My name is Albell Sentnaria. I am a 4th generation boy of the famed Sentnaria merchant family. Unlike other merchant families, my family is incredibly poor. So when someone of high birth offered a large sum to my family in exchange for marrying me to his child, my family jumped at the chance. Now here's my dilemma. I'm betrothed to the prince of the kingdom, who has a weird taste in brides. Depending on how I seduce him, I will either have him as my bride or he will have me as his bride. To make matters worse, I will have to seduce him, who will be crossdressing as the princess of the kingdom while crossdressing myself as a young girl. Why me?!!! The Bride's Groom Chapter 2 A tale of crossdressing love between two straight boys. By Shinieris

“Will you be okay here, my lady?” my manservant cum carriage-driver, Jaxon, asks while holding a laugh. Meanwhile, my other manservant, Yornell, brings down the last of my luggage from the top of the carriage.

“It’s okay, you can laugh, Jaxon,” I say as he releases tiny spurts of air from between his lips.

“Uhm, uhum, I don’t, uhum, think that’s appropriate, my lady, heh, hehe,” Jaxon says as he tries to control his natural reaction. Jaxon has been with our family since before I was born, if there is one person left in this world who knows my true gender, that’s him.

“Sobs, sobs. My lady, I wish you can bring me along. Who will clean your room? Who will make your tea? Who will do your makeups?” my maid, Ylny sobs into her handkerchief.

“Ylny, I’m sorry, school regulations state that-“

“Not that you actually need makeups. It really pisses me off that you can look so pretty… why can’t God give me your face?” Ylny says suddenly.

This again? She gave me grief about this just last night. “Umm, Ylny, do you have to say this again?”

“Why?!!! Give me your beauty!!!” Ylny lunges forward, kissing, and sucking my smooth youthful cheeks.

“Well, I’ll miss you too, Ylny. I’ll be home during semester breaks, so take care of the house and great uncle Adolphus for me, okay?” I say to her as I hug her tight. Ylny was brought to our home to serve as my maid and playmate when she was only 8 years old. Being two years older, I always saw her as something like an older sister as we grew up together. In front of my mother, she was the perfect dutiful maid and servant. When my mother wasn’t around though, she was the big sister I never had.

“Are these your entire luggage, my lady?” the head of a trio of maids speaks to me.

“Yes, are you here to deliver it to my room?” I ask as Ylny bawls her eyes out on my brand new school uniform.

“Yes, these maids will ensure that your luggage arrives in your room. I will be showing you to your room once you’re ready to enter,” the head of the trio of maids speaks while her coworkers lift my entire luggage onto two trolleys.

The two maids bow at me and ask to be excused, to which I allow them to. Then they push the trolleys carrying my luggage and the few worldly possessions I have towards the Rose Dorm, where I will be staying for the next three years. Three god damned long years, where I will spend all my time seducing the crown prince of the kingdom. Mother had explained to me how I was supposed to satisfy him if he requested it, but for the love of my cute behind, I pray that it will never cross his mind.

Suddenly Ylny raises herself and places her lips to my ear as she says, “Please be careful to avoid letting others find out that you’re a trap, Bell. I’m sure you can guess how your mother will react if she finds out that you’re kicked from school.”

My body shivers as I involuntarily imagining that happening. “You don’t need to remind me.”

“I hope not. Don’t let ‘him’ bully you, okay?” Ylny says as she hugs me around my shoulders, since she is still about a head taller than me.

By ‘him’, I think she means the prince. “Of course not. Do I look like someone easily bullied?”

“To tell the truth, yes. You’re so darn delicate it’s so easy to bully you, Bell. If I am in a different household, I would’ve been flogged already. Well, that’s in the past. Take care, Bell. Be strong.”

“You too, Ylny,” I say while hugging her around her waist, wondering when I will be taller than her.

After a few seconds, she retreats before going to stand to the left of Jaxon. Together, they bow at me while wishing me good health. I turn around, open my parasol and walk behind the school’s maid under the shade of my parasol as I leave behind the only family I have ever known. When I hear the sound of the gate being shut, I know that there is no turning back now. From now until my graduation, this school will be my world.

Suddenly the maid stops and turns to me with eyes downcast. “The headmistress told me to bring you to meet her right away, my lady. But do you prefer to have breakfast or freshen yourself up first, my lady?”

I wipe the sweat on my forehead as I realize that my skin feels clammy. “I’ve had breakfast. Can you take me to the closest washroom?”

“Of course, my lady. Please follow me,” the maid says as she takes a different route through a garden.

The garden is best described as a mismatch of many different types of tall trees and flowers with a walkway paved with marble. On the school’s side, the grassy ground is covered in flowers of all kinds. Lavenders, roses, spider-lilies, gardenias and jasmines dot the grounds and the balconies of the school. On the other side of the walkway, tall trees pruned to provide shade to the walkway stands proudly. Vines of wisteria hangs and wraps around its branches, providing another source of sweet smell to the garden. For some reason, I find myself being cleansed of my worries, of having to seduce the prince and marrying a boy.

God, just thinking that annoys me.

“Hey, are you a new student?” a sweet voice says making me open my eyes to a girl probably about my age. She’s carrying a watering can on her gloved right hand and a trowel on her gloved left hand. She smiles sweetly as she looks me in the eyes.

My first friend, yay! “Hi there, I’m-,”

“Annise, what are you doing being rude to Lady Alya, Countess of Maurice?” the maid scolds.

“Countess?” the girl’s face pales as she realizes who she is talking to, “I am so sorry, my lady. Please forgive my insolence.”

She runs away as quickly as she appears. Seriously, I’m not mad, I try to tell her that, but she’s like a ghost. One moment she’s there, in the blink of an eye, she’s gone.

“Who was that?” I ask the maid as we continue walking.

“A fellow student like you, my lady.”

“Do all the students here do that? Gardening, I mean.”

“Oh no. No, my lady, students don’t do that here. Annise is a scholarship student. She is also our groundskeeper along with two other maids. At most you will only learn to prune potted plants in home economics class, my lady.”

“Hum, I was wondering if gardening is a subject taught here. I’d like to learn how to care for a garden like this.”

Suddenly the maid bows at me. “I beg of you, please do not mention this to the headmistress, my lady.”

I am shocked a little to see her bowing so suddenly, but she probably has her own reasons. “Alright, fine. I’ll keep quiet. You’ll probably get into trouble if the headmistress hears of this, won’t you?”

“I thank you very much, my lady,” the maid says as she stands straight again and leads me to a washroom.

I wash my face as thoroughly as I can, then realizing that all my handkerchiefs are in my bags. I look around trying to find something to wipe my face with when the maid’s voice startles me.

“Please use this, my lady,” the maid says as she hands me a white towel with the school’s coat of arms.

“Thank you,” I say as I take the towel from her hands.

“Are you ready to meet the headmistress now, my lady?” the maid asks with eyes downcast.

“Yeah, sure,” I say to her as I hand her the towel. Might as well get this over with.

The maid places the towel into a basket at the bottom of the cupboard next to the sink. She turns gracefully and she says, “Please follow me, my lady,” as she takes the lead.

We walk up the stairs, across halls until we arrive at the 3rd floor of the administration building. There, the maid walk up to the sole door along the corridor with the plaque bearing the name Arreana Fessack, Headmistress nailed on the door. She knocks it thrice, states who she is and who she’s bringing before opening the door.

It’s a very big office, much bigger than my father’s office at any rate. On the left wall, there’s a bookcase where probably a hundred thick books are kept. Opposite it, there are cupboards and another smaller, but taller bookcase which keeps many big folders upon its many shelves. A large desk with a woman is in front of me, with a large sliding window behind her. The woman stands up when she sees me enter and gestures me forward as she tells the maid to stand wait outside.

“Please have a seat,” the woman says as she takes a seat herself, “I am Headmistress Arreana Fessack of St. Carina’s School for Graceful and Elegant Ladies. I have been the headmistress here for 22 years and I know all kinds of mischief you girls can get into. So if you’re caught doing something bad, confess, because when I find out who did it, you WILL be punished.”

Wow, not even an hour and I’m already being lectured.

“Umm, well, I am-,” I say before she raises her hand to signal me to stop.

“I am not quite finished, my dear. Let’s just say that trying to hide a misdemeanour will subject you to an even worse punishment, as your mother is well aware.”

“Wait, you know my mother?”

“Of course, I do. Troublesome child she was. When she came here, I was still only a new teacher teaching morals and home economics. Got into one trouble after another, that one.”

“But mother graduated from the Free School of Se Alinop.”

“So she did continue her studies. We haven’t heard anything from her after she ran away from St. Carina. Too stuffy, she said, humph!”

“If you don’t mind me asking, headmistress, why did mother ran away?”

“Did you not hear what I just said? She thought this school was too stuffy. Obviously our school doesn’t cater to her rebellious and free-spirited majesty. Yet she dared to come to me one day and told me to admit her daughter into St. Carina. How shameless! One would expect that she would be too ashamed to face me, but not her, just like she was when she studied here! Shameless!”

“Umm, well, mother can be pushy sometimes.”

