I would have thought heading off to finishing school would have made me feel more uncertain than it did, and caused more of a stir.

But Diane and Penelope were glad to be rid of me, and I them, so really, we had no further kerfuffles while I was getting ready to go.

The only people upset were Olivia and Tobias, both of whom knew the whole reason I was going was a load of crap. Apparently, maids really do know everything. Penelope and Diane's housemaids had blabbed it all to Olivia, though they thought she wouldn't tell me.

She told me because she knew I wouldn't do anything reckless about it. But she thought I should know they were deliberately sabotaging me.

I suppose some people might wonder if I regretted going off on Penelope.

The truth was, I did, in a way. I couldn't even be sure if it was her or her mother who'd really lied, when I thought about it more. Probably both. Yet I knew she was a teenager and she was doing as she'd been taught by her awful mother. I blamed Diane more.

On the other hand, I'd told her nothing but the truth, and I thought that she deserved what I said. Feeling bad for her was hard.

I decided to just leave it as it was, and time would show if that was a wise decision. But I thought I might never really move back to this house except for weekends, and I just needed to keep the peace, then.

Tobias was more broken up about it. I think he'd gotten attached to me in the last week, at least as a refuge from his mother and sister's scrutiny, one that he wasn't prevented from talking to by class differences.

I tried to tell him I'd still be there on weekends and we'd have fun, but he didn't seem to feel Lord Laurel would allow me to do anything with him, and it wasn't proper anyway.

I didn't know what to tell him.

I told myself this story wasn't real and I shouldn't worry about it.

With these thoughts, I was packed off to the Capital.

The hour drive seemed to pass quicker when I only had Lord Laurel to attend me.

Olivia told me before I went not to take any lip from the school's maids. She thought they might look down on me like some of the mansion's servants did. And she said I should show them I was still a lady even if I was a new one.

I tried to sit straight and look prim when we arrived. Now, we'd driven by this school when we visited the Duke's own estate, but I hadn't known it was a school. The grounds were real big for  a school that would only have about 20 to 30 girls at a time in it, according to the maids.

But they had stables, which was the only good thing I'd heard about it so far, but I discovered, once we were shown in and I saw a layout map of it on the wall, that it had a library, sewing room (yuck), kitchen (of course), dormitories, parlor, and a small theatre.

I didn't think acting was considered a respectable profession in the old days, but I was informed by the mistress (the school kind, obviously not the other kind) guiding us, that it was used for the girls to recite poems, addresses, and to play music or do ceremonial dances. Apparently, here it was a part of refined society to perform those.

I guess Karen mixed some other cultures in with European while designing this world. All I could think was it would be some side character's hobby and relevant to one scene at some point. I didn't care. 

I was exhausted by the time we finished getting both the tour and the orientation (they didn't call it that, but that's what it was).

I was told the rules, most of which I expected. No obscene behavior (that wasn't elaborated on very much), no theft, no coarse speaking, no visitors except on designated days and hours, and absolutely no men whatsoever. Girls at finishing school, or Madame Carr's Finishing School for Young Ladies, to use the full name, were expected to not be ready for marriage yet or they wouldn't be there, and so they certainly were not allowed to "court" while there.

This didn't matter to me, but I'd been in enough youth groups divided by gender to know it wouldn't do much to help the problem in the long run. I hoped I didn't get asked to cover for some young hussy.

Lord Laurel had to sign some papers to allow me to enter this late, and I was told I'd be in classes with the younger girls because I was new.

This also didn't matter to me. I wasn't exactly in the society of any girls here to be deprived of.

I then had to say goodbye to him. I tried to act like I was more sorry. Truthfully, I was a bit sad. He was a familiar face by now, even if I couldn't say I loved him like a father or even a friend. But he was well meaning, and I liked him as far as I was able to.

And I've never been that good with only women. I have a brother and mostly male cousins. I was kind of nervous about being left alone with a house full of girls, save for the stable boys.

