The only thing that brought Isabella any semblance of joy during the day was the food that was painstakingly prepared for the girls. Three meals a day, all very delicious, with varied options for each. Still, it was hard for her to be excited when mealtime included nearly as much pomp and circumstance as her lessons. At least for lunch and dinner when the girls were all together in the school building. Nevertheless, she looked forward to the time away from classes. Particularly when she was able to enjoy new things that popped up on the menu. Now that Violet was joining her, she feared her enjoyment would continue to wane. 

Upon entering the large banquet hall, Violet’s eyes scanned over the students who had already assembled. Around them, it appeared handmaidens were receiving orders from their ladies. Who then went and conversed with their acquaintances, leaving their staff to join the students that were retrieving their own meals. Violet turned to Isabella, inclining her head slightly before she spoke. “Miss York, it appears it’s my responsibility to retrieve your food. Please tell me what you’d like to eat so I may get it for you.”

Once Violet had finished speaking, Isabella likewise turned and observed the same routine play out between student and handmaiden. Well, that was at least one little bonus to this whole arrangement, more time to sit and relax instead of waiting in line. Her eyes back on Violet, she tapped a finger to her cheek for a few moments in thought before deciding. “Alright, I’ll take some noodles then.”  

In response, Violet nodded her understanding but didn’t turn and make her way to the line. “Miss York.”

Clearly, the handmaiden had something more to say, much to Isabella’s irritation. “What now?”

“Though I am merely a servant, adding a ‘please’ can go a long way towards maintaining healthy relationships. I suggest you practice adding it to your requests of me to build the habit.” 

Violet’s suggestion earned her a roll of Isabella’s eyes before her hands came up in a sort of shrug. “Fine. Can you go get me some noodles? Please.“

Apparently satisfied, the handmaiden bowed her head and turned to go join the women waiting in line. Finally free from her overseer, Isabella sat at the table with a small, contented sigh. In these blissful moments of semi-solitude, a little smile managed to creep onto her face. But any delight she felt didn’t last, and the expression faded away as soon as other girls began to sit around her. Most women found natural conversation partners with those near them, so she was often left alone. Which suited her just fine, she didn’t want their company anyway. 

After a few minutes passed, Violet returned with a small platter of food in hand and promptly placed it on the table. Isabella looked down at the food for a moment, her stomach already rumbling at the sight and smell of it. However, there was something more pressing on her mind. She looked up at Violet once more, taking note of her empty hands. “Where’s yours?”

In response to the question, Violet removed the box from under her arm and brought it up for her to see. “They have boxed meals for the handmaidens. I’m not sure what’s inside.” 

Isabella stared at the simple white box for a few moments before her eyebrows knit together. “Don’t you get the same food as the rest of us? That doesn’t seem fair.”

Violet’s hand came up and stopped Isabella from complaining furhter. “I’m sure it’s fine. Please, enjoy your meal with your classmates, Miss York. Don’t worry yourself with me.”

At first, Isabella only narrowed her eyes, about to argue further but she only sighed instead. “Alright, fine. Eat your box then.” As long as the handmaiden was getting food, and she didn’t seem to mind what it was, there was no reason for Isabella to care. So, she turned back to the tray. In addition to the main dish she’d requested, there was a small side salad and a bowl of soup. Of course, the usual assortment of cutlery lay on either side of the plate. Each utensil was specifically chosen for a different portion of the meal and the staff switched them out based on the food the girls ordered, but Isabella didn’t care for all that. She reached down and picked up the nearest fork to the plate before immediately driving it into the leafy green salad.

“Miss York, the proper fork for your salad is on the outside of the line. You start from the end and work your way in.”

This correction only earned a scoff from Isabella, who didn’t even bother to look back up at the blonde as she continued to eat. She wondered if the placid look of Violet showed any emotion when she purposefully used the same fork to take a bite of the main dish. Before returning to the salad for the following bite. Normally she would’ve finished the salad first, but she couldn’t help but try to get a rise out of the woman. However, if there was any reaction to her little act of rebellion, no further corrections came.

Instead, Violet silently ate her own lunch, sparing no time to enjoy the flavor. In the quiet that followed, Isabella finished off her salad and picked up the only spoon on the tray to attend to the soup. This time she couldn’t help but turn and look up at Violet once she plunged the utensil into the bowl. “Good thing I managed to find the right–” When Isabella turned, and saw Violet had finished with her meal already and the rest of the sentence faded to nothing. “Are you done already?”