The headmistress glares at me. “I hope to God that you will not become like her. But anyway, let’s move forward to what you’re here for,” she glares at me again as she takes up a heavy folder and flips a few pages, “Countess Alya Belluca Sentnaria, Countess of Maurice, yes? Recently named as heir to Adolphus Sentnaria, Count of Maurice, acquiring the title as Count Adolphus Sentnaria retires from his position. Although the inheritance ceremony has yet to be performed, the king himself wrote a letter of assurance that the title will pass on to you. Now as for academics, apart from Home Economics, Mathematics and Swimming, all your other subjects are terrible. Don’t worry, our wonderful teaching staff at St. Carina will ensure your grades rise by any means necessary.”

I don’t like the sound of ‘any means necessary’.

“As a countess, you have first choice of lodging, and your mother has chosen a Duchess Suite of the Rose Garden. Payment has already been made and monthly fees have already been arranged. There are two other residents on the top floor suites of Rose Garden, but one is away due to an illness and another is antisocial, so you will have plenty of time and space to concentrate on your studies without interference from others. As a resident of a Duchess Suite, your meal arrangements are different from those who stay in the dorms. This booklet gives you the details, please read it in your room later,” the headmistress says as she pushes a booklet with the title “Special Meals and Priviledges of Duchess Suite Residents’ at me.

I open the booklet just a peek.

“I SAID LATER!” the headmistress yells in a shrill voice making me drop the booklet onto the desk. Her voice really shakes the brain.

She glares at me as she says, “St. Carina is divided into 5 main sections: Academics, Administration, Students Center, Dorms and Field. Students Center is a section where you can find the Students Council Office, Savings Office, Procurement Office, Shops and Cafes and various clubs, which you may join as you wish. The Field section, is basically split into 3 parts: the largest is the track field, tennis and volleyball courts and the swimming pool, another is the church, which you can visit any time of day, except during classes and the last is the school ruins, which you must NEVER get close to. The old ruins have been walled off, but every year there are always girls who think that entering the ruins raise their standing among their fellow students. As for the rest, you can read it in this booklet,” she says as she pushes a booklet with the title “St. Carina’s School, Sections and School Regulations’ on its cover.

Apart from the booklet, there is also something that looks like a small leather wallet. The wallet is thin and its size is a little bigger than my palm, but significantly longer. Curiosity got me and I open the wallet-like thing, expecting to be scolded. I breathe a sigh of relief when she remains quiet. On one side of the wallet is my student card, with my face, my date of birth and the date I enter school, which is today. Right under my face are my name and title, both of which are written in big bold letters. I suppose the school doesn’t want people to offend a countess or something. On the other part of the wallet are sleeves which looks as if they are meant to hold cards or notes with one vertical sleeve looking like it is designed to also hold ema bills.

The headmistress glares at me through squinted eyes. “Another thing that I will stress to you, and I need you to listen very closely, because I am tired of saying this over and over again. DO NOT violate curfew. Curfew starts at 9 in the evening and ends at 5 in the morning. If the maids catch you loitering around after curfew, not even your mother will be able to save you.”

“Umm, okay,” I say with sweat flowing down my face.

I wonder who’s scarier, the headmistress or my mother.

“That will be all. This is your student handbook. Read it at your leisure. You join our school a semester later than the others, I hope you can cope with the lessons. If you need extra help, I’m sure you can ask for extra tutoring from your seniors or the teachers. Do you have any questions for me for now?”

“Umm, no? Think not.”

“Well then, I guess our meeting here is over,” the headmistress says as she rings the bell on her desk, “Before I forget, there is a letter addressed to you. Kindly pick it up at the Mail Office. Marea, please get her acquainted with her homeroom teacher, Ms Rosecca. After that, lead her to her room. You may go.”

The maid curtsies as she leads the way downstairs

“Miss Rosecca,” the maid calls once the door to the staff room is open. She repeats twice more.

“Maya, the maid’s calling for you!” one of the women sitting at a desk nearby calls.

Still no answer.

“Just go in, Marea. You know how she is,” the woman urges.

“Thank you, Miss Yuorish,” Marea the maid bows as she leads me into the staff office.

“Miss Rosecca,” Marea calls once she stands behind a red-headed woman.

“Miss Rosecca,” she calls again without receiving any kind of reply.

Is she calling the wrong person?

“Ey, Maya,” the woman sitting next to Miss Rosecca taps the partition separating their desks, “The maid is calling for you.”

“Huh? Really?” she turns around and stands up in front of us, “Oh sorry, I didn’t realize you’re here. You’re… you’re…”

“My name is Marea. I am one of the maids in charge of student admission. I am here bringing a student who will be in your homeroom, miss,” Marea bows to the woman.

“Oh, another student for my homeroom then? Fantastic!” Miss Rosecca shakes my hand as she introduces herself, or at least attempts to, “My name is… uhhh… my name is…” she turns to Marea, “Hey, what’s my name again?”

“You are Miss Maya Rosecca, miss,” Marea answers without changing her expression.

“Oh my, is that my name? Are you sure?”

“Yes, as far as I know, miss.”

“It doesn’t ring a bell at all. Well anyway, I teach… uhh… what do I teach again?”

“Geometry and Algebra, miss.”

“Really?” she looks at the writings on her desk and the books on the bookcase on her desk.

“I suppose I am,” she laughs, as the woman sitting next to her desk mumbles something incoherent.

“I’m dreadfully sorry. My brain is all muddled lately. It’s so hard to remember details. I was hit by a stagecoach when I-.”

“No you did not! You sniffed too much chemical fumes the last time you went to the chemistry lab!” the woman sitting next to her argues.

“Oh my! Are you sure about that… umm… do I know you?”

“It’s Lacrina! Lacrina Escha! For the last time, I teach chemistry!”

“If you will excuse me, Miss Rosecca, Miss Escha, Lady Alya needs to go elsewhere for now. She will start classes tomorrow.”

“Oh ok, see you later…. uhh…”

“My name is Alya Belluca Sentnaria, Miss Rosecca,” I say, conveniently forgetting to include my title.

“Oh, the piemaker? I’m a big fan of your pies. I go there every weekend or is it every two weekends?”

Piemaker?

“She is the new Countess of Maurice, miss,” the maid helpfully adds.

“Ohhh, a countess, who also makes pies!”

“…”

“This is great! I haven’t seen a princess and a countess under the same roof for some years now,” Miss Rosecca remarks, “What’s next? A baroness who builds boats? A duchess who sews dolls? A Vestal Virgin who makes iron tools?”

“The princess is already here?” I ask, a little curious. I decide to ignore everything else she says that have nothing to do with me.

“Yes, she started classes last week. Though you won’t be going to the same classes as her, she’s in 5th Grade. You’re in 4th Grade, I heard,” she says, though how she can remember what grade I am is quite a mystery. It seems like not all of her memory’s gone.

“If you will excuse us, Miss Rosecca, the countess needs to start unpacking her luggage,” Marea bows.

“Oh of course. Have fun. Tell your father I love his pies!”

“You idiot cow, the bakery’s name is Senarys. She’s Sentnaria!” Miss Escha says when we were at the door.

“What bakery? Who’s Sentnaria? Do I know you?” my homeroom teacher asks.

The last sound that I hear before the door is fully closed is the loud groaning sound of the exasperated Miss Escha.

******

“So this is my room?” I ask as I open the door with the illustration of a cat on it.

Just beyond the door, is a large, luxurious bedroom. I can even see illusions of sparkles and flowers, the kind of feeling that one gets when seeing a work of art. On one side of the room is the four poster bed, which from the size can apparently fit at least 5 girls my size. Next to it, standing against the wall is a large armoire, which from the look of it can fit even the bed inside. On the other side of the bed is a vanity table set made partially of real ivory. Across it, a study desk and chair with bookcase is placed in a way that makes the room appear more spacious than it actually is. The rest of the walls are decorated with glass cupboards and imitations of famous paintings.

I walk to the door leading to the balcony. Opening it, I close my eyes at the feeling of highland breeze caressing my face. In front of me, right on the circular balcony is a dining table and three chairs, probably for enjoying tea with friends.

Let’s hope I may find friends here soon.

“Lady Alya,” the maid calls.

“Yes?” I still find it hard to get used to being called ‘lady’.

“I shall leave you to familiarize yourself with your room for now, my lady. If you need any assistance, please pull on this rope,” she says as she points at a rope that hangs down from the ceiling.

This is just like in one of those period novels. Pull the rope and servants come running. Maybe there are even a couple of secret passages too. Need to pull on all those candle holders.

“Alright, I’ll remember that.”

“Please excuse me, my lady,” she bows as she turns around and leave through the open door.

As soon as the door closes, I jump onto the bed.

“Ohhh, this is so good. I can get used to this,” I say to myself as I test the bounciness of the bed.

Then once I’m settled, I open the booklets provided by the headmistress and starts reading.

St. Carina's School for Graceful and Elegant Ladies, School Sections and Regulations

Attire

1) Students may only wear the school uniform during class except for Physical Education, where gym uniforms are required.

2) Skirts must not be more than 4 inches above the knees.

3) Adornments on the school uniforms are not allowed.

4) Students may only wear adornments on the ears (one each), at most two rings, a pendant and a bracelet. This does not include the bells given to Duchess Suite residents.

5) Socks must be white or close to white. Shoes must be black or very dark coloured brown. Sports shoes must be worn for Physical Education.

6) Outside of classes, students may wear any clothing that is not offensive or sexual.

7) Students must wear their school uniforms during outings to the town, unless prior permission is obtained for wearing something else outside the school.

