The Baroness Misbehaves
Chapter 82: Learning The Etiquettes (1)

Chapter 82: Learning The Etiquettes (1)

After joining the family downstairs for dinner, Madeline and Cassian sat opposite themselves as they quietly had their dinner. Although no talking in the dining was part of the family rule, Madeline and Cassian always tend to indulge in some conversation while in the dining, but shockingly today, that didn’t happen.

Questionable gazes shifted from Madeline to Cassian, and then to Madeline as no one had a clue as to what could be keeping the couple’s of the night mute, yet no one bothered to ask questions either. If this was a good or a bad sign, no one could tell.

As far as Elaine knows, those two better not be fighting when the event is just merely two days away.

"Eat." Elaine’s voice snapped the rest of the family to their senses as they began to have their dinner as well.

When the awkward dinner finally came to an end, Madeline was directed to an open hall by Inna who led the way. The sounds of their shoes clicking against the sparkling tiled floor echoed softly as they took each strides through the spacious hallway.

"In two days the celebration will begin." Inna hinted after she opened the two double doors that revealed a massive ballroom that was graciously decorated like every other part of the mansion. The dark blue curtains adorned with flowery patterns were opened, showing off the glass windows that ran from the ceiling to the floor.

The evening moonlight infiltrated the ballroom, adding to its beauty as it bathed the whole arena with a whitish-blue light, and Madeline couldn’t help but marvel at the glorious sight.

"I haven’t seen this part of the mansion before." She said to Inna while moving forward only to stop at the center of the empty, yet beautiful ballroom.

To Madeline’s surprise, Adeline was already waiting in the ballroom as she stepped out of the corner where she once stood. She offered a bow with a warm smile on her lips.

"My lady." She greeted.

"Adeline and I will help you get familiar with the etiquettes that run in this family, as well as how to act in an event that is hosted by the Duke himself." Inna began her explanation. "There’ll be many guests, and believe me when I say, they will keep their eyes for anything juicy that they can go backbite about once the event is over, so to avoid that, Adeline and I will assist you on how to act."

Noticing Madeline’s blank stare, Inna thoughtfully added. "Don’t mistake my actions for crudeness, you are already well-mannered and that is something I have noticed and admired about you." She admitted sedately. "But then there are a few things you should be aware of in order to avoid the people talking."

"Oh." Madeline finally understood why Inna had brought her here.

But to be honest, why can’t they do this tomorrow? It was already night time and Madeline didn’t think she’ll have the strength to start learning the daily etiquettes when they should be getting some sleep instead.

"The etiquettes are simple." Inna stepped in front of Madeline who was already rubbing her eyes to get rid of the sleep that was trying to cloud her vision.

"Once the guests arrive, especially the relatives, you don’t bow, but offer a courtesy as it is considered lady-like by a lot of people." Inna moved forward to give an example of the courtesy.

"And then you smile." She demonstrated an appealing smile while Madeline tried to watch attentively as she could, and she nodded in affirmation.

"Courtesy and smile." She said out loud, assuring Inna that she understood that part.

"The second is to always act and look your best." Adeline butted in, but Madeline suddenly raised her hand as though she had a question to ask, and she offered an apologetic smile. "I didn’t mean to interrupt but can I get a paper and pen so I can...."

She smiled sheepishly at her own silly request, but it would be useful since she won’t forget them when she wakes up tomorrow to practice on her own.

"Frederick." Inna called, and in no time, the butler stepped into the ballroom with a paper and pen which he handed to Madeline.

"Thank you." She smiled as she received them.

"My Lady shouldn’t be left standing." Saying this, Frederick brought a chair that had been kept in a corner, offering it to Madeline so she’d take her seat.

"The second as I’ve mentioned is to act and look your best." Adeline said with excitement. "As the couple’s at the event, the people would certainly have their eyes on you. You need to stand out from the crowd with your appearance."

Madeline nodded as she wrote them down on the paper Frederick had given her.

"The next etiquette shouldn’t be difficult for you, and by that I mean saying ’Thank you’ to compliments. That is the best response you can give. ’Please, Excuse me, You’re Welcome’ are other marks of good manners." Adeline added while Madeline jotted them down as they spoke.

"We move on to the next, which is to listen before speaking." Inna made it very clear to Madeline. "Respect for others is a requirement of good manners, but listening to others is a way to show respect...."

The more they kept talking, Madeline continued to write it down until she felt her eyelids getting heavy after the first forty minutes that had gone by.

"If someone walks up to you and says, ’My lady, do you care for a dance?’ how will you respond?" Inna quizzed, but when she heard no response, she turned around to find Madeline already dozing off on the chair.

"Sister-in-law."

As though she heard her name, Madeline jolted awake as she looked at Inna. "Yes yes, I’ll write it down as well."

"I didn’t ask you to write, I asked you a question." Inna bluntly said as she raised a slim brow at Madeline who giggled in embarrassment.

"S... sorry, could you repeat it again? I think I missed it."

"Before we even get to that question, do you know how to waltz your way to the dance floor?" Inna twirled smoothly against the tip of her feet before meeting Madeline’s awed stare.

Adeline nodded in agreement. "Yes, the best part of the event since you will have to dance with the young Lord!"

Madeline nearly choked on her own saliva after hearing she was going to dance. "I have to waltz?"

"Are you not familiar with the dance?"

"I am." Madeline cleared her throat as she shifted uncomfortably on her chair. "Just that I never learned how to....dance like that since I wasn’t brought up to learn such dance steps."

Adeline’s jaw dropped open, and Inna blinked in disbelief since this was the first time she’s heard someone has no idea how to waltz.

"You have to learn it My lady! It is important you dance with the young Lord." Adeline informed her with all seriousness in her tone.

"Just explain the basics and I’ll write them down, then tomorrow we begin full practice." Madeline assured them, but deep down, she wasn’t sure if she was assuring them or herself.

"Alright." Inna could only agree as she turned away from Madeline to demonstrate for her once again.

"There is a famous saying that the body says what words can not." Uttered Inna as she stepped forward. "The dance itself represents freedom, passion, expressiveness and reveals all other ideals that even words cannot express, very similar to music, and..."

Swirling around, Madeline had once again fallen deep into her slumbers, and Inna sighed before looking at Adeline who just smiled nervously as she knew exactly what Inna was thinking.

"I knew we should have started this teaching sooner." Muttered Inna who had no idea if Madeline would be able to learn everything in just tomorrow.

"Save your boring etiquettes for another day and let my wife sleep." Came a familiar deep subtle voice as the young lad walked into the ballroom.

"Brother??" Inna’s eyes widened in disbelief when she saw him without the blindfold, and his Amber-brown eyes were once again visible for her to see. "Can you see me??"

"Shhhhhh." He silenced his sister before looking at his sleeping wife and reaching to pick the woman in his arms.

"Goodnight." He winked at Inna before taking Madeline away, and Inna excitedly looked at Adeline who was also dumbfounded to see the young Lord walking without his blindfold.

"Cassian can see!"

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