It seems to have some strange aberrations

After some more time checking out your own appearance, examining the detailed patterns carved into the wooden frame and playing with both mirrors at different angles you notice something. The mirror seems to play tricks on you. At one point you brush your hair aside and, just for a moment, it seems like there's a black fringe on the shoulder of your white slip. But then you move and look closely. Nothing's there. Another time, as you hold the small mirror so Farina can once again check out her own bum, there's a little black cord mixed in with your blonde hair. Again, a more detailed check shows nothing.

Even a close examination of the mirror's surface shows no bends, grooves or other issues that might cause such things. Your old mirror had one such aberration near the edge, so you knew to look. Still, there's no explanation for the strange things you're seeing. As you think about possible ways of testing for this flaw you suddenly think of the time. After that the mirror is forgotten as you and Farina race to fit you into one of your 'acceptable' dresses. You do have a few black dresses. You don't like the color, but as a princess you always have to be prepared for a funeral.

Thankfully the other two dresses you can choose from don't feature any pearls. Those in particular seemed to set Madame Zelande off. You decide on the flashier of the two for today. At least this way, if your tutor raises a stink you can point out that you'll be limited to just one dress if this one is a problem. One single spill or rip and you'll be out of clothes. The dress is somewhat tight across the bust, since you haven't worn it in a while. You're very pleased to find that both your ass and waist need no extra space. All in all, with its fine embroidery of gold and silver thread this is a lovely looking dress. You'd happily wear it more often, if the color suited you more.

Madame Zelande complains that you're late, but it's her 'minor' complaint. Which means you were close enough that you don't need the full diatribe on princesses and punctuality. Then there are hours of dreary lessons, only kept marginally interesting because Madame Zelande does one thing your previous tutors never did - If you start getting bored she shifts subjects, usually forcing you to do something physical like walking with a book on your head before switching back to whatever she was teaching before.

You don't dare to daydream in her lessons. Ever. Madame has an absolute sixth sense for when you're actually listening, so there's no slacking off. You just have to bear it through the morning, then you get to escape to lunch.

As usual, lunch is something of a blur. You eat it in your room, since it wouldn't do for a princess to be seen eating lunch in anything but the most delicate way. Eating publicly is practically a punishment. Besides, you're just to tired from all the education that's been **** into your head during the morning. All you do at lunch is eat, in an indelicate, unsuitable way, and go over the important details. Not because you want to, but because you know Madame Zelande will quiz you tomorrow or the next day. And you had best remember or else you're going to hear it all again.

'Why do you have to do all this memorizing? You'll have people for that once you're queen.'

'Meh', you think in response, shrugging off that thought. Much as you hate having subjects rammed down your throat one after another you've dealt with too many young noblewomen who can't speak about anything but the spring fashions or which man has the most well turned thigh or who's cheating with whom. If it's a choice between being **** to listen to your tutor or ending up as vapid as them then it's **** at all. You feel like your brains are leaking out of your ears whenever they talk about what they want or who they like.

Your afternoons are thankfully devoted to many other things, mostly special appearances or attending court with your mother so you know what's going on. You finish lunch quickly and leave your room early so you have a chance to stop by the training grounds and watch the knights practicing.

Sometimes you manage to figure out a way to get away from everyone and just enjoy yourself for a bit. And today is a lucky day. You see a hurried, or perhaps worried, messenger heading to the stairs of your tower. Thankfully he doesn't notice you. Well, if a messenger is trying to find you then that means today's appearance, a meeting between your mother and a powerful merchant, has likely been rescheduled or moved and they sent a messenger to tell you what you should do instead.

'Now's the perfect time to skip.'

Oh yes, yes it is! You walk with the grace necessary for a princess, but you walk quickly, distancing yourself from the training grounds where Sir Arrick is in the process of winning yet another practice bout. Damn your father for making such a handsome man who you can't have.

'You could, you know.'

No. Not that again. Sigh. The fact you keep thinking of him just proves how handsome he is. Stay focused - skipping out in a way that you can't be blamed for is tricky. You take a back route and visit the small meeting room where you were supposed to go. A quick check through the window proves that it's empty, so you were right. You get out of there quickly in case a guard or messenger was left behind to redirect you.

So now you just need to come up with a place you could, conceivably, have gone to check for your mother. A place you want to go and a place where you can do what you like. Most importantly, a place where no one is likely to look for you. Thanks to the size of the castle there are many possibilities, so you just have to decide what you want.