The School Sections

1) The Academics Section
a) The Ruby Building
- A building dedicated to the education of the lower high students, ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 3
- Classes for Special Needs Students are also situated here
- The Student's Council's Annex is located on the 1st floor.
b) The Sapphire Building
- A building dedicated to the education of the upper high students, ranging from Grade 4 to Grade 6.
- The Student Council's Annex is located on the 3rd floor

2) Administration
a) The Headmistress's office. The headmistress's office is on the 3rd floor of the Administration building. Students and Guardians may acquire an appointment with the headmistress by going to the front desk on the 1st floor.
b) Staff and Student Archives. The archives are on the 3rd floor of the administration building. Access is only allowed to a few select individuals.
c) Staff Office and Lounge. The Staff Office is located on the 2nd floor of the Administration building.
d) Admission and Academic Office. Located on the 1st Floor
e) Accounting Office. Located on the 1st floor.

3) Student's Center.
a) The Summer Building.
+ Home to the Student Council's Office located on the 3rd Floor.
+ Procurement Office, 2nd Floor.
- Students may purchase school stationery and tools necessary for their studies
- Students may purchase school and gym uniforms here.
- Students may purchase additional school books or exercise books here.
+ Mail office, 2nd Floor.
- Students may exchange mail vouchers for money or purchase mail vouchers here.
- Students may check for their mails here.
- Students may deliver their mails here.
- Students may buy postage stamps, postcards or special edition stamps.
+ Shops and Cafes (all shops and cafes can be found on the 1st floor)
- The Laughing Cat Cafe offers good food, beverage and desserts at a fair price.
- The Merchant's Way offers sundries, groceries and general items at a fair price.
- The Fitness Lady offers sport equipment as well as special interest items at a fair price.
- The Young Lady Restaurant offers good food, beverage and desserts at a fair price.
+ Savings Office, basement
- Students may deposit their ema or catty here as either savings account or investments account.
- Private vaults may also be rented here
b) The Spring Building. Home to various clubs and extracurricular activities.
- There are also various shops set by various student clubs.
- Students may join any club, with a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 4. Student Council counts as a club.
- Students are not allowed to stay after curfew, with the exception of the night before Culture Festival.

4) Dorms.
a) The Gardenia Terraces
- 4-person bedrooms or 2 person bedrooms set on a hill overlooking the school grounds.
- Has a small kitchen for students to cook on their own.
- An average sized open-air communal bath with heated water properly cleaned and maintained by the school maids.
- May accomodate 120 students at full capacity.
b) The Lavender Tower
- Tallest building in the school, allows residents to observe as far as the ports of A' Durus on a clear day.
- Single rooms with attached balconies for those who prefer privacy.
- Has a small sized communal bath with heated water properly cleaned and maintain by the school maids.
- No kitchen
- Can accomodate 24 students at full capacity.
c) The Rose Gardens
- Boarding house-style rooms on the second and third floor, enough to accomodate between 8-12 students in each dorm room at the same time.
- Large kitchen for students to cook on their own.
- A large communal bath with heated water properly cleaned and maintained by the school maids.
- Can accomodate 400 students at full capacity.
- Top floor houses the six Duchess Suites with its own open-air communal bath and its own entryway and spiral staircase tower.

5) The Fields
a) An outdoor area that is home to a standard sized galsican track, 2 tennis courts, 2 volleyball courts, 1 galsican-standard swimming pool and access to the mountains behind the school.
b) The church is where students may come to pray at any time of the day. The church can seat 300 students at the same time. Students may also earn a little pocket money by working part-time at the church on weekday evenings or weekends.
c) The old ruins. It is a forbidden area. Any student who wanders past the wall into the old ruins will be subjected to heavy punishment. Repeated violations by any student shall result in expulsion.

Special provisions

1) Students may request to stay in bed or in isolation upon being diagnosed with an illness.

2) Students with special needs will have their needs catered to as per the headmistress's approval.

3) Students who are part of the student council may stay at the Student Center section after curfew.

4) Students will be allowed to go home during family emergencies

School Rules

1) Students are not allowed to bring males to their rooms at any time under any circumstance.

2) Students are not allowed to leave school grounds during school season without prior permission

3) Students are not allowed to loiter outside their rooms after curfew

4) Students are not allowed to carry weapons at any time of day while on school grounds. Weapons include but not limited to, bladed weapons, blunt weapons, small weapons, piercing weapons. Exceptions to this rule are cleavers and knives used in food preparations.

5) Students must keep their rooms tidy at all times. The house mother of the respective dorms have the right to perform spot checks at any moment and in any room as they please.

6) Students are not allowed to engage in illicit relationships with the opposite gender while they are attending school.

7) Gambling is prohibited on school grounds.

8) Students are not allowed to bring their own maids, servants. Pets are allowed only with written permission from the headmistress.

Special Meals and Priviledges of Duchess Suite Residents

Special Meals for Duchess Suite Residents

1. Residents may request a chef to specially cook her meals for breakfast, noon and dinner. Meals must be requested at least 2 hours before meal time and subject to availability.

2. Residents may choose a dessert with every meal. Choice of desserts differs daily:
Monday: Vanilla Ice Cream over raspberry jelly or Chocolate Ice Cream with Chocolate Cookies
Tuesday: Lemon Cheese Cake or Raspberry Jelly
Wednesday: Strawberry Pie or Apple Pie
Thursday: Strawberry Jelly or Orange Jelly
Friday: Strawberry Ice Cream with Cherry or Chocolate Moist Cake
Saturday: Lemon Cheese Cake or Vanilla Ice Cream Cake
Sunday: Pomegranate Jelly or Blueberry Cheese Cake

3. Maid service in charge of meals will be available from 7AM to 8PM. Residents may also request for meals to be delivered to the room or to go to the cafeteria with the other students.

4. Residents may request one extra meal per day unless expressly forbidden by the school doctor.

5. Residents may request vegetarian only meals.

6. Residents may instruct a maid to order food from restaurants outside the school compounds. Maids must be informed at least 4 hours prior to ordering. Outside orders will be charged to the resident's personal account.

Priviledges

1. Residents are allowed to wander around at any hour on the Duchess Suite's Floor only

2. Residents may ask for maid service at any hour.

3. Residents may go out of the school at any hour with prior permission from the school's headmistress

4. Residents are allowed to bring any personal possessions as long as it does not violate school regulations

5. Residents may take a bath at the Duchess Suites' communal bathroom at any time of day or night. A maid will be assigned if necessary.

6. Refreshments will be delivered every morning and night. A newspaper of the resident's choice will be delivered every morning.

7. As opposed to the school rules, residents are allowed to bring one pet without the need to ask permission from the headmistress. The only types of pets allowed are:
a) birds (must be kept inside its cage at all times and must not be the noisy variety)
b) cats (all varieties except lions and tigers, must be toilet trained)
c) rabbits (all types, must be toilet trained)
d) dogs (only the gentle types allowed, must be toilet trained)
e) fish (only small aquariums allowed, waste must be handled in a clean and hygienic manner)

“This is… a lot of reading.”

I still haven’t even read a quarter of what I was given. So many rules, so many regulations. Why can’t they just let me do whatever I want? With this many rules, no wonder students break them all the time. So feeling somewhat overwhelmed, I put down both books, check my wig, grab my room key and student’s card and wanders off to explore my new school.

First stop, the open air communal bath.

One thing that must be said about the Duchess Suite’s communal bath is that it’s luxurious. Even the water taps are made of gold, or at least an alloy of gold. As one enters, one comes across first the locker room. Beyond that, the shower room, where one must wash one’s body with soap and shampoo under cold water before going ahead into the open air pool. Once in the open pool, one can easily appreciate the aesthetics of smooth river rocks beautifully placed to provide a place to lean on and relax. Meanwhile, the pool’s water is somehow maintained at a temperature that makes one sweat, though not to the point of discomfort. Sitting in the pool with your back on a warm river rock, gazing at the sky, it makes you forget that you’re on the fourth floor of a building situated on a mountain.

Of course, since I’m already here, it makes little sense not to take a bath.

After the bath, I walk down the stairs towards the common hall of The Rose Gardens. The common hall is a comfortable living area, with couches, bookcases filled with storybooks and general reference materials as well as a section dedicated for studies. Opposite the common hall, on the other side of the main staircase are sections split into kitchen and dining hall. While students normally have their three meals a day in the school’s canteen, the large kitchen allows students to cook on their own. As for cooking materials, The Merchant’s Way sells most of the things they’d need to cook, though because they can’t stock too much items, students normally make special orders in advance.

Next I wander into the academics section. As I am a 4th Grader, naturally my feet lead me to the Sapphire Building, built for the upper high students.

You’re asking why I’m in 4th Grade when I’m only 15?

While it’s true that most kingdoms in Neropa start sending their children to school at the age of 13, in Jussinaff, it’s common to start sending children to school at the age of 12. Before that age, we normally go to a community-run preparatory school which teaches us reading & writing, basic manners and arithmetic. It was because the late king, King Arnulf the Speechless believed that there should be no reason to delay young adult’s entry into society, so he made it legal to start formal schooling at the age of 12. By the way, King Arnulf the Speechless was also the one who decreed that boys and girls are considered legal adults at the age of 15 and may seek employment if they do not wish to continue school. So in all legality, I am already an adult and I can make as many babies as I want.

