The Romantic Lady

The bright pink carriage drawn by a team of white horses slowed to a stop in front of Academy de L'échec. A handsome butler got down from the carriage and gave a formal gentlemanly bow as he opened the door to the carriage, "M'lady, we have arrived."

A young lady dressed in a pink frilly dress lightly stepped off the carriage, once on the ground she opened a matching pink parasol. She waited for the butler to close the carriage door and then held the parasol out to him so that he could hold it for her as they walked through the entrance to the Academy. Once the two had walked a certain distance from the carriage it sped off. The butler escorted the young lady to the main office for the Academy. As they walked he was able to perfectly keep the sun from her face, even while maintaining perfect posture and poise. At the door to the office, he held the door and the parasol until his young lady had walked inside, the parasol closed and he followed behind.

A short time later, the Academy's Chairman walked out with the handsome butler and the young lady. Once outside, they all stopped until the parasol was opened and then they continued to walk around the campus. The Chairman would point out buildings and explain certain things to the butler, who would then speak to the young lady. When they reached the training ground the young lady spoke, "It isn't ladylike to sweat, I won't be involved with swordsmanship like a gentleman."

She waved her hand and then the butler explained to the Chairman, "Our young miss would like to study at the Academy but we would like you to do us the favor of waiving the mandatory swordsmanship class for the young miss."

The Chairman smiled and said, "I am sorry, but this is an Academy tradition as well as a rule."

The butler gave a soft smile and said, "Last week the Academy used one thousand pounds of beef, fourteen chickens, two hundred dozen eggs, one hundred pounds of cheese, forty gallons of milk and three hundred pounds of butter." He shifted the parasol that it kept coverage of his young miss as she moved a little to better see the training ground, "Your Academy will not be able to replace the losses locally if House Harcourt chooses to withdraw our business relationship."

The Chairman began to sweat and said, "I see." He thought for a moment and then said, "We would be happy to see Lady Harcourt attend classes here at Academy de L'échec."

The butler gave a half bow and said, "Thank you, Mr. Chairman, House Harcourt would like to offer you a 10% discount on next week's purchase order as a show of our gratitude."

"Is that him?" Lady Harcourt gave a gentle tug on her butler's sleeve as she pointed to the training ground.

"Our young miss wishes to know the identity of the young man sparring in the training field." The butler asked.

The Chairman looked out on the training ground and stated, "That is Lady Madeline Celeste d'Aumont and Sir Charles de Évreux."

"She doesn't look like a lady, that knight, is he a teacher here?" Lady Harcourt asked.

The Chairman answered, "He is a student this year."

"Which student is the villain, Guy the Molester?" The young lady asked.

Once again the Chairman answered, "Lord Montfort was injured a few weeks ago and is still recuperating."

"Is it true that the prince attends the Academy?" She asked.

The butler smiled at the Chairman and said to the young lady, "We believe that the prince enrolled at the Academy undercover. As such, the Chairman would not be at liberty to discuss this, young miss."

"I see." She smiled and then said, "I will start tomorrow, summon the carriage, I wish to return to the mansion."

The butler gave her a gentlemanly bow and they walked off at their normal slow pace leaving the Chairman behind. He wiped the sweat from his brow and said, "What a ferocious woman."

*****

"Why are you here?" Guy asked coldly.

Claude smirked and sat down hard in the chair by his bedside, "Lord Molester, you are as pleasant as always. I was just telling Madeline how nice our lunches have been since your absence began."

Guy frowned and then said, "I see you still haven't found the bathhouse."

Claude reached out and poked toward Guy's sore ribs, "Was it this side?" He grinned at Guy.

"Bastard! I hope you at least brought some playing cards." Guy grumbled.

Claude smiled and nodded, "I did, also, I brought the assignment list from your classes. Exams are coming up in a few weeks, I know how hard you work at staying at the top. I figured you might want to study. Also, I was hoping to study with you. My grades... Are a bit lacking."

"That's because you are as dumb as a rock." Guy grinned.

Claude shook his head and said, "That's funny because a rock was exactly how Madeline described my arm as she was holding it the other day."

"Bastard!" Guy smirked, "Alright, put the cards aside, lets study. The last thing I need is for you to score above me on the next exam."