Elara was still in a daze as Madame Tilda led her to the palace interiors again. Why was the Queen Dowager cruel to her?
After all, Elara is all but a lowly tribute girl. How could she possibly be able to bow properly when she's never done that her whole life.
Madame Tilda instructed her to wait outside while she dragged the other girls outside.
"Where are you taking us?" Lady Seraphine asks, clearly displeased with how she's being dragged.
"I give you tour and palace rulebook" she grumbles back before starting her tour.
She led them all around the outer realm from the hall of sultans to the moon garden.
Elara was just walking but her mind wasn't with her. She felt lost. She just doesn't know how to survive this place.
"Now listen cause I only say this once. The palace rules are simple. Don't speak unless spoken to. Don't touch anything. When close to royalty, bow till he passes" Madame Tilda sighs clearly getting nowhere with the girls.
Elara's mind wasn't in the teachings and the other girls were simply gossiping with each other.
After a few hours in her room. Elara decided to have some fresh air so she got out of the palace interiors and mindlessly strolling the grounds.
Elara wished her friend was here with her. Because the castle is turning out to be a very big haunted house that looks innocent and pleasing on the outside.
Not taking note of the silhouette approaching her, Elara bumps into the Queen.
"My apologies" Queen Gabriella softly bows before noticing it was Elara.
"Your Highness" Elara tries bowing but the Queen stops her.
"I'm glad I met you here because princess Selene and I were thinking of ways to get to you" Elara's face scrunches.
"What do you mean?" The Queen softly guides her as they walk past the hall of sultans.
"We wanted to help you so that you'll not make a fool of yourself tomorrow"
"No shade intended your Highness, but I think that has already been done"
"Please drop the honorifics. Makes me feel uncomfortable" Elara simply nods her head before the Queen led them into her wing.
Elara was flabbergasted upon gazing at the marvellous interior design that is the Queen's wing.
"Elara!!!" Princess Selene hugs her profusely with so much relief in her. "I'm so glad you made it"
Selene glanced at Gabriella. "How did you get her out of the house?"
The Queen shrugs, removing her cloak. "I didn't, just saw her wondering around the hall of sultans"
The Queen instructs her maidens to leave them be.
"Okay" she claps her hands together before sighing. "Let's begin"
"First order of business. If you're living in the outer realm, it is vital to understand that a bow is important"
Princess Selene steps forward, gracefully bowing before saying; "You must bow upon entering any hall or courtyard."
"Eyes lowered until acknowledged by royalty. If not, stay bowed" the Queen added before gesturing for Elara to bow.
She tried but it looked like a pose one does when he's about to hurl his stomach contents.
"We have a long night cut out for us" the Queen sighs before calling her court maid. "Bring us strong tea that'll keep us up all night"
The Queen and Selene spent half an hour teaching Elara how to bow correctly and from there the lessons flowed easily.
"Speak only when spoken to by higher ranked members; Interrupting is punishable by public reprimand"
"Never touch palace properties without permission"
"Never make direct eye contact with the king unless invited"
"Never eat before royalty"
By the time the whole lesson was done, all the three parties were spent sleeping on top of each other while Elara subconsciously mumbles the lesson in her slumber.
Meanwhile in the house of petals, lady Seraphine went over to Elara's room and swiftly destroyed the dress meant for her tomorrow.