He gave a small bow and greeting before setting a piece of paper on the oval middle table.

I got down and looked to inspect it. "Pre-debutante group charity? Huh?? Funded by the Queen??"

"Ahem..yes..it is quite troublesome even if you ask me..." he said distastefully.  That was the first time i'd ever heard anything smug coming out of his mouth. 

"But unfortunately you will need to complete the charity event with other ladies before you can have your debutante Your Highness. Please see the back."

I did as he asked and saw a list of female names with titles attached to it. About 8. I have no idea who these people are. Well no...I've heard of some of them. Countess Cassandra of Veicke..

I looked up at Eloise. "And these are the Queen's choices?"  He just nodded in response. 

"Let me guess, I'll have to organize a meeting to talk about the event..?" Eloise nodded again, this time adding on. 

"Yes,  and Her Majesty already arranged it to be a tea party however, and of course the guests will be the same as the list. But she did leave room for you to invite 3 more guests if you wish." 

I looked at the bottom of the list and did in fact see extra space to write more names. 

3 more guests...

To get my brush and ink, I stood up and swiped it from my drawer. 

Sure, I didn't know her well at all. She might be even trying to get something out me. But one familiar face is better than none.  

I wrote her name elegantly on the empty space and attached her title to it. Eloise bent over the table to observe my choice. 

"Ah, so you've already acquainted yourself with the Young Lady i see." he said smiling. 

"Yes...yes I have actually." 

I have been acquainted to the bright sultry lady, Duchess Greer of Qerene.