"It seems you’ve already taken care of it, my Lady," Thomas said, examining the Rune stone.
Morrigan’s stern gaze almost pierced Thomas. "Do you know who organized this?"
Thomas shook his head in disappointment. "Unfortunately not, my Lady."
"That they would even attempt such a thing," Maria said with concern. Maria, who had been tidying Morrigan’s room throughout the events, was worried for her lady when she heard the news.
"Who could plan such a terrible thing?"
Thomas’ thoughtful eyes turned to Maria. "The Church or someone who is an enemy of the Lady’s family?"
"But why would they target my Lady?" Maria’s question made even Jack stir with curiosity. Thomas shook his head. "I don’t know who, but they must certainly be powerful."
Morrigan’s eyes grew serious when she heard even Thomas call someone powerful. "How dangerous?"
Thomas showed his Lady the Rune stone in his hand. "A God-level Rune has been carved into this Stone, my Lady."
Morrigan’s eyes widened in understanding, while Jack’s eyes narrowed.
"Are you saying the one who planned this is a God?"
"Maybe or maybe not..." Thomas said, fiddling with the Rune stone. "But it’s probably a Disciple."
"Wait a minute!" Maria’s startled voice interrupted Thomas. "Are you talking about those who are even closer to God than a Saint?"
"Exactly." Thomas grinned.
When Jack understood what a Disciple was, he remembered the time he chose Morrigan as a Disciple. ’I wonder if there are other people like me?’
"What does Disciple mean?" Morrigan asked curiously, hearing such a thing for the first time.
Thomas adjusted his glasses and began to explain. "It’s when a God or Goddess voluntarily shares their divinity with a person."
Morrigan was surprised, while Jack was surprised to remember that these concepts weren’t even in the game. Thomas continued. "Technically, we can call them Demigods."
"A human body but with Godly power, something like that."
As Thomas fell silent, Maria interjected.
"According to legends, there was a time when the Gods’ Disciples were everywhere, but humans grew arrogant and desired the Gods’ throne for themselves."
"As punishment, the Gods unleashed natural disasters upon the world for 7 days and 7 nights," Maria felt a mix of admiration and fear as she spoke of this. "In the end, by the Gods’ collective decision, choosing Disciples was forbidden."
"You seem quite knowledgeable about this."
Hearing Morrigan’s compliment, Maria shyly scratched her head. "I was interested in legends as a young child."
"Most of them are just children’s tales, though," Thomas said mockingly. Maria gave a rare eye roll. "You’re just in denial."
"Is this Disciple dangerous?" Morrigan said seriously. Thomas stopped bickering and looked at Morrigan. "You are safe at the Academy and with me, my Lady."
"Nevertheless, we should increase security and conduct checks on every servant," Morrigan said, looking at Maria and Thomas. "When will my father arrive?"
"It has been postponed for some reasons, my Lady," Thomas said to Morrigan professionally. A flicker of disappointment appeared in Morrigan’s eyes for a moment but vanished as quickly as it came.
"Well, let’s start preparing for tomorrow then," Morrigan said. Maria smiled excitedly. "Trust us, my Lady. You will make a storm there."
"Maria, while you prepare the clothes, we will learn etiquette with Thomas." Maria nodded and excitedly went to prepare the outfit for Morrigan.
"Now try it, please." Thomas stepped back and watched Morrigan. Morrigan stepped forward and slightly lifted her skirt. She created a subtle smile on her face. "How was that?"
"Not bad, but it could be better," Thomas said. Morrigan felt that Thomas was very meticulous. "Always when curtsying, one foot should be in front, the other foot back, and your knees slightly bent."
"How’s this?" Morrigan asked after doing it once more. There was a satisfied smile on Thomas’s face. "When you greet the Queen, slightly lower your eyes, it will add extra charm."
"But remember, never open your skirt enough to show your knees," Thomas said, "It might make you look seductive, but it’s seen as disrespectful."
"Also, when you meet the King, your eyes should be on the ground."
Listening to Thomas, Morrigan etched these instructions in her mind.
Curtsying as Thomas instructed, Morrigan bowed and maintained a high-class posture. Thomas applauded. "Bravo, My Lady. You’ve mastered these in just half an hour."
"Now you will learn the polite way of speaking. First, never ask simple questions like age or health; make sure you research the nobles thoroughly and gently stroke their egos."
"What do you mean?" Morrigan asked, raising an eyebrow with amusement. "For example, when complimenting a lady, it is more appropriate to say that the outfit was made for her rather than just saying it looks good on her."
"When the Queen and King are in the same place, you greet the King first, then the Queen, then the Princes, and finally the Princesses," Thomas said. "During a tea party, you cannot sit until the Queen sits, and interrupting the Queen while she is speaking is considered disrespectful."
"Are there really that many rules?" Morrigan asked, raising an eyebrow. Thomas nodded with a grin. "Some rules are really quite ridiculous."
"Such as, for instance, the ban on going to the lavatory at noble parties."
"Wait, is there really such a rule?" A faint smile appeared on Morrigan’s lips. "Isn’t that quite ridiculous?"
"Actually, it stems from something quite amusing," Thomas said with a playful expression. "Four hundred years ago, there were sewers under the nobles’ homes."
"So you mean?" Morrigan asked with suspicion. Thomas’s grin widened. "Once, during a party, the king of the time fell into the sewer due to a collapsing wooden floor and died. From then on, using the lavatory at parties was banned, and the sewer system was improved throughout the city."
Morrigan’s smile involuntarily grew. "That’s interesting."
"Anyway, now that the short story is over, let’s continue."
Morrigan nodded and focused. Thomas continued. "If a lower-ranked lady does not greet you, scold her instead of making a jest about it."
"What purpose will that serve?" Morrigan didn’t understand why she should do that. A hint of seriousness appeared on Thomas’s face. "Because the Queen’s tea party is not just a party; it’s an assessment, an agenda, a gossip, and a place for trade."
"The Queen’s tea party can make you famous or disgrace you," Thomas said in a deep tone. "Remember, the Queen is aware of everything that happens there. It’s both an opportunity and a risk for you."
As Morrigan’s eyes sparkled, a satisfied smile appeared on Thomas’s face. "I assume you understand, so let’s move on, my Lady."
"At the tea party, refuse any requests for help from ladies," Thomas said. "Remember, you are a Duke’s daughter, not an ordinary servant. Act accordingly."
"Also, don’t drink more than two cups of tea," Thomas said. "And don’t start eating the desserts after drinking tea; you’ll first engage in conversation with the ladies, and only start on the desserts after the Queen begins."
"These rules are simple but important."
"I understand," Morrigan agreed, although she found the rules absurd. A look of satisfaction appeared on Thomas’s face. "You’re learning very quickly, my Lady."
"Is it that hard to learn?"
"Some ladies spend 5-6 months learning these rules, my Lady."
Although Morrigan didn’t understand why this was so exaggerated, she still found etiquette to be simple. "Since that’s done, let’s move on to choosing an outfit."
Thomas nodded. Even if Morrigan hadn’t learned everything, she had at least grasped the essentials for the tea party. "As you wish, my Lady."
As Morrigan walked gracefully, Thomas cleared away the table and the tea cup.