Amy stood by and watched Jennifer unhappily after they all decide to chat after she spotted them.
Why is this my life? She internally complains as she watches the happy-go-lucky Jennifer talk with her friends after they interrupt her lesson while feeling annoyed that this is what she is tasked with. She rarely has time to even train anymore and improvise by going on her routine to using grip strengtheners, weights and daily exercises.
Let's just say that the aftermath is not as bad as she initially expects. After waking up, everyone from Solin gave her a rundown on what is going on.
After the Mess Hall feud, Leon was reproached by the Olive Guard and received a lecture and forced to make a public apology to all those affected afterwards. Melissa had to clean up the political mess that Leon created. It turns out contrary to what she believed; Rufus didn't actually create the damage. In fact, he didn't do anything. All of that was actually Leon. It seems that he was the one that lost his temper. They all came to Getel with good intentions but caused some chaos with political consequences.
And that was about a month ago.
Now she is training Jennifer who she is getting increasingly frustrated with due to her lack of effort despite Leon's plea and thus she makes little progress. But she did notice her strengths amidst her many weaknesses.
She learns things at a faster rate than most people like she knew all of this from the start. She is academically excelling at almost everything. However, her proficiency in combat is poor. She updates Leon on her progress, and he didn't respond negatively to it, but he keeps asking her to keep up the good work.
Amy glared at onlooking people whose gazes lingered more than necessary, effectively scaring them off. According to Melissa, she is intimidating towards the girls than the guys compared to Leon. Rumors have spread around her as well as being a secret love rival who is jealous of Jennifer. She wanted to laugh but is not in the mood to put on that kind of display in public.
"Honestly, can you please stop scaring everyone off?" Jennifer grumbled irritably, "You've been doing that long enough."
Amy turns to look at Jennifer. The girl is certainly comfortable around her now. At first, she had an okay impression of her, but it seems that she is a much better actress than she gives her credit for. She doesn't even have to do anything. She can see it in her eyes. Without Leon around, she has been more careful but with Amy, her protection doubled by giving off the feeling she is unapproachable and that is her intention.
"For your safety, I suggest you give up on the idea. Do you have any idea what would happen to you without the prince around?" she asked.
Jennifer rolled her eyes, "You are not so different from my father." she mumbled.
Amy chose to ignore that, taps on the table.
"Let's continue." she says.
Amy curtsied by lifting up her skirt with her right hand just slightly above her ankles and crossing her chest with her other arm.
"This is the greeting for misses or non-debutantes." she explained. "This shows the receiver the girl's status if she is eligible for marriage or not."
Jennifer repeats the movement.
"And this," Amy lets go of her skirt and curtsied by slightly bending her knees gently with her gaze downcast. "-is the greeting for a debutante and your availability for marriage. However, if you were to meet someone of higher standing, notably the royal family, you go lower."
Jennifer repeats the movement again. Amy couldn't see any flaws in her etiquette. She learns quickly in this field.
"Now are Solin cultural traditions. Solin promotes education regardless of class so there are a few things that might get your attention." she says intriguing Jennifer.
"Expressions," she finishes, "For example, Getel's matchmaking and marriage between nobles are rooted based on historic ties. It is taboo to marry an enemy and Getel nobles have a lot of rivalry so they choose their partners carefully. And the royal house only take their queens and princess consorts from one of the Founding Sixteen families. Solin nobles have a marriage mart and can marry after looking for a suitable match. The royal family find their spouse in a selection in which they choose the noble lady based on the usefulness of their ability rather than their family and regardless of age. Most female ability users became single because they wait to marry other members of the royal family or in the queen's case, wait for a second chance."
"So, wait... does that mean you participated in the princess selection?" she asked.
Amy nodded, "I was a candidate. Because of my age, I was to be recruited and put into the prince's service. The selection is also not consistent. The tests and final decision rests solely on the mother by tradition since she also has to test her daughter-in-law's character. Not all tests are the same either. If anything happens to the Princess consort before or after she marries then the runner-up would take over."
"You?" she questioned.
Amy nodded. She completely forgot she was the runner-up until she remembered the selection. It was a title she hated. Queen Helena was the runner-up in the last princess selection and while she didn't initially win, she did become the ultimate winner. It is something she never wanted for herself; a goddamn nightmare.
Jennifer's magic is quite weak, and she shows no talent for combat. However, she is articulate in potions, history and culture and shows interest in it whenever that topic is taught to her.
Amy turns her head toward the violets growing in the garden.
There have been no sightings about a green haired girl nor any suspicious activities. Whatever cage she is in, it must be a hidden one with how robust Getel's security is.
Amaryllis! I found her! I found your sister!
Amy perked up at the news.