Episode 7:
Princess Camille’s Tea Party (2)
It wasn’t my imagination—there was definitely a sense of being mocked. There had to be a reason why the princess suddenly changed the venue.
Bullying? Of course it was. I gave a bitter smile and sat where the servant guided me. The sunlight pouring through the round glass ceiling was as hot as midsummer.
“Aren’t you hot? You’re sweating.”
“No, I’m fine.”
Forcing a smile, I shook my head. Looking around, I noticed that the princess, her attendants, and the noblewomen were all wearing short puff-sleeved dresses that covered only half their arms.
It looked almost coordinated, as if planned. Out of everyone there, only Angela and I were dressed out of season.
“Then that’s good. Now, shall we continue what we were discussing earlier?”
Princess Camille said this while keeping her eyes fixed on me. She had clear emerald eyes, just like Histein.
I had always thought the same when looking at him—they were as beautiful as glass marbles. As I found myself unable to look away, someone spoke.
“…You mean Duke Valliere, right? I was quite surprised he suddenly visited Rodin without any notice.”
“I heard his business in the southern continent was a great success. I wonder what prompted this change?”
“Well, it’s obvious. The duke is already twenty-nine… it’s about time he finds a suitable partner.”
A red-haired woman fanning herself glanced at me and spoke playfully.
“This must not interest Miss Rosalie, does it? Since that relationship ended long ago.”
“Ines!”
Princess Camille scolded her. The woman, called Ines, was one of the princess’s attendants who had accompanied her to the Kingdom of Laurel.
“I’m curious too. Or perhaps not—Miss Rosalie is already in marriage talks with the Alua family, so you’re complete strangers now?”
I couldn’t answer immediately as a maid approached and refilled my teacup. Once she left, I composed myself and spoke.
“It’s exactly as you said. The duke and I… have no connection. I only hope he finds a suitable partner and lives happily.”
That wasn’t true. The mere thought of Histein being with another woman made my chest feel like it was collapsing.
But this was clearly a place where I had to say things I didn’t mean. As Princess Camille’s expression softened at my response, her attendants skillfully changed the topic.
“By the way, did you hear about the murder that happened recently in a back alley of Rodin?”
“I hadn’t! How dreadful!”
As the conversation shifted, I took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from my forehead.
Even then, I could feel the princess’s gaze occasionally lingering on me. It became clear—this gathering was meant to test whether I still had lingering feelings for Histein, now recognized as a member of the royal family.
If so, my answer must have satisfied her. The women no longer seemed interested in me.
Except for one—Ines, the red-haired attendant, who kept glancing my way.
“Let’s talk about something else. This weekend, there will be a charity auction at the school for the deaf that I run. I’m sure many of you already know.”
After meeting Ines’s gaze several times, the Duchess of Brezé, a friend of the princess, introduced a new topic. With an excited expression, she asked everyone to support the school her daughter attended.
“Oh, right! Miss Rosalie, Countess Malev—would you like to attend?”
“Of course. But…”
Since becoming involved with the Alua family, invitations had noticeably increased. Gerard would surely be pleased.
However, as I was about to ask something about the auction, Ines cut in.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing you there, Miss Rosalie. Will your partner be Jeremy Alua, of course?”
“I’m not sure yet. Have you chosen your partner, Miss Ines?”
“Of course. Her Highness said she would ask Duke Valliere for me.”
“Ah… I see.”
My response must have sounded awkward. I tried to smile naturally, but it likely failed. Feeling my lips stiffen, I wondered how to escape the situation.
“Sorry I’m late. Who would have thought there’d be a carriage accident on the way?”
At that moment, the greenhouse doors swung open, and someone approached hurriedly.
“Oh my, what happened? You weren’t hurt, were you, Lady Alua?”
Everyone, including Princess Camille, stood up to greet Lady Alua, the niece of the former king. She brushed back her slightly disheveled hair and let out a deep sigh.
“Don’t even ask. I just came from seeing a corpse crushed under a carriage. I nearly fainted, but somehow made it here.”
She pressed the back of her hand to her forehead, looking dizzy. It turned out she hadn’t been directly involved but had to take a detour due to the blocked road.
“You made it safely, Aunt. Please, sit and catch your breath. What are you doing? Serve her tea.”
Princess Camille guided her. Lady Alua wiped the sweat from her forehead and complained.
“But why change the venue to the greenhouse? The weather is nice today—it would have been warm enough in the maze garden. This place is enclosed and even more stifling.”
“Well… the weather has been unpredictable. I thought it would be better to gather somewhere warm with lighter clothing.”
“You should have told us in advance. I had somewhere to stop by this morning, so I wore long sleeves—it’s unbearable. Yet all of you are dressed lightly, as if by agreement…”
“Perhaps you left early. I sent a telegram this morning.”
“Really? I didn’t receive anything.”
Lady Alua picked up a fan and scanned the room irritably. Then she noticed me and quickly examined my outfit.
“Ah, another poor girl tricked like me. Miss Rosalie, did you not receive the message either?”
“…I left home in the afternoon, but I received nothing. Perhaps there was some mistake?”
Even if I had received it, I would have come dressed like this anyway, since I had already rented the dress. Still, I spoke, recalling the hostile stares I received upon entering.
Tilting my head and letting my shoulders droop slightly, I made myself appear pitiful. Lady Alua clicked her tongue.
“Princess! Surely you didn’t play a trick on my future daughter-in-law?”
“That’s not possible, Aunt! Perhaps it was missed in the rush of sending messages. I’m sorry, Miss Rosalie. It wasn’t intentional—but I apologize. It must have been very hot in here, yet you didn’t show it.”
Princess Camille furrowed her brows apologetically. Watching her with a displeased look, Lady Alua slowly waved her fan.
“I was joking. Our kind Camille would never do such a thing. Now then, Duchess Brezé?”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“I heard there will be a charity performance and auction this weekend.”
“How surprising—we were just talking about that.”
“I’m looking forward to it. In fact, Jeremy will also be attending.”
At Lady Alua’s unexpected remark, the room fell silent. Anyone would hesitate to invite a man known for having once wet himself at a ball.
Instead of reacting openly, the Duchess of Brezé wore a subtle smile.
“By the way, Miss Rosalie, have you chosen your partner?”
As if accustomed to such awkward atmospheres, Lady Alua turned to me. When I said no, she made the obvious suggestion.
“Then how about accompanying Jeremy? It would be good for him to have such an experience at least once.”
