Chapter 44

Unlike Raspol, the sharp morning and evening air pricked the skin, so Tia wrapped her outer garment tighter. In a little while, she would have to bring warm water to Vivian’s room.

Today was the day of the tea party hosted by the Empress. It was also the day when the adult Vivian Dinever would make her first appearance in the capital’s social scene.

The morning sunlight streaming through the hallway windows was dazzling as Tia, carrying the wash water, headed to Vivian’s room with a new maid following her.

“Um… Tia.”

The new maid called out to Tia from behind. Tia nodded, looking at the child who still couldn’t hide her youth.

“Since His Highness the Crown Prince left in a hurry, the Young Lady seems to be in a low mood…”

“Yes. She’s usually like that after meeting with His Highness the Crown Prince. Are you worried?”

Tia asked with a bright smile. When the young maid nodded, Tia patted her head and took the wash water from her.

“You said you were newly hired this time, right?”

“Yes.”

“What’s your name?”

“Charlotte.”

“Alright, Charlotte. You and I have met with great fortune. Do you know how rare it is to serve a mistress like Young Lady Vivian? She’s not the type to mistreat her servants just because she’s in a bad mood, so don’t worry.”

At Tia’s words, the young maid’s worried expression brightened instantly. Tia, finding the maid adorable, winked and stood in front of Vivian’s door.

“Could you knock for me?”

At Tia’s request, the new maid quickly knocked on the door. However, there was no sound from inside.

“Why isn’t she saying anything?”

Tia pressed her ear to the door, trying to listen when she heard no response from Vivian.

“Maybe she’s still sleeping?”

The new maid, following Tia’s lead, pressed her ear to the door and lowered her voice.

“She’s always up by this time… Could she be sick?”

Tia worried, recalling how Vivian had roamed the mansion yesterday in thin clothing while looking for Ian.

“Young Lady. It’s Tia. I’m coming in.”

When there was still no response after knocking again, Tia raised her voice. But there was still no reaction. Tia nodded to the new maid, who quickly understood and opened the door.

Entering Vivian’s room with the wash water, Tia was startled.

“Young Lady. Are you sick?”

Vivian sat blankly on the bed. Tia hurriedly put down the wash water and approached her. She placed her hand on Vivian’s forehead and tilted her head.

“You don’t seem to have a fever… Young Lady! Your eyes!”

Tia, examining Vivian’s complexion, was shocked and covered her mouth with one hand.

“I couldn’t sleep, Tia…”

Vivian said in a cracked voice.

“What on earth… Let’s start by washing your face, Young Lady.”

Though momentarily surprised by Vivian’s appearance, Tia, the veteran, quickly organized her thoughts and began her tasks.

She started by opening the curtains with the new maid.

The sharp sunlight of late autumn and early winter poured in as soon as the curtains were drawn.

Vivian squinted her swollen eyes, barely able to open them in the sudden light.

“Young Lady. You have to attend the tea party today. You can’t stay like this!”

At Tia’s words, Vivian slowly got out of bed. Tia pulled her sluggishly moving feet into slippers.

“Come on, wash your face quickly.”

Tia asked Charlotte for a cold towel and watched as Vivian slowly began washing her face.

What on earth happened?

As she watched Vivian meticulously wash her face, Tia began to wonder what had happened while she was away yesterday.

“Are you done washing?”

“Yes.”

When Vivian had dried her face with a towel, the new maid entered with a cold towel.

Tia sat Vivian on the sofa, tilted her head back, and placed the cold towel over her swollen eyes.

“Ow, it’s cold.”

Startled by the coldness, Vivian reached into the air to remove the towel, but Tia’s hand stopped her.

“If you want the swelling to go down quickly, there’s no other way. You also have to put on makeup today…”

At Tia’s firm tone, Vivian gave up and let her hands drop.

“Young Lady.”

Tia pressed Vivian’s small face gently and began to speak.

“Yes?”

“Did you have a fight with His Highness the Crown Prince yesterday?”

Vivian hesitated before answering. Tia, noticing her hesitation, asked again. Vivian tried to get up but was pushed back onto the sofa by Tia’s strong grip.

“Don’t move.”

Seeing Vivian jump up at the mention of a fight, Tia was convinced that they had indeed fought.

How long has it been since they met, and already a fight…

Tia thought that it must have been the cold Louis who had caused the problem, not her lovely mistress. She wished Vivian would confide in her and relieve some of her distress.

“…No, it’s not that.”

After a long hesitation, Vivian finally spoke.

Not that?

Tia pouted. Kind, pretty, smart, and tight-lipped Vivian made Tia’s resentment towards Louis grow.

“I told you, reading those books wouldn’t help.”

Tia glared at the stack of romance books piled in one corner of Vivian’s room. To her, they seemed like expensive but useless collections of nonsense.

“I haven’t finished reading them yet.”

Vivian, who couldn’t tolerate negative comments about any book, protested.

“Did you stay up late reading the list that Ian took?”

