The Villainess Wants to Change Her Destiny

It was just another day for Calista, studying like it was for survival, but there's something different about the agenda for today—their lesson was taken outside Elias's study. The lesson they are taking in the garden was their speech and conduct.

Their tutor said that they are going to act as if they are in an official event like a tea party, and he would like to watch and critique the way they talk and how they carry themselves.

This is like an evaluation to see if they learned anything from their sessions so far. 

Elias and Calista are sitting on either side of the table with their backs straight and their fingers gently carrying the teacup with grace.

Their expressions were gentle with small smiles on their lips as they looked at each other. 

Their tutor, who was standing a few steps away from the table, quietly observed their actions with sharp gazes before nodding his head in approval at their poises.

Calista was the first one to break the silence between them as she opened her lips. "Have you heard of the upcoming event of the Marquis Ropert? I heard he's going to hold a ball for his daughter's coming of age. I expect it to be quite a crowded event as many bachelors will surely pursue the Marquis's daughter's hand in marriage."

Their eyes come in contact for a second as Elias gives Calista a meaningful gaze as if saying that he finds the topic to be boring, but this only takes a second before Elias musters up a smile and replies as if he enjoys the topic in the conversation.

"I have. I was also interested in the events that will happen after that. Surely, the marquis will choose an appropriate potential husband for his only daughter. What makes things even more interesting are the individuals that will come running their way to have the daughter's hand. Don't you think?"

"Indeed. A very interesting event to look forward to," Calista nodded her head in agreement with a smile on her lips. 

The two continued talking about events in the kingdom whilst maintaining their poise and proper speeches as their tutor continued observing their every move.

A few minutes passed, and their tutor finally went towards their table, signaling for their test to be finished. 

Calista and Elias's smiles dropped instantly once the test was finished, and they looked at their tutor with silent eagerness in their eyes. 

Their male instructor cleared his throat before looking at his two students, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, with a slow nod of approval, he finally spoke in a calm, clear voice. 

"Well done, my students. The lessons that I thought were used appropriately in your conversation—the posture was impeccable, the handling of the tea was delicate and refined, and the tone of your voice was measured and appropriate for the conversation. You carried yourselves with the grace expected of individuals of your high standing."

He paused briefly, allowing for his words to sink into their minds. 

"However, while your actions were nearly flawless, the choice of topic left room for improvement. The Marquis Ropert's ball is an acceptable subject, but it lacks the depth and subtlety required for society conversation. If the both of you went in the direction where you asked about certain information, it would have been better. After all, participating in a conversation at this kind of event is to seek knowledge and information that will benefit you."

The tutor took a step forward, meeting both of their gazes. 

"In official settings, remember that there will be no one that will guide you, and you will be on your own. One wrong move, and everyone will judge you and forget all the achievements that you have achieved. That's how important these lessons are."

He turned slightly, as if to conclude, but then added in a more pointed tone. 

"I suggest each of you spend at least an hour a day reading the royal gazette or reviewing court briefings. By the next lesson, I expect both of you to initiate conversation not just with grace, but with relevance."

"That would be all for today's lesson."

Once the tutor was out of sight. 

Calista was the first one to break the character that the tutor wanted to mold them into—her straight posture slumped as she let out a long sigh. Elias, on the other hand, maintained his posture, a slight frown gracing his face as he gave her a judgmental look. 

"What's with the look, Elias?" Calista asked with a frown on her face. 

Elias let out a soft sigh, his posture still proper and formal. "Haven't you even learned a lesson?" 

He gestured vaguely at her relaxed posture, "Our tutor is barely out of sight, and you've already abandoned all pretense of decorum."

Calista rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. We just spent an hour practically mummified in good manners. My spine needs a vacation. Besides," she leaned forward conspiratorially, her voice dropping to a whisper, "didn't you find it absolutely stifling?"

Elias's frown deepened at her words. "Stifling? If you already feel like that even in lessons, how much more in formal events?" His voice went high-pitched as if he was judging her. 

Elias stands up abruptly from his seat. "Forget even becoming a proper noble. You can't even uphold a proper etiquette."

Calista was flabbergasted at his statement as Elias walked away, leaving her behind. 

"What?"

Calista was beyond hurt at his judgment. She knew that etiquette and proper decorum are very important in being a noble, but can a momentary relaxation be used against you?

It took a few seconds for Calista to recover from that attack before she snapped back from reality and stood up from her seat and looked at the direction where Elias went. 

With determined steps, she went after him. 

Elias is a fast walker; that's why even a few seconds was enough for him to have that much distance from the table. 

Calista marched after Elias, the soft grass of the garden path crunching beneath her heavy steps. Her initial hurt quickly morphed into a familiar indignation. Elias has a knack for pushing her buttons, and this time, he'd really done it. 

"Elias!" she called out, her voice sharper than she intended. 

He didn't stop, but his pace didn't increase either. He simply continued his stride, his back straight, as if her outburst was nothing more than a faint breeze, which made her even more pissed. 

She quickened her steps, finally catching up to him. She grabbed his arm, pulling him to a halt. 

"What gives you the right to say something like that?" she demanded, her voice low but laced with fire. "A 'proper noble'? What, exactly, do you think you are, Elias? Some paragon of aristocratic virtue?"

Elias turned, his frown still etched on his face, but now there was a hint of surprise in his eyes. He clearly hadn't expected her to follow him, let alone challenge him.

"Calista, really," he began, his tone dripping with exasperation, "must you make a scene? Our tutor could still be within earshot." He glanced around pointedly, as if expecting their instructor to materialize from behind a rose bush.

"Oh, worry about the tutor all you like," Calista retorted, ignoring his diversion. "I'm talking about what you said: 'You can't even uphold proper etiquette.' Is that what you truly think? That a moment of relaxation invalidates everything we've learned, everything we are?"

He let out a short, dismissive sigh. "It's not just a 'moment,' Calista. It's a mindset. Our tutor just emphasized how crucial these lessons are. 'One wrong move,' he said, 'and you, within seconds, discard the very posture he praised.'"

He gestured again, a subtle sweep of his hand indicating her still-slightly-slumped shoulders, a stark contrast to his own perfect bearing.

Calista felt a hot flush creep up her neck. She straightened her back instinctively, but not out of deference to Elias. It was a reaction to his condescending scrutiny.

"So, what?" she challenged, stepping closer. "Are you saying that the perfect noble is a machine? Someone who never lets their guard down, even in private? Is that the life you want, Elias? To be constantly performing?"

His gaze hardened. "It's not about 'performing,' Calista. It's about upholding standards. Standards that have been passed down through generations. Standards that ensure our place, our respect, our influence. You call it stifling; I call it necessary. If you cannot even manage it in a controlled lesson, how will you navigate the true complexities of court?"

Calista stared at him for a few seconds. She understands his point, but can he just say that in a kind manner? Why would he say and slap to her face that she doesn't belong here?

She could barely even keep up with her new environment and new people. On top of this, the new information and standards she had to uphold overwhelmed her. 

"I-I—" Her voice cracked as her sight blurred.

Calista turned away and avoided his gaze as she sniffled, trying to suppress her sobs. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and fanned her face with her hands. 

She heard a long sigh from Elias. 

She looked up and saw that Elias was walking away. 

Calista's throat became even more painful as she watched him walk away. 

"E-elias!"

He didn't stop at her call. 

Tears poured out of her eyes, blurring her sight as she watched Elias's fading silhouette. With hesitant steps, Calista went after him. 

Her sight still blurry, Calista runs towards him. There's a feeling that's bothering her deep down that if she leaves this situation as it is, the relationship between them will not improve for the better.