Sir Ovarin seemed surprised when I let slip and shouted my suprise but remained serious. 

I found it absurd. At this rate, I was going to study all day.

"Don't you think eight hours of classes is a bit too much?" I said when I calmed down a bit.

"Too much? Lady Alina, you must learn quite a bit by the time your birthday comes. That is when you will make your debut in high society and you must show everyone that you are a capable young lady who can run an entire duchy."The way he said this without changing his serious expression, made me think he almost looked like some sort of robot.

While I understood what he meant, I continued to find the 8 hours not just excessive, but rather inhumane. I would surely find a way to avoid it.

Then I thought, my birthday is in about a month and a half. 

"I've got it! My birthday and my debut are in a month and a half, right?"

"That's right, from what I've been told."

"Then, if you agree, why don't we make it eight hours until then? After my birthday we can cut back the hours. What do you say?"

I wished in my heart that he would agree, but I had a feeling he wouldn't say no. He seemed like a man who took his job seriously, like a father. 

If I couldn't persuade him, how could I persuade Mr. Ovarin?

I was about to get angry and start a fight when I heard his firm and serious voice: "Agreed, we can do it this way."

"Really? You mean it?" I said with obvious surprise, I had not expected him to agree. 

He nodded and I blinked and stopped talking . I didn't want him to change his mind so I quickly agreed.

"You can't take it back later. It's a promise," I told him to be completely sure that I would get my way.

In the end, I wasn't able to avoid the eight, looming hours of classes a day, but I came to a pretty fair agreement.

I said goodbye to Sir Ovarin and he left. 

We arranged for him to come the next morning. I was optimistic that I would be able to wake up just fine but when the dawn broke the next day,  I didn't want to wake up at all, let alone start studying so early.

"Lady Alina, please! You need to get up, you're going to be late for your classes. Sir Ovarin will be here soon," Mary had been trying to wake me up early, to no avail.

"I won't be late if I wake up in five minutes, Mary." I groaned, raising a hand to try and swat my maid away.

"You've been saying that for an hour. If you don't get up now you'll certainly be late." Mary said, clearly exasperated.

Mary took my hand and pulled me up.

"Pardon me, my lady, it was the only way."

I was still half asleep but I got up under Mary’s wary gaze. Mary helped me wash up, put on my clothes and accessories, fixed my hair and took me to the office where the class was to be held.

Sir Ovarin was already waiting for me there, sitting and looking at his watch with an expression that appeared to be mild impatience. So he can feel, I thought, recalling my interaction with him yesterday

"You've come at last!" he said cheerfully, whatever other emotions I had seen vanishing into the depths of his eyes.

I smiled as I didn't want to show my displeasure at the tutoring arrangements but I was rather unsuccessful as I barely managed to contain a scowl. . I couldn't say anything because I had agreed to the lesson so I went to the desk and sat down.

"May we begin, Sir Ovarin?" I said.

"Yes we can, Lady Alina. We will start with literature which is a more easygoing subject and continue with history for now," Sir Ovarin said and took a book from the stack on the desk.

The literature hour passed very pleasantly. I enjoyed the lesson and I can say that it was quite interesting even though I had been dreading it since I found out I was to have a tutor.

I thought it wasn't so bad after all, until we got to the Empire's History. 

"Well, the history of our Empire begins when our first Emperor, Gregory, conquered the kingdoms of Namid and Qirin, and once finished doing so, united both territories together along with his own. . He moved the capital of the empire to the city of Namid and built a palace there for his family..."

Only five minutes had passed, but it felt like two hours. 

I can't believe I have to remember all the Emperors and the story of each one, I thought as Sir Ovarin continued to read from the book.

"Many say that this strategy in war changed the strategy in politics. What do you think, Lady Alina?" he said, looking at me with his serious gaze.

Obviously I hadn't heard the strategy but I had to answer something quickly.

"I...agree. The strategy has helped significantly in many ways," I responded..

"So what things specifically did it help with?" 

I wasn't expecting a second question. He had a somewhat smug expression as if he knew I had not been paying attention.  on his face. I knew that in order to fool him into thinking that I had in fact been paying attention  I had to say something that sounded correct, anything.

"Well..." I couldn't think of anything.

"I didn't say anything about strategy. You didn't hear anything, did you?"

I nodded, embarrassed, so much for trying to bullshit my way out of that. And he continued to read the history book.

"The second emperor was Gregory's son, Andrew. He contributed to expanding the empire further..."

I was so bored. 

I tried to follow what he was saying but without success. My eyes slowly closed until I fell asleep.