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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Tea Party
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Yelena's room was so warm it felt hot.
I collapsed onto my special chair, which was lower than the others.
Ugh, I can finally relax.
Yelena, who was taking out her medical instruments, worried about me, limp as a jellyfish.
“You're covered in a cold sweat. You mustn't overexert yourself.”
“I think I ran too much on the hill. I won't do it again.”
I quickly reassured Yelena.
The aftereffects of the warp hadn't completely faded, and I felt worse for having pushed myself.
Del could probably warp dozens of times a day and be just fine, right?
I mean, she's powerful enough to turn a regular bird into a phoenix.
It felt somehow unfair.
We're both snakes, yet one is practically the strongest being in the world, while the other is always sick and feeble!
Things don't have to be so one-sided!
Yelena diagnosed me with a slight fever.
Prescribed medicine and plenty of rest, I had to go straight to my bedroom.
I was curious how Kivrin's talk with Rose went, but I couldn't go see him.
I spent my time listening for the sound of Kivrin returning to the room next door.
But then, Winter summoned me separately.
Winter was alone. And she seemed to be troubled.
“An invitation came for you.”
Huh?
“For me?”
Winter pushed an invitation across the table toward me.
“It seems they want you to attend a tea party for young ladies. The rumor that the Temple is leaving the duchy alone has already spread far and wide, so they're likely trying to test the waters.”
Aha, so I'm the easiest target.
It was true, so I wasn't even surprised.
Winter crossed her legs and said.
“You must be wondering why I didn't tell you earlier. It's because I think it's time you properly understood.”
I stopped myself from opening the invitation and looked up.
Winter began to explain.
“Despite having bottomless wealth and immense power, the Nectarian ducal family is famous for being quite disreputable.”
…Huh?
I blinked.
Similar things were often said in **, so it wasn't a fresh shock.
I was just surprised by how frankly Winter put it.
“Originally, Menelik had no intention of becoming the head of the family, so he lived a truly chaotic life. He was even the master of a dark city for a short while. That's where I met him.”
“…”
Mother, why are you suddenly blushing?
“Anyway, after he decided to become the family head for my sake, he seemed to care about public perception for a while, but it didn't last long before he caused trouble again. He hunted down and killed every priest who called for me to be burned at the stake. Because of that, most nobles think Menelik suffers from madness.”
“…”
That sounded exactly like something he would do.
In **, Menelik was a supporting character, so it never felt real, but his history sounded like it could be its own grim tragedy.
Winter furrowed her brow.
“Of course, the way people see me isn't much different. That's why I'm worried you'll be too disappointed.”
“Why would I be disappointed?”
I asked without thinking.
“Regardless of status, friendships are very important at your age. But it will be difficult to receive only favorable treatment. If you go to the capital with the Nectarian name, they'll openly shun you. The reason is that Menelik and I lived recklessly, never imagining a future where we would marry, have a child, and even welcome a daughter-in-law. So it's not your fault, nor is it Kivrin's.”
Oh my goodness.
Was the reason for this long explanation because she was worried I'd get hurt at the tea party?
Winter was telling me that even if people shunned me, it would never be my fault.
“Mother…”
My heart ached with emotion.
I leaped into Winter's arms.
“…What part of that exactly moved you?”
Winter asked in a bewildered voice, but still sat me on her lap.
“You're so soft-hearted. If some stranger acts pitiful and asks for help, ignore them. And don't follow anyone who offers you delicious treats. Understand?”
“Yes! Don't worry!”
I answered energetically, but it seemed I wasn't very convincing to Winter.
Winter murmured with a much more serious expression than before.
“I knew it, I need to hire guards for her guards…”
After lingering on Winter's lap for a while, I opened the invitation.
The host and the attendees were all children of the vassals.
It seemed they'd been holding these tea parties regularly for a long time.
Since the Nectarian family had no young ladies, they wouldn't have had a reason to invite anyone from the household.
Hmm, they'll all be around my age, right? They'll probably play together cutely.
I imagined the girls gathered cozily around a small table. Since these were families loyal to the Nectarians, it shouldn't be too difficult.
I'll do well and put Winter's mind at ease!
With that resolve, I gave Winter a bright smile.
* * *
To put it bluntly, my expectations were completely off.
“What do you mean the festival in the capital has more to see and is more fun?”
“I'm simply repeating what Sophia said last year. Didn't you say that watching the capital's festival was the most rewarding experience of your eleven years of life? I remember it clearly!”
I stared at the two girls with trembling eyes.
Why are you two fighting amongst yourselves!
Even Winter was only worried about how they'd treat me; she never predicted this!
“Ugh, th-that was when I was being childish! I'm twelve now!”
Sophia glanced at me, not knowing what to do.
It's fine to just say the festival in the capital is more fun…
“Your opinion changed in just one year? Aren't you just lying about your feelings to get on the Young Mistress's good side?”
Marin shot back rapidly.
Sophia looked like she was about to cry.
“I-It's true! I find the festivals in the duchy fun now too!”
At this rate, Sophia's going to cry.
In the end, I spoke up.
“What kind of festivals are there in the duchy?”
Fearing Marin would pick another fight, Sophia quickly answered my question.
“There are so many! There's the Summer Nightshade Festival, the Autumn Vineyard Festival, and the Winter Constellation Festival, each for one day… and also…”
Huh?
I tilted my head.
“Just one day? Is that all?”
With the ducal family's wealth, they could probably hold festivals all year round and still have money to spare.
“We don't celebrate Foundation Day or the Temple's All Saints' Day. S-So…”
Sophia glanced once at me, and then once at Marin.
I asked another question.
“Why isn't there anything in the spring?”
Wouldn't it be perfect for a flower-related festival?
In **, the fireworks festival was popular.
Just then, Scarlett, the oldest one who had been quiet until now, spoke.
“There were circumstances for that, Young Mistress. The festivals Sophia mentioned used to last as long as a week, but now they barely manage to keep up appearances.”
It's definitely not a financial issue, so what's the reason?
My curiosity only grew.
Suddenly, Scarlett lowered her gaze.
“I apologize… I didn't mean to presume to teach you, Young Mistress. You must have already known, and were just testing our knowledge, weren't you?”
“…”
No, I really didn't know.
“After all, the Duke and Duchess would have surely told you such things. If they truly cared for you, that is.”
It was a provocation without even the courtesy of being subtle.
Marin and Sophia were more shocked than I was, their mouths agape.
“Are you saying they don't care for the Young Mistress? Over some stupid festival?”
“Th-That's right! Besides, it's all thanks to the Young Mistress that the Young Lord is free now, isn't it? The atmosphere in Crescent Moon Castle has improved so much lately…!”
“I haven't noticed.”
Scarlett shrugged as if Sophia's words were amusing.
Marin patted her chest in frustration.
“Scarlett, didn't you read the letter the Duchess sent this morning? The Young Mistress has been very ill. She personally asked us to be good companions to her, so why are you acting like this?”
“Must I absolutely follow the Duchess's wishes?”
I raised an eyebrow.
As someone who adored Winter, I recognized that Scarlett's remark had crossed a dangerous line.
“Hold on.”
I warned Scarlett.
“I don't know about anything else, but if you say even the slightest bad thing about Mother, I absolutely will not tolerate it. Think carefully before you speak from now on, okay?”
