Familiar Voice (1)

"Mademoiselle Mirabelle von Castano, my name is Annabeth von Frei from your faction- a pleasure to make your acquaintance- starting from today- I am your etiquette teacher~," a middle-aged woman said as she slightly curtsied. Standing next to her was Butler Aaron who pushed back his round glasses and said:

"Mademoiselle, I have personally found an etiquette teacher who will prepare you for your debutante,"

I was blank- dumbfounded as I stared into their eyes. I bit my lips and forced myself to calm down. Seriously?? I gritted my teeth and saw the butler grunting, waiting for my response and greetings to Lady Annabeth.

Tch... he went ahead and played his move. Very well- I might as well play along with him. And when the time comes- I'll corner him.

I smile and nod my head towards Lady Annabeth:

"Thank you, Lady Annabeth, for coming this far to teach me, from now on- I'll be in your care-" I say as I lift the hem of my skirt and curtsy. I saw Lady Annabeth nod in approval as she saw my behavior.

"No, Mademoiselle- it's my honor to teach you,"

"Kindly sit down," I say as I signal her to sit right across me. Lady Annabeth, who had a piercing hawk-like amber eyes, and gray silky hair tied neatly into a bun- seemed quite stern.

"Very well, starting from today- I'll take a brief noting of your current progress of etiquette and continue from there," she said as her voice drops into a stern one. I nod along and quickly cast a small glare at the butler.

***

"Mademoiselle Mirabelle von Castano... nice to meet you... I'll be continuing as your history teacher..."

...

"Mademoiselle Mirabelle von Castano... an honor to meet you, my lady-... as if now, I'll be your loyal fief-"

...

"My lady... kindly take my greetings as if to be your dance teacher..."

...

***

My busy schedule immediately followed as I forced down a plastered smile on the face, hearing the flattery behind their voices. Of course, they would be flattering me- I was Duke Xavier von Castano's heir and the Archduke's fiancee by name.

I glared at Butler Aaron, who seemed to be beaming with joy for his newly owned victory. Haha... we'll see who wins after this old man... wait till I meet the Emperor... huhu...

I clenched my teeth and went further with my studies, locking myself up in my study room, and focusing on the tasks that my new teachers have given me.

I have done these things before, so I had no trouble handling taxes, governing the land and agriculture of the Castano faction from the document the fief Lord gave me. Etiquette, embroidery, history was just recalling the facts from a lost hidden treasure chest inside my brain that had to be dug out really hard.

Ah... I swear... from any moment now that I'll die from High blood pressure levels. Tch... better to die at your birthplace - than in some execution place.

...

"Mademoiselle, pardon me for my intrusion," Butler Aaron entered. I paused and looked up from my pile of stacks filled with work and glared at him.

"What-?" I say coldly, feeling the shift of atmosphere.

"Mademoiselle, I'll like to introduce you to an Elementalist Magical Minister teacher-" the Butler said. I paused. The what- teacher?

From the doorway, a pixie-like man entered. He was rather short, bald, and wore long robes. The man smiled and announced himself:

"Mademoiselle Mirabelle Estella Cissy von Castano, a pleasure to meet you- my lady," the man said. My eyebrows twitched. I swore on my name that I heard the voice somewhere. Where was it? Where was it?

"Mademoiselle, your class will start now," the Butler said as he set a few snacks on the table and left.

*BAM*

I stood from my seat and awkwardly stared at the man who called himself to be my new teacher. Ugh... another lecture lesson again. I smiled again and said:

"P-pleasure to make your acquaintance sir,"

"No need for honorifics," the awkwardly familiar voice said as his eyes twinkled in a weird strange way.

I know that I heard it from somewhere.

"Do you recognize me?" he said again. I paused. And I frowned and chillingly felt the odd familiarity, "Oh shit- it's you again. Fake God."