Episode 6:
Princess Camille’s Tea Party (1)
Jeremy’s gaze shifted from the table to my hands. As if he hadn’t just been speaking in a dying voice moments ago, he nodded energetically, his bright blue eyes shining.
“I-I’ve been looking for it! I think I brought it from Rodin, but I… I don’t know where it is.”
“Do you like reading books?”
“Yes! Especially history books… ah.”
I hadn’t expected him to make such a bright expression. Watching in slight surprise, I saw him suddenly clamp his mouth shut, as if embarrassed after chattering excitedly.
“What’s wrong? Go on, keep talking.”
“N-no…”
Jeremy hesitated, but his eyes were fixed firmly on the book in his hands. He looked like he was forcing himself to resist the urge to open it and start reading immediately.
“I-I must look pathetic, right? I don’t even go to social gatherings… just stay at home reading books…”
“I didn’t think that at all. Besides, I like books too.”
I hadn’t expected Jeremy and I to have something in common. Of course, there were obvious differences.
I spent a lot of time reading alone because I didn’t fit in with high society. But Jeremy seemed to genuinely enjoy reading.
“Why don’t you tell me what it’s about? I’ve never seen this book before.”
“I don’t mind… b-but it might be boring.”
“That’s okay. I’ve got plenty of time anyway.”
Yes, it would be better to listen to a possibly boring history lecture than sit alone dwelling on the past and crying.
I handed him the book as if exchanging it for a rose, then leaned back against the bed in a more comfortable position. Breathing in the rich scent of roses, I urged Jeremy, who was standing awkwardly.
“Go ahead and start. The most famous dynasty… how about the Pasepin Dynasty?”
“Y-you know about the Pa-Pasepin Dynasty?”
Jeremy, looking oddly moved, hurriedly pulled over a nearby chair and sat down. He even set aside his cane, took out a thick pair of glasses from his suit jacket, and began reading with a serious expression.
“This happened about 400 years ago…”
Three days later.
Late at night, Count Gerard of Malev was playing cards at the clubhouse with his longtime friend and university classmate, Marquis Ramon.
His wife Angela was staying home because their young son had caught a cold, and his younger sister Rosalie still had difficulty moving due to an ankle injury.
Gerard was fully enjoying the freedom he hadn’t had in a while. It had been ages since he’d had such expensive liquor! Rubbing his flushed nose with satisfaction, he spoke.
“I’ve won again, Ramon. At this point, isn’t it just that you lack skill?”
“You might be right. I was hoping to hear more about your sister if I won this round.”
Equally drunk, Marquis Ramon called over a passing servant and ordered more whiskey. Gerard, chewing on some snacks, shrugged proudly.
“Come to think of it, Ramon—you had your eye on Rosalie before you got married, didn’t you? If not for that, we might have become family.”
“Hey! Don’t say that so loudly. I’m tightly bound to my wife now. More importantly, how are things going with the heir of the Alua family?”
At that moment, neither Gerard nor Ramon—both flushed with drink—noticed the many curious ears and eyes around them in the mansion.
Like reminiscing about their university days, they slung arms around each other’s shoulders and kept talking loudly.
“How are things going? Quite well! Rosalie praises Jeremy Alua a lot. Sure, he may lack in some areas, but at least he’s good-looking, isn’t he? Good family, handsome face.”
“Well… among my friends, there are still those who laugh and say, ‘Oh, that bed-wetter?’ Didn’t he run away the moment some lady approached him at a recent party?”
Gerard nudged his mischievous friend with his elbow and lifted his chin.
“And the place he ran off to was exactly where my sister was resting. The two of them match quite well. Who knows? The Malev family might soon have royalty as relatives.”
“Wow, really now.”
After that, their conversation shifted to the brand of whiskey the servant had brought. The nobles who had been secretly listening lowered their voices, snickering among themselves that Rosalie and Jeremy were “a perfect match of fools.”
“Duke Valliere, it’s your turn.”
Around that time, a man standing in the distance holding a billiard cue crushed his lit cigar into the ashtray.
Histein de Valliere silently handed his cue to a nearby low-ranking noble, loosened his tight cravat, and stepped out onto the balcony.
“That’s amazing, Rosalie. A tea party hosted by the princess.”
Around lunchtime, just as we were having tea, a servant from the royal palace arrived with an invitation. Gerard and Angela, sitting on either side of me, couldn’t hide their amazement.
“I should pay a visit to Lady Alua to thank her. It’s your first invitation to the palace since your debut, isn’t it?”
Gerard gazed in fascination at the letter sealed with a golden emblem. It was sent by Princess Camille, the king’s sister, who had returned a year ago from the Kingdom of Laurel, where she had been married.
The princess had married the crown prince of Laurel, but after his death due to illness, she returned to her homeland without hesitation.
After spending about a year in mourning, the princess was now preparing to reclaim her place as the queen of high society this spring.
“But I’m worried. I don’t really have anything suitable to wear…”
To be honest, I wasn’t particularly eager about the invitation. A tea party hosted by Princess Camille would undoubtedly be filled with prominent figures. Anyone following the latest trends would probably laugh at my wardrobe.
Fidgeting with the edge of the letter, I hesitated. No matter what, I would likely end up as a laughingstock.
“I feel the same. Oh, right—Rodin has a dress rental boutique, doesn’t it? Why don’t we go there this afternoon?”
“The cost won’t be cheap, though.”
Angela clapped her hands and made the suggestion, but I voiced my concern again, glancing at Gerard.
Since he managed the family’s modest finances, he cleared his throat and spread his hands.
“Even so, we can’t afford that much? Better than going in worn-out clothes and being laughed at… Go get ready to head out. I’ll fetch my wallet.”
“Gerard, this is exactly why I love you.”
Angela showered him with affectionate kisses. Unable to bear watching, I quietly turned my head away.
The next day, Angela and I dressed in hastily rented gowns and headed to the royal palace.
“It’s warmer than I expected. Just yesterday it was chilly enough to need long sleeves.”
“You’re right. At least the party isn’t being held in the greenhouse.”
Good thing we brought fans. With no breeze and strong sunlight, we fanned each other’s exposed necks.
There were two main places where the palace ladies held tea parties: a maze garden filled with red roses, and a glass greenhouse covered in hundreds of vibrant flowers.
The invitation from Princess Camille specified the maze garden. Yet just yesterday, it had been so cold we chose thick dresses that covered our wrists.
“You’ve come from the Malev family. Please, this way.”
But upon arriving at the palace, the waiting servant bowed and guided us—to the greenhouse.
Blaming the unpredictable weather, Angela and I stepped into the warm, humid space.
“Your dresses are lovely. Please, sit—Countess Malev, and Miss Rosalie.”
Princess Camille, seated at the center of the greenhouse, greeted us. With bright golden hair like the king’s, she wore a crown made of small white flowers.
Even though it was still early, quite a few people had already gathered, making me tense. Angela stepped forward, bowed, and greeted her.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
Since Angela spoke for us, I simply followed her lead. When the princess told us to raise our heads, I looked around—only to see the women surrounding her giggling as they stared at us.