In most kingdoms and republics of Neropa including Jussinaff, students may continue their studies after graduating formal school. The choice of higher learning varies from kingdom to kingdom, but in Jussinaff at least, we have the Naval Academy of A’ Durus and depending on your major, you can even travel the world every year for free. Of course most people can’t afford the money or have the patience to continue their studies, so the Naval Academy remains a place where the elites gather. Also, women are not allowed to enter the Naval Academy. Therefore, most of the young women who go to school have to be satisfied with living their lives as housewives, clerks or accountants. It may be a little different for students of St. Carina though, as over four fifth of its graduates end up marrying rich merchants or noblemen and live a life of luxury for the rest of their lives.

Apart from that, the only option for women who want a better and more independent life is to apply for employment at the various hospitals in the towns and cities of Jussinaff. They then labour through the years as nurses until the doctors in charge of performance evaluation deem them fit to be trained as doctors. Such route is hard and may take up to 10 years before they can be promoted. Most nurses end up getting married halfway and resign their positions. Oh, but I’m forgetting the most posh job. If a woman wants to search for a job that allows for the ability to do research, then becoming a formal school teacher is the only way. They will take up teaching during classes and spend their time on research during their spare time. Whatever breakthroughs they make will grant prestige to the school and fame for the teacher. Being a teacher for a prestigious private school like St. Carina should be even better than normal public schools. But I’m getting off topic.

As I approach the Sapphire building, it is clear how much aesthetics has been woven into the very core of the building’s design. Instead of the gray, blocky architecture most commonly found in Jussinaff, the Sapphire Building and its twin sister Ruby are designed in a way that mimics nature. Instead of straight beams that go all the way up, the beams are sculted into shapes of fauna topped with the sculpture of the ancient goddess of wisdom, Cenerys on its four corners. The outside of its walls on the other hand are decorated with colourful murals, depicting students learning and engaging in all kinds of activities. On the inside, the floors are covered in lacquered wood while the walls are covered in some kind of padded material. Each floor has between 3- 6 classrooms. For the first floor, there are a total of 6 classrooms, with only four of those being used for classes. The other 2 rooms are being used as either storage rooms or study room. The second floor is where the biology, chemistry and physics labs are, as well as the four classes of 5th Grade. The third floor is mostly empty classrooms for those who wish to study in privacy and also where the Student Council Annex is at, as well as the four classes of the 6th Grade.. If one desires, one can look into the classrooms by peering into the glass part of the sliding wooden door.

As I walk around the building, I finally arrive at the second floor. From afar, I see two students walking towards the other staircase, the one closest to the Student Council Annex. Once I recognize one of them, I just can’t help myself from shouting and waving my hand.

“Mar – Collette! Collette!”

Princess Mary Collette, or otherwise known as Prince Marcus Cole looks at me, then tells her friend to go on ahead. Then she turns towards me and from the look in her eyes, I feel a sudden chill. As she stalks towards me, I can’t help but take a step back until my back is to the wall. Her hand suddenly shoots up at my face, grabbing my throat as she bangs me on the padded wall. Her eyes shined maliciously as she asked me a question.

“How dare you address me so familiarly. Do you realize who you’re speaking to? Who are you to call me Collette, girl?”

“Urg, I’m Bell,” I introduce myself while my throat is being choked.

“What bell?” she asks again as she shakes my body.

The sudden shaking causes the bell at her neck to ring. It is the bell that all Duchess Suite residents must wear to inform other students who they are. As I am not in uniform, there is little point in wearing it. She definitely notices the sound and she looks at my face as a sudden thought washes over her.

“Are you the new Countess of Maurice, by any chance?”

“Yes! I’m Alya Belluca Sentnaria, please let go!”

She let go of my throat and I massage my neck to lessen the soreness. Suddenly she took a seat on the staircase with legs spread wide.

“Haaaah… I don’t know if I should laugh or weep at the hilarious gullibility of my own father and subjects,” she sighs with her head hanging back.

“Gullibility?”

“Tell me, Countess of Maurice, should I feel amused or insulted at how easily people believe that I am queer and is into same sex copulation?”

“Wait, you’re not queer?”

“Of course not. I only said it because I was annoyed that my father kept asking me to find a wedding partner. I didn’t count on him finding someone with my specifications so quickly. I wonder if his usual absent-mindedness is an act.”

“So if you didn’t like it, why didn’t you tell him?”

“It’s not like - silence! I don’t need to explain my actions to you.”

“Umm, prince,” he turns and looks at me sharply, “…cess, so what now?”

“Nothing now, but come to my room after evening classes are over,” she says as she walks up the stairs to the third floor, leaving me alone on the second floor.

I manage to get a brief tour of the Student’s Center before the bell rings, signalling the end of class. I walk towards The Rose Gardens trailing behind the other students who are going back to their rooms. Since I’m not in my uniform, my appearance arouses some whispers, but they probably already guessed that I am a transfer student, as the whispering end almost immediately. When I confidently stroll up the stairs towards the Duchess Suites, one of the girls stops me with a grip on my wrist.

“You shouldn’t go up there. If they catch you loitering around upstairs you’ll be punished,” she kindly says.

“Thank you for the concern, but it’s okay. My room is upstairs,” I smile as I patted her hand.

The look of shock on her and every other face around me is priceless. No word is said as I continue walking up the stairs passing by a maid on cleaning duty, who curtsies to me for no reason. Then I realize that I have no idea which of the rooms is the prince’s room. So I walk back to the maid and ask her about it.

“It’s the Swan Room, my lady. You’re in luck, Her Highness returned just a moment ago.”

I thank her and proceeds to the Swan Room, which happens to be right next to mine. I knock on it a couple of times and a voice asks me who I was.

“It’s Bell. You know who.”

The door opens from inside as she tells me to come in. She’s still in her school uniform, a short skirt with white shirt, though she had already removed her blue jacket. She rummages around inside her trunk while she tells me to sit wherever I want. I choose to sit on the couch. Looking around the room, I notice that the room is almost an exact copy of mine. If I don’t know better, I’d say I’m in my room. This is dangerous; it’s possible that I may one day wander into the wrong room by mistake.

Collette walks to me and sits on the couch opposite the one I’m sitting on. She places a wooden box on the glass coffee table and pushes it towards me. I take it that she meant to give it to me, so I lifted the lightweight wooden box and peer inside. Inside the box are 6 vials, neatly placed into the depressions in the velvet base. I take one of the vial out and sloshes it a bit in my hand. The liquid inside is red, about the colour of blood. Sloshing it however, reveals that it’s unlikely to be blood, but more likely a fruit juice or wine.

“What is this?” I ask as I place the vial back into its place.

“It’s medication. The Royal Herbalist didn’t want you to get sick. So he prepared the solution for you. You must take it once a day, from Monday to Saturday. On Sunday morning, you must give me back the box and the vials inside. Of course by vial, I mean without the contents.”

“Why would the Royal Herbalist give me something like this? I don’t even know him.”

“I don’t know, I don’t care,” she says, and looking at her dead eyes, it’s clear that there’s truth in those words, “All I care about is that he gave it to me so I can give it to you and he wanted me to make sure that you drink it. So drink one now.”

“Now?” I ask, to which he nods. Then I notice another depression in the velvet and asks, "Was there supposed to be seven of these?"

"No, there's only six. There's no seventh vial. Would you please just drink it?"

I pick up one of the vials, pull the stopper and down it in one gulp. I was expecting a bitter taste, but it actually tastes sweet. It tastes like grape juice.

“Good. Take it back to your room and don’t forget to return it on Sunday morning. Have you had lunch yet?”

“No, I haven’t. I’m starving!” Only now I realize that my stomache is growling.

“Go have lunch then,” she says as she got up and opens the door for me.

“Aren’t you going with me?” I ask.

She looks at me with her cold dead eyes and says, “Why would I do that?”

Then she kicks me out of the room, slamming the door shut behind me. Shortly after, I hear the sound of a bell, and the maid on cleaning duty hurries to her room just as I enter my own. It seems like the princess is eating ‘take out’ today.

*Thank you for reading. As always your comments are welcomed. Praises helps me to write faster while constructive criticisms helps me to write better.

My name is Albell Sentnaria. I am a 4th generation boy of the famed Sentnaria merchant family. Unlike other merchant families, my family is incredibly poor. So when someone of high birth offered a large sum to my family in exchange for marrying me to his child, my family jumped at the chance. Now here's my dilemma. I'm betrothed to the prince of the kingdom, who has a weird taste in brides. Depending on how I seduce him, I will either have him as my bride or he will have me as his bride. To make matters worse, I will have to seduce him, who will be crossdressing as the princess of the kingdom while crossdressing myself as a young girl. Why me?!!! The Bride's Groom Chapter 3 A tale of crossdressing love between two straight boys. By Shinieris

“Perfect!” I say to my reflection as I position myself in many alluring and sexy poses, the kind of poses that should not be seen on a schoolgirl.

If I may say so, I look absolutely delicious. With my flowing long brown hair (wig actually), legs that go on forever (all real, with a little help from heels), narrow waist (a little corseting, but it’s negligible), fair-sized breasts (totally fake, but who can tell?) and my gorgeous face, with beautiful Jussinaffian features, I am like an angel who comes to the world below to add beauty to this dreary country. Now, if only there is a real girl as beautiful as me, and if only I’m not contracted to the prince/princess…

Sure, the princess (snickers) is beautiful too, but her beauty is the kind you can find anywhere on Jussinaff. That is still a compliment, though. People often say that Jussinaffian women are the most beautiful in all of Neropa, so being called an average Jussinaffian beauty pretty much equals to being the most beautiful woman in other countries. Because of that, the families of Jussinaffian brides often ask for some very high bride price from foreign men who ask for their hands. I’ve heard some families asking foreign men to pay 14,000 ema in bride price. Mother even said that she received some offers valued at 15,000 ema for me, despite the fact that I’m not a girl and those men were Jussinaffian. Unlike with foreign men, the bride price won’t be as high if the groom is a Jussinaffian, probably because our former king started a ‘Keeping Our Brides On Our Soil’ campaign. From my reading though, I think he’s just a horny man who wants to keep a harem of beautiful brides.