But I kept my emotions hidden as well as I could, and after he left, a bit reluctantly I think, I was taken to my new dorms.

No roommates were around; they were all in class. But I saw I had two.

"We know you're probably not accustomed to sharing a room," Mistress Feldman, the guide, told me. "But we have limited housing here, and we believe it increases the acquirement of diplomatic skills.... Some of our higher paying students do have their own rooms, but given your late admission, none was available."

She didn't add that we likely couldn't have paid for it.

I had not shared a room often, but a couple times I'd slept over at friends' houses or relatives, and I thought I could manage it just fine.

"No problem," I said aloud. "Do I unpack now? Or...?"

"Oh, no, we have maids to unpack," she said. "I hope you don't think we make our students unpack, no matter how low ranking they are."

She seemed horrified by the idea.

I, on the other hand, was horrified by the idea of a maid finding my secret magic book.

I thought fast.

"Of course," I said. "But can--may I have a moment to freshen up before we...proceed?"

She seemed to think I meant I needed to relieve myself. Of course she wouldn't stand there while I did.

"Of course, I'll just be in the hall," she said hastily, leaving.

I would rather have kept the book with me, but it was too big to fit into the tiny handbag I was allowed to keep on me, or under the skirts, even if I had a large enough fanny pack.

So I took it out and tucked it under the mattress of the only bed that didn't have personal items on it. It was by a window. I liked that at least. The other two beds were by the closet and the other window.

They were pretty fancy, and I wondered if my roommates would be utter snobs. I intended to ignore them if they were.

Once I was mostly satisfied the book was hidden (though it reminded me that Karen had still not replied to me, and I had written to ask her if this little plot twist was her idea to get me out of the action), I joined Mistress Feldman again.

She said I could start classes right away, and the next one would be just before the midday meal. She didn't call it dinner; I don't know if that wasn't a refined enough term for her.

I was dubious, but then she said that the class I would be in would be Riding. Lord Laurel had elected to exclude me from some classes that were, I think, the equivalent of electives. I wouldn't have to take foreign language, ballroom dancing, or needlepoint (thank goodness for that).

But as riding was a part of some events of nobility, and they had to present themselves on horseback occasionally, I would be instructed in this, and etiquette, and fashion. Which turned out to be more about how to wear the ridiculous clothes than how to choose them.

But in any case, the Riding Class sounded like the most fun, and I was very eager to check it out.

I was shown to the back building that had the stable. I could smell it before I saw it, but it didn't bother me. I was used to it; most of our neighbors kept horses.

There were some riding clothes and tools available. I was told I should have my own made, but I could use the school's for practice until then, assuming they fit.

I was hoping for jerseys. But instead, of course, we had riding skirts that weren't even short enough to be sensible, and boots, and crops, and bridles that were plainer than the customized ones the ladies had brought with them, but were fancier than any I'd ever seen outside of a parade.

I felt bad for the poor horses wearing them--they looked like parade show ponies.

I admit, the horses I saw were some of the finest I've ever seen. Some were larger, most were hardly more than ponies, some were ponies. All were thoroughbreds, I was told, and they were beautiful. They looked a little like arabians and a little like european horses. Most were white, black, or chestnut, but a couple had spots and speckles, and one was grey.

Most were also the ladies' own private horses, while a few were kept by the school for those who didn't have horses, like me.

The grooms didn't say anything to me aside from telling me what kind of horses the school's were. The breed wasn't any real life one. They called them Genteels. Apparently they were bred to be gentle and well behaved, and that's where the name came from.

I thought it was a little boring. What's a horse without some spirit?

The silver one nibbled at my sleeve when I stepped closer to examine them.

The groom pulled his bridle back so he couldn't.

"Sorry, Milady, he's a bit more cheeky," he apologized.

Nice, I thought.

"What's his name?" I asked.

"Argenti," the groom replied. "He was a gift from a former graduate of our school, came to us as a colt. We broke him right here."

I knew that that just meant they trained him, so the term didn't alarm me. 

