KaE Lore: Ladies-In-Waiting Education (Patreon)

So, there are handmaidens, and ladies-in-waiting.

The two occupy very similar areas, and perform similar duties, but there are clear differences between the two.

FYI, from here on, what definitions I use will be intended for Kingdoms and Empires specifically. Do not quote me for historicity lmaooo

A sponsor is the ranking noblewoman that the ladies-in-waiting operate under.

A handmaiden is a commonborn servant who is close to their mistress, and are usually the head honcho of the servants assigned to attend to the noblewoman.

A lady-in-waiting on the other hand, is a noblewoman who is expected to represent their house in the royal (or higher tier) court, while providing companionship to the leading noblewoman, in many cases this means a duchess, a duchess's daughter, a queen, and a princess. Basically, they're part of the sponsor's retinue!

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In Narethian society, a lady-in-waiting is to learn how to manage her domain and household, how to behave as a noblewoman, and how to play the game of nobles from their sponsor. They can also be a part of many things, including feasts, festivals, balls, and ceremonies expected of women.

Child rearing (the noblewoman fun stuff, not the boring tedious diaper changing stuff, that is what the servants are for) is also part of their duties. Appropriate activities are things like practicing penmanship, poetry, a musical pursuit (and mastery), and painting are all hobbies that are in line with what is expected of them in high society.

Remember that the upbringing of a Narethian noblewoman, much like her male counterpart, is deeply rooted in the customs and expectations of aristocratic society, no matter it being in the Belthean Empire or the Kingdom of Argent. Thus, her education and training is focused on different areas that prepared her for a life centered around her domain, family, and her social responsibility as a noblewoman.

Though much of her education will be similar to that of a nobleman, there will be a clear focus on being a mother. This religious and social expectation will bear heavily on the noblewoman, and is by far the main reason for the split in how boys and girls are raised, no matter how similar their educations may first appear to be.

Currently, the main way on how ladies-in-waiting operate are all influenced by Belthean high society, thus Queen Adelina's way of managing her retinue will reflect this.

Below, I will detail their education, and what roles they can play.

Education

• Languages: A lady-in-waiting is taught multiple languages, with a strong emphasis on High Belthean, the language of diplomacy and science throughout Narethian courts.

• Literature: Ladies-in-waiting are educated in literature, including poetry and classical texts, but there is a stronger focus on contemporary Jelaythan works.

• Music and the Fine Arts: Music education is essential, with many ladies-in-waiting learning to play instruments like the harpsichord, lute, or zither. Singing and an appreciation of the arts, such as painting and embroidery, are also emphasized.

• Courtly Manners: A lady-in-waiting's upbringing places great emphasis on etiquette, particularly on how to behave in court and in high society. This includes learning how to walk, speak, and conduct herself with grace and decorum.

• Dancing: Mastery of court dances is crucial as fuck. These dances are not only a social activity but also a way to display poise, elegance, and refinement to any suitors.

• Conversation: Ladies-in-waiting are taught the art of conversation, including how to engage in polite, witty, and refined dialogue. This skill is important in both social settings and in navigating the complex dynamics of court life. A fact that is more and more apparent and needed as the Argentian royal court is centralizing kingdom politics and diplomacy in one place.

• Management: A significant aspect of a lady-in-waiting’s education involves learning how to manage a large household and her demesne. This includes overseeing servants, managing finances, and ensuring the smooth running of the estate, tax collection, and administration.

• Needlework and Embroidery: These skills are highly valued, both as practical abilities and as markers of refinement and femininity. Embroidery is often seen as a form of artistic expression. Ofttimes, this skill is used to court boys their age, and is seen as a proper and encouraged way of courting.

• Religious Education: Like pages, ladies-in-waiting receive religious instruction, often more intensely focused on motherhood, kindness, and the virtues expected of women. Attendance and participation of religious festivals, and private devotion are integral parts of her life.

• Moral Education: The ideals of that the Goddess teaches are central to a lady-in-waiting’s upbringing. She is expected to embody the virtues of a Blessed wife, mother, and daughter.

• Networking: Many of these ladies-in-waiting become involved in direct political affairs. Even during their service to a sponsor, a lady-in-waiting can wield significant influence through her social connections, often serving as a hostess for important gatherings and fostering alliances through social events. Information gathering and trading is very important.

• Patronage: Some ladies-in-waiting play key roles as patrons of the arts, using their influence to support artists, musicians, and writers (pls sponsor me). This patronage is another way they can exert social influence and enhance their family's status.

