Chapter 14:Etiquette

"It seems you've already taken care of it, my Lady," Thomas said, examining the Rune stone.

Morrigan's stern gaze almost pierced Thomas. "Do you know who organized this?"

Thomas shook his head in disappointment. "Unfortunately not, my Lady."

"That they would even attempt such a thing," Maria said with concern. Maria, who had been tidying Morrigan's room throughout the events, was worried for her lady when she heard the news.

"Who could plan such a terrible thing?"

Thomas' thoughtful eyes turned to Maria. "The Church or someone who is an enemy of the Lady's family?"

"But why would they target my Lady?" Maria's question made even Jack stir with curiosity. Thomas shook his head. "I don't know who, but they must certainly be powerful."

Morrigan's eyes grew serious when she heard even Thomas call someone powerful. "How dangerous?"

Thomas showed his Lady the Rune stone in his hand. "A God-level Rune has been carved into this Stone, my Lady."

Morrigan's eyes widened in understanding, while Jack's eyes narrowed.

"Are you saying the one who planned this is a God?"

"Maybe or maybe not..." Thomas said, fiddling with the Rune stone. "But it's probably a Disciple."

"Wait a minute!" Maria's startled voice interrupted Thomas. "Are you talking about those who are even closer to God than a Saint?"

"Exactly." Thomas grinned.

When Jack understood what a Disciple was, he remembered the time he chose Morrigan as a Disciple. 'I wonder if there are other people like me?'

"What does Disciple mean?" Morrigan asked curiously, hearing such a thing for the first time.

Thomas adjusted his glasses and began to explain. "It's when a God or Goddess voluntarily shares their divinity with a person."

Morrigan was surprised, while Jack was surprised to remember that these concepts weren't even in the game. Thomas continued. "Technically, we can call them Demigods."

"A human body but with Godly power, something like that."

As Thomas fell silent, Maria interjected.

"According to legends, there was a time when the Gods' Disciples were everywhere, but humans grew arrogant and desired the Gods' throne for themselves."

"As punishment, the Gods unleashed natural disasters upon the world for 7 days and 7 nights," Maria felt a mix of admiration and fear as she spoke of this. "In the end, by the Gods' collective decision, choosing Disciples was forbidden."

"You seem quite knowledgeable about this."

Hearing Morrigan's compliment, Maria shyly scratched her head. "I was interested in legends as a young child."

"Most of them are just children's tales, though," Thomas said mockingly. Maria gave a rare eye roll. "You're just in denial."

"Is this Disciple dangerous?" Morrigan said seriously. Thomas stopped bickering and looked at Morrigan. "You are safe at the Academy and with me, my Lady."

"Nevertheless, we should increase security and conduct checks on every servant," Morrigan said, looking at Maria and Thomas. "When will my father arrive?"

"It has been postponed for some reasons, my Lady," Thomas said to Morrigan professionally. A flicker of disappointment appeared in Morrigan's eyes for a moment but vanished as quickly as it came.

"Well, let's start preparing for tomorrow then," Morrigan said. Maria smiled excitedly. "Trust us, my Lady. You will make a storm there."

"Maria, while you prepare the clothes, we will learn etiquette with Thomas." Maria nodded and excitedly went to prepare the outfit for Morrigan.

"You will learn the most basic etiquette for nobles in 3 hours," Thomas said and walked to the Salon with Morrigan.

Taking three books in his hand, Thomas looked into Morrigan's eyes. "You will walk with these books on your head, without losing your balance or dropping them."

Morrigan didn't object, took the books from Thomas, took a deep breath, and placed them on her head. After balancing them, Morrigan started walking slowly and was surprised that the books didn't fall.

"Was this supposed to be difficult?" Morrigan spoke as she walked, and growing bolder, she sped up and spun around.

Despite this, the books didn't even budge. A pleased smile appeared on Thomas' lips. "My Lady, you truly are a rare talent."

Although Morrigan didn't understand why she was being praised for such a thing, she ignored it. She took the books from her head and returned them to Thomas.

"This seems like it will go faster than it should." Thomas was genuinely curious about the extent of his Lady's limits.

"My Lady, this time you will have a tea-drinking lesson." Thomas said as he quickly brought a table and chair.

After brewing tea for a while, he brought a cup and placed it in front of Morrigan. "Now, my Lady, let's first talk about the rules. The unspoken rules."

Morrigan's eyebrow rose in surprise. "Unspoken rules?"

Thomas smiled and nodded. "In short, things not to do at a tea party."

"First of all, never touch your tea before the Queen takes a sip from hers," Thomas said, pointing with his finger. "If you do that, it will be seen as disrespecting the Queen's authority."

"What if I ignore it?" Hearing Morrigan's question, Thomas laughed. "Nothing will happen, but still, be careful not to do it. The Queen can be touchy."

Morrigan nodded. Thomas continued. "The second thing is, never start your tea before a Noble Lady of higher rank than you drinks hers."

"However, since you are the daughter of a Duke, you are naturally the highest-ranking person after the Queen." Hearing Thomas, Morrigan relaxed; at least she wouldn't have to struggle too much.

"The third and final rule is to never let others walk all over you," Thomas said seriously. "That place is full of Nobles who prey on and target the weakest, like a pack of wolves. The slightest sign of weakness will let the entire society know about it."

Morrigan nodded seriously.

