Chapter 131

Chapter 131

“Don’t pull the teaspoon out like that. Aren’t you spilling tea onto the table?”

At his fussy command, I set the spoon down on the coaster with a sulk. Then I pinched the cup between thumb and forefinger, lifting it to my lips, sneaking a glance to see if he’d find something else to nag about.

“You’re already working, young lady. Isn’t it hard to spare time learning all this?”

But this time, the question came back surprisingly gentle. I blinked at the unexpected warmth, quickly setting the cup down. Honestly, it was a bit draining, but I couldn’t say that outright.

“Not at all. You’re busy too, yet you’re acting as my teacher.”

“Haha. You’re a quick learner, so teaching you is rewarding. Just a few refinements to your posture, and it’ll be no trouble.”

He chuckled, his mustache twitching. I felt grateful for his effort—and guilty too. Staring at the stillness of the tea, I couldn’t help adding,

“Hmm… but I wonder if I’m overdoing it just for table etiquette.”

“Not at all. Learning never hurts. Sure, young people these days don’t fuss over every detail of etiquette. But plenty of people will pick at how you hold a spoon or the order you drink your tea. So don’t show them any weakness. Better to be the target of envy and jealousy than to become gossip over your shortcomings. I don’t know how you’ll take this, but consider it an old man’s advice—one who’s lived a bit longer. I’m saying this not just because you’re engaged to His Excellency, but because I see you as a child of my own.”

“Ah. Yes. I see.”

I nodded at that. He was right, through and through. I’d learned enough trailing the Duke at parties and events to know it well. I’d just let my guard down from learning fatigue. I steeled myself, gripping the teacup tight. As he said, I needed to be perfect to avoid pointless criticism.

“In that spirit, you set the teacup down too hard. Please be mindful.”

He added promptly.

“Ah. Yes.”

At that, I straightened my posture and took a sip of tea. Then, with great care, I set the teacup down. Thanks to that, the porcelain cup settled onto the saucer without so much as a faint clink.

* * *

“Welcome, Lady Highen.”

The second daughter of House Aujentes, the party’s hostess, greeted me in a composed voice.

“Thank you for the invitation.”

I returned the greeting with equal refinement.

“This way, please. I hope you enjoy your time with us today.”

Following her lead, my steps carried me to the vast garden spread before the mansion. It was decorated with an abundance of flowers—so many that their heavy fragrance hung thick in the air. Some varieties were clearly out of season, likely brought in from the greenhouse and arranged here in full display.

At the center of the garden stood an outdoor table set for the tea party, laden with an array of tempting desserts. My eyes darted straight to the tart topped with strawberries. The sugar-glazed berries caught the long rays of sunlight, glistening plumply. Their dainty, round shape looked utterly appetizing. Setting aside the story of the headless ghost for now, I decided I had to try that first and stepped toward the table.

“Welcome, Lady Highen.”

“A pleasure to meet you.”

The young ladies who had arrived earlier rose and addressed me. After exchanging brief greetings, I took my prepared seat. A maid promptly poured tea into the cup before me. The amber-black tea rose from the bottom of the cup, creating rippling circles. Watching it quietly, my mind seemed to steady for a moment.

Ah, this isn’t the time for that. I didn’t come here just to eat snacks!

I composed myself politely. Finally, the moment had come for the special training with the butler to shine.

How was it again—the way to hold the cup? The teaspoon should rest horizontally on the saucer…

After running a flawless simulation in my head, I lifted the teacup lightly to my lips. With a posture anyone would deem elegant, I even took a bite of the pie. Of course, I didn’t forget to blend into the conversation naturally.

Fortunately, most of the people at the tea party were friendly toward me. Whether because word had spread that I was the Duke’s fiancée, they even showed the kindness of laughing at my simple jokes. I was doing my part, but everyone else was handling social life just as well.

Wow… power really is nice. As a baron’s daughter, I’d never get this treatment… It’s bittersweet, I suppose, but comfortable.

So far, everything had gone smoothly. I figured I’d simply enjoy the party, then look into the headless ghost afterward.

“Oh my! Lady Highen! There’s no need to mind your manners that perfectly. You look like someone from the old days! And without ever having attended the Academy, did you undergo some special training before coming here? It’s lovely to see such diligence!”

