Chapter 59
Today, Ellia brought Jayna to a tea party hosted by Marchioness Demyton, who had once served as her lady-in-waiting.
“So this is what they mean when they say connections rule society.”
If not for Ellia, Jayna would never have been invited to any social gathering.
“It’s been a while, Princess Ellia. And this young lady is…?”
“She’s Jayna, the daughter of an old comrade of mine.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
Ellia had decided not to mention anything related to Diamid at this social event.
It was because Jayna had told her she didn’t want to do anything that might stir Diamid’s temper.
Ellia had been reluctant, but Jayna was firm, and in the end, the princess could only yield to her wishes.
“Oh my, may I ask the name of this old comrade of yours?”
“I fear I might bring trouble upon them if I speak that name carelessly.”
“I see, so there are circumstances. But for Your Highness to speak so respectfully, that person must be quite remarkable.”
Jayna had also decided to keep it secret that she was not only Diamid’s daughter, but also the daughter of Bezriché.
Just like with Moben, there were too many people who would covet a young dragon as an experiment or a pet.
Fortunately, since this tea party was hosted by Marchioness Demyton, one of Ellia’s close confidantes, everyone was curious but polite.
No one probed deeply into Jayna’s background or tried to cause trouble.
If anything, Ellia’s presence and attitude made it seem as though she was personally vouching for Jayna’s identity.
So the ladies, full of curiosity, began approaching Jayna one by one.
“Hello, I’m Juliana from the House of Count Torni.”
“I’m Marien from the House of Count Bechel. Nice to meet you.”
Everyone took turns introducing themselves. Eventually, it was the last girl’s turn.
“I’m Chloe from the House of Count Newin.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Lady Chloe. You’ve grown even lovelier.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
The girl lowered her head gracefully — she looked about Jayna’s age, and quite pretty.
Jayna was sure she had never seen her before, yet the name “Newin” felt oddly familiar.
“Where have I heard that before?”
But she quickly dismissed it — after all, she’d spent all her time in the Magic Tower and had never attended a social gathering before.
She couldn’t possibly know the empire’s nobles.
Just as she was about to brush it off as a coincidence, an image surfaced in her mind — the noble boy she’d met during the festival when she went out with Hilvenzia.
“That’s right — the boy who stole my cotton candy!”
That boy had said his father was Count Newin.
“Now that I think about it… she kind of looks like him. Could they be siblings?”
Without realizing it, Jayna found herself staring at her.
Their eyes met.
“Hmph.”
Lady Newin immediately turned her head away with a huff.
“Does she… have something against me?”
And indeed, Jayna’s suspicion was correct.
“Oh my, the flowers Your Highness gave us are simply beautiful. You always have such wonderful taste.”
“It wasn’t all my doing. Most of it was thanks to my maids. Marchioness Demyton trained them well back when she was in the palace.”
“You flatter me, Your Highness.”
“Not at all. Everyone knows how capable and gracious you are, Marchioness.”
“I agree. Even this tea party proves it. I usually don’t like cookies, but these are not too sweet — they’re perfectly nutty and light…”
The afternoon sun shone warmly over the garden as the tea party continued.
The ladies exchanged pleasant smiles and easy conversation.
“Except…”
Only Lady Newin kept glaring at Jayna, clearly displeased.
Still, perhaps because of the setting, she refrained from openly picking a fight.
There were far too many eyes watching.
“Well, I believe introductions are done. Shall we change seats?”
As time went on, someone suggested separating the older ladies and the younger girls.
Just as Ellia had said — it was the perfect opportunity to make friends.
“The children will have more fun on their own.”
“Yes, it’s a good chance to bond.”
As they stood to rearrange seats, Princess Ellia leaned toward Jayna and asked softly,
“How are you finding the gathering so far? Not too nervous?”
“The atmosphere is relaxing. I’m more excited than nervous. It’s actually quite nice.”
Michael had once scoffed that tea parties were nothing more than idle gossip over tea,
but now that she was here, Jayna found it surprisingly enjoyable —
sitting peacefully, sipping tea and tasting sweets while talking about everyday things.
She glanced around at the young noble girls nearby, most of whom looked a little bored.
“I wonder if I’ll find anyone here I can get along with.”
