"No. no, no." said the Empress. "Like this."
She raised her teacup and delicately took a sip.
Lily tried to imitate her but failed miserably.
"Let’s try something else," said Empress Sophia tactfully.
She took a book out and put it on Lily's head.
"Try walking with the book on your head."
Lily tried but on her second step, it fell. She then tried again and again for what must have been at least an hour until the Empress finally let her take a break.
"I can't do this," said Lily resignedly as she sat down.
"For once, I agree with you," said Sophia stiffly. "Your mind is elsewhere and I have better things to do at the moment than train you." The Empress got up and took out three fat books from the nearby book shelf. "Learn EVERYTHING in here by heart."
Lily looked miserably at th
