That would make sense. The Master quickly said, “As expected Guardian, you sensed it. That’s what I was going to tell you about too. In high society, the Trow family…”

“The Trow family?”

Helix sharply prompted him to continue.

“Well, there are rumors that Imperial personnel have been frequently visiting the Trow family lately. Since Lord Trow has wide connections in society, we don’t know what he might try. Lady Piert should be careful…”

A crack appeared between Helix’s neat brows.

“…They’re trying something with Leah?”

He stood up. His cloak fluttered with the sudden movement.

“I’ll visit again soon.”

“What? Guardian? Where are you suddenly going?”

***

At that time, Leah was attending a tea party for the first time in a while, listening to the gossip of young ladies her age.

“…so then Young Lord Palton slapped away Young Lord Baluda’s hand and said, ‘We’re not close enough to greet each other separately like this, are we?'”

“Oh my, oh my, and then?”

“Young Lord Baluda was so embarrassed, he awkwardly said something like, ‘No, it’s not like things worked out with that lady anyway’…”

“What’s with him? He tried to stab his friend’s girlfriend but now acts like this.”

Leah felt relieved as she listened to the fascinating noble young men’s gossip.

‘Whew, that’s a relief.’

She had been very tense, worried that Helix might come up in conversation at this social gathering, but none of the young ladies present asked about him. It seemed they were being cautious since the rumored partner hadn’t made his debut yet.

‘Besides, it looks like there were all sorts of romance incidents while I was in the north. I guess Helix and I aren’t such a big topic of interest.’

She felt a bit more at ease.

‘I need to get him a title quickly so I can introduce Helix more proudly.’

While thinking about this again, Leah reached for the cake she hadn’t been able to touch until now. Meanwhile, the topic had shifted elsewhere.

“I hear this flower tea is trending in the Empire these days.”

“Oh my, no wonder it’s unusually fragrant. So it’s from the Empire.”

“It’s very popular in the Empire too, so it was hard to get.”

The rare flower tea bloomed fully inside an equally precious glass teapot. The young ladies watched the sight with bated breath.

One lady spoke softly.

“But aren’t you curious? About this tea, I mean. What we usually drink is tea leaves, and this flower tea is dried flowers… yet strangely, they taste so different.”

The lady’s eyes sparkled.

“What would it taste like if we mixed them?”

Everyone seemed to share the lady’s curiosity.

“You’re right?”

“Come to think of it, I’ve never tried mixing flower tea and regular tea, I’m curious.”

They had always just drunk what was served to them. The young ladies suddenly became curious and looked back and forth between the flower tea and leaf tea, but no one volunteered to try mixing them.

That’s when one lady stepped forward.

She boldly mixed the flower tea and regular tea, quickly steeped it, and placed it in front of Leah who was lost in thought.

“Lady Piert, your cup is empty. Please try this freshly brewed tea before it gets cold.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Leah smiled and accepted it, about to drink when she paused and looked around. Something felt strange.

All the young ladies were focused on her with expectant looks.

Whatever it was, she had a bad feeling. Leah loosely held the teacup.

“Cough!”

She dramatically coughed and dropped the teacup from her hand. The tea spilled all over the tea table.

“Eek!”

The young ladies quickly backed away, afraid of getting their dresses wet. The snacks set on the tea table scattered everywhere in the commotion.

“Cough cough!”

Leah, who had been coughing in the chaos, lifted her head pitifully and covered her mouth with a handkerchief.

“Cough! I’m sorry. When I smell unfamiliar scents, my body doesn’t react well…”

The young ladies looked at her with somewhat suspicious faces. However, since they were the ones who tried to play a prank first, it was awkward to confront her about it.

“…That can happen.”

“Yes. Lady Piert is known to have a weak constitution after all.”

“Thank you for understanding, cough!”

Lady Jerinne, who had first mixed the tea leaves and served it to Leah, cursed internally.

‘Peirlily… pretending to be weak and deliberately spilling the tea?’

She covered her trembling lips with a fan. She had mixed the tea knowing what effect it would have, but Leah ruined everything by spilling the cup.

‘That Peirlily is really…!’

Leah Piert, always at the center of attention, had outstanding family background and beauty. And to be quick-witted on top of that. Lady Jerinne was furious.

‘Why does she have everything?’

Lady Jerinne came from a fallen noble family. Despite their difficult circumstances, Count Trow had highly valued her beauty and supported her to barely maintain her social activities.

What Count Trow wanted from her was just one thing – to become the flower of society while Leah was away.

‘Don’t expect that you’ll surpass that Peirlily woman.’

When she went to thank him for supporting her social debut, the Count spoke coldly.