Violet nodded by way of answering, before elaborating further. “I learned to eat quickly in the army. You never knew when your meal was going to be interrupted, so it was best to be efficient. Especially if time was set aside for it.”

In response to her answer, Isabella’s head tilted curiously, as if not quite believing what she’d just heard. “In the…army?” The words came out slowly as if Isabella could enhance her understanding by repeating them back to the woman. “I don’t understand, were you a soldier? You’re just a girl though.” When Violet mentioned losing her arms in the war, Isabella had figured that it had been due to an accident or indiscriminate bombing of a city or something. There had been plenty of that throughout and Violet wouldn’t be the only person to suffer such a fate.

“I was a soldier, yes. However, this isn’t the place for such discussion. Please focus on your meal, Miss York.”

Was it that bad she couldn’t speak about it here? “But, I just…” Isabella began to protest, her curiosity overriding the annoyance with her handmaiden. Of course, just when she found a topic that was interesting, Violet moved on. No matter what she said, she figured the handmaiden wouldn’t budge. So, Isabella once again returned to her meal where it stayed.

After the rest of the meal passed without incident, the two girls made their way back to the dormitory. As usual, eyes and whispers followed the pair wherever they went. It seemed that Violet drew other’s gazes like a moth to a flame. Which only continued to grate Isabella’s nerves.

Most students took this time in the afternoon to socialize amongst their peers in an attempt to make lasting connections. Connections that would serve them well into the future. For the few like Isabella, it was a chance to hide away and recharge their social batteries after a long morning of classes.

Once they were back in the room, Isabella walked over to her bed, unceremoniously dropped her bag, and fell into the soft blankets. Immersed in the gentle embrace of the comforter, she couldn’t help but let out a pleased sigh and close her eyes. Ok, so maybe she had two favorite things about this place. But her bliss would only last so long. 

“Miss York.” Violet’s voice filled the room, the same flat tone giving no hint of what was to come next. Though Isabella had a feeling she knew exactly what the woman was going to say. “We should make our way to the table and review the day’s lessons. It seemed like you had trouble focusing in class and it’s important you understand what was taught.” 

“Important?” Isabella uttered the single word with a mocking tone before she rolled over and lifted her head. Resting her elbows on the bed, she turned and fixed Violet with a blank stare. “This isn’t important. Why should I learn this crap? There’s no place for it in the real world.” She’d asked the same thing to her adoptive father, but had only received a head shake and a gruff reply that amount to because I’m telling you to. Real helpful. 

Violet was silent for a moment following the question and her eyes wandered until they came back into focus on Isabella. “Think of it like this. These customs and traditions are like a language that lets you interact with others. So, no matter how benign it seems, you have to learn the ins and outs of how to converse. For lack of a better example.” 

This description caused Isabella to pause for a moment, face blank while she considered Violet’s answer. It made sense, in a way. But she wasn’t about to admit that out loud. Instead, Isabella’s head dropped face-first into the blanket atop the bed, her reply muted somewhat by the fabric. “I don’t want to interact with these people.” They could keep their stupid customs and traditions; she didn’t want to be a part of it.

In response, Violet shrugged and went further into the room, grabbing the bag she set down earlier before moving to the table. Once there, she pulled out a chair and sat, waiting for Isabella to join her. “That may be so, but it is your obligation. For better or for worse.”

Of course, Violet wasn’t aware of the reason Isabella was compelled to live this life. She didn’t know about the woman’s younger sister and the promise by her new family to ensure she was well cared for. Memories of the girl came flooding back into Isabella’s mind then, but there they stayed. She had no desire to tell such things to Violet, even if it would be nice to share that burden with someone else.

With a low groan, Isabella finally sat up all the way before scooting off the edge of the bed. “Fine, we’ll study for a bit. Just don’t expect me to be excited about it.” She dragged herself over to the table with languid movements and pulled out a chair to plop herself down in. The loud thud drew the gaze of Violet, but whatever words she was about to say faded into nothing following the placating gesture that followed from Isabella.

Once Isabella settled, Violet took a breath and adjusted herself in the chair, sitting up straight before beginning in earnest. “Alright, let’s start at the beginning. Can you tell me what the first lesson detailed this morning?”

After a few moments, Isabella filled the growing silence between them with a loud groan before leaning forward in a slouch. “Seriously? Are we going to go through the whole day?” 

Violet immediately nodded in response, perhaps anticipating the question. “I need to know what you missed from the lesson. Besides, repeating it back to me will help you remember it. Now, please sit up, and let’s begin. The sooner we start, the sooner it’s done.”