FaRtaL Chpt 7

==From a Ristar to a Lady - Chapter 7 -==
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
----
Innerman City, Inman
Milligan PDZ, Woodbine Operational Area,
14th February, 3061
Generally, re-teaching manners to a nobleborn woman over the age of twenty would be a major scandal in the social world, no matter the circumstances.
Thus, the teacher the Baron quietly secured was not a famous etiquette teacher, but Madame Iris, who was known for teaching etiquette to non-nobles.
Madame Iris, the third daughter of a knight, had been the second mistress to a viscount somewhere else in the Draconis March. After the viscount died from cancer, she gathered what money she had saved up and set off for the Trivet worlds to establish a new life for herself. Her funds were limited so she could not live as extravagantly as before.
However, since she was born into the aristocracy, was part of the viscount's family for a long time, and was diligent in keeping up with the etiquette formalities, her training was coveted by wealthy commoners. They longed for the life of the aristocrats even if they had no access to it, but by educating their children, there was a chance they could get a foothold in the aristocracy, via marriage or alliances.
So Madame Iris earned her own livelihood by educating the children of wealthy commoners in the social etiquette of the nobles. Then one day she received a call from Baron Kalinski’s butler.
The Kalinskis were not particularly influential, even in the Trivet, but they were related to Baron Renard Haynes, the presumed heir to Count William Haynes, through his mother, the first Countess. And so they could not be ignored either.
Madame Iris had wondered who she could educate in such a family, and was startled to find out that it was the Baron’s daughter. If she was the daughter of the Baron, she must have been educated from an early age by excellent teachers already. So why was she needed at all?
In addition, she was also worried. Despite being new to the Trivet worlds, she knew the importance of keeping tabs on the aristocracy, so she had heard about Anastasia’s terrible personality that was completely incongruous with her beauty. And like everybody else, she also knew what Anastasia had done during the New Year Celebrations.
It seemed that this was the reason she would be paid very well. But no matter how much she had lowered herself to teach commoners, she still had her own pride to consider. If the Baron’s daughter was rude to her, she intended to quit immediately. But it seemed Baron Kalinski’s daughter had been alternating between being rude and polite in various settings, so she was also not sure of the girl’s true personality.
She was a bit surprised when they met. Anastasia greeted her and admitted, “Madame, I lost my memory in an accident, so I need to take lessons from you.”
Oh, she lost her memory in the aftermath of that ‘accident’, so she forgot her lessons.
Since Anastasia did not look down on her as a half-noble and instead respectfully asked her for instruction, Madame Iris thought she was actually a decent girl.
But that thought lasted only for a short time. The Baron’s daughter listened to her instructions, but the pace of learning was slower than she had expected.
“How many times do I have to say it? Your steps should not be light, but moderately heavy. A light gait makes a person look frivolous."
“All right.”
Anastasia tried to walk in the cumbersome skirt, her steps were heavier this time, but she walked as if her feet were wrapped with lead. Madame Iris thought Anastasia easily had the talent to dance well, but the problem was that it seemed as though Anastasia had never learned the concept of 'elegance'.
Furthermore, it seemed that Anastasia did not understand why she had to learn this. Sometimes the young woman would grab the hem of her skirt and shake it in frustration.
Madame Iris knew that if Anastasia was not convinced of the necessity of learning, her speed would naturally slow down. It seemed that the manners that she had learned remained in her memory to some extent, but she was far short of being able to attend the banquet with the proper etiquette.
“My lady, do you not understand what I am saying?”
“Elegantly. If my footwork looks too light, it looks frivolous, so it needs to be heavy but elegant. I get it.”
Although the girl was listening, Madame Iris was getting tired of teaching Anastasia, who was growing more and more frustrating. She lacked the enthusiasm for learning that aspiring commoner girls have.
“Sit down, my lady.”
When Madame Iris pointed to the sofa to let her rest, Anastasia stomped over and leaned against the sofa. Madame Iris frowned. “My lady is obviously smart. But you seem unmotivated to do what you can.”
At that, Anastasia sighed in exhaustion.
“Because I don’t understand.”
“What is it you don’t understand?”
“What is the standard of elegance? Why is it so important to know how to hold your skirt? No, I don't understand the dress either. Why do I have to wear such a heavy skirt? There are many comfortable clothes. Why not pants? Or a jumpsuit? Why do women talk in such a roundabout way? If there's something you want to say, why not just say it right away? Who decides all of these in the first place?”
Madame Iris was astounded. Nobody had ever asked these questions. Everybody had just accepted it as the way things were. For the nobles, it was tradition, and the commoner people simply followed along.
“That’s what nobles should do.”