I think this is Ylny’s major grievance with me, despite us being close like siblings. Unlike me, Ylny wasn’t a Jussinaffian. She is now, after living here since birth, but her mother was a slave bought from one of the overseas colonies. Like many female slaves brought into Jussinaff, Ylny’s mother was used as servant, maid and bedwarmer. When Ylny’s mother was pregnant, the mistress of the house kicked her out though she was kind enough to give her freedom for years of services rendered. To cut things short, father found Ylny and her mother and brought them to our home, but Ylny’s mother disappeared one day and never came back. Ylny inherited her mother’s tanned skin, tall frame, big breasts, big butt and high fertility (supposedly). If Jussinaffian women are radiantly beautiful, Ylny’s beauty is one desirable to men’s baser instincts.

Additionally, it is also because of Jussinaffian women that a kingdom as small as Jussinaff is able to survive among its larger neighbours. Such sentiments were perfectly recorded in a song by an unnamed bard 200 years ago:

In a land of the sea,
A lord of the south,
Reigns over a beautiful land
Full of fruits
Full of light
Full of laughter
So musical, those melodious laughter
So fair, those maidens who laughed
So beautiful like the moon in the night
So bright, like the sun in the sky
When the maidens laughed, the world laughs
When the maidens weep, the world weeps
When the maidens smiled, the world is bright
When the maidens plead, so the strongest hearts be soft
Can a man fight such fair maidens?
To see those crying eyes
To ruin those laughters
To shatter those smiles
To make them plead
What tyrant will be so dastardly?
To maidens whose smiles light up the world?

In other words, the only reason we weren’t conquered by the bigger kingdoms was because every other nations would declare war on the invading nations, just so that the invaders wouldn’t be able to monopolize our women. Men are so superficial. To them, a beautiful girl is justice. To steal a beautiful girl is to become a ‘villain’. This ideal has been the sole reason for Jussinaff’s survival. Unfortunately the people of the colonies never heard of this ideal.

I make another pose in front of the mirror. Dear God, I am so gorgeous. This beauty is totally wasted on me, oh God in Heaven. If only this is someone else.

Suddenly there is a knock on the door.

Standing straight, I say, “Come in.”

The door opens and standing at the door is the maid who guided me yesterday, the one called Marea.

“Good morning, my lady. Are you ready for class?” Marea asks with a slight bow, her hands clasping tightly in front of her navel. There is a thin folder in her hands.

“Yes, what time does homeroom start?” I ask, knowing that private schools normally start their day with a homeroom, instead of classes.

“It should start in 20 minutes, my lady. But we must stop at the staff room first so that Miss Rosecca can introduce you to the rest of the class. Are you done with your breakfast, my lady?” she asks referring to the tray of pancakes, a slice of lemon cheese cake and tea on my coffee table.

“Yes, I’m done. Let’s go.”

“Please wait, my lady. You must wear the bell.”

“Bell?”

“It’s the bell that every Duchess Suite resident must wear, my lady. It is to inform others who you are. It’s also for preferential service at the school’s cafeteria.”

“You know, I’d rather that nobody knows I’m a countess. Besides, I don’t need preferential treatment.”

“I’m sorry, but that is part of the rules, my lady. Being a resident of the Duchess Suites brings with it certain duties and responsibilities. As a member of nobility, your actions whether good or bad reflects the general perception of the nobles.”

“My actions? But I’ve only been named a countess for a few weeks, I haven’t even gone through the inheritance ceremony yet!”

“Regardless, others will not see it that way. Even if you have not yet been ennobled, you have a duty to uphold the standards of nobility. Please wear the bell, my lady,” Marea say, still in that position.

I grumble some random words as I wrap the bell’s ribbon around my collar. “Satisfied?” I ask.

“If I may, my lady?” Marea ask as she steps closer. I nod my assent.

She pulls the ribbon tighter, until the bells that were hanging on my chest are tight against the ribbon that every students wear. “Shall we go then, my lady?”

“Sure,” I say as I grab my satchel bag and follow behind Marea, who informs me that a maid will come to take the breakfast tray away.

“Miss Rosecca, here is My Lady, Countess Alya of Maurice,” Marea say with a slight bow once we stand in front of Miss Rosecca.

I’m not sure if I should bow, since I’m a countess, so I just stand there quietly, holding my satchel bag in my hand.

“A countess? Why would a countess want to meet me?”

“The countess is starting her classes today. She happens to be assigned to your homeroom, Miss Rosecca.”

“Really? How come I don’t remember that?”

Seriously? I just met you yesterday!

“Here is a copy m’lady’s file, Miss Rosecca,” Marea say as she hands the thin folder she’s been carrying.

“Oh, OK. Thank you. So… countess?” she asks as she looks at me, to which I nod.

“Come along, then! Let’s not be late for your first day, countess,” she says with a wink.

I wonder if she’s breaking some rules by speaking so casually with me. Not that I mind that much. Still, I’ll have to learn how to act like a noblewoman if I don’t want to embarrass the nobility. Come to think of it though, why would I have to protect those snobs in first place?

Miss Rosecca proves to be a very chatty and friendly woman. From her, I learn that the school has been open for 127 years and is considered the top ladies’ school in the whole Jussinaff, even the nobles of the neighbouring countries send their daughters here. Every year, the headmistress has to reject at least 50 applications to ensure that the classrooms and teachers are not overburdened. She also tells me that the patron of the school has always traditionally been the queens of Jussinaff, which makes the current patron Queen Lastraea Frastuchean of the Felaris royal house. To think that the school is supported by such a powerful person from such a powerful house, it’s amazing.

“And here we are. This shall be your class for the rest of the school year,” she opens the sliding door and walks in as she speaks to me over her shoulder, “Watch your steps don’t want you to trip on your first- hyaaah!!!”

I simply watch as Miss Rosecca tripped on the edge of the raised platform at the front of the classroom, throwing her books all over the raised platform. When I hear the loud sound of her forehead hitting the wooden floor of the platform, I wonder if it’s going to be okay.

“Oww, that hurts…” Miss Rosecca climbs to her feet with her hands on her forehead. The she looks around her, at the classroom the students, and me. “Where am I? How did I get here? What am I doing here?”

One of the girls, a short-haired brunette wearing bright blue armlet with the words ‘representative’ stands up and say, “Miss Rosecca, you are in Class 4 of Elegance. You are our homeroom teacher. You are here because it’s homeroom period.”

She speaks it so clearly and fluidly that I think she must’ve had to say this every morning.

“Rosecca? That’s my name? I’m a teacher?”

The whole class nods together.

“Okay then, let’s start homeroom. Umm, what do we normally do during homeroom?”

“You have a black folder with ‘Daily Agenda’ written on the front cover, Miss Rosecca,” the representative informs.

“Ah, found it,” Miss Rosecca declares as she grabs the thick black folder from the wooden floor. “So, first agenda of the day is, hum, I need to introduce a new student. Where’s the new student?” she asks the class.

Hearing that question, every student, including me, points a finger at me.

“You’re the new student?”

I nod.

“Your name?”

I give her the thin folder that she dropped on the floor without uttering a single word.

“Oh thank you,” she say, looking at the contents and declares, “Let’s have the new student introduce herself.”

I roll my eyes at that, but introduce myself anyway. “Good morning, my name is Alya Belluca Sentnaria. I come from the port city of A’ Tartima in the south. I look forward to enjoying my school days with all of you.”

I become distracted from all the whispering.

Suddenly one of the girls, a redhead with her hair in twintails stands up and asks, “Are you staying in the Duchess Suites?”

I sigh. I knew from the start that this is going to be a problem. That was why I didn’t want to wear the bell. “Yes, I am staying in the Duchess Suites.”

The same twin-tailed redhead raises her hand excitedly and asks another question, “What’s your title?”

“I’m the new Countess of Maurice.”

“Where is Maurice?” the same redhead asks, it seems like she’s the spokesperson of the class.

“It’s a crown overseas colony in the southern seas.”

Soon after I say that, I hear many whispers from the students. I hear words being thrown around, deragoratory words, insulting words. I hear words such as ‘savage’, ‘island native’, ‘uncivilized’, ‘dumb animals’ even the word ‘coconut climber’. To a Jussinaffian, being called a ‘coconut climber’ is the greatest insult, it refers to a person who is descended from the uncivilized natives of the colonies. To a Jussinaffian, being called a ‘coconut climber’ is worse than merely being called a ‘monkey’.

I am tempted to tell them that I’m more beautiful than any of those worthless racist bitches, which means that I am more Jussinaffian than any of them mongrels. Of course, I won’t actually say that. Making enemies on my very first day will be bad, eventhough I’m a countess.

The twin-tailed redhead stands up again. “How big is your county?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never been there.”

“What’s the population?” she asks again.

“I don’t know, I’ve never been there.”

“What’s its main income?”

“Are we still talking about me?” I ask, a little confused.

