It still stuck with me because it was one of the worst episodes involving Kyle.

Plus, Rosaline was one of the people most excited to see me and Kyle leave for the Academy. It was because Kyle, whom even she disliked, would disappear for a while.

If Rosalyn hated Kyle as much as she did, she certainly wouldn’t be favorable to me.

“I should have faked being sick.”

I let out a sigh of regret and stepped into the greenhouse.

Chirp. Chirp.

The greenhouse’s resident birds chirped sweetly.

The walls of the greenhouse were made of crystal and were equipped with magic devices to keep the structure cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

‘I wish we had one of those at home.’

As I walked along, my mind wandering, I spotted a group of young people gathered together. They were all dressed up in their finest attire and chattering excitedly.

“Oh ho ho, the princess is indeed wise.”

“I would never have thought of that.”

“Studying with commoners? Isn’t that beneath us? When she arrives, let’s first show our superiority…Lady Rosiere?”

My opponent locked eyes with me and flinched. The panic spread from her to the others.

I could tell they had been caught in the act of gossiping about me.

At their center was a woman in an extravagant dress of purple and golden fabric adorned with tiny diamonds.

It was Rosaline Ygritte.

“I greet your highness, the Princess.”

I grabbed the hem of my dress and curtsied. Rosaline looked a little taken aback.

I don’t think she’s surprised because I’m so pretty. Nor did I think it was because I had simply caught them in the act of talking behind my back.

Ironically, the mystery of Vivian’s surprised expression was quickly resolved.

“Your Highness, I’m a little late… huh.”

A young lady came running up behind me, panting.

And I saw the invitation she was holding. An invitation that announced that today’s tea party would begin at three o’clock.

“Hmmm.”

The tea party invitations I had received had clearly called for an appointment at 4:00 pm.

Thursday at 4pm, two days later, in the Sapphire Palace Crystal Garden of the Imperial Palace.

I didn’t want to attend the tea party. I wondered if this was a fake invitation, but I’d seen it many times, so I was sure.

Noticing that my gaze was drawn to the invitation she was holding, the young lady hastily hid it behind her back.

But what can you do? I’ve already seen it all.

I had deliberately left an hour early to avoid getting myself into trouble for being late for an appointment.

Well, well. Guess I was just in time, huh?

And that’s why all those young people already gathered were so surprised?

“Whew.”

I let out a small giggle. I could sense that the young ladies were all secretly watching me, pretending not to.

At the same time, I was also keeping an eye on Princess Rosaline, who was at the center of their attention.

The story begins on the day of the Empire’s founding when Kyle is announced as the crown prince.

But who would have thought that such a cute incident would happen before the start of the original work?

I twirled around and smiled at the princess with a pretty smile on my lips.

“The weather is really nice. It’s the best time to have a tea party, Your Highness.”

“Yes… thank you, Lady Rosiere.”

Rosaline covered her mouth with her fan, but I had already noticed that her expression was stiff.

I didn’t intend to upset her that much.

Her reaction was too much. Did someone sprinkle vinegar on her?

“I should have greeted you first, Your Highness. I apologize for not showing proper etiquette, but it’s only been five days since I returned to the capital, so I didn’t have the opportunity.”

Who calls someone immediately upon their arrival to the capital?

I turned to Rosaline with a smirk on my face.

In truth, there was something quite impolite about princess Rosaline’s invitation. She had invited me to a tea party happening ‘the day after tomorrow’, not even giving a whole week’s notice.

As a nobleman loyal to the imperial family, I couldn’t refuse this invitation. And I’m not just some daughter of a fallen noble in some remote region.

I’m the daughter of the Marquis de Rosiere! There’s a limit to how lightly she can take me and my family.

I waited for her response with a smile on my face.

Unfortunately, Rosaline quickly regained her composure. 

“But you still attended my invitation, didn’t you? They say it’s hard to even run into Lady Rosiere these days because of her popularity.”