Anastasia frowned, "That is not true. Many men don't talk in a roundabout way. Male nobles just smile and move on even if they don’t walk with the right manners. Even if they behave crudely, it's not a big deal. It seems that such things are only asked of women.”
"You talk as if you've been hanging out with men, my lady."
At those words, Anastasia closed her mouth. As an older and more experienced woman, Madame Iris recognized immediately that Anastasia was hiding something.
However, what Anastasia had said was not entirely wrong. Crude behaviour from noblemen was tolerated to a greater extent than when it came from noblewomen. For women who did not behave with the right etiquette, they would receive criticism from other women and be socially ostracised. Thus, manners were more important to women.
“Men and women are not the same,” Madame Iris said calmly.
At those words, Anastasia’s face hardened. Even as Anastasia, it was difficult for her to accept the situation. She used to think this was a matter for others to worry about, not her, but she now was spending unbelievable amounts of mental energy on learning the correct etiquette. It was annoying how often she was called out for minor details that were never important, like how she walked.
‘Men and women are not the same’ was something that was never said in the clans. While it was true that men had physical advantages over women in general, extensive training and selective breeding over many generations had somewhat negated those advantages. Men and women compete on equal grounds in everything, from Trials of Positions to Trials of Bloodright. No concession was given to women, and none given when different phenotypes compete unaugmented either.
Avryl suppressed an internal wince when she recalled her brutal unaugmented duel against a male elemental during the final round of her Trial of Bloodright. If the locals thought blindsiding a Harvester was considered brave, she wondered what they would think of facing a genetically engineered two-point-three metre tall tower of hulking muscle in unarmed combat. To this day, she still could not quite believe how she won that fight. Well, she had Tiaret to thank for all the tips…
And this invitation… it was probably an opportunity for Baron Haynes to humiliate her after she had caused a scandal with the attempted suicide. She hated being manoeuvred into such a disadvantageous position, but she had no choice but to catch up as fast as she could.
Madame Iris continued speaking. “When men behave crudely, they are still judged. It may not be apparent, but they are. And good, proper etiquette is how nobles display their wealth and status, above those who are not part of the aristocracy. Furthermore, the education of noblewomen has a purpose.”
Purpose? Anastasia tilted her head in silent query.
“The strict etiquette of noblewomen symbolizes the prestige of their families, as well as the prestige of their world, and finally the state. It is the same regardless of which Successor State we are in.”
“Then what about the noblemen?” She thought of Baron Kalinski, and Finn.
“Men have more opportunities to enhance the prestige of their families, through victories in battle, or successful governance. Sure, some noblewomen can still choose these paths, but here in the Outback, very few actually do, usually only those born into martial families who do it out of duty and tradition, and they start from a young age. Which other noblewomen would know from young to do this? So for the majority of noblewomen here, they can only show it through their manners and clothes. From the way they talk, to even the seams and pleats of their dresses.”
Madame Iris had given her a straightforward answer, and Anastasia was at a loss for words. She had never realized just how backwards some of these worlds are. The women of the aristocracy were essentially props for their families, so they had to learn all these. In a sense, they were defending their families as much as holding a gun or a sword.
Anastasia sighed and looked up at the ceiling. Here, too, they had a reason of their own. They were not idiots who only cared about clothes. If a family's prestige was to be defended with a fancy dress and steely words, then their way of life should also be respected. She supposed it was no different in the clans, with how each Bloodhouse zealously protected its reputation.
Madame Iris wondered inwardly whether she had offended Anastasia with her words. After the viscount died and she had to leave without disrupting his family, she had finally thought about this: what was the difference between the nobles and the commoners? So when Anastasia asked, she was able to give her opinions because she had already thought about the issue. Madame Iris conceded mentally that she might not be correct, but that was really her honest opinion.
"I see. I understand,” Anastasia finally said, smiling. “If this is their way, then I will just have to follow.”
She straightened her back and rose gracefully from her seat. Her somewhat rigid movements and free-spiritedness were gone. “Then, shall we try our best until the banquet?”
Like all other people, Madame Iris agreed that Anastasia was beautiful, but that was only on appearances alone. But when she combined it with the elegance and bearing of a noblewoman, Madame Iris felt the full impact of her charisma and understood why she was bestowed the nickname of ‘White Lotus’ by admirers and detractors alike.
----
Haynes Palatial Manor
18th February, 3061
“What are you worrying about?”
At Raymond’s words, Countess Priscilla lifted her head.
In the dull sunlight, the Countess stood in front of the golden birdcage, listening to the canaries singing. It was one of the things she did when she was worried.
“The banquet is happening soon.”
"Yes, it is,” Raymond nodded his head.
“I’m worried about Baron Kalinski’s daughter.”
At the words of his mother, Raymond looked at her gently.
"She brought such difficulties upon herself. You don't have to worry about it that much, mother."