The class representative stands and turns towards the redhead. “Lesca, we don’t have all day, you can ask more questions after school.”

“You’re such a spoilsport, Aerfean (pronounced air-fee-an). Alright, just one more question. What do we call you, my lady?”

“Just call me Bell,” I say, trying to look friendly.

“Because of what you’re wearing?” one of the girls in the background asks, I can’t tell for sure which one.

I look down at the bell dangling under my ribbon. “No, it’s just my nickname. See, my name is Al-, my name is Belluca, so friends call me Bell.” I try to make the cutest smile I can.

“Is it fine?” the class representative, Aerfean asks.

“What do you mean?” I ask back.

“Letting commoners call you by your nickname?” Aerfean elaborates.

“Aerfean, are you trying to calling me, the daughter of Count Wesfold, a commoner?” the girl who earlier called me ‘coconut climber’ with her friend cries in rage.

“Yea, how dare you! I’m not a commoner either!” another girl with twin drillhair shouts from the back. I can’t help but think that it must’ve taken her a long time to prepare that drillhair.

Before long, the whole class turn into a warzone with those who deny themselves being commoners and those who accuse them of being commoners. In Jussinaffian law, only those with actual titles can call themselves nobles, children of nobles are called sons or daughters of said nobles. They are considered ‘of noble blood’ but not ‘noble’ themselves until they acquire a title. Frankly, I don’t see why it’s such a big deal, but I put the thought away as I was a commoner before grand uncle Adolphus gave me this title. So I admit that I do not know everything there is to know about being a noble.

“Everyone, please!” I say a little loudly. When they all finally stop shouting and arguing, I continue with, “I may have the title of a countess, but we are at school, I don’t want to create a wall between us by hiding behind my title of nobility. If you will accept me, please call me Bell. I would like for us all to be close friends. So please don’t treat me differently.”

“Strange girl.”

Excuse me?

“Must be a mental case.”

Who said that?

“Amateur.”

I’m going to get you someday, Wesfold!

“You get weird ones from time to time.”

I heard that, you sickly silver-haired girl!

“There’s an empty desk there. Please take your seat,” Miss Rosecca points to a desk next to one of the windows.

“Thanks,” I said dejectedly. Why can’t anyone understand my noble attempt to unite nobles and commoners? Depressed, I take a seat and place my satchel bag into my desk’s storage box as Miss Rosecca start talking about the rest of the day’s agenda.

“Moving on, we have… what is this War of the Spears thing?”

The class rep, Aerfean stands up and explains, “It is the annual interschool competition between our school and the all-boys school of Carson Commons in imitation of the War of the Spears. It involves fundraising, sportsmeet and charity. The class that makes the most money for our army will be exempted from punishment if our army were to lose.”

War of the Spears? Didn’t that war end 60 years ago? It was a war of succession between the House Amelorn (current king’s royal house) and House Felaris (current queen’s royal house), if I recall correctly. Are they re-enacting the war?

“Thank you for the explanation… umm….”

“Aerfean Meldoran, Miss Rosecca.”

Meldoran? It is mother’s maiden name and a very rare surname too. Is it possible that Aerfean is my relative?

“Right, so we need to decide on what to do for our fundraising. Each student must accumulate 5 ema, so this means we need to get at least 145 ema for this class. Does anyone have a suggestion?”

“How about a coffeehouse?” one of the girls suggests.

“I’m not going to serve customers!” the Wesfold girl shoots it down.

“How about selling merchandise?” another girl suggests.

“Selling? You want a noble’s daughter to sell stuff?” the Wesfold girl shoots it down again.

“How about performances?” Lesca, the twin-tailed redhead suggests.

“Performing for the commoners? Where is your pride, Lesca Meris Saphicus?”

“Then what do you want us to do, Mainard?” Lesca, apparently also a nobleman’s daughter snaps.

As if it is the most natural thing in the world, Mainard answers, “We collect rent, of course.”

“Rent?” the whole class ask at the same time.

“Are you dreaming, Mainard?!” Lesca drills Mainard’s head with both fists, “What rent? We’re not at your father’s estate! At least put both feet on the ground before you shoot down every suggestion!”

“Lesca…” Aerfean say.

“Aerfean, she’s being stupid,” Lesca whines.

“Despite how stupid it sounds, despite also how imaginative it is, it is still a suggestion. There is no need to be physical.”

“Oouh! You never take my side!” Lesca whines again as she sit back on her chair.

“As I keep saying, Lesca. I don’t take anyone’s side but my own.”

Miss Rosecca claps her hand to bring the class’s attention towards her. “That was all very good suggestions. We still have two more weeks to submit a proposal, so how about we try to think of something this weekend? Alright?”

Just as Miss Rosecca finish her words, the bell rings signifying the end of homeroom. After the customary class salute, Miss Rosecca leaves the classroom.

The sudden appearance of two letters on my desk shocks me. It wasn’t there when I first sat down on my chair. I look around the class and sees Aerfean handing out letters to the students. I see, so it is also the class representative’s duty to deliver mail to her class? But I thought the headmistress told me to pick it up myself yesterday. Does the class representative have the priviledge of picking up other people’s mails?

While thinking about it, I flip both letters to look at the senders. One is from great uncle Adolphus, from my family house in A’ Tartima. Great uncle Adolphus has decided to stay at our house after his retirement, something about missing the house that he grew up in. Ylny and the other servants had promised to take care of great uncle Adolphus just like how they had taken care of my family. The other is from someone called Tobius Markarusafreston from the county castle of Maurice. Maybe this Tobius person is from my new noble household? Thinking that makes me depressed, it feels as if I’m abandoning mother and father so I can be adopted by another household.

I am about to rip open the letter from great uncle Adolphus, when another teacher comes in. She has long black hair and a pleasant, playful personality. Her name is Miss Sofiana Aelther. She teaches language. Apparently she’s one of only three teachers who teach national language and foreign language in St. Carina. She can speak eight different languages, with hundreds of different dialects.

It is during this class that I realize I’ve met the girl sitting behind me before. Her name is Annise, if I recall correctly. She’s a scholarship student, who also works as a groundskeeper. We met yesterday, on my way to the headmistress’s room, while she was tending to the flower garden near one of the school buildings. I greet her as discretely as I can, but all she replies me with is a nod. It seems like Annise is very shy, or maybe very intimidated by my title.

After National Language, it is followed by Miss Rosecca’s Algebra, followed by History, then it is time for Geography. After Geography is the time for a one hour break. I yawn once the school bell rings, signifying the end of Geography. When I look at Annise, hoping for a little chat, she’s already gone.

Aerfean, the class representative appears suddenly next to my desk. She’s holding a thick book titled ‘Treatise of Governance’. “Come with me. As class representative it’s my responsibility to guide you for the first day. Bring your letters too, you can read it during break.”

Being up close, Aerfean looks and sounds very intimidating. So I just stand up, grab my letters and follow behind her without a word. As we walk, she explains to me some unspoken rules of the school. Such as, don’t go to the upperclassmen’s sections unless you have either an important business or a death wish. Such as, don’t pick fights with the upperclassmen. Such as, don’t spit on the suits of armour placed in front of the Accounts Department of the Administration Building. Such as, don’t eat like a glutton. Such as, don’t scream from the top floor like an idiot. Such as… such as… such as…

I’m getting a headache. Meanwhile, my bell rings melodiously with every step.

“Here we are, the shared cafeteria between the Ruby and Sapphire building,” Aerfean says as she pushes open the double doors of the two storey cafeteria.

I notice Collette sitting with a bunch of 5th Grade girls at one of the tables. She obviously sees me, but turns her face away as if pretending I’m not there. Of course, I also pretend that I don’t see her, just to spite her. She doesn’t even care. For some reason, that pisses me off.

The cafeteria is a large building, with about a hundred ornately shaped tables shared between its two floors and hundreds more chairs arranged in the format of two-a-table or four-a-table. The floor is made of marble, or close imitation to one while the wall is made of red stone, arranged in a way to make it look rustic, but not cheap. At the back of each floor, are food counters, which at this moment are being crowded by a mass of students who are not acting at all graceful, elegant or refined.

“Don’t push!” one of the girls cry.

“One roasted lamb set!”

“Give me a roast beef set!”

“Hey, that’s my chicken!”

“I said don’t push!”

The two floors of the cafeteria cater to specific needs. The first floor, and the most crowded floor, caters to the needs of the general population, in other words, meat eaters. The second floor is for those who are too queasy of eating one living creatures, in other words, vegans. I notice that we are climbing the staircase towards the second floor.

“Umm, Aerfean, I’d like to eat some meat…” I wither at her glare that can chill bone, “On the other hand, vegetarian food is great too, lead on!”

Just as we enter the second floor of the cafeteria, a maid, who is picking up empty plates and cups and putting it onto a trolley, stands at attention. She looks at my chest, or more specifically, my bell and makes a slight bow with both hands clasped together in front of her navel.

“Good morning, my lady. Is it a table for two?” she asks.

I look at Aerfean, and she nods. “Yes, table for two, please,” I answer.

“Please come this way, my lady,” the maid gestures as she leads us to one of the table for two beside a window.

“Can I get you anything, my lady?” the maid asks as she takes out a notepad.

“What do you have?”

“For vegetarian food, we have Bean Bolonaise with Mushroom Soup, Fried Tofu Salad with Mushroom Soup and Mixed Garden Salad Stir-fry.”

