In the Great Hall, thirty noblewomen sat in their assigned seats with confused expressions. Wondering what was about to happen to them today.

This was an expected response, considering how Eun-bi had invited them to the palace without disclosing the reason for the gathering. The only ones who knew what was about to happen today were Yoo-jung, Jin-hee, and her court ladies.

In this setup and atmosphere... It brought back memories of the Selection days to Eun-bi, where she was the most disobedient student in the class.

And yet today, it was different.

Everyone had to bide by her rules now.

She stood at the front, tapping her feet nervously. Her eyes connected with some familiar faces—the eliminated candidates from the Selection. As for the rest of the noblewomen, they were people whom Eun-bi had met a few times in the past when her parents dragged her to attend banquets hosted by other noble families.

No one seemed to share her excitement, looking as if they were forced to come. After all, when Eun-bi sent out the invitations to their households, they couldn't decline an invitation from the Crown Princess herself.

Likewise, she didn't wish to resort to this method too. She hated wearing a smile in front of people she wasn't well-acquainted with, but she ran out of options to soothe the grumpy souls.

If all were to proceed well, these ladies would be the key to achieving her goal.

Besides, this was her first public meeting ever since she had received her royal title. Hawk-like eyes from the side were watching her every movement, and if she wasn't careful, she would risk getting another earful from the senior court ladies. One that was enough to get her ears bleeding.

Eun-bi returned her attention to the ladies before her. Clearing her throat, she attempted to adopt the eloquent tone that her sister often used.

"Welcome to the palace," she said confidently. Even she was surprised by how formal and succinct she sounded. "I thank you all for accepting my invitation at such a short notice. Ever since I've become the Crown Princess, I realise I don't know my peers well. And after today, I hope to get to know each of you better."

The noblewomen exchanged perplexed glances. An awkward silence settled in the air, and Eun-bi's smile faded.

They looked as if they had questions for her—no. In fact, they looked as if they were about to claw her alive.

A scoff came from the corner, followed by a grumble. "Isn't your lie a little too obvious, Your Highness? Aren't you trying to gain our support and convince our fathers to stop opposing the construction of your academy? Everyone here knows that you're facing problems in that project recently."

Eun-bi snorted. The obvious jealousy in Pompous Lady's eyes and her scornful tone spoke volumes. She looked familiar, and that was when Eun-bi recognised her from the Selection—an eliminated candidate from the first round.

Neither intimidated nor upset, Eun-bi flashed an innocent smile. "Is it that obvious?" She asked, clearly forgetting her promise to Court Lady Kim to speak humbly and elegantly. "Since you've already figured it out, I'll speak the truth—I'm giving you all lessons today. For free." When their faces turned incredulous, her smile widened. "And you're welcome."

"Lessons? But Your Highness, you hate them the most. How can you possibly be a teacher?"

Eun-bi arched her brow. They weren't completely wrong. Everybody knew her reputation since the Selection days.

Even if they insulted her today, she must endure it for the sake of her academy. No matter how pissed or annoyed she was, she must rein in her emotions. She must hold them in like how everybody would whenever they feel like breaking wind in public.

And yet, she couldn't stand down timidly after being ridiculed like that.

She was about to bite back when Jin-hee stood up abruptly, slamming her hands on the table angrily.

"How rude! Have you forgotten where you are and whom you're speaking to?"

A smug smile appeared on the Pompous Lady's face. "I haven't. But if I remember clearly, you treated the Princess the same way during the Selection days. Now, you've become her obedient dog. You don't have the right to lecture me."

Offended, Jin-hee grew beet red in the face. While she may have had a notorious reputation for being a bully in the past, she changed for the better after becoming friends with Eun-bi.

And it seemed like after she had stepped down from her reign as the Queen of Tyranny, another took her place.

What was wrong with these ladies?! Did they have too much time to spare?

Jin-hee glowered at the smirking girl. "Why you—"

Before their argument could escalate from words to fists, Eun-bi's sister stepped in to separate the angry ladies, keeping them away from each other lest they would get into a brawl.

"Enough!" she scolded. "We should not disrespect each other like this, especially when we're in the palace. One wrong word and it might cost not just your lives, but including your families."

Her warning sent them faltering into silent, fiery glares that were hot enough to frizzle the other to death.

While Yoo-jung was a mediator for world peace, Eun-bi didn't feel satisfied with letting the Pompous Lady off this easily.

She held her chin high and put on a sweet smile. Ugh. Her cheek muscles were aching. "I admit I'm not perfect, and that is why Senior Court Lady Yi gives me daily lessons, because I've much to learn to become a proper princess." Her gaze wandered to the girl who had insulted Jin-hee earlier. "And after hearing your words, it seems to me that you need these lessons as much as I do. I hope we can be great learning peers."

Her cutting words bowled the rude noblewoman over, leaving everyone stunned in silence. And during those moments of peace, she resumed her agenda for the day.

"Today will be a day of torture—" Her slip of the tongue had Yoo-jung panicking and shaking her head. "—I mean, exciting activities I've prepared. I would love to form a new friendship with everyone."

When no one dared to raise any objections, Eun-bi sighed in silent relief. "Now, to answer your earlier question, I may not be the best teacher, but I'm very skilled at horse-riding. Far better than any of you. And that's going to be our first lesson for the day. Afterwards, we'll do some reading and arithmetic. How does that sound?"

Grumbles circulated, and someone raised their hand. "Why can't we just move on to reading instead?"

Eun-bi almost scoffed. How could anyone decline the opportunity to spend time with nature and beautiful creatures?

"Because horse riding wakes you up and sweeps away those sick-looking shadows below your eyes," she said. "All of you look as pale as ghosts and that worries me. You need sunshine."

Jin-hee chortled inadvertently and clapped a hand over her mouth, giggling. Yoo-jung hid a knowing smile. They knew she was having fun teasing the noblewomen.

The court ladies escorted the noblewomen out of the Great Hall and into a training arena where horses and trainers awaited. There was a mixed reaction among the ladies; some were afraid, some were excited. Only a few noblewomen knew how to ride a horse expertly, and they began sharing advice with the rest.

Eun-bi caught the Pompous Lady slinking closer to the gates, knowing it was because she was inexperienced at horse riding. Before she could escape, Eun-bi secured her arm and propelled her back in.

"Where are you going? Weren't you incredibly brave earlier and throwing around insults? Why are you afraid now?"

"I'm not!" she retorted, but her trembling legs betrayed her. "I just recall that I've another place to be at!"

Eun-bi patted her shoulder in great sympathy. "Don't you worry. If you lose control of your horse, I will be there to save you. With me around, you've nothing to fear."

"No, no, no! I need to go somewhere–oh yes! The lavatory! Your Highness, it's urgent!"

Despite her protests, Eun-bi dragged the petrified girl and began putting her onto a tamed horse, to which her voice went a pitch higher. "YOUR HIGHNESS! I KNOW I'M IN THE WRONG EARLIER! I'M SORRY!"