"Alright, let's begin before the tea gets cold. First, wrap your index and middle fingers around the tea handle while keeping the rest of your fingers back and your pinky in the air."

Following Thomas's instructions, Morrigan separated the teacup from its saucer.

"Incorrect," Thomas interrupted. "First mistake, don't lift the cup in the air, gently pull it towards yourself diagonally, bend your arm, and slightly tilt your head."

Morrigan gently pulled the cup towards herself as instructed, slightly tilting her head, but Thomas wasn't satisfied. "Your eyes should never be on the cup, it's a sign of insecurity."

Although Morrigan frowned, she nodded. She made eye contact with Thomas.

"While looking into someone's eyes, have a small smile on your lips, it's considered polite."

Morrigan forced herself to smile.

"It looks too artificial, be more natural and sincere," Thomas said, sounding annoyed.

Morrigan carefully lifted the cup and took a sip. Again, Thomas's voice interrupted her. "When taking a sip, don't hold the cup straight, tilt the back slightly backward."

Morrigan nodded. After taking a sip, she offered Thomas a subtle smile. Thomas nodded in satisfaction. "That was the basic level. We'll move on to the intermediate level."

Morrigan looked at Thomas curiously, wondering what the intermediate level entailed.

"This time, you'll learn how to curtsy," Thomas said, standing up. "When you first enter, your goal will always be to greet the Queen."

Morrigan nodded, and Thomas continued. "You'll hold both ends of your skirt and curtsy without hunching your back."

"Now try it, please." Thomas stepped back and watched Morrigan. Morrigan stepped forward and slightly lifted her skirt. She created a subtle smile on her face. "How was that?"

"Not bad, but it could be better," Thomas said. Morrigan felt that Thomas was very meticulous. "Always when curtsying, one foot should be in front, the other foot back, and your knees slightly bent."

"How's this?" Morrigan asked after doing it once more. There was a satisfied smile on Thomas's face. "When you greet the Queen, slightly lower your eyes, it will add extra charm."

"But remember, never open your skirt enough to show your knees," Thomas said, "It might make you look seductive, but it's seen as disrespectful."

"Also, when you meet the King, your eyes should be on the ground."

Listening to Thomas, Morrigan etched these instructions in her mind.

Curtsying as Thomas instructed, Morrigan bowed and maintained a high-class posture. Thomas applauded. "Bravo, My Lady. You've mastered these in just half an hour."

"Now you will learn the polite way of speaking. First, never ask simple questions like age or health; make sure you research the nobles thoroughly and gently stroke their egos."

"What do you mean?" Morrigan asked, raising an eyebrow with amusement. "For example, when complimenting a lady, it is more appropriate to say that the outfit was made for her rather than just saying it looks good on her."

"When the Queen and King are in the same place, you greet the King first, then the Queen, then the Princes, and finally the Princesses," Thomas said. "During a tea party, you cannot sit until the Queen sits, and interrupting the Queen while she is speaking is considered disrespectful."

"Are there really that many rules?" Morrigan asked, raising an eyebrow. Thomas nodded with a grin. "Some rules are really quite ridiculous."

"Such as, for instance, the ban on going to the lavatory at noble parties."

"Wait, is there really such a rule?" A faint smile appeared on Morrigan's lips. "Isn't that quite ridiculous?"

"Actually, it stems from something quite amusing," Thomas said with a playful expression. "Four hundred years ago, there were sewers under the nobles' homes."

"So you mean?" Morrigan asked with suspicion. Thomas's grin widened. "Once, during a party, the king of the time fell into the sewer due to a collapsing wooden floor and died. From then on, using the lavatory at parties was banned, and the sewer system was improved throughout the city."

Morrigan's smile involuntarily grew. "That's interesting."

"Anyway, now that the short story is over, let's continue."

Morrigan nodded and focused. Thomas continued. "If a lower-ranked lady does not greet you, scold her instead of making a jest about it."

"What purpose will that serve?" Morrigan didn't understand why she should do that. A hint of seriousness appeared on Thomas's face. "Because the Queen's tea party is not just a party; it's an assessment, an agenda, a gossip, and a place for trade."

"The Queen's tea party can make you famous or disgrace you," Thomas said in a deep tone. "Remember, the Queen is aware of everything that happens there. It's both an opportunity and a risk for you."

As Morrigan's eyes sparkled, a satisfied smile appeared on Thomas's face. "I assume you understand, so let's move on, my Lady."

"At the tea party, refuse any requests for help from ladies," Thomas said. "Remember, you are a Duke's daughter, not an ordinary servant. Act accordingly."

"Also, don't drink more than two cups of tea," Thomas said. "And don't start eating the desserts after drinking tea; you'll first engage in conversation with the ladies, and only start on the desserts after the Queen begins."

"These rules are simple but important."

"I understand," Morrigan agreed, although she found the rules absurd. A look of satisfaction appeared on Thomas's face. "You're learning very quickly, my Lady."

"Is it that hard to learn?"

"Some ladies spend 5-6 months learning these rules, my Lady."

Although Morrigan didn't understand why this was so exaggerated, she still found etiquette to be simple. "Since that's done, let's move on to choosing an outfit."

Thomas nodded. Even if Morrigan hadn't learned everything, she had at least grasped the essentials for the tea party. "As you wish, my Lady."

As Morrigan walked gracefully, Thomas cleared away the table and the tea cup.