That's a look she most often gets from young men hoping to be knights like her someday. 

So Corvina likes women. She files that away for later. 

"It's a lot of work in practice," she says. "But I find it worth the effort to protect women like you. Is the countess treating you well?"

Corvina smiles. "Yes! She's been keeping me in textbooks and sweets and tutoring me in the ways of the court. She seems very well-intentioned."

Damn it, if the liberals win this one with nothing more than a platter of mass-produced chocolate she's going to scream. 

"That's good to hear, but I must caution you against following the dictates of any individual too closely. You must always keep your wits about you at court and never listen to only one source of advice. Unfortunate things happen to people who disregard such rules."

Corvina ducks her head. "Is it that obvious? Well, for now I'm still sorting myself out, so... Even though I appreciate the offer of help and advice, I must respectfully decline for now."

Leah smiles slightly. ""For now" has a tendency to become "forever" where politics is concerned. Please, don't hesitate to call on me at any hour. I could even teach you swordsmanship, if you wish. It's always best to be able to defend oneself."

Swords!!! With a hot lady!!!!

"... As I said, I must respectfully decline."

She's got her. It's not over yet.

"Very well then," Leah says. "It seems you're well enough and here by choice, so I will take my leave for now. Thank you for your time."

She nods to Countess Roscente and exits the way she came.

Aria smiles politely. "Thank you for your concern."

And she departs.

Once Leah has solidly departed...

Aria steps back into her rooms, and returns bearing a small crystalline sphere. 

She presses a button on the side of it, and a small light flashes green.

"No watchers," she reports to Corvina. "It's safe to speak."

Corvina looks up from her textbooks and runa a hand through her hair. "Do you really need to do that?"

Aria nods. "Yes, because I'm about to explain my understanding of the political situation to you, and I don't want anyone overhearing my private thoughts - the degree of what someone knows can often be incredibly important information at court."

Corvina looks at Aria seriously. "Okay, hit me."

Aria sits down across from Corvina, picks up a cupcake, and takes a bite. "I'd like to hear your understanding of the situation first, so that I can take time to correct any particular flaws in your reasoning."

"Well, it seems like you're not the only person who's interested in me. That Leah lady seemed to be very concerned about me, and she even offered me sword practice..." 

Corvina presses her chin into the knuckles of her right hand. "I don't buy that Black Cocoa just 'happened' to drop by either. It seems clear that, contrary to what you said yesterday, many people are interested in me."

Aria lets out a small sigh. "Oh, good, you're not completely hopeless."

She takes another bite of her cupcake.

"To be blunt, you're being played for by the court. Black Cocoa represents the liberal faction, so that makes Leah most likely the messenger of the conservative faction. At this early stage, both sides are playing for access to you."

Aria steeples her hands and leans forwards. "Because I was able to spirit you away from the classes and so on you'd usually be attending, the opportunity to play first is something I've been able to charge both sides for. In the long run I'm not going to be able to keep you by my side continuously, but the disruption in your schedule has shown us who is interested in you. And to be blunt, you're a prodigy and the extra day on very basic material is not really the best use of your talents. With me so far?"

Corvina taps her knuckles against her chin. "I think I understand. Both sides are dangling something I want - extra tutoring and support - and hoping I take them up on their offer."

She frowns. "I don't really appreciate being charged for like I'm a - fairground attraction - though."

"To be blunt, those favours I'm skimming off the top are what makes it worth it for me to tutor and guide you. They're paying for your education, in a sense - an education that's not bound to any one faction, that respects you as an individual able to make your own choices, and that guards you against falling for easy traps."

Aria takes the last bite of her cupcake and sets the wrapper aside. "Mentorship and support isn't the only chip in this game. Cocoa almost certainly sees that you admire him, and Leah almost certainly sees that you're attracted to her. Both sides want you to become enamoured with them, for you to give them your heart - but if you commit, the trap goes snap and then you're their patsy for life."

"... oh." 

Corvina hunches a little in her seat. 

"Isn't there such a thing as being friends at court?"

"Friends are a luxury for once you're secure in your position. Right now, you can't afford them."

"... so what should I do?"

"For now? Listen and learn and commit to nothing. We can't keep you in my rooms forever, but I can stay by your side as you politely and neutrally entertain both sides' offers."

She steeples her hands again. "For that, I'll need your cooperation, just as I've needed your cooperation on all the rest of this - but I promise to you that I'm acting in what I believe to be our mutual best interest. By showing you can play the game, you make both sides take you more seriously and value you more, and in the meantime you can scoop up the gifts that both sides offer you attempting to win your favour. Even if you ultimately commit, you're more useful to your side as someone not publicly affiliated with them."

Corvina's spine straightens. 

"Alright," she says. "I'll do my best."