POV- Vienna

"Alright Miss Vienna, from A to E, I would like to see you have the shoulder in before transitioning into an extended sitting trot to M."

I followed Madame Herne's instructions. Rococo obeyed me perfectly. I smiled; so did Madame.

"Perfect. See? Let the movements flow through you to the horse, and your performance will be flawless."

"I see now, Madame."

Madame Herne smiled at me as I finished out my performance with the levade that is always difficult to hit. "Excellent! Excellent!"

I halted Rococo in front of her. "Is is ready to perform yet?"

"I think it is. Do you think so?"

I nodded.

"Well, if it is ready to perform, then may we see it?"

I looked over to the side of the arena and got tense. There stood my father and mother; Father's arm was around Mother's waist. For some reason, I was angered by the gesture. I really wanted to tell them to go away, him specifically. However, it seemed that Madame Herne liked his idea.

"Yes Master Edelstein, I think that is a perfect idea. Miss Vienna needs to understand how to perform with an audience." I wanted to kill her when she said it and wished that my death glare would really bring on death. Father and Mother stood under the shade of a nearby oak tree to watch me. Madame Herne looked at me. "Please enter and begin your performance Miss Vienna."

I sighed, left the arena and came back in to perform. As I rode, the thought of knowing that my father was watching distracted me. I could tell I made mistakes with counting and transitions a few times when Madame Herne gave me her "disappointment glare." I ignored it. At least I hit the levade at the end, that should keep her quiet. Once Rococo was on his feet, Mother and Father began applauding. I had no choice but to bow to them. At least they were pleased with my performance. Madame Herne faked a smile and clapped too, even though I knew she was going to have my head later. I dismounted from Rococo.

"Vienna, that was wonderful," Father commented.

"Thank you." I replied in my monotone. Father then turned to say something to Mother. I took this opportunity to leave the arena and go back into the stables as fast as I could.

POV- Austria

I looked back up to say something else to Vienna, but she was already gone. I was a little confused by her leaving. I then saw Madame Herne walk up to me. "Master Edelstein, may I have a private word with you?"

I nodded. "Yes, Madame." Hungary took this as a cue to leave; she went back into the house. I walked a little ways with Madame Herne until we stood near the entrance to the stables. She then stopped and looked at me. "Are things alright between you and your daughter?"

I was surprised by her question. "Yes, at least I think so."

"Well, I was just wondering because before you and Hungary arrived, her performance was absolutely flawless. When you two watched her, she made numerous mistakes on moves that I know she had memorized. I had noticed her look at you with a strange expression before she performed. If you ask me, I really think she might be angry at you for something."

"I don't understand why she would be. Nothing has happened between us."

"I suggest possibly talking to her to get to the source of her behavior. What she did is not like her at all, and as her father, you would know that."

"It is not like her. I already plan to talk to her tonight because she displayed some peculiar behavior this morning as well."

"Please do, Master Edelstein. It would benefit both her and you."

I nodded. "It would." With that, Madame Herne went back into the barn. I turned and went back to the house, thinking about what we had just said.