"Now, read from the book, Catleya," Lady Ophelia instructed me.

With all my might, I tried to suppress a groan. All the other girls were now having their nocturnal leisure time, while I was stuck in the Library, learning to be a princess. Lady Ophelia handed me a large hard-bound book. The red leather cover smelled of muck, and its pages were yellowed. The title, written in gold ink, was The Virtue Of Sovereignty.

"There are many qualities that are required of a sovereign." I cleared my throat. "These virtues, when fulfilled, will serve the monarch at all times possible, and in turn, serve his or her kingdom at the best way possible. There are two categories for virtues. The first classification is the Concentrated Virtues. These virtues are those that should be fulfilled by the monarch, and only the monarch. These virtues will serve as guides to the next classification of virtues called Civic Virtues. Civic virtues are the virtues the monarch must help the kingdom obtain. And thorough knowledge of these civic virtues will be most valuable."

I glanced up from the book and to Lady Ophelia. "Are you serious?"

She glared at me, painfully reminding me of my lesson with Lady Juliana. I should learn how to shut my trap if I would expect myself to survive for at least a week. "Yes, I am serious. Now carry on. We don't want to stay up till midnight."

I cleared my throat. "This is a brief outline of the Concentrated Virtues. Societal Authority is a sense of social standing, obtained through experience and dutifulness and hard work. Possession of Humor means possession courtesy, openness, and friendliness. Mercy is the mildness and gentleness—" I stopped. "By mildness or gentleness, does this book mean I should be mild and gentle in demeanor, or mild and gentle in giving out punishments?"

"On demeanor, Catleya. That is why it is a concentrated virtue," Lady Ophelia replied patiently. "But read on, Catleya. You will encounter a chapter solely for the virtue of mercy on the subsequent days."

I tried as hard I could to suppress a groan. "A sense of self-worth and personal pride is Dignity, something not to be forgotten. Tenacity is one of the most important virtues. It is the strength of mind and the ability to stick to one's purpose. While there are many a sovereign who were notorious for the extravagant lifestyles, Frugality is considered one of the essential virtues. Frugality, being an economic mind, with simplicity of style, though not to the point of miserliness. The virtue of Gravity should be seen in every action done, as gravity is the sense of importance of the matter at hand, responsibility and earnestness. Respectability is also a virtue closely tied to gravity. This is also a respect for the natural order of things, socially, politically, and religiously. This includes the ideas of patriotism and devotion to others. Humanity could be cultivated through education, as it is the virtue solely focused on learning, refinement, and civilization—" I stopped again. "Well, I have this already, I think. Will I be learning it again?"

"No," Lady Ophelia replied wearily.

She must be really bored. How many times had she heard this before? "Prudence is foresight, wisdom, and personal discretion, and essential virtue for a sovereign. Wholesomeness is health and cleanliness, not just on body but on heart, mind, and spirit. Self-Control is self-explanatory. Lastly, a sovereign must have the virtue of Truthfulness, honesty in dealing with the kingdom."

I closed the book. "You know what I think?" I told Lady Ophelia, not caring whether she would listen or not. "I think that this book should not be concentrated only to sovereigns. It's unfair. All these qualities are actually very well suited to every kind of person. I wouldn't mind referring this last virtue to three of your odious students." I refused to even put a name for them in my mind.

Lady Ophelia just stared at me. She really must have a trouble comprehending me. "Catleya, this book is for princesses, not nobility. And unlike nobility, it is highly mandatory for monarchial and ruling figures to practices such virtues."

"But most of your students are heirs to lands; their fathers are earls, dukes, barons, viscounts, counts, marquises, and the like! Not only is this study of virtues maddening, it is discriminating!" I protested.

"It seems that you are in a very great need of lecturing on the virtue Mercy. Now please, contain yourself!"

"I will not contain myself!" I screamed at her.

"You will! And I am in painful knowledge that you are deprived of breakfast and lunch tomorrow. If you want to maintain your remaining dinner, contain yourself."

I did contain myself. Yes, I was assertive; I wanted to speak my mind. But I also, fortunately, still possessed a tiny ounce of sanity at that moment. That tiny ounce enabled me to realize that it would be suicide if I continue trying to object to the Wistrian Ladies.

Lady Ophelia sighed. "Thank goodness gracious. Now, I shall leave you here in the library to finish your studies. By tomorrow night, I expect you to finish the first two chapters of The Virtue of Sovereignty. You will soon find out that these chapters are focused on the Concentrated Virtues of Societal Authority and Humor. I shall check on you after an hour." She stood up, and gave me the smoothest curtsy I had ever seen, something surprising for someone her size. She left the library.

