09.
“As you are still quite young, My Lady, you won’t be receiving invitations to formal social circles or grand balls just yet. However, young ladies of your age often host tea parties for their peers.”
“So, it’s just a simple gathering?”
“Indeed. It is typically in such settings that one begins to cultivate the relationships that will carry them through the future.”
“And what do people usually do to pass the time at these places?”
“They share recommendations for the salons they frequent, or the conversation revolves around the latest trends.”
“Just talking?”
“While enjoying tea, of course.”
‘How boring.’
Raoul answered my questions with great enthusiasm, but I found it difficult to muster even a shred of interest. Spending time solely on idle chatter—I could already see a painfully dull future unfolding before me.
Noticing the look on my face, Raoul gave an awkward smile. She leaned forward slightly, bringing her face close to mine across the table.
“But that isn’t all. There is also the exchange of… secret stories.”
“Secret stories?”
Now this was what I wanted.
As my eyes lit up in anticipation of her next words, something shifted inside my pocket. Lili poked her head out.
‘Princess Maya, aren’t you being a bit too much of a gossip-monger?’
I firmly pressed my index finger against Lili’s head, stuffing her back into the pocket.
“Squeak—!”
“Oh my?”
At Lili’s sharp cry, Raoul cut herself off, her eyes widening as she stared at me.
“Did I just hear something?”
“Pip!”
Sensing the attention, Lili seized the opportunity to make herself heard again.
“Stay quiet, Lili,” I muttered.
Realizing I couldn’t hide it any longer, I bowed my head and gently scratched Lili’s crown. Raoul stood up and hurried to my side. Upon spotting the tiny white head peeking out from my pocket, she let out a soft gasp and covered her mouth with her hands.
“How precious! Oh, she is absolutely darling! Where did this little friend come from? Have you been raising her all along?”
Raoul’s cheeks flushed with excitement, her hands hovering restlessly. Seeing how much Raoul adored her, Lili tilted her head and blinked her round eyes, as if putting her cuteness on full display.
Raoul let out a tiny shriek of delight, looking as though she’d just received a piece of fan service from a superstar. Since Raoul’s hands were trembling indecisively over the bird’s head, I picked Lili up and handed her over. Raoul froze, barely daring to stroke her.
So, she had a weakness for cute things. I had successfully identified Raoul’s taste.
“Goodness, how can something be this adorable? I’ve always loved small animals, but my mother has a fur allergy, so I could never get close to them.”
Raoul seemed to have entirely forgotten the conversation we were having moments ago. She stared intently at Lili, softly petting the tiny head. Lili, apparently loving the attention, looked as though she were melting into Raoul’s palm.
“You seem to be enjoying yourself, Lili…”
“So her name is Lili…”
Raoul’s voice was thick with enchantment. I hadn’t realized a person could become so unraveled just by touching a tiny creature. She looked happy, so I was content to let her enjoy the moment, but then—
The sound of hurried footsteps drew near, and then—Bang!
The door swung open violently. Mary and Madame Mell, who had stepped out together, burst into the room.
“What happened?!”
“I heard a scream…!”
Both women were breathing heavily, clearly having run back in a panic. It seemed they had misinterpreted Raoul’s high-pitched squeals of delight.
I glanced at Raoul. Looking embarrassed, she quickly set Lili down on the desk and straightened her posture.
“My apologies, I simply…”
The moment she was released, Lili scurried toward me and hid herself. Raoul’s eyes lingered longingly on the spot where Lili had vanished. Mary, noticing the direction of her gaze, stared at me pointedly.
“…I take it there was no trouble, then?”
“Ye—yes…”
Under Mary’s sharp gaze, I found myself shrinking back and stammering. Mary let out a long sigh, whispered something to Madame Mell, and then exited the room.
Madame Mell nodded to Mary and stepped further into the room, her eyes moving between Raoul and me with a hint of lingering awkwardness.
“We were in the middle of a discussion when we heard a scream. We rushed here in alarm, but I am relieved to see that nothing is amiss.”
Despite the sudden intrusion, Madame Mell spoke calmly. Even in her flustered state, she carried herself with a refined, adult elegance.
“I am sorry, Madame… Did I startle you?”
“It would be a grave matter indeed if anything were to happen to the Young Lady or Lady Raoul.”
“Madame…!”
Raoul looked at Madame Mell with misty eyes, clearly moved. It seemed Raoul was a person who wore her heart on her sleeve.
“I shall not ask what transpired. Lady Raoul, have you been instructing the Young Lady well in my absence?”
“…Ah.”
Only then did Raoul remember her original purpose, and she cast a nervous glance at Madame Mell. The Madame looked at her with a concerned, yet knowing expression.
“I have just finished speaking with the Head Maid. We have concluded that my direct assistance is not required for the Young Lady at this time. Lady Raoul shall handle the rest of the instruction.”