“Her Imperial Highness hastily arranged this for me upon my return to the capital, so I thought it only fitting to attend and show my appreciation.”

The princess’s tea party had probably been planned weeks in advance, but I had naturally made Rosaline’s tea party my own.

“Well, yes. Of course.”

I feigned ignorance as my opponent unfurled her fan.

After an annoying exchange, we sat down at the tea table set up in the greenhouse.

The noble ladies of the princess faction were already seated in their places.

Meanwhile, my seat was right next to the princess.

I felt like screaming out loud.

The first social event I attend upon returning to the capital is a tea party hosted by Princess Rosaline and a group of ladies from the opposite camp of Kyle.

They even tried to bite me once already!

“Today, we have a valuable guest joining us. Let’s all enjoy ourselves comfortably.”

The tea party started naturally, as if it was supposed to begin at three o’clock from the beginning.

The princess’s servants served tea in pretty teacups that were prepared beforehand.

The pink tea looked pretty, but to me, it looked like poison.

As the delicately decorated refreshments, which must have been made by the palace chef, were served, people began to speak to me in earnest.

“Oh my! I wanted to meet you, Lady Rosiere.”

“How have you been?”

“Yes, it’s nice to meet you all.”

“You’ve come up to the capital now, haven’t you? It must be hard to adjust to the change of scenery, Arene is a rather backward place since it’s in the countryside.”

The professors of Arene Academy would be outraged if they heard that.

They may lag behind in the latest fashion trends of dresses and social etiquette, but they have the most advanced magic technology in Arene.

I could bet my diploma that the magical tools that keep this greenhouse cool were created in Arene.

Even on hot days like this, you can’t help but sweat in the greenhouse, but it’s all thanks to the scholars of Arene that you can keep cool.

There was no other place where magic technology was applied as quickly in everyday life as in Arene.

Unlike the capital, even the carriages that common people rode in Arene were equipped with cooling devices.

I smiled at the frogs in the well, who had probably never left the capital in their lives.

“That’s not true. Arene is a very advanced place, too.”

“What about the Academy, I hear there’s a lot of trouble there because there’s no distinction of status.”

“It’s a place where you can pursue academic achievements in a free atmosphere. There was so much to learn.”

“Oh, how free-spirited.””

“Haha. Well, Lady Rosiere is different from the typical lady.”

What did you mean by that?

As I expected, the tea party hosted by the princess was very boring and dull.

It seemed like everyone was forcing a smile and their faces were about to cramp.

Then, perhaps the topic that everyone had been waiting for finally came up.

“By the way, His Highness Kyle, has he truly reached the level of a Sword Master?”

“Lady Blanton, I heard that he is not a Sword Master, but a Sword Expert.”

“Oh, really? What’s the difference? I don’t know much about swordsmanship….”

Lady Blanton’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she asked me.

I couldn’t help but think that she deliberately asked the wrong question even though she knew the answer.

Sighing inwardly, I answered her.

“Those who are preparing to reach the level of a Sword Master are called Sword Experts.”

“Oh, I see.”

“His Highness traveled all the way down to Arene to study and all he was able to achieve was Sword Expert. That’s a little disappointing.”

“Well, His Highness is very good at what he does.”

To those who feigned pity, I cut them off.

Kyle’s skills are not something you can insult like that.

The sight of Kyle slicing through his target with the blue flame of his aura on his sword was a sight to behold.

But suddenly, one of the ladies interrupted. It was the Marquis of Martin’s daughter, Veronica.

“But at least His Highness Kyle is still honest. Nowadays, there are many who call themselves masters just by handling aura alone.”

“Oh, Veronica, were you also deceived?”

“I’m ashamed to say, yes…. You know how I tried to hire a knight to be my escort, but it turned out he wasn’t even an Expert, let alone a Sword Master?”

“There’s a lot of people who don’t know shame these days. You really had a hard time, Lady Veronica.

Look at these people.

They’re insulting Kyle, who has no lack of skill and only speaks the truth, as if he’s just a braggart.