“…Yes.”

Realizing that Vivian didn’t want to talk about what happened with the Crown Prince, Tia changed the subject.

Vivian had only attended small gatherings in Raspol, never a large social event like today’s.

I won’t let the Young Lady be discouraged!

When the coldness of the towel on Vivian’s eyes faded, Tia removed it and smiled brightly at her beautiful eyes.

“Our beautiful Young Lady’s first social debut! I’m cheering for you!”

Looking up at Tia, who was clenching her fists with determination, Vivian chuckled.

“Thank you, Tia.”

Perhaps because of Tia’s encouragement, the preparations for the tea party, which had been a bit awkward, proceeded smoothly thereafter.

Vivian’s eyes, which had mostly recovered before makeup application. Vivian’s curly hair, which was particularly calm today. All preparations were complete.

“You look so beautiful!”

The new maid, Charlotte, who had helped dress Vivian, clasped her hands together in admiration.

Blushing at Charlotte’s enthusiastic reaction, Vivian’s face looked even more radiant.

“Isn’t that a bit too much of a reaction?”

Though she said that, a pretty smile curved at the corners of Vivian’s mouth.

“No, really, you are truly beautiful!”

Charlotte’s sincere compliment made Tia nod in satisfaction.

Vivian, ready to attend the tea party in the Empress Annette’s garden before autumn fully set in, stood in front of the mirror and looked at her reflection.

“Shall we go, Young Lady?”

Tia opened the door, saying that the carriage was ready.

“Yes.”

Nodding resolutely, Vivian, who hadn’t slept well after tossing and turning all night, took a step forward. It was her first step into the capital’s social scene as the Crown Prince’s fiancée and the eldest daughter of the Dinever family.

***

“She’s attending today, right?”

“Yes, that’s what I heard.”

“Oh my, is it the first time since the winter banquet seven years ago?”

“Yes. Since she stayed in Raspol after the engagement, it’s her first appearance in the social scene. Given that the Duchess passed away so suddenly, it must be hard for her to adapt to the social circles.”

Noble ladies invited to the tea party organized by Empress Annette were chatting in groups. Most of the conversation revolved around the Crown Prince’s fiancée, Vivian Dinever, who was making her first appearance today.

“Besides that, they say she’s not very attractive…”

“Oh my! Haven’t you heard the news yet?”

As usual, the conversation about Vivian’s appearance came up. But as soon as it did, a clear voice interjected among them.

“Oh? Who…”

“Hello, ladies. I am Rosie Langdne, the only daughter of Countess Langdne.”

Rosie’s light purple eyes sparkled. The noblewoman who was about to criticize Vivian flapped her fan, looking at the polite Rosie.

“I’ve heard that Countess Langdne has a lively daughter, and it must be you, young lady.”

“Oh my. Have you only heard that I’m lively? They must have been too modest.”

Rosie smiled and brushed her voluminous hair back over her shoulder with one hand. Watching her, one of the noblewomen awkwardly twitched her cheek.

“Haha. These days, young ladies are so independent and lively. Haha. Shall we take our seats now?”

It was clear to anyone that they were avoiding the topic. Watching their cowardly retreat, Rosie clicked her tongue.

When the invitation with the imperial seal arrived for Rosie, her mother was startled and suspicious.

The Countess Laila Langdne felt both joy and anxiety at the fact that her daughter had been invited to a gathering to select those who would help the Empress prepare for future banquets, especially before the winter banquet.

As expected, despite teaching Rosie all night how to act like a proper lady, it seemed to have been in vain.

Countess Laila Langdne, who had been watching Rosie from behind, sighed softly and approached her daughter.

“Did that feel good?”

“Of course. I can’t stand anyone insulting my friend.”

“Yes. Standing up for Vivian is a righteous and good deed, but you…”

Seeing Rosie look at her with sparkling eyes, Laila forced a smile.

“Never mind. Well, someone will come to love you for who you are.”

Rosie, who always returned from matchmaking meetings in a huff, was like a burning flame. Watching her, Laila remembered her younger self.

“Oh? There’s Vivian.”

Rosie pointed to the entrance of the garden where the tea party was being held. Perhaps because of Rosie’s loud voice, everyone at the tea party turned to look.

Vivian, wearing a calm dark green dress, entered the garden with elegant steps. The flower-shaped pin holding her wavy brown hair that reached her waist sparkled in the sunlight.

At Vivian’s entrance.

Everyone except Rosie held their breath.

“Oh my, is that really Lady Vivian?”

Someone’s muttered question was answered by another person’s murmured response.

“She looks just like Duchess Daisy.”

At those words, the people around them nodded unconsciously.

“What on earth happened in Raspol?”

“Some girls become prettier as they grow up, unlike when they were young.”

“Oh my. The term ‘ugly lady’ will disappear now.”

Whether aware of the commotion or not, Vivian walked slowly towards Rosie with a faint smile. That day, Vivian’s debut became one of the most talked-about stories in the social scene for a long time.