One by one the days of the calendar changed, in her opinion with a very disturbing slowness, it was as if someone tried to tease her. Delaying the hours each day or making the day last just a minute longer, with the only purpose of prolong the coming of the glorious day delay she was waiting for so eagerly. Even with the invisible demons slowing time, it was impossible to stop and finally her digital calendar indicated that it was shopping day. Not a normal shopping day that were common in her busy schedule, of course not, but the day new shoes arrived to her favorite boutique. One of the most exclusive and expensive shops in New York.

Celeste went into the store accompanied by one of her loyal bodyguards, while her white limousine waited at the entrance as usual.
Her employee entered first, to prove that there was no threat inside. After that he dutifully stood aside to watch her back like a guardian angel. Or better yet, a dog trained to defend her, that in the meanwhile would have to settle with carrying all her bags. Just when they put one foot in the store, an employee approached them. To her surprise he stopped in front of his bodyguards and greeted him cordially. Celeste looked at him furiously, trying to assassinate him with her eyes but the man continued ignoring the little Queen. Perhaps because she was a child, perhaps because he was new and did not know who she was. "Where's Peter?" The girl asked outraged, to which the employee replied awkwardly. "Peter ... Peter? Oh Peter, he is sick." Celeste responded with another stare full of hatred. "I want Peter." Demanded the girl to the employee of the boutique. From her tone of voice, anyone would believe that he was her slave.

Then the young man started to tremble like a frightened mouse while trying to keep his legs still. His eyes tried to avoid looking the little girl's eyes that now were two black abysses in which he could fall and never return. "Celeste Manfrella?" Asked the poor man with his faltering voice. She did not even have to nod, a look at her beautiful eyes and her golden hair was enough for the employee's eyes to lit with recognition. He was new, that was easy to see, but it was also very simple to guess he had heard more than a story about Miss Manfrella and her appetite for shoes. If he could please her, he would receive a juicy tip, if not he would lose his job.

Knowing that the employee was telling the truth, and that her favorite seller would not appear, she let out a long sigh and continued with her orders. When her perfect lips parted again, the employee become as pale as a ghost, perhaps he hoped to be yelled again, but she surprised him with a radical change of her voice, but not in attitude. "I want all the new designs, and don´t you dare to ask which one I already have." Each of her words were uttered with an intoxicating amount of sweetness that hide perfectly the order and the unspoken threat. The employee looked back at his partners for support but no one responded to his silent call. He was alone with the Queen.

Kate sighed as she took in the warm sun cascading through the window of her 1969 Mercedes Pullman. There was something about a beautiful day that just put Kate at ease. Especially when that day was accompanied by some much needed shopping. After a week of doing basically nothing but playing the piano there was something liberating about a new pair of shoes and she had to admit that the shopping made living in New York more then worth it. So, when she got a call from her favorite little boutique saying that the new styles would be in today and she should try and make an appearance, there was no way she could pass up the opportunity. The good thing about this particular store was that it was set back from the bustle of Madison avenue and in turn only really serviced the most exclusive clients, a group that Kate was glad she got to be a part of. Though she didn’t really like her noble title and the little annoyances that came with it, like going to events in the city and whatnot whether she wanted to or not, it could have its upsides at times.

As the car pulled up to the curb David was surprised to find that they could not park right in front as they often did. This obviously meant that they would more then likely not be alone in the store this time. The driver pulled up behind the more modern limousine and turned to address his employer, “Would you like me to come in and wait so I can hold your packages and the like, Lady Kate?”

Kate smiled at the nickname. She had refused to let him call her Lady Finch-Hatton and he refused to just call her Kate so they met in the middle with Lady Kate, a compromise that Kate found hilarious and adorable. “Only if you would like to David. I am sure I can get someone inside to help me if you would like to drive around for a bit and maybe get some coffee on me.” She had gotten him a card under her account so that if he ever wanted to get something small while he was waiting he could. Sure it wasn’t the smartest thing to do even if it had a restricted amount but Kate trusted this man and knew he knew that if there was a problem he could come to her and she would be happy to help him.

