Chapter 1: A proper lady

"When you are a lady. It's all up to you," Azea heard for the millionth time. "You hold your head high with honor. It's a privilege to be graced by a prospective groom," the governess preached.

As a lady, she was expected to be kind to everyone. Tea parties, sewing, and crocheting are the ways to pass time when you are a lady.

Society dictated how she walked, talked, laughed with whom, and when. The governess spoke as though being a woman was being crowned queen.

There was nothing regal about having every detail of your life dictated to you. Azea couldn't be cheated to believe otherwise. Being a lady meant being a puppet to what society deemed right or wrong.

Azea stared out the window to the skies. Only a few years were left before she could be free. When she no longer needed to pretend or put on an act.

When she would pass the right age to marry and be chased off from the family. Where she would be free to live her life as a spinster away from the influence of society.

She imagined all the things she could accomplish with her freedom. Azea held her head in the palm of her hand. Getting lost in her thoughts.

"Azea, pay attention!" the governess shouted.

Azea cleared her eyes and glanced up at her. "I thought it was unladylike to raise one's voice?" she asked feigning an innocent look.

The governess cleared her voice. She scanned the room and found most of the girls staring at her puzzled by her sudden outburst.

"Yes, it's improper for a lady to raise her voice," she admitted embarrassed. "It's good to see that there might be hope for you yet."

Azea resisted the urge to roll her eyes. The appearance was important, she had learned that a long time ago. It was the key to getting her freedom.

She figured that as long as she appeared incompetent then no one would wish to marry her. It was the perfect plan and so far things were going well.

"But if people aren't listening then it must be right to shout. As you have done right?" she asked. "I will remember that."

The governess's head nearly exploded. She had just informed them that shouting was wrong, yet Azea seemed unable to understand that.

"Under no circumstances should a lady shout," the governess corrected.

"However when polite words don't work then one can sho..."

"Azea!"

The governess was compelled to shout once again. Azea raised her eyebrows at her. She found it amusing to push the woman's buttons. It was fun to watch her do the opposite of what she taught them to do.

"Are you sure that you are a lady, governess? You sure do raise your voice a lot," Azea pointed out.

The governess went red with rage. Teaching Azea Zal Dameo how to be a lady was the hardest task that had ever been presented to her.

Of all the brilliant minds that had been brought before her. She was the most difficult to handle. She found her irritating beyond words.

"Get out of my class, Azea," she put her foot down.

Azea was more than happy to be spared six more hours of what a proper lady should or should not do.

"I'm sorry governess, I will be quiet please don't chase me out. However, should I land a proposal if I don't learn to be a proper lady?" she asked the governess. Pretending with every nerve in her body to care about being a lady.

"You ponder on that outside," the governess remained firm.

Azea walked out of the room with her head down. The other girls in the room whispered amongst themselves pointing their fingers at her and silently sharing laughs.

All things that Azea could care less about. Unlike the girls in the room, she thought about her future. She wanted more than being a mindless puppet for a man.

So in a way she will be the one who laughs last. Azea went outside the building, once she was out of sight her frown turned upside down. A happy smile plastered on her face. She was the happiest lady in the world.

She stood upright and stretched her hands out letting the wind hit her body. The fresh air was freeing her soul.

Her heart jumped with joy. Azea raced to her secret spot behind the Academy and hid behind an old tree surrounded by a small bush. The bush covered the tree perfectly making it impossible for anyone to make out that she was there.

Azea sat herself down on the ground. She folded her legs and leaned back with her hands on the ground. She lifted her gaze to the sky.

She imagined riding a horse as men did. Being able to climb a tree without being shunned for stepping out of line.

There was nothing more out of line than having so many restrictions simply because she was a lady. Azea marveled at her dreams, with all the money she had, she was set to live like a queen for the rest of her life without a husband to support her.

Time passed by with her hiding away from her classes. When it was nearing lunchtime, Azea kissed her peace goodbye and got up.

She was beyond hungry. Having such unimaginable dreams sure made her hungry, she dusted her dress and rushed back.

On her way back, she caught a glimpse of a familiar face standing with the governess. Azea ducked and slowly crawled on the ground to reach the spot undetected. She had to hear what they were discussing.

"Mrs. Zal Dameo, I'm sorry to have called you in. But I'm afraid it is a matter of importance," the governess spoke out.

"Tell me," Azea's mother insisted.

"Your daughter. She is impossible, I will not lie but making a lady out of her is even beyond me," the governess said honestly. "She is useless and can't understand a single thing she is taught," she added.