I woke to the sound of Tiggy cleaning.
"Lady Estelle, you're awake! Please give me one moment, I will get you breakfast." She said before rushing off into the kitchen.
I planted my face back down into the cushion. I was disappointed that everything that happened recently wasn't a dream.
"Ughhh… I can'f belief dith ith haffening… " I groaned, muffled by the cushions.
It's all real. There's no going back.
"Lady Estelle, your breakfast is ready."
Tiggy served me a wooden tray filled with food. One plate had two sunny side up eggs, two sausages, a grilled tomato, and fried mushrooms. On another side plate was toasted bread, and bacon. In a small bowl was steaming hot mashed potatoes. This was more than I ever ate in a day. It was honestly a lot more daunting than it was appetizing.
"Tiggy… This is a bit too much, is it not?"
"Oh no, my lady. This is the standard breakfast we are taught to serve. You do not have to finish it all, my lady." She explained with a smile on her face, still so gleeful.
**Growl** **Rumble**
I stared at the tray resting on my lap and glanced at Tiggy, then back to the food.
"Have you eaten yet, Tiggy?"
"Not yet, my lady. We cannot eat unless you have eaten." She explained, her mouth slightly drooling.
"Do you… Want to eat it together with me?" I offered.
Her eyes lit up, nodding aggressively.
…
Me and Tiggy shared a meal together, the plates completely cleaned out. It was delicious but it was way too much for me to finish alone.
"My lady, your bath is ready." Tiggy said, her head peeking from a room.
I stood up from the bed, moving into the bathroom. The bathroom alone was as large as my old room, maybe even larger. I had my own bathtub, shower, and a large, standing mirror. All for myself. Tiggy placed a robe on the counter next to the sink and left.
I got into the seemingly steaming hot tub, letting my body submerge into the water. Surprisingly, the water was just right, not piping hot – relaxingly warm. I was getting comfortable in the tub, I had never taken a bath like this before. There was even soap and a recently trending item called shampoo. I used both, bubbles going everywhere, a floral scent filled the air.
Normally, to even bathe, we had to go to a public bath. They were numerous, but even then, it was mostly showers since the bath itself was crowded. It was either that, or carrying buckets of water into our bathroom, and then dousing ourselves with it. I was getting so relaxed that I almost dozed off.
I jolted awake, remembering that the beginning of the school year is today. I got out of the tub, wearing the soft bathrobe Tiggy had prepared. I exited the bathroom, Tiggy was outside preparing clothes and bottles of some sort.
"Please sit, my lady." She asked.
I took a seat on a cushioned chair she had prepared, reminding me of the quality of the furniture in the suite. Tiggy began brushing my hair, using a hand fan to dry it as she went.
She took off my robe, and dressed me in the school's uniform. Having someone else dress me was embarrassing, but I knew it would only cause problems for Tiggy if I made a fuss. She then sprayed perfume onto me, a mild, lavender scent stuck to my body.
"Please stand, my lady." She asked before she began inspecting my outfit.
She inspected it closely, ensuring the quality of her work.
"You look gorgeous, my lady." She complimented me, satisfied with her work.
"Thank you Tiggy. Thank you for taking care of me."
"It is my duty, my lady. Please take care and enjoy your first day at the academy." She bowed, handing me a bag of already packed essentials.
Despite initially being against her assignment to me, just this morning alone has greatly improved my mood. Her presence was exactly what I needed as of the moment. I wanted to pet her head but held myself back. I don't know if she'd like it, and I was too afraid to even ask, thinking that it might be offensive. It hasn't even been half a day and I was already getting comfortable with this kind of life. It was immensely due to her.
I took my bag, leaving my suite in a great mood. I started walking to the academy's main building to get my class assignment and my schedule.
On my way there, I began laying out my plan.
Dwelling in the past while doing nothing will only hinder my progress, and it won't help me find Ophelia – but I know what will.
If I can connect with the nobles of the academy, I can gather influence and power. Something that I would need if I wanted to be less restricted once I graduate, or else I'd fully get caught up with the church and the empire's plans for me. I'm sure I'll be caught up regardless, but at least I'd have more freedom to do what I pleased.
To even be seen as anywhere near valuable to them, I need to work on my image. I'll ask the instructors to give me extra classes in behavior and culture, fit for a noble. I may not be one, but I'll make full use of the privilege I've been given to act like one.
And once I've gathered my own allies, I'll graduate top of my class and become a proper Saintess of a high class knight order, maybe even establish my ow-
**Clack**
I barely caught myself by the heel, before I fell down the flight of stairs at the building's exit. I almost immediately embarrassed myself in front of the very people I was trying to impress.
I was daydreaming, rambling to myself about what I was going to do.
Will my plan work? I don't know.
Did I know what I was talking about? Not at all.
Do I know what I'm doing? Absolutely not.
Is it better than having no plan at all? I sure hope it is…