Always a Catch! Episode 3: How I Trained to Become a Lady

Mimi rides in a carriage, her arms crossed, clearly bored by her situation. A disembodied voice belonging to Lady Eleanor mocks her, but Mimi seems more annoyed by the commentary than by the fact she is a captive. Suddenly, she leaps from the carriage, dispatching her armed kidnappers with a casual athleticism, counting her blows aloud. Crown Prince Renard arrives just in time to witness her prowess, applauding her skill. Mimi is mortified, convinced her dreams of a ladylike life are shattered, but Renard looks at her with clear affection and proposes marriage, leaving her stunned.

The scene shifts to the palace, where Mimi is being dressed in an elaborate gown of pink and white. Several maids flutter around her, praising her beauty and assuring her that the King and Queen will be impressed. Mimi looks into the mirror, her face a mixture of excitement and acute nervousness. This day marks her official presentation to the royal family as the Crown Prince's fiancée, a role that seems both thrilling and terrifying.

In a grand office, surrounded by towering bookshelves, Mimi stands with Renard and his aide, Raymond. Renard, now in his formal prince's attire, smiles warmly, mentioning the impending meeting with his parents. Raymond holds an imposing stack of documents, a physical manifestation of the dense schedule and countless protocols Mimi is expected to master. She looks utterly overwhelmed, her eyes wide with apprehension at the sheer volume of royal rules she must now absorb. This meeting is framed by the recent arrest of the conspirators, Lord Casali and Lady Eleanor, and Renard's formal investiture as Crown Prince, cementing the high stakes of Mimi's integration into this powerful family.

Mimi walks through the palace corridors, her natural pace too fast for the accompanying maids, whom she quickly outpaces. She soon finds herself lost in the vast, manicured gardens, momentarily charmed by the beauty. Back inside, the maids profusely apologize to Renard and Raymond for losing her. Renard remains calm, while Raymond, ever the stickler for order, dispatches a search party. Mimi continues to wander, reminding herself to behave like a lady, but her curiosity leads her further afield until she realizes she is completely disoriented. Finally, Renard, Raymond, and Placido, Renard's brother, discover Mimi sitting on the ground, surrounded by fallen leaves, looking sheepish but undeniably content.

Renard approaches Mimi, gently inquiring if she is hurt, noticing leaves in her hair and on her dress. She quickly stands, assuring him she is fine, and then shyly reveals her discovery: a small, fluffy white puppy with a pink bow. The creature, she explains, was lost in the bushes. An elderly woman, the Queen Mother, rushes forward, crying out "Macaron!" It is her lost pet. Overjoyed, she thanks Mimi profusely. To Mimi's mortification, The King then bursts into hearty laughter at her dishevelled appearance, finding the whole scenario incredibly amusing.

Renard reaches out, tenderly removing a leaf from Mimi's hair, telling her she is "as wonderful as ever." Mimi blushes deeply, her eyes sparkling as she gazes up at him. In the background, however, the Queen watches the intimate moment with a sharp, stern glare. Her expression is cold and unreadable, casting a distinct shadow over the otherwise happy scene and leaving Mimi with a palpable sense of unease about her future mother-in-law's judgment.

The setting shifts to the royal academy, where Mimi skips down a grand hallway in high spirits, humming a tune. Her friend, Aida, catches up and gently reminds her that a lady should not skip. Mimi apologizes with a grin, explaining her motivation to become a perfect lady for Renard. Aida notes that other students are wary of Mimi's "intimidating energy" but encourages her, touching her head kindly. Mimi responds with an unladylike military salute, making Aida giggle. Mimi then shares her excitement about visiting her younger brother, Theodore, at her family home. After Mimi runs off, Raymond emerges, commenting on Mimi's bluntness. Aida watches Mimi through a window, explaining that she hasn't corrected Mimi because her directness is one of her best qualities, an endearing shared sentiment.

In the courtyard, a new character, Rosalia Pinotti, the daughter of a Marquis and a former candidate for Renard's hand, confronts Mimi. With her distinctive drill-shaped curls and arrogant posture, Rosalia delivers mock-polite greetings, intending to assert her superior noble status. She begins to insult Mimi's background, calling the area "countryside" and implying Mimi is a commoner. Mimi, however, appears more confused than offended, her lack of understanding only further infuriating Rosalia. Without warning, Mimi closes the distance and begins to sniff the air around Rosalia, exclaiming how wonderful she smells. Mimi asks about the specific perfume, her eyes shining with genuine admiration, completely disarming Rosalia. Blushing, Rosalia explains her family's solid perfume, made from natural essential oils. Mimi is mesmerized, showering Rosalia with praise and admiration. Rosalia's hostile facade crumbles as she enjoys being the expert, and Mimi's over-the-top, excited praise, complete with strange dialects, flusters her completely. An imaginative sequence follows, depicting Mimi and Rosalia joyfully splashing at the beach and enjoying grilled seafood and fireworks, a whimsical vision of their potential friendship.