Playing with Michael and Hilvenzia was always fun, but having friends her own age might be nice, too.
Her heart thumped a little with anticipation.
Even in her past life as Min Bomae, she had never been good at making friends.
Moving from one relative’s home to another meant constant transfers and new schools.
Of course, that was how she came to love reading — and discovered The Sword of Vengeance — but still…
“Um, Miss Jayna, was it?”
Lost in thought, Jayna blinked and turned toward the voice.
A young lady was staring at her, eyes wide.
“To say it’s ‘not bad’… Do you know how much of an honor it is just to be invited to this gathering?”
It was Lady Newin.
The same girl who had been eyeing her coldly earlier.
So she’d finally decided to pick a fight.
Jayna was taken aback.
“Does she really have to twist my words like that?”
Her tone had clearly been neutral — anyone without ill intent would have understood that.
It was obvious this was just provocation.
“Well…”
Sensing tension, Princess Ellia shifted in her seat, ready to speak up for Jayna.
But Jayna didn’t want to drag this out.
The last thing she wanted was to draw everyone’s attention —
or worse, spark rumors about her identity.
“This is just bait to make me slip up.”
She steeled herself.
“So she’s one of those nobles who think status gives them the right to talk down to people.”
Jayna lightly caught Ellia’s arm before she could speak and replied calmly,
“You’re right. I’ll be more careful with my words next time.”
Then, before Lady Newin could say another word, Jayna quickly turned to Ellia.
“So, what were you saying earlier, Your Highness?”
Catching on instantly, Ellia cast a brief glance at Lady Newin and replied in kind,
“When this is over, shall I have some of the leftover desserts packed for you?”
Lady Newin froze, mouth half-open. She had missed her chance to continue.
Jayna remembered how that same girl had stared dreamily at Prince Rogian when they entered the party hall earlier.
“So she likes Prince Rogian, huh? And she’s acting this way right in front of Princess Ellia? How reckless.”
For all her social experience, the young noble clearly hadn’t learned foresight.
And she wasn’t the only one showing immaturity that day.
“Was there something wrong with what my daughter said?”
Countess Newin, who had accompanied her daughter, stepped forward stiffly.
Marchioness Demyton’s tea parties were usually very exclusive,
and Countess Newin had spent months currying favor just to be invited for the first time today.
She had even taken the bold step of sitting closer to Princess Ellia than the other guests.
“That girl really did just insult my daughter, didn’t she? I expected better from a gathering with the princess present.”
Having doted endlessly on her daughter, the countess was furious to see her precious Chloe being “ignored” by someone of uncertain background.
“My Chloe may be young, but she’s wise beyond her years—”
“Pfft.”
The countess froze mid-sentence.
A laugh had slipped out from nearby.
“What… what was that?”
She turned to see a young lady covering her mouth behind a fan.
Her face was mostly hidden, but Jayna felt an odd sense of familiarity.
“Strange. I shouldn’t know anyone here…”
Then the girl whispered sharply, low enough that only someone with keen hearing — like Jayna — could catch it.
“Hey, I’m the one who’s going to step on her, so back off.”
“What— what did you just say?”
“I said, back off. She’s my prey. Don’t get in my way.”
“Excuse me? Who do you think you are?”
“Don’t understand plain speech? I said I picked her first.”
“You think I’ll just— do as you say?”
“C-Chloe?”
The countess called out in alarm, but the two girls didn’t stop.
Behind their fans, they were hissing at each other in whispers too low for most to hear.
Jayna tilted her head, watching in confusion — then her eyes widened in recognition.
“Wait, that girl— she’s the one I had that duel with over the ribbon!”
Lady Newin’s expression turned stormy when she realized who had just butted in.
Marilyn’s calm smirk only made her more annoyed.
The haughty Lady Newin scowled, then stepped closer to Jayna —
and deliberately dropped her fan at Jayna’s feet.
“Oh dear, how clumsy of me. Would you be so kind as to pick that up?”
Her chin lifted arrogantly, her eyes gleaming with contempt.
“Dropped it? More like she threw it.”
To pick up the fan, Jayna would have to bow her head before her —
but refusing would surely lead to even more trouble later.
So then…