I rolled my eyes and sighed. I leaned back on the velveteen dark violet sofa and closed my eyes. The Library could have been my favorite place in all of Wistria. There were tons of books, displayed on cases that reached the ceiling. The bookcases were made out of dark wood, and smelled like it. The carpets were misplaced tapestries that lie on the floor. They showed scenes from epics, legends, famous poems, and the like. There were great many armchairs, sofas, and lounge chairs at the end of each bookcase or grouped in one corner. There were lamps at many places, ensuring adequate light. I suspected that during daytime, the dark violet draperies would be pushed to the sides of the great windows to let in the light. All in all, the Library gave a warm and roomy feeling, despite its spaciousness. But when I realized that I would have to spend every night in here just to learn insufferable princess virtue lessons, the Wistrian Library was suddenly an epitome, a culmination, of my dislike for this place.

The thick book was still on my lap, closed and waiting to be read. I groaned, and decided then and there that I would not torture myself with reading these tedious lessons. It was not because I took for granted virtues that could help (if I did want to be a princess in the first place, which lately, I realized I did not want to be) but because I firmly believed that these virtues could not be learned through reading boring notes. It should be experienced to be learned.

I shook my head and stood up. Lady Ophelia should just drown in her propriety. No, I will not read it. Besides, she would just let me recite it again. I could just smuggle this book to my room, and then read it there. When I wanted to, if I would want to. Hopefully.

"Catleya? What are you doing in the Library at this hour?"

It was Ely. She had come in from the front door, but I had not noticed her.

I didn't know now if I should trust her. Sofia, Lorena, and Gianna proved to be vixens just by talking behind me. The only way I could cope with the destruction of our just "blossoming" friendship (and I think of this with heavy sarcasm) was to completely ignore them. I would just upset myself if I thought more about it. I didn't know if Ely was one of those vixens. I wanted to trust her, and I so greatly enjoyed her company. But what if all the girls here just wanted to be friends with me because I was a princess? Because connection with me could prove priceless in the future?

Ely deserved a chance. I could already see in her that she was not a vixen; she was neither a siren nor harpy. "Lady Ophelia insisted I learn my lessons immediately."

"What kind of lessons are these?" She approached me and sat beside me on the sofa. She took the book from my lap. "The Virtue of Sovereignty?" She read, her voice incredulous.

I nodded. "A book the worst of its kind. Apparently, I needed to learn how to be a princess before being one."

She chuckled. Ely was a refreshing change. At least she didn't giggle. "How preposterous. No one could learn to be one by reading. You should experience it first."

I grinned at her. "My sentiments exactly. But I won't learn it. I don't even plan to read it."

"I think you should. Lady Ophelia would be very displeased."

"And what do I care? I'm not afraid of her. And I would be the one who would pay for my actions, not her, so she could just leave me alone," I replied stubbornly. "By the by, what are you doing here?"

"What do you expect? We are in a library, and what do we do there? We read. I have been trying to finish this book I discovered. It's a rather beautiful story, written by Lady Elspeth. The title is Eliza."

And that was how we started discussing about books. Ely loved to read, albeit she was being ridiculed by so many because of her interest. Many girls laughed at her because they concluded she would be nothing more than a spinster lady with books as a constant companion. We moved to a secluded corner of the library, behind a large bookshelf. If anybody came in, we would be noticed by them. We didn't want any disturbances, and Lady Ophelia might punish us if she saw us dallying about. Better hide than be discovered.

"The Library is useless in here. The only thing that matters to the girls of Wistria is ladylikeness. There's no pursuit for knowledge. Nothing at all. But it's better that no one uses this library. Most of the time, I have the books to myself."

"Then why do you enroll here? You would be much better of in a linguist school."

Ely shrugged her shoulders. "It's been a family tradition that all the females attend this school."

I looked at the clock. It was almost one hour. "You have to leave now Ely. Lady Ophelia said she would return to me after an hour. I don't want you getting into trouble."

Ely nodded. "Alright. But I'll be in my room if you need me. I think it's about three doors from yours. Don't worry, there's a nameplate." She grinned at me and stood up. "Good luck. You need it more than I do."

She left, and I was soon all alone in the Library. I opened the appalling book and read the first chapter. It was all about Societal Authority. The miniscule letters and the monotony of the book were already boring me, quicker than I had imagined. Books rarely wearied me, but this one did. I was almost nodding off to sleep when my mind was invaded by nothing else but the sugar-coated giggles of the snide harpies.

