The unexpected event that happened in the garden of the manor made Calista realize how difficult her quest to change her destiny was. It was not as simple as getting along with the duke's children being enough to change her destiny. Well, sure, it will significantly change her destiny, but even getting along with the said individuals is hard.
Calista thought that she knew the characters to some extent because she once read about them in the book, but her expectation was different from reality. They were just words made of ink as she read them, but right now, they are real people that have their own unique personalities and emotions.
Even the individual that was on the top priority on the list of people that needed to get along was, for her, a very complicated person.
Calista thought the heroine would be innocent, justifiable, and even naive since she was portrayed that way in the novel but was in fact a spoiled, cunning, and emotional brat.
As much as she wanted to just lie on her bed and shut herself away from those people, Calista still needed to get herself out there to survive. She needs to portray herself as a diligent daughter and not just a person that lavishes herself with the duke's wealth and is a spoiled brat as the heroine.
She can do that, sure, but the difference between her and Lilian is that Lilian has the right to do so since she's the duke's daughter, while she, on the other hand, is an outsider and an impostor.
It took a few minutes for Calista to collect herself before she went inside the great hall, which was once again surrounded by the people that have other ulterior motives behind their smiles.
She went like that for hours before the duke stepped in and rescued her. And as a loving father, the duke told Calista that she did more than enough publicity and it's her time to rest.
Calista immediately took the given opportunity and left the great hall. Once she was back in her chamber, she changed into her nightgown with the help of a few servants and went to sleep without ever seeing a glimpse of Elias, Lilian, and Thalion again.
....
Although the banquet was finished and successful, Calista still woke up early the next day, changed into a proper outfit, and went to her study sessions.
Her lessons still continued despite the banquet already being finished, and she went into a deeper level of the lessons. Since Calista started her noble lessons much later than the others, she has a lot to catch up on, and the pace of her studies is accelerated.
However, the professional teachers that the duchess hired for her still made sure to teach the lessons properly to her. The duration of the lessons was even longer than the last, and her free time was reduced.
It was no wonder if her body was exhausted at the end of the day. Her routine was repetitive every day. She woke up early, dressed up, went to her study sessions while eating in between, slept late, and then went back to waking up early the next day.
When things get repetitive, our body tends to get used to it, and so does our mind. That's why when a month passed, Calista got used to her routine.
Calista's court politics study session finished, and as soon as her teacher exited her study room, she immediately tidied up the books and papers on her table and placed them in her drawer.
Once she was finished, she went out of her study and went to the parlor. When she arrived there, she immediately saw a man in his early forties standing in the middle of the parlor with his back straight.
The man shifted his eyes on her as soon as she walked in.
Calista mustered up a smile as she greeted.
"I apologize for my tardiness, Mr. Victor. I hope you didn't wait that long," Calista spoke in an apologetic tone as she went closer to him.
"There's no problem, my lady," Mr. Victor said with a benign smile on his lips.
"Shall we start our lesson?"
"Yes," Calista nodded.
Calista heaves a sigh as she steps into the dance hall; her posture is upright and poised, her every movement exuding the grace and decorum she has been meticulously practicing.
At the center of the dance hall, Mr. Victor, with his tall structure, awaited her arrival. Once she was in reach, he extended a hand to her.
Calista smiled as she accepted his hand while briefly glancing at his tailored coat before they assumed their positions.
Once they were positioned, soft strains of a piano melody filled the room as they began to move in synchrony. However, it wasn't long before Victor clicked his tongue lightly and slowed their pace.
"Your posture, my lady," he remarked, his voice even but precise. "You must hold your frame with more confidence. A true noblewoman does not let her shoulders falter under the weight of expectation."
Calista immediately adjusted her stance, lifting her chin slightly higher. Once her teacher found her posture to his liking, they resumed, and this time the movement flowed with a greater sense of harmony.
She makes sure to put into use the lessons she learned from her dance teacher, especially since she can feel the critical eyes of her teacher on her every move.
"Better," he acknowledged, his tone carrying a trace of approval. "You have a natural rhythm that is beginning to shine through. It is clear that you have been putting in effort."
As they continued, his corrections became more nuanced, addressing the finer details of her movements. "Your steps are precise, but remember to let the music guide you. Elegance lies not only in the steps but in the way you connect to the melody. Feel the dance; do not simply perform it."
Calista nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration, and for a moment, the teacher seemed to observe her with a touch of admiration. "You possess remarkable determination, my lady," he said quietly as they turned in unison. "It is a quality that will serve you well, not only in the ballroom but in life. Few students work as diligently as you have."
By the end of the lesson, Calista's movements were noticeably smoother, her confidence growing with each step. As the final notes of the waltz faded, the teacher stepped back, offering her a bow.
"Remember," he said, his voice both firm and encouraging, "practice is the bridge between effort and perfection. And you, my lady, are closer to that perfection than you might think."
Calista returned the bow with a slight, proud smile, feeling the weight of his words settle warmly in her chest.