Shadows of London: 1-2 Rules for Ladies

< Previous

Shadows of London

Next >

Caroline's fortnight-long etiquette course has begun, and she finds herself struggling during the very first lesson. She doesn't get acquainted with her classmates, except one...

Info

Style: Event Logs: Corset, Jesse Lindvall, Corn Laws, Angel in the House Recommended: Erudite Travels, Private Quarters Perfect Score: ~1,050 Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Bookish Courtyard

Bookish Courtyard

Dialogue Choices

Note: Changing choices when replaying will cost 5

I'm unable to suppress the curiosity that welled up within me. I take the chance when Aunt Petit is distracted with correcting someone's posture to whisper to Priscilla--

• Why aren't you listening seriously?
  • Unlock Event Logs: Angel in the House
• Do you understand these lessons?
  • Priscilla's Goodwill will rise

Transcript

Expand for script.

• It’s my third morning in London. My impeccably dressed aunt is already seated at one end of the long table when I step into the dining hall.
• She rests her elbows on the table edge and laces her fingers together. Lifting her chin slightly, the corners of her mouth turn up into an elegant smile.
• Madam Petit: You’re late, my dear Caroline.

• You: But… you mentioned yesterday that arriving on time isn’t something that’s encouraged…

• Madam Petit: I’m afraid you remembered it wrong.

• Madam Petit: I suggest flipping through “A Lady’s Code of Conduct” to refresh your memory.

• Aunt Petit nudges an exquisite book in my direction. The servant takes the cue and brings the book over to me.

Lady’s Rule No. 21: Ladies must arrive at least 10 minutes before the appointed time for normal family meals, and give heartfelt thanks for the food before the meal.

Lady’s Rule No. 22: It is considered rude to arrive early for a banquet. A true lady will never embarrass her host.

• You: So giving the host time to prepare by turning up late is part of banquet etiquette!

• You: I mixed them up. Sorry, Aunt Petit.

• Madam Petit: Don’t reproach yourself, Caroline.

• Madam Petit: You just arrived two days ago. It’s impossible for you to remember all the rules of conduct.

• “A Lady’s Code of Conduct” is Aunt Petit’s most famous work. It encompasses rules and etiquette for all kinds of social situations.
• It swept through London in a craze the moment it was published. New editions are still being printed, even after a decade. Aunt Petit is known as the “Lady’s Godmother” for this reason.
• You: There’s still half a month left. I’ll do my best to remember them.

• Madam Petit: I believe you can do it. However, there’s been a change in plans.

• Madam Petit: I will be hosting a tea party here next week for some publishers and good friends of mine.

• Madam Petit: In other words, you’ll be making your official appearance in society earlier.

• You: (That’s so sudden! I haven’t even learned how to breathe naturally in a corset…)

• Madam Petit: I know it might be risky, but this is an excellent opportunity for you.

• Madam Petit: I will be introducing you to a gentleman called Jesse Lindvall at the party.

• You: Who is he?

• Madam Petit: You must have heard of the Lindvall Bank.

• I dig through my memories and try to recall anything related to this name. Nothing comes to mind.
• Madam Petit: It’s a famous private bank in London. The Lindvall family also has many other businesses under their name.

• Madam Petit: Jesse Lindvall is the Lindvall family’s youngest son, and the most favored one. It wasn’t easy to invite him.

• Seeing that smile of hers, I realize her intention.
• Madam Petit: He may be the most favored son in the family, but it doesn’t mean he’ll inherit most of the businesses.

• Madam Petit: However, given the love his father has for him, he will definitely receive financial support if he were to start his own business.

• Madam Petit: To ladies from families in decline, or those without the right to inherit their family’s fortune, he’s the best choice for a husband.

• You: You know me, Aunt Petit, I’m not in a hurry to marry.

• You: However, I might be able to open up a few business opportunities for uncle if I become his acquaintance. It might help restore the manor from its current state.

• Madam Petit: My dear niece, business isn’t as simple as you think it is.

• Madam Petit: The manor went into decline after the abolishment of the Corn Laws. Manor lords no longer have it easy.

• Madam Petit: TImes are changing, yet many are blind to the truth. Just like your uncle Philip.

• You: It’s true uncle has a conservative mindset. But I can try and convince him if the opportunity arises–

• Madam Petit: I’m his older sister. No one understands his stubbornness and reluctance to stray from tradition more than me.

• Madam Petit: If only Cyril were still with us… Canterville manor’s fate might have gone down a different path…

• A silence settles upon us at the mention of father’s name.
• A while later, Aunt Petit heaves a sigh, and her tone softens.
• Madam Petit: Caroline, I’m not against your efforts to help with the manor. However, you should also think about yourself.