His tone was soft, but his words were cold.
“Baron Haynes seems to be trying to create a rift between me and Baron Kalinski,” the Countess said, smiling bitterly.
“Is that so?”
She sent the invitation directly in the name of the Countess, so from the Baron's point of view, it was apparent that he would resent the Countess.
Renard was not wary of his brother Raymond but wary of the Countess, the leading lady of the Trivet. When he became Count, she would become the Countess Dowager, and he had to be wary of her political power.
“Even though he needn’t do so.” She sighed and placed her hand on her forehead.
“I think it’s just because my brother was acting up again.”
“You think so?”
“You know his personality well enough, don’t you?”
At that, the Countess nodded her head. They were both well aware of Renard’s sadistic character. Raymond stood next to the Countess and observed her birdcage.
“If he bothered to think about it, he wouldn’t have done that.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Wouldn’t he offend Finn?”
Viscount Finnickerhet Ian Rason was engaged to Baron Kalinski’s daughter. Mocking his fiancée, even if she was admittedly flawed in many ways, was directly linked to the honour of the Viscount. That would not be pleasant.
“Unlike Baron Kalinski, Finn would have immediately noticed that it was brother, not mother, who invited the Baron’s daughter because he hates brother’s personality.”
Raymond took off his glasses and rubbed the lenses with the hem of his robe.
"But in this case, you should just act a bit offended and then drop the issue. If we behave as though it’s not a big deal, then there is no insult either.” He continued, “I know Finn very well. Even though he looks like that, he's not really that cold-hearted. Well, except towards me.”
Raymond folded his glasses neatly and put them in his pocket, revealing his sharp eyes.
“Even if she is damaged goods and the engagement was forced, she is his fiancée. Inviting his fiancée there to insult her is to insult Finn too. Finn will never forget this if my brother goes through with his plan. But that’s Renard’s problem.”
“……”
“If it were me, I wouldn’t have given any reason to turn Finn into an enemy.”
Raymond’s eyes were shining sharply without his glasses. The genial smile on his face had turned into a sneer.
----
Kalinski Estate
21st February, 3061
0900 hrs (0900 hrs on local 28 hr cycle)
Anastasia did the best she could to learn proper etiquette, what should have taken years condensed into the span of just two weeks. By the day of the banquet, she was able to somewhat act like a noble.
Despite studying as hard as she could, she did not manage to completely memorise the various relationships between the nobles, or how to conduct a conversation politely. Nevertheless, she did manage to carry herself somewhat convincingly as a noblewoman.
Madame Iris had been perfectly blunt with her assessment. "With all due respect, there won’t be anyone who would want to bring up a conversation with you about what you have done."
“You mean like stupidly jumping into the lake to beg Baron Haynes for his love?”
“That’s right. So, you do remember what you have done."
She was praised, but somehow it made her feel bad. Madame Iris sighed at Anastasia’s expression.
“You will definitely be ridiculed at the banquet hall.”
"The easiest solution would be to not go, but I couldn't do that….”
Why did I have to end up in a body like this to suffer? she thought. But if she had to attend a banquet anyway, it was better to just get it over with. Avryl was a Smoke Jaguar warrior, she faced her problems and enemies head-on!
It’s just a banquet. She was acting as Anastasia, but the reality hadn't settled in yet. When she met Finn, she became intensely aware of her original self as Avryl, but presently, her life seemed to be floating somewhere unknown.
“It’s like I’m in a dream.”
"What?"
“No, it’s nothing.”
Anastasia laughed bitterly. If she did not accept that she was dreaming, she would not be able to understand what was happening to her. How could she admit that she, a Smoke Jaguar ristar, was now a noble-born lady and was going to attend a banquet in the Federated Commonwealth?
It was so much easier to treat everything like a dream.
-----
1500 hrs (1500 hrs on local 28 hr cycle)
Before the banquet, her maids were bustling since the first activity period. First, she had to soak in a bath full of scented water.
Seeing the maids were all in high spirits to dress her up, she felt drained out. She had never guessed the day would come when she had to wear a fancy dress. If any of her warriors were to see her, they would laugh so hard until they fainted. She stood numbly as they dressed her up.
“Are you ready, my lady?” said her maid, Luisa, who was standing next to her. Anastasia nodded her head. Was a corset such a big deal? Or more specifically, why was it so important that they have to do what is called ‘tightlacing’?
“Ok… now breathe in and hold!” While Anastasia hugged a pillar as Luisa tightened the corset, it was apparent that the maid had done this before.
Anastasia was surprised at how painful the process was. And was it not harmful to compress the upper body to this extent? All right, so there is a reason for women to learn etiquette. But what is the reason for corsets and tightlacing? Is it to kill a woman? Deliberately weaken her? Ouch! This is torture!
