14

"Kalypso was glad that she retained the body's knowledge for things such as dance, sewing, and etiquette. It was all so very confusing." — Lovable Villainess, Chapter One.

....

I wasn't able to see Cain. It was pretty much expected as he was busy being the heir of the Valentine Duchy. It gave me time to ruminate about the novel that I knew. His name was never mentioned. Though, as I walked the hallways of the mansion, it was quite obvious that he lived here. His portrait hung along with the Duke's.

Yet, there wasn't a hint of him in the novel. As if his presence had been purged from ever existing. Kalypso never mentioned anything about seeing him or any hint of him and the Duke, he was the most confounding one. He didn't act like I knew that he should.

Aramus was supposed to be cruel, tyrannical, and absolutely horrible. He was supposed to shed that facade for Kalypso and only Kalypso. That was what endeared him to the fans, yet, he had gotten on his knees and apologized for what my parents had done.

Cain had chided me for calling them my parents and I explained I had no other word to label them. Pouting, Cain tapped my forehead stating that I should simply not think of them at all. I nodded. It was hard to try and resist Cain's influence, he was like a bulldozer.

Mina also wasn't mentioned and as I watched her interact with the staff, I wondered what had happened. Did they both die? How did they die? Why did I even care? I had promised to leave here, leave the confines of the novel as to try and protect myself.

"This will be your teacher," Aramus said, gesturing towards a beautiful woman with silver-blonde hair and eyes so light that they almost looked lavender. She was gorgeous, "She is Countess Isabelita Marino."

She curtsied, smiling sweetly at the Duke, "Thank you for calling me, Duke Valentine."

The dress she wore flashed like diamonds, and her low-cut chest of hers made me wonder where Aramus' gaze had been. But, he didn't even look at her, staring at me. "Is that alright, Ceasaria?" He asked. He shrugged off Isabelita for me.

"Yes," I answered back, bowing my head ever so slightly. What did I care? I didn't even want to have a teacher. I started to get used to lazing around, carefully walking around the manor and walking outside. I was apparently still too weak to do anything else, so, I slept a lot. I remembered the whole day going by as I lounged on the bed staring at the ceiling.

Maybe, my lazy tendencies were what inspired Aramus to get me a teacher.

"You have no reason to bow," Aramus said swiftly. Then, he finally turned to the Countess, "Treat her as if she was your own child."

Isabelita smiled, "Of course, Duke Valentina."

I had a feeling she was going to be troublesome. Following her gait, I realized that both Cain and Aramus had been slowing their pace down. It was hard for me to keep up with her despite the fact that she was wearing heels. We walked into an empty tea room and she walked to the books placed on the table.

"What did the Duke say your name was?"

"Ceasaria," I answered back.

The sweetness in her voice had vanished. She turned to me, a smile on her face, though she was lying. I wondered how I could sense hostility, was it simply because she felt like my mother looming over me? I didn't cower. I didn't feel the need to hide. I could light this place on fire—I sighed, I shouldn't. The last time I had used my magic I had practically almost died. My body couldn't handle it, that was what Aramus had told me.

I guess, I couldn't use magic.

She slammed the book down on my head. It didn't hurt, but my body shuddered on contact. It felt as though my brain was being scrambled. "Walk," she commanded letting go of the book. It was carefully balanced on my head.

She was being harsher than she needed to be.

I straightened my spine and walked. The book remained balanced. It was probably because I was so light that the book didn't have much to do. Isabelita clapped, "Wonderful! Wonderful!" She chirped, grabbing another book and beckoning me forward.

Did I have to stay here?

Did she treat her own daughter with this malice? She slammed another book down my head and snickered, "The Duke is far too kind, taking in strays."

Well, I hadn't even wanted to stay here. Was this kindness that he was showing me? Was this kindness she was showing me? I wasn't sure.

"Walk," she commanded.

I continued to walk. The books barely managed to stay on my head as she sneered. "There are no handouts in this world. You should be grateful that the Duke is so benevolent and forgiving. High society will not be."

It wasn't as if I wanted to join high society anyways. This felt reminiscent to a scene with Kalypso. She had a maid and she was cruel to her, almost burning her fingertips. But, she remained quiet afraid that Aramus wouldn't believe her. She didn't even leverage her own strengths. She remained staying quiet until one of the love interests found out, the Crown Prince, grabbing her by the arm and she yelped.

Tearfully, she told him and the Crown Prince barged inside of the Valentine household. Aramus angered by the maid's actions almost killed the woman but Kalypso begged for mercy. So, she was spared.

Yet, I didn't understand,

Kalypso was still a member of the Valentine household. If she had shown the scars and wounds, at least, she could have gotten her kicked out. Why did she pitifully stay in that position enduring? As I walked with Isabelita's gaze on me, I thought the same thing. Would I need to endure this?

Isabelita slammed the books atop my head once more. It felt as though my jaw would shatter from the force given. Perhaps, I was being dramatic. There was no need to cause a fuss over something that wouldn't even bruise or didn't even hurt.

"Walk," She said, laughing, "You should know your place. I'm doing you a favor." Her chirping voice felt annoying but I didn't say anything. I didn't say anything but my name.

I straightened my spine walking with the books and before I could even complete my walk, she slammed another book on my head. They tumbled to the ground. She clicked her tongue discomforted, "There's nothing we can do, is there?"

I didn't respond. Did I need to speak to her?

Reaching inside the bag that had been placed on the table, she pulled out a small flogger. "Offer me your arms."

I picked up the books on the ground, carefully dusted them off, and walked toward her. She smiled, "Roll up your sleeves, Ceasaria." The way she said my name made me want to cringe. It wasn't with the same warmth that Aramus said.

I walked to her and then, I walked right past her straight to the door.

Isabelita was left standing there, absolutely confused. My pace was calm as I walked back into the Duke's office.

"I don't need an etiquette teacher," I answered.

Aramus looked up, "Ok." He put down his quill, "Can you tell me why?"

"You have to believe me," I said, sternly.

"Why wouldn't I believe you?" He questioned, walking towards me and kneeling, "Ceasaria, did something happen?"

Isabelita finally seemed to realize where I had gone, "D-Duke! There you are! Why did you walk out?"

"What is that you're holding?" Aramus inquired.

In her haste, she hadn't dropped the flogger.