"Someone liked the school that much?" I said dubiously.

Mistress Feldman cleared her throat. "Ahem. Many of our pupils credit us with their success in high society. The skills they learn here enable them to attract the most refined of husbands and connections. Sometimes they share that benefit with us."

Right...

I sighed. This society was all about who liked you, not what you earned by hard work. It bothered me to be in a constant popularity contest, and I'd only been to one ball so far. I didn't want to be forced to go to any others.

After that, I got into the clothes (at least they were lighter than my regular dresses), and I was told to select a horse. I chose Argenti.

He was led out, though they warned me he tended to scare new riders a bit with his faster movements and he could be a little stubborn, though, they said he didn't throw anyone on purpose.

That reassurance only made me more determined.

Not that I had that much experience, but I wasn't a newbie. I didn't think this horse would be that hard for me to manage.

I was surprised to learn that so many ladies of these noble families didn't even learn to ride before they came to this school. Often their parents considered it a waste of time to have them taught along with their brothers. The school only covered basic horse knowledge, and that was considered sufficient.

Made me a little mad to learn this.

I didn't get on the horse till I was led to the riding field, which was, I must say, very nice.

It wasn't as large as some, but it had lots of nice flowers along the edge, and it seemed a peaceful place for the horses.

I saw a small knot of young girls about Penelope's age, some older and some younger. Only one looked at least 19 or 20.

They all eyed me strangely.

"We have a new arrival today," Mistress Feldman told them. "A lately enrolled young lady, Lady Hope Laurel."

I was starting to forget my last name was Kane, I'd been called Laurel so often.

"I've never heard of a Lady Laurel," one girl said.

"She is newly elevated," Mistress Feldman said. "So she'll be in your class. I expect you all to make her feel welcome. She's just in time to join today's riding lesson."

They didn't look so happy about this.

But I was past the age of caring what teenagers thought of me. I just smoothed my clothes down and eyed the riding instructor, who was an older woman who seemed very comfortable with horses, thankfully.

She didn't look so pleased to have a sudden new arrival. I guess she thought I'd have to be shown everything from scratch.

She told the other girls to get on their horses, which had been saddled for them. I thought that was taking out some of the work.

The grooms were holding the horses for them, and the girls went.

They had to be helped on, in those stupid skirts, and they were riding in strange saddles.

They weren't quite side saddles, I think, but they were much fancier and shaped oddly, I think to hold them in place more easily, but I thought it would just get in the way.

The instructor, Mistress Ross, began to tell me the basics of guiding the horse and sitting in the saddle.

I couldn't believe she didn't ask me first if I knew how to ride.

I grew irritated after about a minute of listening to her, and, brushing past the groom, to his surprise, I put one foot in the saddle and swung myself up onto the horse without any help.

I wouldn't say it was easy--that skirt made it harder to get my leg over the beast without falling--but I pulled myself straight by using the saddle horns, despite it's odd shape, and I settled back, pulling my skirt out the right way.

All the girls stared at me, and Mistress Ross broke off.

"Have you ridden before, Lady Laurel?" she asked.

I smiled slightly. "Here and there." I tried to sound modest.

I hadn't ridden often, as I said, but I was a good hand at it, according to the people who'd taught me, and animals liked me, which helped.

I could tell Argenti knew I meant business as soon as I got on his back. Horses ain't stupid--they know when someone is experienced.

He perked up his ears, and when I took his reins and gave him a small kick, one that wouldn't hurt him none but would tell him to move, he started trotting just like I planned.

I turned him a bit, using the reins gently, and rode a circle around the field before coming back and telling him to "whoa."

I don't know if he knew the term, but he knew the feel of it, and he stopped.

Mistress Ross pursed her lips. "It seems perhaps you should be in the upper class for riding after all."

"I was told that you couldn't ride yet." Mistress Feldman was puzzled. "Your father said not."

I hesitated.

"I reckon he didn't know I was taught," I said. "I never mentioned it to him, didn't think I needed to."

