Chapter 4 – Part 2

Recalling the encounter with the ladies she met on the shopping street two days ago, Kristin instructed her servants to prepare for the tea party.

However, she wondered if it was right to be preparing a tea party at this moment.

She already knew it didn’t make sense to invite ladies who had despised her so much into her home.

Part of her wished they wouldn’t show up, while another part hoped all three would sit before her.

“Are you alright with having a tea party with other ladies?”

“Of course, you don’t need to worry about it.”

Lenci, who was happy to see Kristin back without having gone through with the wedding, had to hide her emotions in front of Viscount Vernon, Rose, and Elena.

Rose and Elena seemed displeased merely at the idea of Kristin having a tea party with ladies of her age.

This made Lenci even more cautious with her words, but Kristin knew Lenci well.

“Don’t worry, Lenci. I’m just curious about them.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I haven’t attended social parties or interacted with other ladies until now. I realized I can’t keep living like this. The ladies coming here today are the ones who dislike me the most, but I want to try and get them on my side.”

Lenci couldn’t understand her lady.

Why invite people who disliked her instead of those who liked her?

Furthermore, an assortment of cakes, cookies, and other desserts sent by Raphael are being prepared.

There were also various kinds of tea for the tea party.

Lenci thought the relationship between Kristin and Raphael was over, but his actions were strange.

Usually, a tea party is organized around a simple tea table, but with all the desserts, a round table is not enough.

“I don’t quite understand, but since there are so many desserts, we should set up a larger table.”

“Do as you see fit.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

Although there was a head maid, Lenci was the only servant who truly followed Kristin.

The others liked and followed her, but they were too busy trying to please Rose and Elena.

Only Lenci worked solely for Kristin and always sought her opinion whenever something happened.

And today was the day of the party.

“I’ve prepared everything as you requested, but will His Grace be joining us? Should I prepare a place for him?”

“No, Lenci. There’s no need. His Grace won’t be coming.”

Kristin spoke rather calmly.

Lenci, startled, continued speaking.

“I thought he would join because he sent so many desserts. Is everything alright between you two?”

There had been plenty of issues already.

However, knowing no one would believe she had come back in time, Kristin softened her stern expression and spoke to Lenci.

“It’s nothing. It’s just that the duke and I don’t get along. Could you do my hair? It’s almost noon, and I need to start getting ready.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll do it.”

Lenci softly brushed Kristin’s red hair, making it gleam with a lovely wave as the comb ran through it.

“Shall I braid it neatly, or would you prefer a decorative style on the side?”

“Hmm, something fancy would be good.”

“Then, with decorations.”

“Yes, add some decorations to my hair.”

As Lenci reached for a red ribbon pin from the accessory box, Kristin remembered the hairpin that the Marquis of Winston had given her as a gift in the past. She had never worn it before; it was a white rose-shaped pin adorned with many pearls.

If she wore that hairpin, the young ladies would undoubtedly be curious about its origin. Such a design wasn’t sold within the Union Empire; the Marquis had brought it from a neighboring country, making it an intriguing piece for the young ladies.

“Not the red ribbon pin. Open the small box inside the drawer.”

“The drawer?”

“In the drawer, there’s a box with a hairpin in it.”

Due to Elena often sneaking into Kristin’s room and stealing things, Kristin had to hide the hairpin gifted by the Marquis of Winston. There was a hidden compartment inside the drawer, unknown to Elena, where Kristin kept her valuable items.

“My Lady, it looks like there’s nothing here.”

“Reach further down; there’s a hidden space at the bottom. You’ll find the box there.”

“Let me try again, My Lady.”

As Lenci stretched her arm deep into the drawer, she felt something.

“I found it! This must be the box you mentioned.”

When Lenci retrieved the box and opened it, a dazzling white rose hairpin studded with pearls emerged.

“Wow! It’s so beautiful, My Lady.”

“Yes, Lenci. That’s the one. Can you pin it to my hair?”

“Of course, My Lady. Just a moment.”