David pulled the keys out of the ignition and slipped them in his pocket as he crossed the back of the car to open the door for the young lady. Who gracefully slid her feet, her ankles still crossed, out of the door to land on the pavement with a small click of her heels. She reached her hand out and placed it delicately on top of David’s waiting one lifting herself out of the car with a grace that truly matched her station in society. Before moving to the door she adjusted her clothes so she was just as put together as she had been when she got into the car. She adjusted her skirt, pulled down her shirt and checked her shoes to make sure the paten surface was still pristine. Once she was satisfied she walked with her chin up and her back straight in a way that could tell anyone she had had lessons on just how to walk like a lady ingrained into her head from an early age. Kate smiled politely as she opened the door and saw a young blonde girl who seemed to have all the sales people in a tizzy around her trying to make sure she was all right. Kate wasn’t sure what had caused this shot to attention but she chose to wait patiently at the door until they were finished and could help her as well.

As one of the workers looked up Kate could see their eyes visibly widen before looking back to the girl excusing themselves in a hurry and rushing over to her, “Lady Finch-Hatton welcome back. How can we help you this afternoon?” The girl was addressing Kate with an air of calm that she didn’t have with the young girl, It was as if talking to Kate was a relief.

“Hello Jenna. It is lovely to see you again.” Jenna was the manager and ever since she had found out Kate’s status thanks to a slip by David she had tried her best to make Kate’s every whim happen, and thankfully for her Kate was rather low maintenance when it came to whims, “I was hoping that I could see the new styles you spoke of on the phone. I have been playing non stop for weeks it feels like and I could use some much needed relaxation.”

“Well then your wish is our command as always.” The woman turned to lead Kate to the couched area where the younger girl still sat with a few less attendants but just as much of a tizzy around her. “Abigail why don’t you get some tea for the Countess and Jonathan can you start pulling her size in the new styles.” Both employees jumped at the chance and look relived to be free of the girl and now waiting on Kate.

The seating area where Celeste was waiting with her silent bodyguard, was simply magnificent. Each piece of furniture was designed to be a unique piece of art, while the fabrics and carpets were dominated by different embroidery threads of gold and silver that displayed complicated patterns. Even his bodyguard who was prone to display a bored expression, showed now a silly grin as his eyes swept the place capturing every detail.
Despite the ruling luxury that in another moment would have greatly pleased her, she could not help but feel extremely unhappy mainly for the absence of her favorite employee but also because she had not another choice but to be the guinea pig of the inexperienced new employee.

The only consolation for her was that she was still able to command and humiliate the other employees, an activity which generated as much as satisfaction as the beautiful words of Peter or his beautiful smile that he used just with her, according to his own words.
There was something almost magical in the way the employees succumbed to the pressure of having to fulfill her whims knowing all along that there was no way they could do everything she wanted.

At the precise moment she was punishing the new employee with a flick of her velvety voice, a woman entered the boutique breaking the magic. The atmosphere of nervousness and desperation she had worked so hard to build was destroyed instantly in the presence of that woman. The eyes of the submissive employees, now filled with hope. The attention of all employees, including the inexperienced one , focused on her. Forgetting the little queen.

An animal fury invaded her body in an explosion but before she could jump over the newcomer and destroy her beautiful clothes that eclipsed her own, the woman in charge of the boutique utter a beautiful word. Almost magical. That imaginary spell soon charmed Celeste and all the anger disappeared to make way for a mask of sweetness that softened her expression making it more beautiful.
After giving a quick poke with her elbow to her bodyguards to stand up, Celeste gracefully jumped from the couch to the carpet, approaching barefoot to the woman that bore the title of Countess.
Using her natural grace and practiced movements, she executed a pronounced curtsy while her lips pronounced her name in that perfect Italian accent she only used at presentations . "Celeste Manfrella" To change seconds later to a perfect English. "It's an honor to meet you"

For Kate sitting was much like anything else in that there was a right way and a wrong way to do it. She had always been told that sitting like a lady was more then a little important. She would put her back up completely straight and sit a few inches away from the back of the chair while pushing her rib cage up in the front and down in the back, keeping her shoulders down, her neck long and her feet delicately tucked one behind the other beneath her. For most it would have been looked at as uncomfortable but she had more then gotten used to it and the grace required. As she sat she examined the small girl sitting across from her. She was a pretty little blonde who seemed to command attention and it seemed like she got it by the looks of things.