"You didn't think you needed to mention it when you were going to take a class," Mistress Feldman said, like I was stupid.

Some of the girls tittered.

I held myself up higher. "I only found out I was coming here two days ago, Ma'am. A lot of things slipped my mind."

I don't think she quite liked my tone. I was too brash for a lady.

She frowned at me.

But I saw some of the girls smirking at what I said. I'd managed to turn the tables a little and win some admiration from them by sassing her. Others were shaking their heads at my rudeness, no doubt.

I was told I'd move to the older girls' group of riders, and so I did. They let me keep Argenti, though.

The older girls rode before the younger so that the horses would a be little less frisky with the less experienced riders, so I'd have to wait till tomorrow for them, but I was allowed to ride him a bit to get used to him before I had to put him back and change.

The rest of the day I spent in the same way. I didn't really meet the other girls, though I was taking their classes, because they were busy studying, but they looked me up and down.

At tea time, some of the littler ones struck up a conversation with me to ask how I learned to ride when I wasn't a lady for very long.

I told them the truth, that I learned from friends, and they found that surprising.

I was starting to realize how isolated the lives of nobles were in some ways. Servants and tutors and mistresses taught them everything, but they had little room to learn from friends, or even their own family in some cases. And they had to schedule meetings with friends instead of being able to run next door or down the block at any time, and the only public events they could attend were sanctioned by their parents and society. They couldn't go to shows or dances or arcades or shopping together, because they had to have servants around all the time.

It was stifling. I finally began to think that it was this, more than the food, clothes, and language that was going to get to me. How could I go for months in this kind of isolation? I liked having friends, but I didn't like having servants.

My somber mood must have been evident, because they stopped talking to me and started chatting with each other, mostly about things I didn't care about or didn't know now. Some of it was gossip.

I perked up my ears when one of them mentioned "Eileen."

"She finally went out again," she said, sipping her tea, appropriately.

"The war's over, she must feel happier," said another girl, who didn't seem so bright to me.

"She's still sad about Gerald," the girl, who I realized had to be her sister or cousin, she looked so much like her, said. "But mother says she's still young and she can remarry. She shouldn't mope about her house. Though my brother says that she's a woman of means now and she might just like to stay unmarried."

The girls looked shocked.

"Forever?" said one. "But she's not old."

"I know. I don't know why she'd want to stay unmarried." The girl shook her head. "But she's just not the same now."

I frowned. Didn't they know what grief was? They might be kids, but they were old enough to know that.

I felt bad for Eileen, even if she wasn't real. She might as well have been. I'd heard the like of it in real life, and it was just so insensitive. I wondered if she had any real friends who'd actually tried to be comforting in her difficult time. I hoped so. I hated stories where everyone was a jerk but one or two people. I really thought there was more human decency in the world than that.

Then again, Penelope and Diane had thrown my mother's death in my face, and even if I had no feelings about it because it wasn't real, to them it was. What did that say about how they handled grief?

Come to think of it, didn't they have a husband and father who'd passed on? What made them so cavalier about it?

Then I caught myself. They were one-note characters. I was asking useless questions. They'd never have that much backstory, even if I liked them enough to care about it, which I didn't.

I turned my attention back to eating.

* * *

Paige followed Tony to a garage where he was able to deposit his car, and then drove him to where he could rent a new one.

Tony told her the whole story while they drove, and she found it hard to believe, but he showed her the recording he'd thought to take of his parents and his conversation of before.

"If you're making this up, you're dang good at it," she finally said. "But if this is for real, what do we do?"

"We?" Tony said.

"I can't just do nothing.... I mean, I'm a key witness. If Shingle does something to you, I'm the only one you've told about this here, right?" she said.

"That's true," Tony said. "I guess I dragged you into it. I'm sorry. I just realized I have no idea if she'll retaliate against you if she figures out you're helping me."

"Maybe I should take some photos of this also," Paige said, sounding nervous.

She took some pictures and sent some text messages.

