Chapter 34 Barkhof's Hall

While the skill set was different, most of the physical skills between an actor and a noble were the same. Control of one's expression and body were crucial for a noble lady to show off how amazing she was, and to maintain dignity and honor of a household. Nobles liked to endlessly compare and nitpick details and gossip about who was better or not better and any other number of pointless topics.

Actors on the other hand sold the idea that what was fake and false, was real and true. A trait common with nobles as well, who managed to impress the world that they were somehow superior. Thus, the transition to actress wasn't a difficult one, despite the time crunch she managed to take responsibility well enough.

As the lead in 'Songs of Fated Love, Assent of the Grand Deity'.

Hight ensured that there was no way she could play the imposing bandit leader against male lead due to their size difference. Further compounded by her effortless strength that came from being a golden core cultivator, the original actor folded his position with out struggle. Not that the noble wanted it but her carrying of the actor was a memorable scene that resonated with the test crowed. Thus, she was now the lead, Wen Bow of the cloud heaven immortal sect. Of course, it didn't start that way, the play opened to a destitute man who suddenly discovered a grand item that let him scathe the heavens apart. Rescue a few big, boobed beauties, take down an evil villain or two, slay a mythical beast and ascend the Dao without trouble bringing his harem along for the ride.

Content wise it wasn't interesting in the slightest, but as Valentine spent more time with it, she discovered that its real value was in the small details, about the people and the emotion that they could elicit even within such a trite plot.

It was there that the noble was troubled, excessing control of her state wasn't that troubling, it was conveying a bit of the soul of the matter. If it was to sweep another up in her charm, or the tensions from facing a monster or someone far stronger. Here the noble severely lacked.

"Didn't you have someone you were smiting with?" Playing harem member one, Di lee had warmed to their new lead quite quickly.

"I Think I do but I am uncertain of such…" Di had taking little time to realize that the noble wasn't the most talkative. This did not bother Mrs. Lee at all, her cheery demeanor and desire to ramble incessantly paired nicely.

"That's why you're having so much trouble with this! You got to embrace your inner girl and think of me as the dream boat you can't possibly let escape. Its not hard given my looks!"

Iris is far prettier than you are. Valentine had spent the last five years with young cultivators who despite the punishment, healed and recovered better.

Di Lee was in full costume, slightly reveling cultivator robes with a plunging neckline. Since this was the dress rehearsal, it wasn't long before the two would have to perform.

"I'm still to harsh with the girls…" Interpersonal skills were not a specialty of the noble. It showed when she tried to hint at deeper meanings with her acting.

"Nonsenses, just think of the one you love, and how you think they would feel." For a moment Valentine was lost because she didn't know for certain if she really loved Iris. Even than there were three women that formed the harem in the play, how was she supposed to imagine three people of the same person. For a moment she was non pulsed before it suddenly hit her. Three women appeared, each in the different costumes. One was the plunging cultivation neckline on her robes, the second was in line with a dancer, full of mesh and gauze and dangling bling, third was a wildly inappropriate demon outfit, skimpy with gold filigree and dark purple laces.

All three were clearly in the shape of Iris Xin.

For a moment the noble ignored the ramification of what it meant for her as a person, and just found the thought of the three of them nagging and teasing each other incredibly funny with just a pinch of heart racing from the seductress in purple.

"Three Iris…" Muttering this allowed the noble had a soft half smile, thinking about the martial sage.

"Flowers?" Di Lee watched as the noble was lost in her own thought, noticing how her expression conveyed a hint of longing, desire yet complicated love.

"Whatever you're feeling right now, keep that in mind. That expression is perfect to convey your desire but struggle with the world around you."

"You're going to do fine for the audience tomorrow so don't worry." Softly patting Valentine's head, the noble tilted back refusing to be pat.

"…" Di Lee smiled ruefully at the girls' silence and reproachful look.

!@# !@# !@#

Iris was unaware of the noble's tumultuous fantasy of her eventual Iris harem. Her thoughts were on the slow crawl of the carriage. Even if she wasn't a sage, a golden core could out trot a house over long distances, while at the peak they could out galloped them with ease.

Instead, it was rather quiet and peaceful, no one else bothered her by sharing a carriage. How stupidly boring the sage thought. This dress was a coffin so she couldn't even do marital practice to pass the time.

Which is why she was awoken later by a knocking sound, as well as admonished by the maid for her puffy face and drool. After some emergency face care, it was time for the first tea party the Rainbow Sage had ever attended. There were a few others leaving their carriage with escort knights helping them down.

"What a barbarian, I suppose your manners were injured with your body?" Countess Mocksure to be standing proudly, face covered with a feathered fan. Blond curls spilled everywhere, startling blue eyes and a dress with more ruffles than should have been allowed gave her a cuteish appearance, like a child pretending to be a grown up.

"I recovered some time ago…"

"And you refused my invitation for sweets at my family's new bakery? You dare to show here at this mere baroness first?"

With a snap the fan closed.

"Who are you?" Iris had never met the noble countess, nor had she become acquainted with any of the nobles. There were three occasions in which Lady Valentine attended social events in which Iris had not been present for. It was assumed that the noble met with this countess.

