66 Unprecedented

"Nobles have a handful of difficult ways when socializing with one another," Lovellia says, holding a pointing stick. "Unlike commoners, reputation is equivalent to their lives and future generations. A tarnish in the reputation can mean being stripped from a noble's corresponding rank, or in worse case scenarios, death."

Faustina nodded, noting everything in her journal.

"The most common way of interacting with others in a noble's circle is to attend a ball. A ball can be trivial on the surface but it is one of the most important events one must showcase herself; especially the debutantes, or the coming-of-age of noble children. That is at the age of eighteen."

"In your case, you haven't had your own debutante, correct?"

"Y-yes."

"Pardon me," Lovellia says, and then smiled. "I shan't be too inquisitive. I apologize."

"No, i-it's okay," Faustina replies.