Avryl had undergone resistance-to-interrogation training in the sibko, so she could definitely speak from first hand experience. Maybe even waterboarding wasn’t as bad as this.
“Louise, do you hate me for what happened?”
“Ah, no. How can I get mad at my dear lady? Come on, suck in more.”
If the reason for tightlacing and corsets was for noblewomen to look pretty, and looking pretty was their job, then Anastasia finally understood just how hard they had been working, if they had to endure such torture!
“Louise, I was wrong, sorry!”
“I’m Luisa.”
When her name was called wrong again, Luisa pressed her foot against the wall and tightened her corset even more.
----
After finally finishing, Anastasia looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was beautiful.
“Acceptable.”
Her maids frowned at Anastasia's bland sentiment. She was, of course, aware of her own face standing here, but she was not impressed even with the decorations, as that face was Anastasia’s.
Her long hair was pulled up and pinned, and her pale face came alive with the cosmetics applied by her maids when she had her eyes closed. Her face, which she thought was quite pretty from the beginning, was transformed into a more beautiful look when she dressed up.
What did they call Anastasia? The White Lotus of Altoona? She compared that to Avryl, who had been called the Black Lotus, the double-edged moniker coming from DCMS soldiers who both feared and admired her battlefield prowess. However, Anastasia and Avryl were simply too different to be compared in any way.
Anastasia looked at the dress she was wearing, a strapless design that exposed her shoulders and arms. It was a mix of white and deep marine blue, and adorned with jewels and flowers.
It was also expensive and an utter waste of resources. She sighed and reminded herself. I am Anastasia. I decided to live as Anastasia.
She opened the door of her room and stepped out. When she went down to the lobby on the first floor, her father was waiting for her wearing formal attire. He looked at her and seemed to be at a loss for a moment, but immediately smiled brightly.
She carefully gripped the hem of her skirt to keep it from wrinkling.
“Ana, you are so beautiful.”
"I think so, too."
The Baron burst into laughter at the unintentionally blurted words.
“You seem to be recovering your memories. An excellent sign."
Anastasia must have been a person who had confidence in her outer appearance. She understood because it wasn't unfounded.
The Baron dressed very stylishly, as befit his status as a wealthy nobleman. Even she could see that his clothes were made of different, exquisite materials. Anastasia involuntarily reached out her hand and fiddled with her dress. The Baron smiled.
“I’m sorry.”
"Why?"
"I am sorry for forcing you to go to the banquet."
"It's fine."
It didn’t need to be said. How many aristocrats could have refused the Countess's invitation?
The Baron seemed bewildered by Anastasia's nonchalant reply, but he gently placed his hand on her head and stroked it.
Anastasia felt the affection from the Baron. It was a strangely warm feeling tickling her chest, but somehow it turned into tingling pain in the corner of her heart.
"I hope that today you don't make the same mistake as before. Please don’t do things that would place Baron Haynes in a predicament.”
"Okay,” Anastasia responded obediently and grabbed his arm, and they headed towards the hoverlimo.
But, well, she wasn’t sure how she would react when she saw the Spheroid nobles eating and living in luxury. However, she wasn’t lying either when she said that she would try to live as Anastasia and did not intend to cause trouble. She had made her decision, she intended to carry it through.
Guided by the Baron's hand, she got into the vehicle, and the hoverlimo headed towards the Haynes palatial manor.
She started off relaxed, but her nerves started up again as they approached their destination.
-----
*; Note from the Author : A common trope in otome isekai is societal attitudes towards women in the military, and I felt this point needed to be addressed somewhat with regards to the Btech universe, which had always been gender-egalitarian from its beginnings. However, backwaters like the Trivet are just as likely to revert to more traditional roles, unless the tradition of the noble or martial family is to have their scions learn regardless of gender.This is exacerbated by the relatively low proportion of non-infantry forces in their militaries, because the bulk of the garrisons in the Outback at both the planetary or household levels are infantry. So attitudes percolate upwards and downwards, resulting in the situation described above.For combat vehicles, aerospace, protomechs, and even battle armor, it’s easy to see how women can fight on even footing with men (skill over sheer strength). But when it comes to conventional infantry… Probably only the clans have an even mix of genders in their conventional infantry forces (the Steel Vipers come to mind), and elementals of course have no problems. For everybody else, the sheer amount of upper body strength (thanks testosterone!) required to lug heavy weapons over extended distances at a reasonable speed (30 meters in 10 seconds) is no joke.E.g. the fictitious Mauser 960 is 10.5 kg, including vibroblade and compact grenade launcher. That’s 10.5 kg plus body armor plus ammunition/energy packs, water bottle, and toss in a support weapon for a squad.Sheesh
----
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
Chapter 7