• Fashion: A lady-in-waiting is expected to be knowledgeable about the latest fashions and trends, as appearance is a significant part of her social identity. Dressing appropriately for different occasions and understanding the symbolism of fashion is part of her education. Currently, Queen Adelina's fusion of Argentian and Belthean fashion has exploded in popularity throughout the continent. Hence, the ladies-in-waiting of Argent are at the forefront of fashion.

Hollllly fuck that was exhaustive lol, but I hope it painted the picture well enough for yall!

Why would parents send their daughters to become ladies-in-waiting?

To foster closer relations with the higher ranked noblewoman and her family. Cause see, the lady-in-waiting becomes a literal representative of her family that the sponsor knows personally and is usually sympathetic for. A close second reason of importance is the potential to become friends with the daughters of other noble families, and you can already see the chances for establishing a network of peers who all know each other. A darker, more cynical way to see this is becoming hostages. Becoming a lady-in-waiting basically means being a hostage and helps reassure the higher ranking family of the lower ranking family's loyalty.

Does it ever end?

A lady-in-waiting is typically a "student" of the sponsor until they hit 20 years of age, or they get married before then. Once they reach 20, they may decide to stay with the sponsor as a "companion/friend" or return home.

Here, I will explain why a lady-in-waiting may want to stay after 20:

• The original purpose is still something that will always be valuable.

• They are now more akin to peers and actual friends of the sponsor at 20 years of age.

• A senior lady-in-waiting will also be a mentor to the younger ladies-in-waiting.

• Sponsors are able to help arrange marriages for ladies-in-waiting with their family's consent. The sponsor basically is looked upon as a guarantor of the lady-in-waiting's respectability as a noblewoman.

• Protection. A lady-in-waiting is looked upon as a member of the sponsors household. If someone harms her, they can expect to be treated as if they had harmed the sponsor herself.

• There are numerous little benefits such as respect, gifts, and court life that could help make a young woman want to stay.

What may cause a lady-in-waiting to return home?

• Marriage.

• Duties as the family's heir.

• Inheritance of rank and land. (This may be avoided however. A lady-in-waiting who suddenly inherits may elect to stay under the sponsor. The sponsor may then become the Overseer of the lands and incomes. This helps block ambitious or corrupt relatives/advisors from abusing the lady's inexperience.)

• Scandal.

What are some confusing things that you should know?

• A lady-in-waiting can be married and have children of her own (in specific circumstances)! The biggest thing to remember is that being a lady-in-waiting means putting yourself under the sponsorship of another noblewoman! This, quite literally, only ever happens in the entourage of a QUEEN as no noble family would send their married and established noblewomen under the authority of another peer, be they even a duchess. FYI, an Imperial Governor is the equivalent of a king/queen.

• A sponsor's entourage can be complex, and quite frankly, very annoying to navigate. Within the circle, senior ladies-in-waiting will be referred to as "Lady" while junior ladies-in-waiting will be referred to as "Maiden". That, however, does not mean an outsider may refer to a junior lady-in-waiting as a maiden-in-waiting, maiden, or whatever. They must be referred to as a Lady, and the group referred to as ladies-in-waiting. It is very Mean Girls inspired.

What about women who are just friends with the noblewoman?

They are referred to as Companions. Same goes for Dukes and Kings, their male friends are just Companions. These friends can very easily just be given official posts like Advisors, and they're always older than 20.

Why didn't I use traditional or historical names?

I am not going to fucking have Mistress of the Robes, Ladies of the Bedchamber, or the Official Shitwiper as positions and write them. I refuse.

Um, I think you changed what ladies-in-waiting were traditionally...?

Yes! Because it's fantasy -and my world- and I can do whatever the fu-

Joking lol, in actuality, the system made for ladies-in-waiting by me is just to help establish lore, society, and expectations of roles to be played by characters. Because of the Regency War in Argent, the kingdom has been without an established royal court for an entire generation. Worse, young women had no central queen or princess to form a ladies-in-waiting circle. Uriel's generation had a weird timespan where only the boys had the ability to create a social circle, and that was only through the page and squire system. The page system is just for boys, but the squire system allows for young girls who wish to pursue a military education to participate with her male peers as well, which is mostly how Uriel knows some noblewomen, and why most of them are more martially inclined.

For the last two generations, any ladies-in-waiting groups were far more regional and local, and even then, they were separated further by the Blessed and Unblessed political factions within the kingdom.

Thus, the kingdom has to sort of recreate the foundation for a centralized ladies-in-waiting organization or tradition again. This will all happen under Queen Adelina, who brings Belthean high society and fashion with her, and will be continued by a female MC and Julianna, our little sister!

Our father will create a new retinue of Pages and Companions for nobleman as well, which will be continued by a male MC, Aurelian, and Percivel!

Hope you all had a fun time reading this! For me it was incredibly fun to research and create!