“With Mushroom Soup?” I ask.

“Yes. As for non-vegetarian, we have Two Piece Fried Chicken with Coleslaw and Mashed Potato, Roasted Lamb Set and Roasted Beef Set.”

I look at Aerfean, wondering if she will feel offended if I order a Roasted Beef Set for myself.

“You’re a countess, make your own choice. Don’t keep looking at me for permission,” Aerfean scolds with a frown, “Will you take my order as well, miss maid?”

“Yes of course,” the maid says with a smile.

“Great, give me Stir-fried Mixed Garden Salad, the mushroom soup and red tea if you have any. If not, any tea that doesn’t smell horrible is fine. As for dessert, please give me today’s cheesecake,” Aerfean orders.

The maid jot down Aerfean’s orders on her notepad, before she turns to me, “And what would you like, my lady?”

“Roasted Beef Set and grape juice. I’d like a lemon cheese cake as well.”

“Thank you for your order, my lady. I’ll have it delivered shortly.”

“Thanks,” I say as she turns around and pushes her trolley towards the back of the hall.

“… You have a very big appetite,” Aerfean remarks.

“I’m a growing… girl.”

“Hum… growing… I see…”

“Rather, I’ve been wondering, your surname is Meldoran?”

“Yes…” she answers as she starts to open her book, the Treatise of Governance with a look that shows she’s bored.

“Then, are we related?”

“… Why would you think that?” Aerfean asks without even looking my way.

“Because my mother’s a Meldoran and it’s not a very common name even in Jussinaff, so I’ve been wondering if you’re like, my cousin or something.”

“… What benefit would I get if I admit or deny that we’re related?”

“No, I mean… it would be nice to know I have a relative here.”

She sighs. “Oh well, mother always told me to make friends with highborn people. Do you remember the time when your family visited your mother’s family in Se Alinop? I think that was when you were 5.”

I looked upwards to the ornately carved ceiling as I tried to recall that particular memory. “I vaguely recall that happening, but I don’t remember any details.”

“Do you remember bathing at a stream nearby the family home?” Aerfean says looking uninterested.

“Ah…”

“Do you remember playing ‘Show Me Yours’ with a little girl about the same age as you by the stream?”

“Ah…” as the memories flow in my mind in fragments, I start to sweat.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone your secret, cousin,” she says, still without any changes to her face, as if it doesn’t even concern her.

I breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m grateful, but why? If it’s because of familial bond, we haven’t seen each other since then.”

“Simple reason, I don’t want to be Aunt Carmina’s enemy. If I foil whatever strange plans you and her made, there won’t be enough land for me to run.”

“You’re that afraid of her?”

“Are you kidding me? Aunt Carmina is the dev-“ Aerfean stops abruptly as she looks left and right, and making sure that nobody behind or outside the window is listening, before she continues with, “For someone who can even send her own older brother to jail for embezzlement of family funds when she was 14 years old, foiling her masterpiece scam will make me her number one enemy, so no thanks.”

“It’s not a scam…”

“Oh? Is it something honourable then? Something good? Something so great that her own child is forced to crossdress for? If it’s not a scam, then what else can it be?”

“Umm…”

“Let’s end this talk. It would be bad if she has ears nearby. Why don’t you read your letters instead?”

I look at the two letters in my hand. The ones from great uncle Adolphus and this unknown man Tobius. The tension from Aerfean’s glare and words almost makes me forget about them. Still, did I forget something at home? Instead of sending me a letter, couldn’t great uncle Adolphus just tell me directly? It was only three days ago that we parted.

Dearest Bell, 
 

I hope this letter reaches you on your first day at school. I’ve never been to an all-girl’s school, so I’m not sure how efficient they are. 
 

How is your first day? Are you enjoying your new room and school? I know that it’s very different from your old school. To be surrounded by beautiful Jussinafian girls day in and day out, I hope you can control your urges. Enjoy it while you can, throughout my travels, Jussinaffian women has always been one of my greatest regrets. But enough of that. 
 

Two weeks before I wrote this letter, I received a letter from my chamberlain in Maurice. His name is Tobius Markarusafreston. I call him Toby. I suggest that you give up on pronouncing his name. Even after working for me for almost 20 years, I still can’t pronounce his surname without twisting my tongue. He’s one a Jussinaffian would call ‘coconut climber’, but he’s a good, honest man, so I also suggest that you refrain from calling him that. Although it is your choice if you want to appoint someone else as your chamberlaine, I strongly recommend that you allow him to stay, as his talent is not only in governance, but also business dealings. 
 

In his letter, he asked me how much your salary would be as I never specified any amount before I left. I have given him an amount that I consider reasonable for your daily expenses. As for the rest, it all goes to your school fees and whatever’s left are placed in a trust until you’re 16. I’m sure you can make do with this amount. 
 

I’m sure you are aware, that us nobles gain most of our income from taxes and rents. We also do that in Maurice. However, we do it a little differently in Maurice. Instead of the noble taking everything from taxes and rents, we take a salary, a fixed amount every month, just like how our servants are paid. Whatever’s left, we give back to the county, in the form of civil and security developments. I know you may have your own way of getting things done, but until you learn more of governance, I suggest that you keep the current system in place. We are nobles, but capable nobles, not corrupt ones. 
 

Toby should be sending you a mail with your monthly expenses soon. If it hasn’t arrived already, please wait for a while longer. If it still hasn’t arrived after a week of your schooling, please send me a mail. I haven’t heard of any ships being sunk lately, but there is still that possibility.  
 

I hope that you make best use of the money you’ll be getting. I can ask Toby to send the money to me, before I send it to you, but I believe that you are mature enough to be responsible with your own spending. This is also a form of training, for the day when you take over as Countess of Maurice, or for the day when you become Princess of Karka. You should also take this opportunity to practice self-restrains, being surrounded by all the beautiful young women. Or maybe you can let yourself go with the princess? Don’t you worry, I won’t tell your mother. 
 

Please write back soon. I have a feeling I will be bored stiff here. 
 
 

Yours most sincerely,
 
 
Adolphus Sentnaria

Great Uncle Adolphus, why is it that I can feel your smirk from reading this letter? And what’s this about being the Princess of Karka? Can’t I be a prince instead?

I shake my head at the thought that great uncle Adolphus most likely find this situation funny. In a way, he’s just like mother, except that he’s more… transparent. But then again, I haven’t known him for long so I can’t tell for sure. I place the letter down on the table just as the maid arrives pushing a trolley that holds our lunch. She places my roasted beef set and grape juice in front of me before attending to Aerfean. Maybe it has to do with social ranking, serve the countess, before the countess’s friend. I wonder where my lemon cheesecake is, though.

“Your dessert will arrive after you’re done with the main course, my lady,” the maid says, as if reading my mind.

“Thank you,” I say as she bows and leaves us alone. Meanwhile Aerfean places a bookmark at the part she stops reading and puts the book to the side as she wordlessly consumes her salad.

“Funny, I imagined you to be someone who reads while having a meal,” I say, attempting to make a conversation.

“Normally I would,” she says as she looks at me straight in the eye, “But I am currently having lunch with a countess. If I don’t observe ‘proper behaviour’, those pesky bluebloods will become annoying. Not that they’re remotely pleasant in the first place.”

“You don’t like the nobles, do you?”

“What is there to like? They taxed us to our drawers, raise the rent until we can barely eat three meals a day, slaps us with trade duties until we suffocate and conscripts our men to die in a faraway place which name we can’t even pronounce. It would’ve been nicer if they’re a little more honest and tell us to just jump into shark-infested waters.”

“Wow, such hate…”

“It’s not hate. It’s cursing my life under the blue sky. To think that I’ll grow up having to suck up to those bluebloods, it makes me want to stab the nearest blueblood around me.”

Slightly alarmed, I quickly grab the steak knife in front of me.

“I can still stab you with a fork,” she says as she wields her fork in a position where she can bring it down to my chest.

“I hope you’re joking, Aerfean.”

“Of course I am. Can’t you tell?” she says as she brings the point of the fork down into a tomato.

Seriously, if this is how she jokes, I will probably need to laugh everytime she brandishes a knife in the future.

I finish the steak quickly. With no point of interest, there was nothing for us to take about. So we simply sat eating our meal in peace. Once I was done with my main course, the maid earlier appears so suddenly it startles both of us. She then proceeds to place our lemon cheesecake onto the table after taking away our empty dishes. Then she refills both our drinks and leaves with a bow.

“She’s very efficient,” I remark as I open the second letter.

To my graceful master, Countess Alya of Maurice, 
 

Greetings, 
 

My name is Tobius Markarusafreston. My function is that of your chamberlain, butler and business representative. If it pleases you, please call me Toby, but you may call me whatever you like. Even if you want to call me ‘dog’, I will abide by your decision. 
 

As you may have noticed, I have also attached the mail vouchers which will be your spending allowance as per the former count’s arrangement. If the amount is less than 30 ema, please inform me and I shall investigate immediately. This amount is for both this month as well as last month, of which I regretfully was unable to deliver to you on time. As per the former count’s arrangement, your monthly salary totals at 90 ema, with deductions already made for your schooling fee while the rest are kept in your personal safe, for the day when you turn 16. Until today, the current total of your personal savings is 280 ema. 
 

The following is my report on your county of Maurice. 
 

