50 First Sister (2/2)
Lucy lowers her eyes, resisting the urge to slap Rimes Dai. Looking down on my mother. Lucy clenches her teeth. How dare you? Lucy's eyes water suddenly. Failure. I'm such a failure. I keep making mistakes that make Mom look bad.
No. I won't let anyone look down on Mom. Lucy meets Dai's gaze, her eyes were wet but fierce startling the maid. {Third Miss seems angry. Is she hungry?} Rime Dai glances around, and moves a platter closer to Lucy.
Lucy's anger suddenly pesters out. Rimes Dai in the grand scheme of things was more respectful. Rimes Dai might feel disdain but she didn't call Mom trash, not even in her thoughts. It was better than some of the maids who served in this courtyard.
Lucy swallows. I must improve myself so no one can stay bad things about Mom. For the first time, Lucy wanted to train, wanted to study.
”Honored Mother is very nervous. I had to sneak out to see you.” Rosemary says, distracting Lucy. ”After my Awakening passes my time for lessons will decrease as I will begin attending Feasts and such” Rosemary says.
Lucy's eyebrows furrow. Big Sis Jiao was Awakened, but she didn't have to bother with that. Only girls 8-years old had to attend parties. ”So soon? Big Sis Jiao doesn't go to feasts” Lucy says.
First Sister smiles wryly. ”Even though Big Sis Jiao is Imperial Aunt's daughter. Imperial Aunt married into the Rimes Family, so her daughter isn't an Imperial Miss like us. As daughters of the Imperial Family, we must attend entertainments with grace and poise” Rosemary explains.
No. No! No! I don't want to do parties. My Name Day was so boring. Lucy tears up in her heart. My precious free time!
Lucy knew how many lessons the girls in the Rimes Family took up after their Awakenings. Magic lessons, combat, riding, medicine, dancing, singing, instrument, and embroidery lessons. Household management training, and body conditioning.
I will die.
Lucy sighs. Looking on the bright side, I can always imprint things when I have to memorize.
Feeling familiar energy, Lucy looks up to see Papa. ”Good morning, Papa” Lucy calls out. Rosemary freezes and stands to curtsey. First Sister swallows and softly calls out. ”This daughter greets Papa” First sister looks so nervous, Lucy's heart nearly exploded.
AH! My heart. I just want to hug you to death. So cute!
Papa's somber air softens as he smiles at Rosemary. ”Good morning, my daughters.” He says, then heads for Mom's rooms. Lucy watches him, her eyebrow lifting.
”Royal Father smiled at me” Rose whispers, her eyes wide as saucers. ”He never smiles at me!” Lucy nods smugly. ”Papa likes being called Papa,” Lucy explains. ”But, you call him Royal Father at times,” Rose says forehead creasing.
Lucy coughs. ”Yes, well…” Lucy shrugs. ”In public, one must follow etiquette,” Lucy says. One must adapt to the situation at hand to succeed
Lucy glances toward Mom's rooms, where Papa disappeared. I can't give anyone a chance to disdain my Mom. Lucy's eyes narrow. Papa had better be nice to Mom.