• You: What do you mean?

• Madam Petit: Philip might not be close to you, but he’s fulfilled his responsibility of looking after you.

• Madam Petit: According to the rules of inheritance, Canterville manor will most probably be inherited by a distant relative in a hundred years.

• Madam Petit: Your efforts will only be benefiting others.

• You: I… I only wish for grandfather’s beloved manor to not fall into disrepair like this.

• You: Even if I have to leave the manor one day, I can still leave Hampshire and make a living for myself.

• Madam Petit: I admire your entrepreneurial mind, but you must know that you need a foundation to start a business.

• Madam Petit: And an ideal marriage can give you the foundation you need.

• These are true words, spoken from someone who has personally experienced it.
• Aunt Petit had married an old French noble when she was over twenty.
• She returned to London with a noble status and incredible wealth after her husband passed away, and became the head of etiquette here.
• You: (There’s logic in her reasoning. However, I can’t help but feel like I’ll be betraying my feelings like this…)

• Madam Petit: Your expression tells me you don’t agree with me.

• Madam Petit: So be it. The number of headstrong ladies keeps growing these days. You’re not the first I’ve met.

• Madam Petit: Be it for business opportunities, or if you decide to take my suggestion, I hope you can present yourself properly at next week’s tea party.

• You: I will. You can rest easy.

• Aunt Petit becomes much stricter with me as the date of the tea party approaches.
• Our afternoon etiquette lessons in the reception hall have become a daily routine.
• Anna: Miss Rayes, the lesson will commence soon.

• You: (Already? I have to hurry, before I’m late!)

• I follow the servant to the reception hall and realize that I’m not the only one taking today’s lesson.
• The hall is filled with a group of young girls, all dressed in gowns of various fashions.
• With refined movements, they cover their faces when they smile. A few of them spare me a quick glance before turning away.
• Madam Petit: Stop looking around, Caroline. Find a place to sit.

• Aunt Petit elegantly walks past the group and greets the young ladies present.
• The sudden sound of the door being pushed open startles the room into silence. A girl, dressed in odd clothing, appears at the open door.
• ???: I apologize for my tardiness.

• She may have apologized, but the annoyed smile on her face betrays her true feelings.
• The normally quiet and refined young ladies in the room start to whisper among themselves.
• Lady A: It’s Priscilla Barnet again! She’s such an embarrassment!

• Aunt Petit sweeps a glance of the girls, and the buzzing settles into silence once again.
• Madam Petit: Miss Barnet. What is you reason for being late this time?

• Priscilla Barnet: I met with an accident, and the carriage broke down on my way here.

• Madam Petit: Oh? You were accidentally locked in by a servant the last time, and had a stomachache before that.

• Madam Petit: You seem to have an affinity for accidents, Miss Barnet.

• Priscilla Barnet: I do not wish it to be so, Madam.

• Madam Petit: FInd a place to sit. I will have a chat with you after the lesson.

• Priscilla Barnet: I will gladly comply, if that’s your wish.

• She casts a glance around the room. Her gaze settles on the empty spot beside me, and she walks over, taking a seat.
• Madam Petit: As a lady, maintaining your dignity is of utmost importance…

• Aunt Petit’s voice is calm and pleasant. She might be teaching some dry and boring rules, but it’s as easy to listen to as if she were telling a story.
• The girls present are all absorbed in Aunt Petit’s teachings, save for Priscilla.
• You: (She’s really different from the others.)

• You: (Maybe she’s like me, an outlier who suddenly barged into this lifestyle.)

• I’m unable to suppress the curiosity that welled up within me. I take the chance when Aunt Petit is distracted with correcting someone’s posture to whisper to Priscilla–

Why aren’t you listening seriously?

• Priscilla Barnet: Why should I?

• You: Aren’t ladies of the appropriate age expected to attend the social season with perfect mannerisms?

• Priscilla Barnet: Heh. Yet another brainwashed fool.

• You: How could you say that? I was just—

• Priscilla Barnet: Don’t waste your breath. I can tell from your appearance that you’re a devout “Angel in the House”.

• You: You shouldn’t judge people by their appearances.

• The words are not fully out of my mouth when I sense a shadow beside me. A silence settles on the room.
• Madam Petit: Why have you stopped talking?

• Madam Petit: Caroline, I’m happy that you managed to make a new friend- However, you should know better than to do that during a lesson.

• You: I’m sorry, Madam. I won’t do it again.

• Madam Petit: I hope you realize that I won’t go on easy on you during etiquette lessons just because you’re my niece.

• You: I understand.