"How positively devilish of you, Sofia, to have thought of such a spectacular idea. She would not suspect a thing!" My heart stopped at that voice, as it was so painfully high-pitched and at the same time painfully memorable. And the name just had to verify it all. It was Lorena.

"Of course," replied Sofia. "We all know that having a princess for a friend would boost our status in society."

"And," it was Gianna's voice this time, "soon we might even be getting royal favors!"

I was in such a state that I couldn't even distinguish their voices from one another, their words the only thing entering my ears and sending knives to my heart.

"Every body knows of our intentions though—"

"So? It's not like our spoiled princess would."

"Everybody knows that princesses just sit and look pretty. There's more hair than head."

"There had got to be more hair than head especially because she befriended that bookworm Elysia. Everybody knows that Elysia is but an odd little wench who doesn't deserve to be in Wistria."

"She must be losing her already very little amount of wits."

"She couldn't even sew."

And they all laughed.

"But we should strengthen our friendship with her."

"Most especially since Amara would be arriving."

There were excited giggles in the air.

I couldn't quite describe my feelings at that moment. I had known this of course, expected it even. But the thought of betrayal, that my status as a princess was the only thing motivating them to make friends with me was gripping at my chest. They thought me stupid and dense to not realize. My acquaintance with those three wenches was not strong and bonded, but it had affected me badly. Did everybody think of me this way? Did they think that I was but a simple stepping stool to get to higher places? And the gall of them to think so, the audacity to assume I was stupid enough to do so! But, if they weren't clumsy clods with their insulting, I might have been a puppet of theirs to play around and use…

And how dare they insult Ely! She had not done anything to them, and yet they spoke about her with such spite that it was unbelievable! Someone had to put them in place, and I wanted to be that someone.

I stood up from my secluded sofa, and went in search of them. Sofia, Lorena, and Gianna could have chosen a better place to discuss their deviousness. But instead they chose the main lobby of the Library, a conspicuous place. The sound of my footsteps had alerted them of my coming. The look on their faces was unforgettable. They all held stark pallor on their faces. Their eyes were the widest I had ever seen. I could have laughed then but now was not the time of laughing.

"Good evening, Sofia, Lorena, Gianna," I said, my voice dripping with fraudulence. I never felt so false, so wicked. But they had been wicked to me with their assumptions and plans, and they were wicked to the innocent Ely. They were getting what they deserved, and I wouldn't care less.

"Catleya! How long have you been here?" Sofia managed to choke out.

"If you're wondering if we heard it all, the answer is yes. Unfortunately for you, I heard it all. It's really a miracle of nature, how shadows could hide light and persons alike. It's a pitiful shame—a real pitiful shame—that a particular shadow hid me."

Lorena had the gall to blame me. "You were eavesdropping—"

"And fortunately I did," I countered, "because if I didn't then you'd be winning the game of fake friends. I know all about it, my dear beloved friends. I'm just a stepping stool, nothing more nothing less. But apparently, the three of you don't know that I rarely forget when trespassed. My vengeance is much worse than my anger. Fortunately, that vengeance rarely comes out. It only comes out on rare occasions such as…say, scheming wenches backstabbing me and formulating plans of social standing?"

"We weren't doing those things!" Sofia retorted.

I shook my head. "And you had to drag Ely along. You could have had a greater chance of being forgotten if you had not dragged her along your dirty plans. For your information, Ely is a better person and friend than the three of you, times twenty! If she's not worthy of Wistria, then what can you about your worthiness?"

"We didn't mean what you heard!" Gianna cried. The two others simultaneously nodded.

"Contrary to what you believe in," I told them, "I am far from the witless spoiled princess. And a blind person could easily distinguish truth from falsity, especially when it comes to three vixens like you. I have more head than hair, more head than the three of you combined! So if you dare cross paths with me again, especially if you want to use my like a doll, I advise to think twice. This is no fanfaronade. My vengeance is something an ogre would run away from."

I waited for them to speak, to plead their hopeless cause.

"I didn't mean to—"

"How could you say that about me??"

"No one would want to use you!"

"—so don't be vexed with me!"

"My actions were wholly understandable!"

"I don't want your vengeance!!"

Sofia, Lorena, and Gianna were all speaking about themselves. Apparently, they had abandoned one another just to return under my favor.

"It is not I who need princess lessons. In fact, I wouldn't mind lecturing you on the virtue of Truthfulness." The look on their faces conveyed a clear question, mixed with everlasting hope for salvation: So you forgive me? "But the last thing I would want to happen is to have anything to do with any of you. Consider this our last babble ladies." I turned my back on them, prepared to leave them bemoaning their fate. But apparently, I wasn't satisfied with their reactions, and I needed a farewell action for them. "To give you a taste of my revenge, I would make sure the most admired person in your book wouldn't come near you."