Kate smiled as politely as she could still carrying the serene look she had had since she was in her limo. She almost wanted to laugh as the girl hopped off of the chair and waltzed over to her with a rather large man she could only assume was the girls driver or guard. “Oh dear you don’t have to do that.” Kate moved forward on the seat and delicately and carefully pulled the girl up from her curtsied position, “It’s very nice to meet you Celeste.” Kate met the girl’s pronunciation and shifted out of her English accent for the name before shifting back, “My name is Kate and you really don’t have to curtsy to me.” She always felt so bad when people when out of their way to treat her differently because she just so happened to have been born in the upper crust of England. “Please sit back down and enjoy yourself. Don’t let my presence ruin your fun.”

As she spoke the attendant returned with her cup of hot tea in a beautiful light blue floral china, “Thank you Abigail.” Kate took the saucer with both hands and smiled at the woman.

“You’re very welcome Lady Finch-Hatton.” The girl smiled back with a little bow of her head before moving to the side of the couch waiting for the next moment she could help the young woman.

Kate had been here so many times that they knew her tea order perfectly which was rather hard considering how specific it was. She picked up the cup with her right hand holding the saucer steadily in the left. Her pinky was raised as she sipped the tea and could actually feel the heat before it hit her lips which only made the moment it did touch them all the more enjoyable. The whole room seemed to sit in suspense as Kate placed the cup down on the with not a sound and looked up to meet their waiting eyes. “Perfect thank you.” There was a silent sigh of relief as her satisfaction was confirmed and the room went back to what it was doing as a young man appeared with a pile of shoes form her favorite designer and friend of her mother, Rupert Sanderson.

Celeste knew very well all the false courtesies and rules that tell them how to sit or to drink tea, rules governing every movement that turned everything into a boring dance, slow and complicated. But why to use all that in front of mere commoners? Why? Despite the doubts, she could not deny that extreme sweetness was working wonders with the employees. Almost better than fear. Yeah, maybe they worked more enthusiastic for her false sweetness, but... Where was the satisfaction of seeing the terror on their faces? Where? Celeste could not see it. And it was the woman´s fault. She had calmed everyone with her aura of "Countess" as if that title was too special. It was easy to buy a title.

She also knew so well knew that the greeting she used was just needed in from of the Queen herself. But since it had fallen into disuse, she took it for herself. So when the woman rushed to stop her practiced bow, the child could not avoid to feel disgusted.

Showing a distinct lack of originality that made the girl lose the little respect she had for the woman, she pronounced her own name with a foreign accent. It was not necessary to compare accents with Sam, another person who had a slight England´s accent to know she was from there, every syllable of her short name was loaded with that heavy, sticky pronunciation she hated. Of course it was not glamorous like the beautiful music created by her beloved Italian.

Using all her willpower, she channeled her anger toward her words to turn them into a sweet poison. "How sweet." Said the girl, with a devilish smile on her lips. "You thought it was for you?" She giggled. "It is my trademark presentation card for queens and commoners alike." Of course she never had crossed path with a queen, so the greeting had been used with more commoners than members of the royal family. Still, Celeste loved the expressions of bewilderment and unease that simple bow caused on people of a lesser social status.

Celeste was about to contradict her again, wanting to have the last word in the "discussion" but by the attitude of her bodyguards who kept changing his weight from one foot to another, she knew he was extremely uncomfortable, certainly for her previous commentary. So she resisted the desire to stay and continue the fight, moving away to the couch where she sat to wait.