• Aunt Petit nods curtly before returning to the center of the room. Her voice fills the room once more as she picks up from where she left off.
• Priscilla Barnet: So you’re Madam Petit’s niece. No wonder you’re so stubbornly conservative.

• Priscilla shrugs disinterestedly and turns away.

Do you understand these lessons?

• Priscilla Barnet: Don’t tell me you don’t get it?

• You: W-well… It’s pretty difficult to me…

• Priscilla Barnet: I can tell from the way you’re so hesitant about everything. You’re not used to situations like this.

• You: I’m nervous because it’s my first time taking an etiquette lesson with so many people.

• Priscilla Barnet: These lessons are as simple as playing house. What’s there to be nervous about?

• Priscilla Barnet: It’s ridiculous how people are treating the stuff of make-believe as actual rules.

• You: (Such harsh words. But I find it hard to disagree.)

• Priscilla Barnet: Heheh. I have a way of dealing with situations like this–

• She is still speaking when I sense a shadow beside me. A silence settles on the room.
• Madam Petit: Miss Barnet. You seem to be getting along very well with Caroline.

• Priscilla Barnet: Of course! You know me, I’ve always been friendly to others.

• Aunt Petit shakes her head and fixes her gaze on me.
• Madam Petit: Caroline, I’m happy that you managed to make a new friend so quickly.

• Madam Petit: However, you should know that it is unbecoming to whisper during lessons.

• You: I’m sorry, Madam. I won’t do it again.

• Madam Petit: I hope you realize that I won’t go on easy on you during etiquette lessons just because you’re my niece.

• Aunt Petit returns to the center of the room. Her voice fills the room once more as she picks up from where she left off.
• Priscilla Barnet: So you’re Madam Petit’s niece. It must be tough, living with her.

• Priscilla Barnet: I bet she spends every day nagging about how your actions and mannerisms are unbefitting of a lady.

• You: It’s not that bad. Aunt Petit just pays more attention to those things.

• Priscilla Barnet: Whatever. I bet she’s like my parents, restricting your freedom under the guise of concern.

• You: It’s not as serious as you make it out to be.

• You: Aunt Petit has her own considerations, but I am allowed to stick to my principles.

• Priscilla Barnet: Oh? I didn’t expect you to be so opinionated.

• We’re having a tea break in between lessons. The girls gather in groups and chatter idly. The only ones sitting alone are Priscilla and me.
• The urge to speak to her again wells up within me.
• You: Your Latin is really good. Even the sewing class seems like a breeze to you.

• Priscilla Barnet: They’re boring, but you’ll pick them up anyway after getting bombarded with it since young.

• Priscilla Barnet: You, on the other hand, are a puzzle. You’re Madam Petit’s niece, yet you’re clueless about these lessons every lady must go through.

• You: I spent most of my life in Hampshire. I don’t really understand the lifestyle of a London lady.

• Priscilla Barnet: I suggest you return to Hampshire as soon as possible.

• Priscilla Barnet: Your infatuation with this dirty and sinful city will only cause you to be swallowed up by it one day.

• You: It’s gloomy and wet here, and the roads aren’t exactly clean, but I don’t see how this city is sinful.

• Priscilla Barnet: Hmph. Of course you don’t know a thing about the Eastern District.

• You: The Eastern District? I heard that it’s a noisy and lawless place, and a favourite haunt of thieves and robbers…

• I suddenly recall the paperboy I saw outside the train station that day.
• You: Are you… referring to the strange sickness in the Eastern District?

• Priscilla Barnet: Punishment will befall us soon. However, the masses are still living their lives in ignorance.

• You: (What’s with this secrecy…)

• Madam Petit: Excuse me, ladies.

• Madam Petit: I’ve always encouraged young ladies to be curious, but not when it involves baseless rumors.

• You: Is it true that the Eastern District is being plagued by a disease?

• Madam Petit: Some areas in London are filthy and crammed. Not to mention that bad habits often lead to hygiene issues.

• Madam Petit: Don’t worry though, these problems will be resolved soon.

• Madam Petit: You’ll be safe as long as you don’t rashly wander into those places.

• Priscilla Barnet: Fret not, Madam. I’ll stay in my house and focus on sewing.

• Madam Petit: I hope you’ll act on your own words, Miss Barnet.

• Aunt Petit glances at Priscilla with a knowing look in her eyes.
• The servant rings a bell, and the young ladies make their way back to the reception hall with dainty steps in an orderly manner.
• Priscilla moves fast, and she has put quite a distance between us.
• You: (...I really can’t make head or tails of her attitude.)

• My curiosity about her increases by another notch. However, between the hurried pace of the lessons and Aunt Petit’s watchful eye, I am unable to find another chance to talk to her.