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Isabella pov 

I looked at the beautiful girls all around, the duchess of Arcadia came with marchioness Adella and the mistress of the academy to conduct the exam. I was completely prepared. I have already learnt the details of every staff member working here.

A smile bloomed on my lips when they smiled looking at me. They knew me. I have been playing the violin for a long time now. And I was proud that most of the noble ladies loved my music.

But I could see that other ladies didn\'t like it much. But before anyone could comment on it. The exam papers were distributed. It was a written exam asking about the basic table etiquettes, manners to greet the nobles and peerage. And some other knowledge about painting, art, music, singing and dancing. 

It was everything that I learnt by heart. Mother was so strict that she made sure that I knew everything. So that she could tell everyone proudly about me. I knew many have still not accepted us and she had to listen that the marriage was nothing but charity.

I wish I could be strong enough to take her with me by earning a lot and making a name for myself. But then, it seemed to be a distant plan that I was not sure if she would come with me when the time came.

"Why don\'t we make an effort to bring them closer?" Abi\'s words rang in my mind again.

Would it be possible? Would they ever be a real married couple?

My reverie was broken when I heard the bell. I could not believe I got lost in my thoughts during the exam. Shaking my head, I started writing fast since only 15 minutes were left. When the final bell rang again, I was already done. 

With a smile, I stood up to go and meet Abi. She would be happy if I told her that I have done a wonderful job. She was looking too worried for me in the morning.

I walked out when I saw many girls were gathered. They were talking and laughing together. Should I join them? I need to make friends right.!

I walked towards them with the intention to make a few friends. When the duchess of Arcadia called me.

"Lady Isabella, can you come here for a minute, darling." There was a smile on her face and I returned it back as I walked towards her. The two other ladies were with her.

"Adella, Nia, she is the one I was talking about. She is a gem. I am sure she will be the one to get the highest marks this year.`` There was pride in her voice and I flustered.

"Come now, don\'t be shy honey, why don\'t you introduce yourself?" she asked, patting my shoulder and I nodded.

I held my dress and bowed, "I am the third daughter of Duke George, my name is Isabella. And I am trying to take admission in the academy under the etiquette course. I am honored to meet all of you." I smiled brightly looking at them and they smiled back.

"Pleased to meet you darling, Joyce praised your singing and music a lot. I hope we will soon hear you live.`` I bowed again at their exaggeration, my cheeks turned redder as they continued and soon they realized that I was getting shy so they smiled and left.

"We will see you, soon" we bade each other goodbyes as we separated.

Then I looked at the group of girls who were talking there. They all were looking towards me. I felt a bit conscious with all the attention I was garnering. But that was my only chance. So, I faked confidence as I moved towards them.

"So, you are the third daughter of Duke Gerard?" asked a girl and I nodded with a smile.

"Since when did Duke Gerard have three children, huh? You are nothing but a charity that he has brought home to respect your father. And here you are trying to fly higher than the real daughter. Tsk tsk.." said a girl.

"Well what can you expect from a lower class noble. They always try to rise higher with unscrupulous methods." said another girl while I just stood there dumbfounded.

"Just look at her innocent face, she must be using this asset well to gain sympathy from elders." said the third one.

"I do not know what you are talking about but there is nothing like that. Father has married mother legally so I am her third daughter now.`` I tried to sound more confident but my voice came much lower than I expected.

"Oh, i apologize for making you wait girls, i went to  the powder room first.\'\' I froze when I heard the voice. It was none other than Lady Sophie, the daughter of the archduke and the one who hated lower nobles and impure blood. 

Now I understood why they were talking like that.

"Oh, Lady Sophie, too bad you missed a great act done by Lady Isabella in front of teachers." they chuckled once they finished.

She looked at me with disgust as if I was some pest.

"Well I am glad that I missed it or I would have vomited. I do not understand how these kinds of people have the courage to call themselves innocent after ruining someone\'s family." the more she spoke the more i felt ashamed, i turned to leave when tears formed in my eyes when i heard.

"Look, I think you have not missed it completely. She is still acting pitifully and even has gained the attention of a young man.`` I frowned at her words and looked forward only to see Oliver standing there with a red face.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him when finally his eyes left them and he looked at me.

"I also got admission here. So, I was just going back to the palace. Shall we go together my lady?" he asked me politely, his behavior was much more polite today which surprised me but i felt comforted too.