~Chapter 27~
“Are you thinking of going to the tea party?”
Damian handed Astia a list of names for the gathering and asked her. Usually, tea parties were social events held by young ladies who hadn’t made their debut yet.
Astia had never attended one because of her health, but this time Damian was suggesting it.
Honestly, Astia didn’t think it was necessary for her to go, so she was a bit surprised.
“Hmm… Should I?”
“Yeah. Since your debut is coming up, it’s good to make some friends. But if you really don’t want to, I’ll take care of it for you.”
Astia shook her head, not wanting Damian to do anything dramatic.
She calmed Damian down and glanced at the list.
‘Countess Alton is the host.’
Even though the Countess hosted it, she probably wouldn’t attend herself—it was a young ladies’ gathering after all.
Then Astia saw a name that looked familiar.
After thinking for a bit, she remembered:
‘Sylvia Alton.’
She was the young lady who bullied Cecilia, the main character in the original story. Sylvia had picked on Cecilia since before she was an adult, but disappeared after Diego started paying Cecilia more attention.
Astia remembered Sylvia as a minor villain—she didn’t play a big part.
‘Oh? Cecilia is on the list too? Am I finally going to meet the main character?’
At the very end of the list, Astia saw Cecilia from the Sollen Baron family, and she was shocked. Now that Diego had returned, it seemed the original story was moving forward. Besides Damian, this was the first time Astia would meet another character from the novel.
“I’ll go. It sounds fun.”
“Really?”
Damian was happy, but he also looked worried.
“If you get dizzy or sick, I’ll have Adele stand by, so tell me right away.”
“That won’t happen. I’m much healthier now.”
“Still, I can’t help but worry…”
Astia smiled at his caring tone.
She was looking forward to this tea party. It was her first chance to socialize since coming into this world, and she was excited to finally meet the heroine from the original novel.
Astia rode a carriage to the Alton estate.
Damian wanted to follow her the whole way, but Astia made him take a separate carriage.
“Miss, I’ll take good care of you, so don’t worry.”
“I’ll help too!”
Annie and Emily were both excited that Astia was finally going to a tea party and had put a lot of effort into helping her get ready.
Their enthusiasm made Astia feel a little pressured, but she understood how happy they were, since she had been sick for so long.
‘He’ll probably just buy the best boutique in the empire.’
As expected from a wealthy family, Damian was ready to buy the capital’s best boutique. Astia had to stop him, and instead, they filled the dressing room with the prettiest and most expensive dresses and accessories.
That wasn’t enough—Astia even got a limited-edition dress from Bluea Boutique, which usually had a two-year waiting list, in just one week.
The antique lilac dress, matching her violet eyes, made her beauty stand out even more.
“It’ll be fine. I’ll make friends and have a good time.”
There were only two duke families in the whole empire. Damian, known for his bad temper, was one of them. Even so, nobody would dare cross the line.
Some young ladies might try to pick on a newcomer, but Astia wasn’t worried because Cecilia wouldn’t be alone this time.
“Miss, you’re so kind and gentle. Everyone will love you.”
Astia smiled back. She noticed that Annie looked a little worried today.
‘Is something wrong?’
Astia carefully asked,
“Annie, is something bothering you?”
“Huh? Oh… it’s Haron…”
Astia had wondered, since Annie hadn’t even looked at Haron before getting into the carriage.
Over the last eight years, Annie and Haron had gotten so close they were now a couple. Everyone was happy for them.
Maybe they’d had a fight?
Annie hesitated and finally spoke.
“Haron’s been busy lately, and we haven’t had much time together. I understand, but he won’t tell me what he’s doing, so it’s frustrating.”
Emily clenched her fist in sympathy.
“Annie, forget about him! There are plenty of men out there.”
“Sorry for worrying you on such a nice day. I’ll make time to talk with him seriously, so don’t worry about me.”
Annie looked so serious that Astia almost smiled. Annie was not just a maid, but she often helped manage the household too. That meant she was away often.
Haron, being Astia’s personal knight, spent more time with Astia and often asked for her advice.
One day, Haron had come to Astia looking embarrassed.
“How should I propose?”
Astia had given him lots of advice.
“Annie, don’t worry. Sir Haron is always thinking about you. Even when he’s with me, you’re on his mind.”
“Really?”
“Of course. In fact…”
Astia whispered to Annie with a teasing smile.
“…I think he’s getting ready to propose.”
“W-What?!”
Annie jumped up, her face bright red.
“Oh no… oh no…”
Emily managed to help her sit back down, but she looked flustered.
“You’re joking, right? Haron wouldn’t do that…”
“I’m serious. Don’t worry.”
Astia watched Annie warmly. Emily, who overheard, clapped her hands and laughed.
“Lucky you! Are you getting married before me?”
“It’s not like that… I’m so embarrassed, miss…”
Astia was happy for Annie, and it seemed Annie felt the same. She was sure they’d hear good news soon.
Just imagining the happiness of everyone she cared about made Astia smile.
“Since Annie seems upset, maybe I should go with Emily today?”
“Maybe. I think so too.”
“No, I’m fine…”
“Now I see why Haron fell for you, Annie. …You’re adorable.”
“Miss, please stop teasing me…”
“Ahaha…”
The cheerful mood continued until the carriage stopped and someone knocked on the window to announce their arrival.
“We’ve arrived, miss.”
Astia looked out the window at the Alton estate. This was her first tea party since coming into this world.
She felt excited.
Sylvia was a young lady known for her beauty and intelligence—everyone said she would soon be the star of high society. Many young ladies admired her, and she was ambitious.
The Cellion family had become the hottest topic, since Diego, the new duke, was unmarried.
While all the girls were fighting over Diego, Sylvia planned to win him for herself. The other duke family, Rovellito, was not an option—rumor said Damian was so strict he’d “buried” a servant just for mentioning marriage.
[“Sylvia, a young lady from the Sollen Baron family who’s gaining a lot of attention from the temple is attending the party. They say her divine power could surpass the pope’s…”]
Sylvia knew Cecilia’s influence was big, because even her father had warned her about Cecilia’s reputation.
She smirked.
‘Just because the temple likes her, does she think it matters? She’ll see how cruel society can be.’
She decided to cut off her future competition early.
“When will she arrive? It’s rude for a newcomer to be this late.”
“Right. Maybe she just doesn’t know manners.”
“I guess poor families don’t know how to behave.”
The other young ladies whispered and glanced at Sylvia, who was sitting at the head table.
Sylvia smiled gracefully, hiding her thoughts.
“Let’s wait.”
“Yes.”
“But who else isn’t here besides Lady Cecilia?”
A normally quiet girl spoke up, and everyone checked the empty chairs.
“I don’t know…”
“Me neither…”
Sylvia smiled, but inside she was confused.
‘There should only be one empty seat. Who’s missing?’
She didn’t remember anyone else, and her father hadn’t mentioned another guest.
While the tension in the room grew, the tightly closed door gently opened.
And then…
“Hello. Sorry I’m a little late.”
A warm, sweet voice that made everyone feel good.
All the young ladies turned to see who it was, their eyes wide.
UNLOCK SOON PLEASE~