They were paler.

Lorena whispered with horror, "Not Prince Tristan…you cannot be that cruel…"

Actually, I didn't who the most admired person in their book was. I was hoping that in the course of begging sanctuary from my revenge, they would expose the identity of that certain person. I had expected some Wistrian Lady, some other girl from the school, even a known lady. But Tristan?! If I wasn't angry with them, I would have laughed out of the incredulity of it. Instead I swallowed all the hilarity I was feeling, and maintained the stone expression.

"Indeed, I cannot be that cruel. In this circumstance, I am but a mirror, reflecting your own odious behavior back to you."

I left them for my room, at that word. But I could already hear some sad sounds—sniffing and small moans. Others might have walked away from this scene, light-hearted and fulfilled. They would be glad, possessing neither regret nor guilt. But I wasn't one of those people. Was it simply that I could act wicked, yet loathing it every single step? Yes, those girls deserved it, for all their schemes against me and their insults for Ely.

Three doors from my room, I stopped and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

"Ely, it's me Catleya," I answered.

After a few seconds the door opened. Ely stood before me, hair in disarray but eyes pretty much awake. She grinned. "I was reading."

I nodded. "I was just betrayed," I blurted out. I looked at Ely, trying to get an answer, anything!

She looked at me with question mark on her thoughts. My silence did not give her the answer but she did conclude something. "Oh no," she whispered with remorse. She bit her lip. "I'm sorry; I didn't tell you Catleya. But yes, we all knew it would. We thought you knew…and their trio had been known to be social climbers, obsessed with what they want… We should have done something. But we didn't."

I shook my head. "No need to be sorry. I might just accuse you of treachery for hanging out their dirty laundry. But I couldn't quite believe it, that someone, anyone, could be as scheming as them! If you heard what they were calling me! And even you!"

Ely reached out and took my hand. "You need not worry yourself for people like them. They will just waste your time and energy," she said and offered me a smile.

"I cannot have them think that I could be played around," I told her. "So I just stooped to their level. I threatened them too, and it doesn't really sit well with me."

'But you did something and what else could you do? But we—I—should have told you! If I had then maybe you wouldn't be feeling this way…"

"No one, especially you, is at fault. I presume that they are frighteningly intimidating to our peers. After all, they are obsessed." I smiled wickedly, my mood fast going for the better. "But damn them all!" I cursed. Then I sighed. "Well, I suppose you would want to return to your reading now. And I still have to sew my forsaken cloth."

Ely chuckled. "I'm sure you could accomplish that task. It's quite simply and even fun once you get the hang of it."

I nodded. "Let's just hope I would on time. Good night."

"Good night."

~*~

When I woke up the next morning, I knew this day would not be kind to me. Yesterday was a prerequisite for today. Yesterday, the clouds had been in great numbers, albeit holding in their breath of rain. But when I woke up, the rain was already pouring gleefully and colliding with the ground. The air was a bit chilly, and someone had closed the large windows of my room. But the rain was not the unfortunate part of my day. I soon found out when a vexed Lady Ophelia cornered me before I came for breakfast. She was angered that I left the Library and went immediately to my room. I told her that I assumed I was permitted to return since it was pass curfew hours. Amazingly, she agreed with me. She left with a massive assignment before she left me though.

"I want you to read and criticize the chapter solely on Societal Authority. Write me a five-page essay on that particular chapter, complete with examples drawn from the histories of many other kingdoms. You will find sufficient resources in the Library."

I gaped at her, unbelieving of her…academic curriculum. But then, I decided to make my normally miniscule handwriting into large, loopy, space-occupying handwriting so then I would be able to fill five pages easily.

During the breakfast of pastries and dairy, I could feel glares centered on me, and I knew exactly where it came from. But then, they were also probably laughing because although there was a splendid banquet of breakfast meals, I was unable to partake to them. The gray-eyed Lady Juliana had her eyes on me, seemingly willing for me to melt. She was a veritable monster, and she forced me to sit down on the breakfast table and watch all the others eat food. She wanted me to truly savor starvation. But the witch proved herself a bit otherwise when she permitted me to take a glass of milk. Witch of Damnation nevertheless.

"This is going to be a long day," I grumbled to Ely, who was seated beside me.

She bit on her bagel. "It is always a long day in Wistria." She sighed as she chewed. When she swallowed, she whispered, "I wish you could eat now. But we'll sneak something out of this room for you."

