Taking Marie's silence as permission to continue, she said.

“We both know that you really have no issues with your etiquette Marie. In fact, I think that you act uncouth simply to draw the attention of your father, either because you feel lonely or want him to pay more attention to you.”

Marie cocked her head slightly, and replied,

“I was under the impression that you were an etiquette teacher, and over qualified one at that, not a shrink, High Sorceress Minerva. To answer your rather rude question, I am well aware that my father is not the most nurturing of parents. I came to terms with that a long time ago.”

Minerva responded to Marie’s insulting comment quickly, saying,

“Be that as it may, I am still a High Sorceress and you would do well to remember that.”

Sensing that she had struck a nerve, Marie chose not to pursue the topic, tucking the knowledge away in her mind for later use.

“Of course, High Sorceress Minerva, my apologies,”

Marie said. Although they both knew she was flat-out lying, Minerva accepted Marie's apology.

"Tell me then Marie, why do you act the way you do if it is not to gain your father's attention?"

Marie shrugged elegantly,

"Don't all teenagers act in a manner that they know their parents will despise?"

Minerva frowned at her evasive response and used it as an opportunity to steer the conversation back into the realm of etiquette.

"It is rude to answer a question with a question Marie. Although I am well aware that it is not uncommon for teens to act out you are 19 going on 20! As the daughter of the most powerful duke in the kingdom, you ought to act in a manner that befits your station!"

Marie said nothing, opting to let the soceress break the silence. Minerva shook her head, disappointed,

“Are you ready to cooperate with me now Marie?”

“I am High Sorceress Minerva.”

“Good, now then, I want you to demonstrate your best posture and hold it for 15 minutes.”

“As you wish High Sorceress Minerva.”

Marie replied, not moving a millimeter from her position as she had already been sitting in her best posture. Minerva turned over what Marie assumed was a 15-minute hourglass and began inspecting her posture for flaws while Marie thought,

“15 minutes, wow is she lax compared to Mother when she was teaching me how to, “act like a proper lady.” Mother would have me holding this position for an hour at a minimum! Then again she was insistent on perfect posture when it came to my sword, as well as my self-defense lessons.”

Minerva walked in a slow circle around Marie, inspecting her posture for flaws. Finding none on her first circle she frowned slightly and continued circling Marie. The last grain of sand soon fell to the bottom signaling that the 15 minutes were up, but Minerva was so preoccupied with studying Marie’s impeccable posture that she did not notice. Marie spoke softly, about 30 seconds after last grain of sand had fallen.

“Not to be rude High Sorceress Minerva but your hourglass has run out of sand.”

she said, shifting slightly as though she were uncomfortable, in order to hide her true ability from the sorceress. Minerva glanced at the hourglass obviously surprised, then back at Marie and replied,

“So it is, you may relax now.”

It was obvious to Marie when she “relaxed”, her mother’s version of which had been only slightly different from sitting stick straight, that Minerva was disappointed not to have the chance to scold her for lapsing into bad posture.

“Ha I’ll show her, I might not like to exercise my knowledge of etiquette but I still have it even if I choose not to use it most times........I can’t wait for her to try and figure out who taught me about posture. The only con to acing everything she asks is that sooner or later she will find out how good I am at it.”

Sure enough, after a few moments of thought, Minerva asked,

“Marie, you have surprisingly good posture.... who taught you, and how have you managed to hide your knowledge from your father this long?”

Marie replied in a respectful tone, hoping for the session to end quickly, so she could get out of her obnoxious gown and into bed,

“I would not say that I hid my knowledge and abilities from my father, High Sorceress Minerva, more that he never asked me to use them.”

She purposely avoided Minerva’s first question, not wanting to answer it and bring up the topic of her mother. Minerva shot an amused glance at Marie. Seeing it, Marie knew her half-answer had not gone unnoticed, but Minerva didn’t pressure her further. Minerva then shook her head slightly,

“I had planned to work on posture tonight but that is clearly not necessary. As I have nothing advanced enough set up for you today you might as well go to bed early.... I do expect to see you after your meeting with your two chosen suitors Castiel and Lance though.”

Marie nodded in understanding and went back to her bedroom. Once she was there, she snagged her favorite nightwear, a silky teal shift with matching pants, and rang for Belinda. Getting out of the monstrosity of a gown she had put on took her forever. After her and Belinda’s combined efforts managed to get it off, she quickly changed into her nightclothes and fell asleep.