Lenci braided the ends of Kristin’s hair and then pinned the hairpin to the left side. The pearl-studded hairpin accentuated Kristin’s stunning appearance even more.

“You look truly beautiful.”

“This should be enough, right?”

“My Lady, I can’t stop thinking about what you said earlier. Why are you inviting people who dislike you to the party?”

Kristin found Lenci’s puzzled expression endearing and couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing Kristin laugh only deepened Lenci’s confusion.

“I haven’t had a tea party with the other young ladies before, so having one this time won’t hurt.”

“If that’s the case, I’m relieved, but I’m still worried.”

“Thank you for your concern, but don’t worry.”

Kristin glanced at the clock, realizing it was now thirty minutes before the party was set to begin. It was about time for the young ladies carriages to arrive.

* * *

Kristin stepped into the garden, gazing at the streams of water flowing from the fountain.

Beyond the fountain, she saw the scene laid out before her: tables adorned with flowers and trays filled with various desserts.

Small, charming forks and plates, as well as glass bottles of lavender tea glistening in the sunlight, were all meticulously arranged, befitting a tea party for noble young ladies.

Everything was ready.

All that remained was the arrival of the three young ladies: Isabella, Venice, and Ellen. Kristin glanced at the small clock tower in the garden, waiting for their arrival.

Finally, as the clock’s minute hand approached the fifty-minute mark, a carriage arrived at the estate’s gate.

“Lady Isabella Anderkin has arrived.”

Lady Isabella approached Kristin, holding a small bouquet. The bouquet contained a single withered rose, seemingly brought deliberately to slight Kristin.

Despite this, Kristin did not feel disappointed. She had not expected much from them.

In a typical tea party, one would bring a fresh bouquet, perhaps a hand-embroidered handkerchief, or even a decorative teacup or hairpin.

But Isabella flaunted her disregard for such norms.

“Oh, Lady Kristin.”

“Lady Isabella, thank you for coming all this way.”

“I didn’t have time to prepare a proper bouquet, so I brought the best flower I had. Is it alright?”

Kristin took the flower, clenching her fist slightly. Isabella’s actions were meant to insult her. If they were on friendly terms, Isabella would never have given such a gift.

The smug look on Isabella’s face and the condescending tone in her voice were unmistakable.

Despite their equal standing as countesses, Isabella projected a sense of superiority over Kristin.

Sensing this, Kristin chose not to react outwardly. She lacked power, influential friends, and allies among the noble young ladies. She needed to build relationships and gather information.

Isabella Anderkin, along with Venice and Ellen, were the prime suspects in the carriage accident. Kristin decided to keep them close.

Hiding her true intentions, Kristin smiled warmly at Isabella.

“Not at all. Please, have a seat. I’ve been expecting you.”

“I’m grateful for the invitation, but why did you invite the three of us? The Kristin I knew would never have done this. Oh, excuse me, I just thought you were introverted and lost in your world.”

Kristin maintained her smile, unfazed by Isabella’s remarks. Isabella’s gaze shifted to the array of desserts on the tea table, a look of surprise crossing her face.

“How did you manage all these desserts? I thought the Viscount’s finances were in trouble because of the broken engagement with Duke Raphael and the penalty fees.”

Isabella had a habit of speaking bluntly to those she didn’t feel the need to be polite to.

Kristin, who had neatly braided her orange hair, briefly pondered how to address Isabella, whose makeup did not match her skin tone.

In the past, Isabella had enjoyed gossiping about her, spreading unpleasant rumors about her being alone at home after her debutante ball.

The rumors were quite vile.

They said she had already amused herself with the Marquis and, having lost interest in him as a playmate, was now aiming to marry the Duke.

Kristin pretended not to know about the rumors, but the resentment lingered even after she married Raphael.

Even after becoming a duchess, the gossip followed her whenever she met other noble ladies and young women.

Kristin chose to stay alone, fearing unwanted rumors if she formed any friendships.

However, being alone meant she faced a lonely and solitary death without anyone’s help.

But now, unable to handle everything on her own as before, Kristin decided to build numerous connections.