Raven sat with her back straight, her gaze fixated on the terrace beyond. After the incident with Ghea, she found herself entangled in a web of etiquette lessons and private meals. The ritual of it all, the monotony, she rolled her eyes in boredom and frustration. A doll on display, that's what she felt like, a possession only to be shown to others when convenient and locked away when not.

She sighed before she redirected her attention to Lady Selene, realizing the lady had been speaking while she daydreamed. "I apologize, Lady Selene," she said, spotting a frown forming on her instructor's face.

"Well, that's enough outside air for today. Come back inside, my dear, and let us review your lessons. My ladies tell me that you have learned so much in the last few days," Lady Selene smiled, gesturing elegantly for Raven to join her as her ladies set the table for an afternoon of tea. Raven made her way towards Lady Selene, she watched as the lady waved her hand towards the terrace using her magic to transform it back into a closed wall. At first, Raven was amazed by the transforming terrace now it only further agitated her internal desire to escape.

"Okay, my dear Luna, let us begin." The Lady's smile melted away Raven's dreadful attitude. Raven approached the table, placing herself with grace, careful not to make a clumsy mistake. The steps of tea-making and serving, meticulous and measured, became an art form under Lady Selene's watchful eye.

Raven carefully placed the blend of tea leaves into the pot, steam swirling into the air. The floral scent filled the room, a delicate dance with the sunlight that filtered through the ornate windows. A lid, set down with an almost inaudible grace, sealed the promise of a perfect brew.

Following the rules of etiquette, she began to arrange the cups and tea toppings, timing her work to be finished at the time that the tea will be adequate brewed. In her hands, the cups and toppings became instruments, each movement timed to perfection. The tea, a secret blend, a concoction whispered to hold the magic that would bind packs and celestials. . She took a deep breath, slowing her pace as she placed the decorative sugars into each cup, nervously hoping the Lady would not make her start over.

The tea blend was a secret concoction, said to have magical properties strengthening the bond between packs and celestials. She was nervous that the tea would be brewed too long and would be bitter. "It should be just right," she thought as she began to serve the tea, its floral aroma tickling her nose. She poured the steaming tea into their cups and watched, hiding her eagerness, as Lady Selene took a sip. She watched as the Lady;s face filled with delight, her approval evident in the gleam of her eyes.

Raven's eyes lit up when the sweet taste hit her tongue, filling her with a sense of joy as she tasted her tea.

"Yes, my sweet dear Luna," Lady Selene let out a sparkling cheer. "I'm so proud of you. It was perfection! Your elegance and grace in preparing the tea!"

The words, a melody, echoed in Raven's heart. Lady Selene's affectionate touch, more intimate than a hundred formal lessons, brushed a stray curl back into place. "You are such a beauty and you have learned so much so quickly. There is no doubt that you are our Luna of prophecy."

Raven felt a warmth within, not just from the tea but from the words that wrapped around her like a comforting shawl. Tears began to weld in Lady Selene's eyes, a testament to the pride she felt, before they could fall she reached for her handkerchief and blotted daintly at her eyes. With a swift, practiced motion, she hid the emotions beneath an elegant smile.

"Now, now. Let us continue on! We shall review the tea once more before quickly reviewing traditional dances and small talk."

Biting back a groan, Raven smiled as she reset the table, hoping it wouldn't be too many more days of lessons, strangers, and isolation. An image of Dante flickered, and she brushed it away. "Who knows when I'll be allowed to see him again? He was so angry the last time I saw him," she thought, remembering how he wouldn't speak to her after returning her to the Amber City palace. Her cheeks tinged with pink as she thought about how he made her ride over his shoulder, completely ignoring the elites as he rode past, determined to take her straight inside the palace walls. She sighed and plastered a smile onto her face as she stood and prepared to begin the moon tea ritual. Lady Selene would not be satisfied unless she did it perfectly consistently.

After an onslaught of etiquette review from Lady Selene, Raven felt relieved when the lady signaled her servants to begin gathering her things for her next appointment.

"I am very pleased with your progress and I think you can now pass as a Lady Elite," Lady Selene smiled as she stood to leave.

"However, I do feel, after the embarrassing incident with that dreadful beast of a horse, it's best that you continue to avoid the public eye and stick to your scheduled private meetings to get to know the Elites and Clan representatives rather than larger gatherings.

"But!," Raven groaned at the thought of more days of boring introductions over food and tedious lessons.

"No buts," Lady Selene said matter-of-factly before stroking Raven's cheek and lovingly brushing one of her stray curls back into place. "It's all for a good reason, my dear Luna. For there are members of the Elite society arriving in the city over the next few days to attend a celebration introducing you and Dante as a couple to the entire grand alliance. It will be a party to die for, my darling." Lady Selene spun around so her gown shimmered around her. Raven gasped at the beautiful sparks of magic that reflected from her dress. "There is so much to do, so I must be going. Preslie will stay behind to see that you get the things that you need."

Before Raven could utter another word, Lady Selene and her attendants vanished, leaving Preslie behind, resetting the tea table for Raven to practice again.

But just as Preslie touches the second tea cup, she collapses to the floor with a soft thud. Startled, Raven rushes to her side to help. She quickly checks Preslie's pulse, "Preslie, are you okay?"

The room suddenly feels a twinkle of magical energy.

"Her pulse is steady and strong... is she... asleep?"

Examining Preslie for injuries, Raven watches as her chest rises and falls in deep breaths, a contented smile playing on her lips as if she's immersed in a delightful dream.

"Well... I suppose she may be tired," Raven says out loud. The door begins to rumble, and Raven stands, her heart pounding with uncertainty. She glanced at the sleeping Preslie as the door began to rumble, and she stood, uncertain how to explain the sleeping woman. When the door opened about halfway, a flash of purple hair appeared.

"Marcellus!" she exclaimed at the familiar hair peeking under the door.

"Well, come now, before she awakes." He smiled, urging her to join him on the other side.

Without hesitation, she flashed him a grin, gathered her skirts, and squeezed through the half-open door. Grabbing his arm she trusted him as he made a sharp left and began leading them quickly and quietly through a hidden passageway within the Amber City palace, leaving behind her cage of etiquette and isolation.