‘But I’m giving you a chance since Peirlily is said to be sick this winter. Appear like a comet and capture everyone’s attention. If you can just do that, I’ll even prepare some dowry for you.’

But it was all futile. When Leah returned saying she had gotten better, Lady Jerinne was pushed out of the spotlight.

‘If you had just stayed away for one season, just one season, I could have been the rising star of that social season and quickly secured a good marriage! Then I wouldn’t have had to keep nervously watching my step in society until now!’

She deeply resented Leah. It felt like all her circumstances and misfortunes were Leah’s fault.

Count Trow had quietly called for Lady Jerinne like this recently.

‘I’ll get you an invitation, so go to this tea party. And get a proper dress, not something that looks like a maid’s outfit.’

Lady Jerinne bowed her head, saying she was grateful for the opportunity. It was all thanks to Count Trow that she, who had no money, could attend such tea parties.

‘I heard the lady hosting the tea party was looking for flower tea. I used my Empire connections to get some and had it sent as a gift.’

Count Trow showed her the steeped flower tea. It was a pretty sight with purple stamens blooming beautifully among yellow petals.

‘It’s tea made from a flower called Generial Gold. When you mix this flower tea with these tea leaves, it can be used as a mild poison.’

To Lady Jerinne who nervously swallowed, the Count pushed over a container of tea leaves to mix with the flower tea.

‘Take this, mix it with the flower tea, and make Leah Piert drink it. And then…’

Count Trow told her the plan and gave her instructions.

‘But that cunning girl avoided drinking the tea and ruined the plan.’

Lady Jerinne composed herself. She couldn’t give up here.

“L-Lady Piert, I’m so sorry. To someone with such a weak constitution, I…!”

The lady trembled and clasped her hands in front of Leah.

“It’s my fault. I must apologize!”

Leah waved her hands in confusion.

“No, it’s fine!”

“No! I’m truly sorry! Are you feeling unwell anywhere? Shouldn’t we have a doctor look at you?”

Seeing Lady Jerinne’s excessive concern, the other ladies exchanged glances.

After all, Leah Piert was the lady from the best family with the most influence at this tea party. And they had tried to play a group prank on her…

‘Lady Jerinne has a point.’

‘What if she really gets sick?’

The hostess of the tea party also seemed worried and spoke up.

“I’ll call the family doctor to the lounge, please rest for a moment, Lady Piert.”

“Ah, no, that’s not necessary.”

“I’ll go with you! I know where the lounge is since I’ve been there before.”

Lady Jerinne linked arms with Leah. The hostess seemed glad that Lady Jerinne volunteered since she couldn’t leave the party herself.

“Thank you, Lady Jerinne. I’ll leave it to you.”

“But, I’m really fine…?”

Leah tried to protest more but looked around. The hostess and other ladies had uncomfortable expressions. Maybe she overdid pretending to be sick. She gave up and nodded in understanding.

‘Maybe I should have coughed less?’

Lady Jerinne smiled and led Leah who was reflecting.

“You’ll feel better after resting in the lounge.”

While pretending to guide Leah to the lounge, she planned to take her to a different room. Count Trow had said Baron Durford would be waiting in that room.

‘What a waste. If she had drunk the tea earlier, her body wouldn’t be listening to her by now.’

Lady Jerinne shook off her regret and held Leah’s arm. Though the plan had gone slightly awry, it was fine. Once she delivered her to the room, Baron Durford would take care of the rest.

‘I’ll push her into the room, quickly lock the door from outside. Then go back and stay among the ladies before bringing up how I’m worried since she’s been gone so long. Then rush there with the other ladies and catch them in the act.’

Once she’s caught in a compromising position with Baron Durford, Leah would no longer be called the Lily of Peiren. Lady Jerinne’s eyes sparkled with anticipation and excitement.

‘Experience what it’s like to have a hopeless life too, Leah Piert.’

***

The hostess of the tea party completely forgot about sending a doctor to Leah. This was because an unexpected guest had barged into the tea party.

“What? You came to pick up Lady Piert?”

The handsome man with long silver hair that seemed to have stepped out of mythology answered politely.

“Yes. Where is Leah?”

The young ladies who had been holding their breath since the man’s appearance fidgeted with their feet under their dresses.

‘So it was him! Oh my, they’re on first-name terms?’

‘He called her Leah! His voice is like dripping honey when he says Leah…’

They had heard rumors about the mysterious handsome man who accompanied Leah Piert, but they didn’t know he was this level. The tea party hostess who had been dazed for a moment suddenly came to her senses and answered.

“Lady Piert went to the lounge with Lady Jerinne.”

“The lounge?”