"Maybe if you get out of this now, she'll not realize you were helping," Tony said.

"She'll realize it once she checks the post office anyway, if she did," Paige said. "I think I got involved whether I meant to or not. Can we just focus on finding out where your sister is? If we do that, maybe we can catch Shingle and tell the police about her. That's the only way we're both safe."

She might be right.

"Okay..." Tony said. "One last part, but you might not believe it."

"Try me. I've accepted the rest of this." Paige rolled her eyes.

"I found something in Karen's notes," Tony said. "It was like a letter, like she was answering the others. Only it wasn't addressed to anywhere. And she described...well, a world."

"A world?" Paige said weirdly.

"I know, I know, but she sounded like she meant that Envera--Thesaurum, whatever, was a real place," Tony said. "It's a stupid name for one if it is. But she's not very creative, I take it, if she's using these people to do her job for her."

"Are you saying that this isekai game thing is not a game? That it's a real place?" Paige said, like he was nuts.

"I don't know," Tony said. "But I keep thinking of one thing. Hope vanished, like I told you, without a trace. We never heard any scuffle. There was no sign of a fight in her room, and all her stuff was there. It was like she just disappeared right out of her bed. Just like--"

"Like an isekai where someone does that, or dies," Paige finished for him, "and they wake up in another world...but come on, that's just a story trope, and not even a new one. That's like as old as Dante's Inferno."

"So it's popular," Tony said. "How else do you explain how she's just gone? It was easier to think she's just been spirited away somewhere in the country--but maybe spirited away is more literal here.... I don't know, do you believe in the supernatural?"

"I mean...I believe in miracles, and I think there are probably things out here we can't explain that could be called spirits," Paige said. "It's just too common for people to see them for it to all be made up."

"I thought that also," Tony said. "But what if we went a step further? Science has been saying there could be other dimensions for a long time.... What if there are? And what if you can get to them? If Karen has a way..."

"I guess it's possible. There's a lot of stories about that now," Paige said. "I mean...50 years ago it would have sounded pretty crazy, but now...I guess it's possible. Some do believe in it. But even if that was true, would it just be...well, like Interstellar? A dimension that we can't get to or understand because we're not advanced enough?"

"You seem to have a lot of knowledge about this," Tony noted.

"I'm kind of a geek," Paige admitted. "I mean, I work at a library, and my major is literature with a minor in physics. Sci-fi is kind of my thing."

"I didn't even know you could major in literature," Tony said.

"Well...it's not good for much," Paige admitted. "But it's fun. Anyway, I've heard plenty of stories about this, but if it's real, how is it possible? And if this Karen is able to do that, why is she kidnapping people at random who she doesn't like? Couldn't she take over the world with that kind of power?"

"If it's real, I'd have to guess she's got limitations of some kind," Tony said. "If that's not it, and I really hope it's not, because it's hecking terrfiying, then she has to be part of some group of people who do this. No way she could do it alone. That Olivia didn't seem like she knew what was up, but there have to be other contacts who do."

"About that...if Olivia knows now," Paige said, "did you ever think that you could try to call her? What if she'd be willing to help?"

"That seems like a risk," Tony said.

"Everything you do is a risk with someone who can make people disappear and be forgotten about," Paige pointed out. "But it's risk that could move you forward."

"That's a good point. I guess it's worth a shot," Tony said. "But...since you're involved now, and you could be in danger...you want to be backup?"

"More like I need backup. If I disappear suddenly, you're the only one who'd know," Paige said. "We'll have to watch each others' backs...for now."

"Are you okay with that?" Tony said.

"I'm not sure I fully believe this is happening still," Paige said, oddly. "But my survival instincts are that dealing with a psychopath alone is a bad idea, so I don't have much choice except to follow you. I just hope I end up being right about believing your story instead of hers."

"The best way to prove I'm telling the truth is to talk to Olivia," Tony said. "I did take a photo of that cleaning service. I just hope it's not a front for human trafficking, because that's looking real likely right now."

