Extra-Changing Fate ==Editing==

Chapter 57 ==Practicing To Be The Queen==

"Greetings! I am Duchess Elle Valois! Your etiquette teacher!"

My eyes flickered slightly as I took in the sight of the adorable girl standing before me. Her eyes sparkled with an almost unbelievable brightness, and a huge, cheerful smile stretched across her face. She looked so incredibly young that a seed of doubt sprouted in my mind – could she really be an instructor?

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Alyssa Glaze Silverton," I replied, offering her an innocent smile of my own, hoping to further confuse her and make her believe I was nothing more than a naive little thing.

No doubt their dowager Queen had already given them a basic rundown of who I was.

"Now then, let's observe your posture. Please walk towards the table." As I turned my back, a soft groan slipped past my lips, my displeasure at yet another etiquette lesson evident. Just then, her hands came together in a delicate clap.

I walked towards the table, my posture ramrod straight, my movements elegant and graceful. All those grueling hours of training back in my own kingdom were finally paying off.

I decided to play along for now, hoping to finish these lessons quickly so I could get on with my real plans. The sooner this was over, the better.

"My, my, my, such excellent posture!" she exclaimed happily, her cheerful demeanor suddenly shifting as she turned to face me with a smile that held a hint of something... unsettling. "Since you already know the basics, I shall now instruct you in some of the specific etiquette rules of the Northern Kingdom."

She then skipped off, all bubbly and excited, like a child eager to show off a new toy. It was clear she was looking forward to putting me through my paces.

After a short while, she returned, and my eyes widened in disbelief. She was carrying a towering stack of books, followed by three other maids, each with their own pile.

My face scrunched up in dismay as the full weight of what I had just signed up for crashed down on me. I regretted my earlier cooperation immensely.

Ugh!

"We will begin by reviewing the history of the Northern Kingdom."

God save me!

_______

"You alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I shot a glare at Virgo, who was leaning against the doorframe, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. Letting out a loud, weary groan, I slumped back against the plush cushions of the couch, my current mood decidedly foul

"I have just fucking finished reading a five three-hundred-and-sixty-page book filled with the most mind-numbingly boring history of this kingdom, and I still have a dozen more to go," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm before another loud groan escaped me.

"I really fucking hate being engaged to some royal, ugh!" I exclaimed, the volume of my voice rising as the unpleasant memories of my own training as crown princess back home resurfaced.

Five years I endured that personal hell!
It had been less than two years since I had finally tasted freedom again.

And yet, here I was! Studying once more to become part of the royal family of the Northern Kingdom.

"Chop, chop, chop! Time to return to our lessons, Your Highness!"

I squeezed my eyes shut at the sound of that annoyingly cheerful voice. Duchess Valois was a true nightmare, far stricter than Countess Mae back home!

"Can't we possibly move this to tomorrow? I've just finished reading eighteen hundred pages in just two hours! That's practically humanly impossible!" I reasoned, desperately trying to negotiate, but she simply maintained her ever-present, smiley facade, completely unfazed by my whining.

"Back when I was training to become an instructor, I read over twenty-five hundred pages in less than three hours. And as our future Queen, you must set a proper example," she responded, that infuriatingly bright smile still firmly in place.

Seeing how utterly determined she was to make me wade through even more pages, I reluctantly gave in, dragging myself to the nearby chair and settling down with a sigh. Before me sat a daunting stack of at least a dozen more books, all of which I was apparently expected to finish reading by the end of the day.

Just as I was about to turn the first page of my sixth book, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway, growing louder as they approached the library.

"Your Grace!"

I turned towards the sound and saw the chamberlain rushing towards us, his face etched with worry.

"Is something wrong?" the Duchess asked, leading him to a more secluded corner of the library, out of my earshot.

I silently sent up a fervent prayer, hoping that whatever had happened was important enough to drag the Duchess away and grant me a temporary reprieve from this torturous training.

My hands continued to flip through the pages of the book, but my mind was elsewhere, consumed by curiosity about the hushed conversation between the Duchess and the chamberlain.

After what felt like an eternity, but was probably only ten minutes, the two emerged from the far corner and walked back towards me. True to form, the Duchess's smile was still firmly in place.

"Bad news, Your Majesty," she began, and a flicker of hope ignited within me based on her serious tone.

"I'm afraid we will have to end our lesson here and resume tomorrow. There has been an urgent matter that requires my immediate attention. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause," she finally said.

I did my best to maintain a calm exterior, carefully masking the surge of happiness that washed over me.

"Oh, what a shame..." Well, not really... I was actually ecstatic! This unexpected break meant I could start putting our plans into motion much sooner.

"Vina will arrange the books. You are free to leave now, Your Majesty. I shall see you tomorrow. Goodbye," she bid me farewell with a wave.

As soon as she was out of sight, I couldn't contain myself any longer. I let out a joyful whoop, expressing the pure relief that our lessons had ended early.

"Isn't this the perfect opportunity to put our plan into action?"