I glanced out of the window. "Well, at least it is raining. Somehow, my mood is better when it rains."

"Perhaps you have empathy with water," answered Ely. "You do know about the Elfin superstitions."

I nodded. "I suppose. Those things do intrigue me."

"Nevertheless, despite the rain, I have a strong feeling that this will be a very boring day, albeit a day that would be against us," she told me. "Just looking at one direction would give us three glares all at once, as if we were target practice dummies for archery."

My laugh was soft and sardonic. "Indeed. But I wouldn't care less. They brought this upon themselves. By the by, do you know Lady Amara?"

"Yes, of course," she answered. "She is said to be coming to the weekly ball."

"No wonder they were talking about her." I took my glass of milk and drank. It was a very slow day. As if all I had chewed and swallowed were still caught at my throat, taking time as it slides down to my stomach. My "supposed" handkerchief was sitting on my lap, its ugly design a stark contrast to the fine embroidery of my gown. But I had meant it to be there on my lap so I would be able to do it and prevent other grievances caused by the Wistrian mistresses. As if Lady Juliana was not enough!

Someone screamed.

The milk that I had drunk almost came up to my nose. Some of the girls were coughing. Ely, fortunately for her, was just slicing through her bread and just dropped her knife with surprise. Lady Juliana's eyes did not look at me for once since breakfast time. Instead, she searched frantically for whoever screamed.

The one who did was a servant girl who came in from the door leading to the kitchen. Her eyes were huge and she was breathing unevenly. She quickly ran to Lady Juliana, the only present mistress, and wailed, "A linguist! A linguist!!"

Manners Mistress was equally despaired. "What do you mean linguist!"

"Ogres! Ogres had attacked Sikes Farm!! A party of travelers had come across the attack, and thankfully there were knights! But the man said they are too many!! A linguist!! Please, Lady Juliana! My sister is there!!"

"Lady Sylvia!" she exclaimed. "Girls, stay here while I go to the conservatory."

The girl was now slowly crying, tears slipping down her face. Many girls were already whispering, telling each other every detail they knew about that farm.

'That farm is very near Wistria!"

"We could be in danger!

"Ogres!"

But I couldn't pay any attention to them. Instead, the servant girl was the one focused in my mind. She had not left her place, and tears were coming down her eyes. Suddenly, she returned my gaze. Her eyes widened, disbelieving. But I turned away from her now, unable to bear it. I was a linguist, and I could help. But I was scared. Ogres…they weren't child's play. And they wouldn't amount to the practice in the linguist schools. But the girl had not erased me form my mind. Instead, she ran to me and almost fell before she got to me.

"Princess!" she wailed. Her eyes were frantic, tear stricken.

I stared back at her, horror coming over me in waves. Not because of her, but because I could almost feel the anguish from her, reaping across me, tracing me with vile substance.

"Princess, I have heard of your skills…please, please, help me." She sobbed uncontrollably now.

I bit my lip. I had to help. I must. And if I didn't I knew I wouldn't be able to live with myself without disgust. I knew that my next words could mean death in a matter of minutes. "Where is the farm?" I asked.

"What?" Ely said beside me.

She looked at me without believing. She must have thought I would shove her away without mercy. "Ten minutes away," she answered in a mindless tone. "Twenty ogres."

I turned to Ely sharply. "I have to help," I said to her.

"Are you mad, Catleya? You cannot go there! The Wistrian ladies would be furious. And you will die…".

I nodded, cold dread building up in my stomach. "I have to help Lady Sylvia. One person cannot handle twenty ogres! I know, I've studied this! Also, if I don't help, I feel like I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if—"

Ely shook her head. "I know…but do you know what you are getting into?"

"I know," I replied, my voice quivering. "I know…but those people need all the help they could get," I answered firmly. Then I turned to the girl, "Please, tell me the way to Sikes."

~*~*~*~*~

ARGH!!! LATE UPDATE AGAIN!!! I'M SO SORRY!!!!!!! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!!!!!!!!

And I hope you like the chapter…oohh…cliffie…is this the first?

I'm sorry …. It's kind of sloppy since I rushed writing it in…twenty minutes… ehehehehe…it's already 11:49 pm…

And I know it's lagging but a chapter on the magic book will come up…PROMISE…

Thanks to the reviews!! I enjoyed reading them!! (hi, Shane!! I know who you are!!!)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!

Ehehehehe…gotta sleep now…

PS

I based The Virtues of Sovereignty on the Roman virtues that are upheld by ancient citizens long ago.

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