"I have to get some stuff if I'm going to be involved in this," Paige said. "I'm going to go to my dorm--at least it's not my house, so I'm not showing a total stranger where I really live. Plus side?"

Her attitude about this was kind of funny in how uncertain it was. Tony couldn't blame her for not being sure she was doing the smart thing. The whole thing weirded him out too, but he was glad she was giving him a chance. Even if he felt really guilty for getting her involved in this.... Though, to be fair, she'd also decided to lie to Karen even before he'd asked her to, so it wasn't just his fault. Not that he didn't feel responsible anyway.

He dialed the number. He was too pumped with adrenaline to realize how tired he was, but he'd have to rest sooner or later, and he didn't have a clue where.

Thankfully, the cleaning service answered. Though it was not Olivia, naturally, but a manager.

"Duke Cleaning Services. How many I help you?" she said.

"Hi..." Tony fumbled. "I..."

"You had one of their cleaners come a few weeks ago, and you liked her a lot," Paige hissed.

"I had one of your cleaning ladies come to my house a few weeks ago," Tony said. "I really liked her service, and I wanted to book her again, but I can't remember her last name."

"We only use first names on our website," the lady replied. "Do you remember it?"

"It was Olivia, I think."

"Hmm...oh, yes, she's one of our most well reviewed cleaners.... Oh, your last name is Sherman?"

"Yes," Tony said.

"Is this addressed we have on file correct, XXXXX street?"

Tony grabbed a pen and wrote it on his arm, for lack of paper.

"Yeah, that's right. Can she come later today?"

"She's off duty right now...but she's not scheduled for tomorrow morning--her regular canceled--if that works...?" the lady said.

"I guess that works," Tony said. "Can she come at 6:00 am?"

"I'll check with her, but that should work just fine. What kind of work do you need?"

Tony faltered again.

"Floor," Paige said.

"Floor," he said.

"Will that be carpet or tile?"

"Both," he fumbled.

"Very well, I have you booked for then."

"Thanks."

"You have a nice day, sir." 

Tony hung up.

"Crap, I don't know if I can wait till morning," he said.

"It's going to be 4 pm soon," Paige said. "Look, she doesn't know you're with me right now.... You could crash at the dorms."

"Isn't that against the rules?" Tony said.

"Eh...girls sneak their boyfriends in all the time," Paige said. Then reddened. "Not that--that is, I don't think anyone would ask anything about it. there's a couch, though. My roommate will be there, but she probably won't say anything either.... I've covered for her enough times. She owes me."

"I could just try to get a motel," Tony said.

"But if one of us disappeared, then that's it," Paige worried. "That's kind of why I was thinking it'd be better to be at the same place."

"Well...I know my parents wouldn't like it, but I guess if it's an emergency, it's okay." Tony had no better plan. And he was worried about Karen snagging one of them also. Paige's idea made the most sense to try to avoid that.

"You care about what your parents like?" Paige seemed amused by that as she turned a corner.

"Well...they're good parents," Tony said. "And we're all in this together. I just don't want them to worry. I'm sure they'll call and check in soon. My mom's texted me a bunch today to make sure I'm still here."

"That's sweet," Paige said.

"It doesn't seem too smothering to you?" Tony said.

"Under the circumstances? No." Paige shook her head. "I kind of wish I could call my parents."

"Oh...you can't?" Tony said.

"My mom passed away," Paige said somberly. "My dad is usually on business trips since he got promoted, and he won't answer his phone unless it's on his own time. And I'm pretty sure he wouldn't anyway right now, because I get terrible service where he is. I could try to call him, but by the time he got it, it might be too late to matter. Besides he'd think this was crazy and I was making it up. I'd get in huge trouble with him for that kind of prank."

"That sucks," Tony said. "I mean, not having someone to call."

"Well, I did message my sister and my friends," Paige said. "But I couldn't exactly explain, so...this better not end badly."

Tony didn't know what to tell her.