"That's Countess Mocksure, my lady, you knew each other from before." From behind the two maids that came from the duke estate. The noble across popped her fan back open in record time, to conceal her expression from the sheer audacity that the 'dukes daughter' had.

"Lady Mocksure, my injuries included head wounds so it's a pleasure to meet you." With a short curtsy, the sage didn't explain much.

"That's-I see, then I am Count Mocksure's eldest daughter, it's a pleasure to remake your acquaintance. Ignoring the bounced blond curls, the countess was at a lost. This person looked like the lady she use to know, but something felt off about it. If the girl didn't remember her rivalry wouldn't that make her look like a bad guy?

"So now what do we do?" Iris may have received training, but there was no desire to use it. Mocksure was getting considerable use out of her fan today to hide her expressions.

"How could you!" Sneaking closer the blond couldn't help but be shocked.

"There is no way that you can pass off such informality with a head injury!" Yelling as a whisper to the incognito sage.

"Since I can't bare to see you in such state, I will guide you today, but don't think that this is for free! I will use this to pull far ahead and leave you behind. We can settle our accounts latter, but for now we must greet the host as a priority. As high nobles we must show respect for customs so we can show just how flawless we are."

"You are a good friend." Iris stated off handedly. It was a shock; the reserved nature of Lady Valentine made the sage assume she had no friends. There was a lot for the sage to learn about noble culture, but shut ins were alive and well in the martial realm. Iris hadn't been bothered, the assent to godhood had been a difficult and rough affair, the peace was well apricated.

"We, are, rivals!" The blond girl hissed, leading her away from the maids and into the main estate. Iris followed without care, her skirt bouncing slightly as the walked in. Since this was a non-formal ceremony, there were no callers or elsewise, just a large entry hall with several small clusters of ladies gossiping about this or that.

Struck by the large indoor spaces, it was apparent to Iris who spent months cleaning the richly furnished ducal house that the wealth was not equivalent. Situated far outside the city center and the government offices, there was space to build, but as barons it was obvious that they lacked the wealth to spurge.

"Doesn't seem that nice." Iris muttered her thoughts allowed.

"Of course, its not, these barons don't have the prestige or wealth to manage such. They are just neatly placed. Princess Austria likes their daughter, they have enough to keep pace, but not enough to threaten. As the princess playmate they have no means of overcoming, keeps her highness safe and free to come without care."

"Famous family disciple than." Martial realm family had more kids than currently found in the noble realm. Sects would often give face to famous martial families by taking fifth six and on daughters and sons to ensure good relations. Since they were so far down the inheritance list for the family, barring extraordinary talent, they formed the bulk of the numbers of the inner disciples of a sect. Trusted enough to be sect members, but insignificant enough should something happen to them.

"What strangeness are you speaking of? Never mind Baroness Barkhof's daughter is here."

As guest Mocksure and Lockheed gave their names first. With a short curtsy, the baroness daughter as the host had to accept their greetings quickly as it was rude to make a higher noble wait. Failing to do so could be seen as disrespectful, and consequences of angering high nobility could be fatal.

"Greetings Duchess Lockheed, Countess Mocksure." Curtsying herself, baroness quickly stood so the higher nobles could relax.

"Where are the snacks?" Iris wasted no time, and the surprised baroness pointed off to the side. Without bothering to dismiss herself the noble in disguise went to raid the snack table.

"Did I do something wrong?" Barkhof asked uncertainly. Lady Lockheed held impeccable manners, even if she was poor at socializing, her demeanor and nobility were never questionable.

"Lady Lockheed suffered a grievous head wound, which left her unable to receive visitors for months. It appears the damage was significant, as she does not remember any of us." Looking surprised the baroness couldn't school her expression, tugging at her teal ruffles she finally lowered her voice, looking at the blond noble with clear sympathy.

"I'm so sorry that happened to your only friend…" It was said that one should be careful with what secrets they told. Having admitted once in a moment of weakness that Lady Lockheed was the only one who would keep up with her exaggerated nature.

"We are rivals! Rivals I said!" The blond cried out attracting the attention of those nearby.

Rainbow sage Iris on the other hand was enjoying the snack line with gusto. Unaware that she was indirectly torment her new acquaintance, quick marital techniques were used to load a plate well beyond its limits. Most cultivator gatherings had limited food since they didn't need to eat. Refined sugar had not yet been discovered in the martial realm, however advance machining had high quality flour and sugar turned in to delectably sweet deserts that the sage couldn't stay away from.

"This one is really tasty." Making some sort of pecan tart disappear, the sage glanced around. No one else seemed to be interested in talking to her. This suited the marital warrior who could keep the noble's quiet appearance while inhaling all the snacks.

It took a few moments, but the martial sage was oblivious to all the jealous glares of other ladies as they watched make her third cookie disappear. Most were dieting or restricted what they ate so they wouldn't gain inches when they were forced to eat at the tea table. Finally one of the more jealous cliques snapped.

Storming up the small group of ladies approached the desert table, intent on Iris Xin, pretending to be Lady Lockheed. Leading lady drew up and spat venomously.

"Is the Lockheed duchy in trouble?"