The more she looked at her, the more she hated her. There was no way to took her eyes away from her. Each of her movements and words were an insult to her. How could she behave like that? And why did she thought that drinking tea was cool? She drank tea every morning and it was not something to celebrate. Still Celeste wanted one, and silently cursed the employee for not treating her as the Countess. No, as the Queen she was.

Kate was more then a little taken aback by the reaction of the young girl. She looked so sweet and yet her words cut like a dagger with an anger that didn’t suit her. She seemed to think wrong of Kate’s behavior but that was nothing new for the young noble. She had always been taught that one should act with decorum no matter the situation. As a true member of a long line of British nobles it was her duty to treat all with respect no matter their station as well as respect her ancestors by showing a level of sophistication that can only be reached by those with true blue-blood. For Kate it wasn’t just an act or a dance it was a part of who she was so much that it was second nature to sit and act as such no matter the company.

Despite her shock however Kate kept as much of it off of her face as possible. She chose to take the kill her with kindness method of doing things. Not everyone received her way of acting with the most grace and respect and she had long ago discovered that if you are kind back they just get more and more frustrated with your behavior. “It is a very polite greeting but a little inappropriate in such a setting.” The young blonde would more then likely not listen to her advice but she insisted on giving it anyway. If this young debutant wanted to act in a high manner she should try to do it with some kind of grace, “It may work in a more formal stage such as someone’s home or a formal dinner but in a store or restaurant such a greeting only makes you look rude. In true polite society such behavior would cause others to see you as nothing but a disrespectful snob.” Kate took a sip of her tea and kept a absolutely straight face and an air and kindness. Though she didn’t grow up in society but she did know how to act in it. “I do apologize for the candidness but I felt that you were young enough to be able to learn how to be appropriate.” She placed the cup quietly again on the saucer, “Just because you have money or standing does not make you above anyone else. If you can learn that then you can truly begin to act as someone of standing should.” Kate just sat watching the girl kindly as she moved back to her seat trying her best to show the child a hand of kindness that would show her something new and different from what she thought was correct. Kate didn’t know what had caused this child to act as such but she knew that something in her wanted to help the girl to grow.

She sipped in silence half watching the girls guard shift awkwardly and wondering what he knew of Kate having heard her name. Her name wasn’t exactly unknown in England and the things that were connected to her were both good and very very bad. After some time the salesman came back with a small stack of boxes, all of which were size 6 pumps in all different colors and interesting styles. ”Thank you.” Kate sifted through the pile looking at each and deciding which to try and which just weren’t her style. Thankfully for her however, this store knew her style well enough that she chose to try on all of them.

Of all the insults she could have received for her insolence, the Countess chose to deprive her of the satisfaction of seeing her in shock or horror. Consequently her face remained expressionless, not showing any sign of hearing Celeste´s speech. She was showing a patience that was worthy of admiration.
If not for the looks of surprise and disapproval of the employees, even Celeste would have sworn that the words she picked to attack her had never left her throat.

Of course Celeste was not half as good at hiding her emotions so when she heard her reply, a wave of heat and blood rose to her face. Her cheeks blushed with an impossible red as a wild desire for revenged clouded her mind. It was one thing to take away the fun of torturing employees, and quite another to insult her directly. Yet, despite her many attempts to answer to the Countess´s constructive critic, Celeste was speechless and could not produce any sound. She knew that she was right, but that never stopped her from using that greeting. She had incorporated it despite knowing its (limited) applications.

Reluctantly, she remained standing while being punished with that long and boring explanation of where and when was not "polite" to use that greeting. Still, despite the apology which hid another insult, Celeste could not completely forget the hatred she felt for the woman.
Then the hate she felt for her grew immeasurably when the Countess´s shoes arrived despite Celeste was waited longer than her. "Hypocrite." Celeste spat the words like venom capable of killing her. "Not above anyone else?" She asked angrily. "I arrived earlier but you get your shoes before me. What is that if not favoritism?"
Celeste had her exactly where she wanted, stabbed by her own sword but deep down she also knew that the Countess had prepared an answer equally courteous, and that only angered her more.