The Romantic Trials Of A Transmigrated Empress

Emmah was not skipping classes because she wanted to. She was skipping them because she had to. Count Fairfax had urged Lady Jane Fairfax to sign up all the bastard children for classes in etiquette and manners, music and arts, languages, history, mathematics and politics, dancing, horsemanship and fencing.

He had even added extra classes like astronomy, falconry, martial arts and the embarrassing art of peacocking.

It was a class that nobles did not like admitting to taking as it was embarrassing and yet eighty percent of them did it anyway. In that class they learned things like; accidental talent showcase. One would casually play an instrument, recite a poem or solve a problem in a pretentious way that made people believe this person did not know they were impressive.

They learned the dramatic flourish which included mastering a cloak swish, hat tilt , glove snap even eyebrow raises during conversations.

They learned entrance techniques. How to stride into a room and own it or how to time an early arrival or early exist.

Strategic bragging was also taught for a noble ought to know how to tell the right exaggerate lie or how to brag humbly while pretending not to brag. An example was" "Oh, this dress? I just picked it out randomly and it cost only twenty gold. It was a good thing I made some money from the time I helped the crown princess so I could afford it."

They learned how to control their laughter, when to stop drinking, how to leave lasting impressions, wear luxurious fabrics without looking like they had millions in gold in the banks or raided the royal treasury.

The art of peacocking was necessary, but nobody wanted to admit that they learned it. It was the only in the empire in which students and teachers wore masks to hide their identities.

The Fairfax bastards were taking so many classes that they barely had time to eat or rest. They slept for only four hours a day. There was limited time to the debutante ball and the count wanted no embarrassments just as many other nobles in the empire.

Emmah and twenty one other young men and women of various ages were dancing like their lives depended on it. They had been paired up with members of the opposite sex. She was dancing with Lady Stella’s son, Morty. Lady Stella was the most sought after dance professor at Worthy Academy for noble girls and boys.

"Grace, poise and elegance." She declared, using the pointing stick in her hands to tap a young woman named Carissa on the back three times. "Not good enough Carissa." She shouted.

Carissa’s body stiffened even more and she stepped on the foot of her partner. Nervous, she peeked at her mother Lady Aberdon. Thankfully, her mother was gossiping with Lady Jane Fairfax so she did not notice what was going on.

Lady Fairfax however was watching the dancers, eyes venomously glued to Emmah. Even though there were none other bastards of various ages to dislike, Emmah was the one she disliked the most.

Watching Emmah dancing so smoothly, earning Lady Stella’s praise angered her and she stood up. "Oh, Lady Stella," she cooed, walking towards the dancers. "I think my daughter Emmah could use a challenge. Perhaps we can change her dance partner to a finer gentleman!" With force, she ripped Gage Lumberfoot away from his partner.

Gage was a hulking man with feet the size of carriage wheels and ordination that suggested he was permanently fighting gravity. Lady Jane chose him because she was hopeful that he would crush Emmah’s feet and break all the bones. Then, Emmah would have no reason debut.

Her biggest worry was that Emmah whose beauty was obvious along with her talent as a mage and friends in high places would make a match better than her daughter Reina who was also going to debut.

Emmah clenched her jaw. She could already tell that Lady Fairfax was up to no good. The other Fairfax bastards, were relieved that they were not the ones in Emmah’s position.

Lady Stella clapped her hands. "From the beginning."

The music started and the waltz also started smoothly, everything was going according to plan until Boris stepped on Emmah’s right foot, causing her to scream and hop up and down. She bumped into another young woman that was in the middle of a spin. As the young woman went crushing to the floor, her partner was flung halfway across the ballroom.

Lady Fairfax chuckled from the sidelines, pleased with the chaos.

"One would think that you are targeting your step daughter deliberately Lady Fairfax." Lady Aberdon commented slyly for she knew what Lady Fairfax was up to.

Lady Fairfax smiled cunningly, "Hmm, one would have to prove their words."

"I do think that it is such a shame that our daughters are being forced to debut at the same time as these girls that do not belong." Lady Aberdon sneered at the female four female Fairfax bastards, especially Emmah. "Word of Prince Benjamin finally taking a wife this season is spreading among the ton. I worry about the slim chances our daughters have with the presence of your step daughter."

Lady Fairfax whispered, "She would have to be present for that to happen."

"Begin again. From the start" Lady Stella clapped her her hands.

Once again, they started the waltz and a very regret filled Boris kept his eyes on his feet the whole time. Unfortunately, he bumped into his neighbor which made him panic. As he turned to apologize, he stepped onto the tail of Emmah’s gown, causing it to rip and resulting in her to spin like tornado.

It was Boris that helped to steady her by grabbing her by the waist, holding her body inappropriately close to his. It inspired looks and gossip from the watching mothers on the sidelines and the dancers alike.

Lady Fairfax chuckled even more, she could smell her impending victory already.

"Boris is the son of a baron. I think he would make your stepdaughter a fine match." Lady Aberdon said to Lady Fairfax.

Lady Fairfax who had transitioned into the wicked step mother since Emmah moved in smiled wickedly. Her eyes gleamed with mischief as the idea blossomed within her mind.

The waltz was restarted and the tired students smiled through pain and sweat to prove themselves ready for the ball. Emmah was like them, she was determined to prove that no matter what obstacle was put in her path, she could conquer it.

The halo on her head got to work. She twirled and swayed smoothly, even executing a flawless spin that left others jealous and speechless.

Emmah and Boris turned into the best dance partners, he was as flexible as circus acrobat mid back-flip. His hulking frame appeared dashing suddenly and all the young women wished to be paired with him.

They young man wished to have just one dance with Emmah. Before the waltz was finished, Lady Stella was leading the rest of the class in an applause, weeping with pride.

As for Lady Fairfax, she was fuming silently. She could not understand how the clumsy Boris had not messed up.