章 21: Verbal Freight Train
The girls had returned to their dorm, noticing the absence of Courtney and Winnie. The both of them were still at Dean Fleur's office, and Emma and Lily hoped it'd stay that way, until the end of school at least.
The girls had changed out of their dresses, and into much more comfortable clothing for their other classes.
Since it was fall, it'd get chilly during their walks to the different buildings their classes would take place at. Considering their previous mistake of not remembering that and wearing clothes that caused them to get a numbing sensation, they chose to wear more appropriate clothing that'd be stylish, and keep them warm.
Emma chose to go for a full monochromatic look, tucking a maroon cashmere long-sleeved sweater into a leather knee-length skirt of the same colour, matching it with red velvet pumps and diamond studs.
Lily had chosen warmth over style, nevertheless, still looking stylish as she wore a burgundy coat dress, matching it with pumps and dangly gold earrings.
"Damn, girl. Your outfit is such an eye candy. Wonder how the boys will resist you," Lily praised, taking in Emma's outfit.
Emma shrugged.
"You look amazing too, but we should cut the chit-chat, we're going to be late for classes, Lil. I am NOT being late again. Not this time," Emma said as she slung her bag filled with books over her shoulder.
Lily chose to use a maroon backpack instead of a bag, taking one last look in the mirror before leaving for etiquette class.
A few walks later, they arrived at a plush classroom, its inhabitants being Courtney, Winnie, Madame Marian - the etiquette teacher - and a few other students.
The two girls walked in the classroom, choosing their two seats before taking a seat next to each other.
As Courtney shot the two glares, hadn't yet forgotten how Emma was part of the reason she had gotten such a horrible partner, the teacher introduced herself.
She spoke with a french accent, "I am Madame Marian. I will be your etiquette teacher this semester. I expect all of you to take your classes seriously since you all will be representatives of your respective kingdoms and businesses," she explained.
Emma nodded, her attention fully on her new teacher, while Lily was checking out the other students.
Madame Marian continued, "Now, today, we will learn the basic etiquette that is to be shown around everyone you're with, whether they're of status, or not," she said as she looked specifically at Courtney for a few seconds.
Ah, she was informed of what happened.
As Madame Marian droned on and on about the rules of etiquette, Emma followed her actions intently. She took her classes seriously, which drew the attention of Prince James as well.
He muttered under his breath, "So. She's beautiful, not quite a bad dancer, and pays attention to class. Great. Why not make it harder for me to pay attention."
He sighed, continuing to listen to what Madame Marian had to say.
At the end of the etiquette class, she asked a few questions to some of her students.
After Lily had failed to fully answer her question, considering etiquette or remembering things wasn't her forte, Lily was not at all discouraged at the fact. Madame Marian then turned her attention to the other students.
"Can anyone here summarize what we have learnt today?" She asked, eyebrows raised.
Both James' and Emma's hands shot up in the air. It was a matter of who the teacher wanted to choose. Considering her options, she chose the latter.
"Ms Grey, if you will," she said as she allowed Emma to summarize what they had learnt.
"Today, we've learnt how to sit like a royal, by sitting with our legs crossed at the knee. Our legs and knees must be kept together, although crossing at the ankle is fine as well. The next is to enter any room in order. When people enter and are seated in a room, it is in the order of precedence, being who's next in line to the throne, or depending on status. We must also make our curtsies subtle, even though deeper curtsies and long pauses are a sign of respect and formality. We should dress modestly and for the occasion, keeping in mind that we ladies also cover up cleavage of any sort. We've learnt to hold utensils in the correct hands, by holding knives in our right hand and forks in our left with the tines facing downwards. We don't stab the food, but we balance it on the back of our forks. During tea time, it's especially important to hold our cups correctly by using our thumb and index finger to hold the top of the handle, while our middle finger holds the bottom with no pinkies out," Emma explained, but just as she was about to continue, Madame Marian stopped her. Class was almost supposed to end, and Emma would've kept on going if she wasn't stopped.
"Very impressive Ms Grey. You have indeed paid attention during class. Extra credit on your next assignments," she said, much to James' jealousy.
"I'd like you to write a two-page essay about the rules we've learnt today, specifying on how you uphold them in a specific setting. I expect it to be submitted next week, and no late dues, since I've given you more than enough time to work on it," she said, just in time before the bell rang, signalling the end of yet another class.
As Emma and Lily left the class, Lily asked her best friend.
"How did you do that, girl?" She asked curiously.
"Do what?" Emma asked.
"Remember everything Madame Marian talked about. You were like, a verbal freight train of sorts. I'm pretty sure James wanted to answer it, but even he couldn't explain it as great as you did, even if he tried to the best of his ability," she said in awe.
Emma shrugged.
"I wrote notes down, just in case I forgot any of the eighteen rules we learnt during class. I read of them," she said as she raised a pile of neatly written notes.
"Girl, sometimes, I just don't understand your logic. You're just too diligent for this world," Lily said, sighing.
Emma grinned, looping her arm around Lily's.
"Well, nevermind that. I'm planning on doing the essay and submitting it early for even more extra credit. You wanna join?" She asked.
Lily's eyes widened as she just remembered something.
"Have you forgotten that we have to go to the school library with James as punishment for being late to dance class? Shining trophies and what-not?" She asked, not eager to do whatever Dean Fleur had previously asked them to.
Emma frowned.
"Oh, right. I forgot about that. Silly me. I'll just have to work on the essay afterwards. Never mind that. So, what class do we have next?" She asked in an attempt to brighten the already ruined mood.
"Let's check the schedule," Lily said as she pulled out a folded schedule from her backpack.
"Our next class is...oh great. An academic class. Science," she said sarcastically, dreading her next class.
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