The adult population as of February’s census is at 26,882 people within the range of the county. The annual birth so far is recorded at 129 while annual deaths is recorded at 228, some of which from a recent hurricane. The people’s mood is indifferent, they are going through their lives without caring of the change of leadership. The disparity between the rich and the poor is significant, but not alarming. 
 

Economically, our performance is average. The general tax rate is 5% with additional punitive tax for private businesses and mansions. The main driving point of our economy lies in the fishing, sugar, papaya and canning industry. Trailing behind these three industries are beef, banana and shipbuilding. As the countess, you have a monopoly on sugarcane, beef and arms production. As a county, we export fish, sugar, banana and canned products. We currently import timber, iron, coal textiles and tin. We have an abundance of cattle right now. The southern branch of Taros & Lukas Trading Company is currently based in our port. 
 

As for security, we suffer some pirate raids from time to time. Internal security is currently doing well and the citizenry enjoys a period of peace. As to my knowledge, there is no subversive element within your county right now. Unfortunately we have a problem with conflicting fishing rights among the fishermen, but I will handle this matter personally. 
 

Piracy seems to be the most pressing matter as our current naval patrol is undermanned and unable to provide good security over the wide range of our waters. Unfortunately, our funds are tied up in another venture and we can’t afford to commission any more vessels for our naval patrols. Even if we have the money to commission a new vessel, we do not have the talents to man them. Currently, our navy is doing their best, but a solution must be found within a half year or our commercial and shipping sector will receive a heavy blow.  
 

We must also consider what to do with the abundance in cattle. As you may know, my lady, as an island, we do not have infinite grazing pasture. If the amount of cattle increase beyond what our pastures can handle, we may need to put them down or suffer turning the island into a wasteland. I have tried brokering trade deals with some merchants, but it seems like beef is cheap in the mainland at the moment, so the merchants couldn’t justify trading in it. We have an offer from Taros & Lukas, but the price offered is very low, I will only consider this option if we have no other way of dealing with this matter. 
 

We also have a problem with overcrowding in our free school. While it is not serious yet, if we don’t do something, the teachers will likely suffer heavy workloads. The former count has ordered the construction of the second free school, but it will not be ready in four months. It is hoped that this will settle the problem, but until then, the classes will be packed full. If you can suggest some temporary measures, I’m sure it will be received well. 
 

That shall be all from me, my lady. I am sorry for taking too much of your time. If you wish to send me a mail, please address it to Tobius Markarusafreston, Chamberlain, Maurice Manor, County of Maurice. Although we are not connected to the telegraph network, you may also send me a telegraph which will be received by the telegraph office in A’ Tartima, if you are in a hurry. 
 

I humbly await your reply. 
 
 

Your most humble servant,
 
 
Tobius Markarusafreston

My thoughts while reading the letter are as follows, according to a chronological order:

“Dog? Are you actually an M?”

“So my monthly allowance is 15 ema? That’s even less than what some commoners make!”

“What kind of school charges a fee of 75 ema a month? That’s comparable to what an average lower income family spend for food over a period of half a year!”

“So I have 26,882 people I can boss around now?”

“5% tax? Are you stupid? They charge us 20% tax at A’ Tartima! This is going to change!”

“Pirate raids? Why does great uncle Adolphus leave this troublesome thing to me? I want to cry”

“If you have too many cattle, then stop breeding more cattle! Is that too hard?”

“School overcrowding, I know that feeling. The free school at A’ Tartima was overcrowded too. I had to study in a class of 50 people. Maybe I can do something about this.”

The bell rings signifying the end of the one hour break. I can’t believe I’ve been reading the letter until the end of break. I haven’t even taken a bite of my cake.

“Miss maid?” I call to another maid, the previous maid is nowhere to be seen.

“How can I help you, my lady?” she quickly cross the distance between us and asks with a smile.

“Can I have the cake delivered to my room? I’m afraid I haven’t the time to finish it.”

“Of course, my lady. It will be delivered right before your classes end.”

“Thank you,” I say as I finish my grape juice and bolts to my next class, Home Economics. If not for Aerfean, I would have forgotten my two letters and my mail vouchers totalling 30 ema. It may be a small sum, but it is still money.

The day ends with the final bell. I yawn and stretch, releasing all the tension in my muscles. After a few minutes of stretching, I put my books and stationery into my satchel bag. Just as I am about to get up, Aerfean’s voice spoke my name.

“Huh? You called?” I ask.

“You’re assigned to today’s end class duty, Bell,” she says as she reads three other names.

“What do I do?” I ask Aerfean once she’s done calling the names.

“Thou need not do anything, my lady. Thou must be tired on thine first day. Pray thee allow me, I be glad to do thine part,” one of the girls on duty says.

“That’s right, how can we, the commoners, let a countess sweep the floor?” another girl, with short hair and boyish disposition kneels in front of me.

“Or wipe the blackboard?” the last girl adds. She holds my left hand and kisses the back of my fingers as she bows politely.

“Or to clean the windows? Fie it be! Prithee allow us lowly selves to do this for thou, my fair lady!” the first girl says as she also kneels in front of me.

“Eh? Wha-? But-“

“Knock it off, you gender-confused freaks,” Aerfean scolds as she smacks the head of all three of them with her thick book, The Treatise of Governance, “Loretta and Saless, you will clean the windows-“

“I’ve told you to call me Lort-“

“Silence, gender-confused freak number 1! Korena will wipe the blackboard and pick up the trash.”

“Can’t you just call me Korn?”

Aerfean gave a piercing glare.

It’s super effective. Korena escapes from the glare.

“Bell, you’ll sweep the floor. You can find a broom in the storage room in the basement. Be sure to put it back after you’re done.”

“Alright, then I’m going.”

Unfortunately, when I arrive downstairs in the storage room, there is not a single broom in sight. Oh there is actually one, but it’s bald. I mean, it has no bristles, just the handle and remnants of the string once used to hold the bristles in place. Looking around the room, it doesn’t seem like there’s any way I can fix this, but I can’t just give up. I mean, what will I do if people say the Countess of Maurice ditch class duties and has no sense of responsibility?

With that in mind, I walk up to the ground level of the Sapphire building, looking to ask Aerfean if she knows how I can fix the broom. My eyes instead catch the form of Annise, who is kneeling on the ground, sniffing the roses by the side of the building. Looking at her, one can tell that she really loves plants.

“Hi Annise,” I greet her from behind with the handle of the broom in hand.

“Eeek!” Annise squeals before she turns around, still kneeling, and bows at me with her forehead touching the grassy ground before raising it again, “Please don’t hit me, my lady,” her forehead hits the ground again, before she raises it again, “I swear, I didn’t know who you were yesterday. Please find it in your heart to forgive me, my lady!”

This time her forehead remains touching the ground.

“Uhhh… I’m not trying to hit you, you know. I wasn’t offended. As I said in class, I don’t want any special treatment. It’s just that since you’re one of the groundkeepers, I thought maybe you know where I can find something to fix this broom.”

Annise raises her head a little, taking a peek at the broom before she breathes a sigh of relief. “I’ll fix it for you, my lady,” she says as she grabs her satchel bag and holds out a hand in front of me.

“No, it’s fine, just show me where to go. It’s not like I’ve never fixed brooms before.”

Ylny always made me fix the brooms myself, since her fingers are too clumsy to weave the bristles.

“If that’s what you wish, my lady. Please follow me,” Annise says as she leads me to a small shed behind the Sapphire building. “There are cotton twines and scissors inside this drawer, my lady. You can use the straw by the wall for the bristles. Will you be fine on your own, my lady?”

“Yes, I’ll be fine. And please call me Bell, Annise,” I say with a smile as I start to grab some straws and tying them together with a length of cotton twine.

“I am only a lowly commoner, it wouldn’t be appropriate, my lady,” Annise bows before she runs off.

“That’s almost too cute,” I mutter to myself as I start working on fixing the broom.

About 10 minutes later, I’m done. Seriously, for me, fixing brooms are very easy. I’ve been fixing brooms since I was 9. Of course, it won’t be very durable, but the bristles should last for a week or two. After putting the twine and scissors back, I walk out of the small shed, being greeted by the bright afternoon sun.

In front of me, perching on the side of a water fountain is a small dove. I come closer, trying to see if I can catch it unaware. See, I’ve always liked birds. Flying freely in the sky. Not having to care about taxes, living expenses or marriage.

But just as I get within a few feet from the dove, it flew off. “Oh darn. It flew off!” I sigh as I watch it fly in the sky.

“Well, better get back to class duties,” I say to myself as I take a step forward.

But my feet doesn’t seem to be touching anything.

I try again.

Now I realize that there’s nothing under either of my feet.

I look down at the ground.

I find out that I’m floating in the air.

I am floating in the air.

Floating…

“Kyaaahhhh!!!” I cried as I let go of the broom and fell on my butt on the grassy ground, followed by the sound of the broom falling next to me.

“Owwiee… what was that?” I ask myself as I rub my sore butt.

I realize that I’m getting a headache. “No, I couldn’t possibly be floating in the air. Maybe the afternoon sun is getting to me. Maybe I’m sick. I should just go back and rest in my room,” I mutter in a daze as I walk away. 

*I'm a little tired, so please forgive me for not changing the cover picture. I'll just edit it later if you guys don't mind.
**As usual, all your comments and feedbacks are welcomed. Praises helps me puff myself up so I can write faster. Constructive criticisms humbles me so I can do better job at writing.
***This is strange. Why is it that the letter in my blockquote bunched up like that? It was supposed to be separated into paragraphs.