Suddenly, the Madame’s gaze shifted to me.
“However, should you ever find yourself in need of my counsel, would you consider inviting me back?”
Madame Mell placed a hand over her heart and bowed gracefully, extending her other hand as if making a request. Yet, there was a practiced sophistication in her gesture that made it feel more like a strategic proposal.
“…An invitation?”
“Yes. It would be a pleasure to teach a young lady as wise as yourself. Beyond mere studies, I believe I can offer you guidance in many other areas.”
“Madame Mell debuted in society long before I did, and she has a wealth of experience!” Raoul chimed in naturally, her previous excitement returning. Madame Mell looked at Raoul with the fond expression one might give a younger sister.
“If you are willing to help me, I would be honored,” I replied.
Madame Mell smiled with satisfaction and gave a single nod.
“Then I look forward to our next meeting.”
With those words, she gathered her bag and backed out of the room with a graceful exit. Once again, it was just Raoul and me.
Raoul covered her mouth with both hands, looking at me with a pained expression.
“I am so sorry, My Lady. I suppose I was far too noisy.”
“It’s alright. Everything turned out fine, didn’t it?”
“But I feel I acted quite… frivolously just now.”
Raoul let out a series of heavy sighs.
“I truly don’t know why His Grace, the Duke of Featherway, chose me. I am so lacking… I’ve only just had my debutante ball, so there is still much I don’t know myself. Truthfully, I lack confidence.”
Raoul rattled on, her speech spiraling into a pit of self-deprecation. It was becoming almost embarrassing to listen to.
‘I think that lady needs the “Fluffy Baby Bear” item more than you do, Princess Maya,’ Lili whispered from her hiding place. Even the bird, who had been basking in Raoul’s affection seconds ago, thought so.
“Excuse me…”
“My father told me that since this was the Duke’s request, I must make a good impression. But I’ve ruined it, and word will surely reach His Grace, and then it will get back to my father, and if that happens…”
“Raoul!”
“Eek! Yes? Oh, I am so sorry. I was rambling again…”
“No, Raoul. It’s not your fault.”
“But…”
I wondered where the brightly laughing girl from a moment ago had gone. I took her hands in mine, looking up at her and patting them comfortingly.
“I won’t say a word to His Grace, so please rest easy.”
“R—really?”
“Yes, of course. I’m not so petty that I’d report you for something like that! More importantly, why don’t you finish what you were about to tell me earlier?”
“…Of course! Yes, I completely forgot!”
Relieved by my reassurance, Raoul snapped back to her usual self. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing—it was difficult to keep up with her volatile emotional states—but since the immediate crisis was averted, I tapped the seat in front of me. Raoul sat down and faced me once more.
“Now, where was I?”
“What usually happens at tea parties.”
“Right, that’s it. The secret stories are actually…”
Raoul glanced around as if she were about to share a state secret, even though we were alone. She covered the side of her mouth and beckoned me closer. Following her lead, I leaned in, and she whispered into my ear.
“They talk about romance…!”
“…Pardon?”
“It’s everyone’s greatest interest! If you listen closely, you’ll hear so many scandals. For instance, the story of a young lady who had an affair with her escort knight…”
“That sounds…”
“Exciting, right? You can lose track of time entirely when discussing these things!”
‘I honestly couldn’t care less.’
I felt like a fool for being intrigued. As I shook my head in disappointment, Raoul looked at me as if I were the strange one.
“Are you not interested, My Lady? There’s nothing more entertaining than this… Ah, but I suppose since you haven’t entered that world yet, it’s understandable.”
Raoul prattled on, making all sorts of assumptions about me. I wasn’t particularly offended by it, but still…
“Anyway, my role is to teach you the proper etiquette for the tea parties you will attend in the future. Everything from how to sip your tea to how to sit in a chair—and even how to walk.”
“You’re going to interfere with the way I walk, too?”
“The dignity of a noble lady is found in her movements. Every single action of yours will be watched by the citizens of the Empire, and the other noble ladies will be especially observant.”
“That sounds a bit suffocating…”
“It cannot be helped, My Lady.”
Raoul clasped her hands together, looking at me with pity.
“The higher the position, the more the eyes of the world are drawn to you. In the future, people will obsess over what you wear and which salons you visit. I wish everyone would look upon you kindly and speak only sweet words, but…”
Raoul paused, glancing toward the door. Sensing no one was nearby, she continued in a lower tone.
“There will inevitably be those who seek to tear apart your every move. To prevent even one such incident, the only way is for you to put in the effort now.”
“…”
“You may not know much of the world outside these walls yet, but soon, you will have no choice but to learn—even if you don’t want to.”
Her tone was uncharacteristically calm, a sharp departure from her previous flighty and energetic demeanor.
