Luckily, Marie was not aware of my misdeed because someone else had discovered me: the fault was of the Marquis’s daughter, the one who had pointed out to me that I had those petals in my hair. In the past she had been her student and so, telling her about the private party, she had reported to having heard that the king’s gardener was very angry because some children, playing, had ruined the flowerbeds. Marie combined the two events, sensing that I was the guilty.

After that scene which took place in front of the servants, Marie and I made our way inside the house to start my lesson of “good manners”; sitting in my room, I meekly put up Marie’s strict scolds.

As if she had not noticed my grunt of disapproval, Marie continued:

<< This behaviour is not appropriate for a good family’s lady like you: you can not strain and pretend to behave well only when seen by all. Only when grace and elegance will naturally flow from within you, only in that moment you could say to have achieved a perfect education – and I assure you that, at that point, these qualities will be found and recognized even from those around you >>.

I hated her sermons more than anything else in the world, but in that case I had to admit that she was right: I had maintained my knowledge from the past life, but I could not compete with Marie, that, all of her 30 years, certainly had more experience than me.

<< At the moment, I do not see these features in you. Understood, Miss Chris? >>.

<< “Miss Toinette”, please >>.

<< Oh stop with these claims. In short, MARIE, let’s see if I understood: it is not about worrying of being caught in flagrant, but to erase all the proofs on order to avoid of being discovered even later, is it? >>, I tried to re-explain in my own words.

<< Nobody ever said this!!! >>, yelled Marie.

She hit me with another noogie, punishing me because apparently I had not understood anything of what she had just said: lately, she had become quick to violence!

<< Every healthy child begins to walk at the age of one year! Let’s accept your skills for learning to speak and read at 3 and 5 years, but must I remind you that, based on what I just said, from the beginning you’ve been a little girl like all the others? >>.

I was speechless, visibly distressed.

Do not forget: you are Christina Noir. You are a genius. At 1 year you started to run free in the palace, at 3 you already knew how to express yourself properly, at 5 you read your first book, from top to bottom. You are a genius.

When at last the lesson was over, I went into the room of the latter as I always did: I wanted to play with her, but today, due to Marie’s words, I felt a little insecure and I was absorbed in my thoughts.

You are a genius. At 1 year you started to run free in the palace, at 3 you already knew how to express yourself properly, at 5 you read your first book, from top to bottom. You are a genius.

<< Yes? >>.

<< At one year, were you already able to walk? >>.

Trying to find safety in her was an evidence of the fact that confidence in myself, that day, had halved .

<< Eh! >>.

It was not the answer which I was expecting, but she was too cute: she lovingly stroked her head. When I watched her smile, I do not know why, everything else would stop worrying me.

<< Would you tell me about the dance, big sister? >>.

I looked for the right words to explain in a simple and fun way what had happened the night before.

<< Of course, because you were beautiful last night! >>.

<< A friend? >>.

I should have kept it a secret, but I spoke with Mishley open heart, though without specifying that he was a member of the royal family, whose name was Charles, and that we had destroyed the flowerbed.

<< There was this child, younger than me, who followed me with the intention to have a challenge… >>.

<< Yes. In short, I finally won and, for convenience, we’ve become friends. However, he seemed nice >>.

<< …… >>.

Recalling what had happened I was a bit enthusiastic and Mishley, who initially followed my story with interest, was all of a sudden fallen silent. I found it strange: usually she always listened with her bleaming blue eyes.

<< Is everything ok? >>.

<< Of course you, silly! >>, I replied immediately, without uncertainty.

I was feeling worried about Charles, but I had no doubt that she was the most important person in the world for me. I squeezed her to me:

<< I love you so much, Mishley, and I will always love you! >>.

<< Really! >>.

<< Forever! >>.

<< To infinity! >>.

Finally, that angelic smile which she always have had got painted again on her face.

<< I love you too! >>, she said, hugging me.

<< Impossible! I love you as much as you love me! >>.

<< Very true!!! >>.

<< Yes! >>.

We continued to shake sharing that happiness.

<< Why? >>, I asked appalled in front of that unexpected reaction.

<< No. I tell you it is impossible >>.

As I looked puzzled, not understanding, Mishley shook vigorously the skirt of my dress.