The parlour was, to be fair, a place of happy memories. Sunlight streamed through the greenhouse glass, birds chirped, the breeze from the open door gently rustled the flowers and bushes and trees, and the maids unobtrusively waited, providing tea, biscuits, cakes, whatever the occasion warranted, seemingly by magic.

Laughter, hugs, conversations, "Oh, I'd never!"... I'd missed those sorts of things, and I was determined to treasure them for as long as I could.

Which is why I was giving the young lady across from me a thousand yard stare. She was going to put me through hell, I knew it, and worse, she was going to be cutting into happy, lazy days.

She was having none of it, though, smirking as she stared right back. And mother, as was sometimes the case, was completely oblivious, pouring the tea herself with her usual warmth and care.

Dammit... There was no getting out of it. Or... Status? Skill board? Inventory?

Crap. Nothing. Well, at least that was checked, even if the results were disappointing.

"Letty, are you listening?"

Eh? Mother's tone is firmer than usual. I mean, it feels like being attacked by a plush made of pure fluff, but still...

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"Oh, sorry mama, I was distracted by the pretty lady!"

The demon child across from me smirked harder. Oh, you'll get yours...

"This is Elizabeth Maidstone, and she'll be your tutor for the next five years. She's very talented, and even though it's her first time, papa tested her himself, and thinks she's good enough to teach you everything except dancing, music, and embroidery."

I gazed up, wide eyed at mother. "What about swords, mama?"

Elizabeth chuckled. "I'm no good at those either, but a girl like you doesn't need to learn that." Seeing my eyes narrow, she added "Well, you can choose to do that later, but I don't have the skill, and you don't have the body."

I allowed myself a little huff and a cross of the arms, ignoring mother's ill suppressed squeal. She was right, although I'd be sure to take care of myself. I've read enough novels to know I should be prepared!

Still... "So am I going to be really busy from now on, mama? Too busy to have lots of tea with you?"

Mother paled just a little bit, and I grinned inside. Bingo. With this I ca-

"Oh no, don't worry, Duchess. My lesson plan is reasonable, and won't seriously impact your time together. After all, I had a happy upbringing, and I wouldn't want to ruin yours!"

Elizabeth glanced sideways at me, and I could see the triumph. Damn you, are you really... I blinked.

"Mama, how old is Miss Elizabeth?"

Mother smiled, and held my hand. "She's 13, Letty. I thought someone younger would prepare you for making friends, and she's very talented."

13? This demon child is 13? Elizabeth, clearly noting my shock, smiled, catlike.

"I've been praised, but I really need to learn more. Part of the reason the lesson plan is as it is is to give me time to continue my own studies."

Wow, way to humblebrag. But I had to admit, to please father and mother, and to so neatly cut off my escape routes (I'd been disgustingly healthy up to this point, so pulling a sickie was off the cards...) She was talented. And I had no doubt she'd put me through the wringer very efficiently indeed.

And so, defeated, I concentrated on three things: Actually paying attention, enjoying the atmosphere, and sizing up my future opponent.

...Later on, I would wonder, often, what would have happened if I'd thrown my first temper tantrum...