Yes, everything would have been perfect if not for that bird-like woman in front of me. Now that I’d mastered etiquette, even having learned it became a handle to criticize me. By the look of things, she’d have found fault with whatever I did.

But why was she even here? Their group leader hadn’t come to the party at all—and that snake had actually sent me an invitation himself, hadn’t she heard?

I stared at her, irked. The woman seated beside her nudged her with an elbow—a gesture that seemed to say *watch your mouth*. But our bird-like young lady didn’t hold back. She shot the woman a look that said, *What’s your problem?* as though her question had been pure, innocent curiosity.

Of course, I knew the trick, but being on the receiving end was still irritating. Still, having just tasted the true flavor of power, I was feeling rather generous. So I decided to brush off this provocation and change the subject, turning to Lady Auzentes.

“The garden is truly beautiful. Thank you for inviting me.”

“I’m glad you like it. The weather turned out especially fine today, so I had the venue changed at the last minute. We’d originally planned to hold it indoors.”

“Then the weather did us a favor. Thanks to it, I get to enjoy such lovely scenery.”

We continued our conversation without so much as glancing at the bird-like young lady. Her lips pursed into a pout, her face a clear display of sulk. In her eyes, I must have looked like the shameless woman who’d stolen her friend’s man. But the Duke had always been mine, so her behavior was nothing but childish stubbornness.

I glanced sidelong to read her mood, uneasy about what trouble she might stir up next. She stewed for a while, then, at some point, a tiny smirk crept onto her lips. She seemed to have come up with a clever way to slander me.

“Oh, by the way, have you seen the new play that just opened? I found it quite fascinating. It’s based on a classic, but… hmm, have you ever encountered the original work, Lady Highen? It’s part of the Academy curriculum, you know.”

Just as I’d feared, she suddenly launched into this out-of-the-blue topic.

“Hey, even I know that much.”

If she’d asked something a bit more sophisticated, I’d have been stumped for sure. The fact that she lobbed such a simple question was proof enough she thought I was an utter idiot.

“As I understand it, the texts are written in an ancient language and haven’t been fully deciphered yet. That’s why the play took considerable creative liberties. I think those embellishments actually make the story more compelling.”

I answered with studied nonchalance, as if it were nothing.

“…Well, at least you know the basics, I suppose.”

She snorted, then added another jab. At this point, I was starting to wonder if I’d be acquitted for just slugging her once. But being the sensible person I am, I stayed put in my seat.

“Lady Teamir, that’s enough. Why do you keep disrespecting Lady Highen? It’s unpleasant to listen to.”

Instead, it was Lady Auzentes who snapped at the Bird Young Lady, her voice sharp with annoyance. At that, the others around her began to chime in.

“That’s right. What’s gotten into you since earlier?”

“You’ve been terribly rude.”

As the tide of reproach turned against her, her face flushed scarlet, red as a beet.

“What? Why are you all ganging up on me? I’m not the problem here! It’s her—that nobody who stole the Duke’s fiancée spot!”

She shot back at them in a shrill, petulant voice. But all she got in return were cold, withering stares.

“Y-you…!”

Realizing things weren’t going her way, she couldn’t contain her fury. She shoved her chair back and stood up. Then, with a face on the verge of tears, she stormed off down the garden path. She must have hoped someone would stop her, but no one followed.

Watching a girl four or five years younger than me cry was both satisfying and a little troubling. Guess having so many younger siblings had made me soft on people younger than me. Besides, who didn’t act childish now and then at that age?

“I’ll go after her.”

I said, rising from my seat at the table. Then I followed the path the Bird Young Lady had taken. She was leaning against a large tree, sniffling.

“Excuse me.”

“What! Why are you following me!”

Ugh, step back. What a temper… I try to comfort her and all I get is this.

“…Everyone’s just being fake! They’re all talking behind your back, you know! Saying you seduced the Duke on purpose!”

When I stepped back a few paces, she huffed and blurted out.

“Why are you so angry, anyway?”

I asked, genuinely baffled. Even if everyone was gossiping about me behind my back, not all of them acted like the Bird Young Lady. That’s what made it so strange.