Episode 48. Tea Party (6)
Lady Grania’s eyelashes fluttered busily at my words. She spoke with an awkward smile.
“You seem curious. About His Grace, I suppose?”
Huh? I chose something like that, but the conversation is heading this way. Before the choices popped up, I quickly crossed my arms and opened my mouth haughtily.
“Not particularly.”
I hope she doesn’t think I’ll turn around just because I said that. Anxiously, I cautiously observed Lady Grania’s reaction. Fortunately, Lady Grania, not being of the Stewart lineage, seemed to understand my intentions well.
“Of course, since I’m not of the Stewart lineage, there are many things I can’t discuss. However, within what I know, I can share stories I’ve experienced firsthand.”
After a lengthy preamble, Lady Grania spoke in a soft voice.
“Percy never showed any emotion from the first time I met him. It was as if he had been harshly trained not to reveal his feelings. The late Duke Stewart regretted deeply until his dying day that his only son turned out that way.”
It was the story I expected.
‘His father must have been strict. It seems like he softened a bit as he got older.’
It was a common story. It didn’t mean it was all right just because it was common. I pursed my lips lightly.
‘I was scared of my parents too.’
Not as extreme as Sienne and Percy’s abuse, but my parents were always busy. They couldn’t stand even the slightest noise from their children after coming home from work. So, I got used to being silent from an early age.
I naturally became less talkative at work, and as a result, nasty bosses who wanted to pass off their work to me clung to me like magnets…
‘It’s unbelievable. I used to speak up to Percy, even saying harsh things.’
To be so straightforward with others. It would have been unthinkable for me before I got trapped in the game.
Now I understand. Childhood experiences made me timid.
‘I should be grateful for that much.’
If I hadn’t been trapped in the game, I would have lived timidly, unable to say a word to others and just be pushed around.
It was when I was quietly contemplating Victorian Love.
‘Ah, but the choices are too annoying.’
Even if there is something to be grateful for, the choices are too tiresome.
※ㅗ
T/N: Idk what this is suppose to mean
The lethargic system couldn’t resist criticizing itself today. It was when I, too, was inwardly grumbling at the system. Lady Grania turned to me with a gentle smile.
“Your Highness, have you had to speak with a strong tone in the palace all this time?”
“….”
Could Sienne be spoken of so positively? I just showed a smile that didn’t convey much. It wasn’t justifiable to say that Sienne was unhappy due to her environment, as she wasn’t a kind person to those beneath her either.
Lady Grania politely bowed and said, “I entrust you with His Majesty, Your Highness.” Before I could respond, she guided me.
“Come this way, Your Highness.”
Whether it was my late arrival or not, the well-prepared garden tea party venue was filled with people. Those elegantly dressed in various colors looked at me with surprise.
“Oh my.”
“It really is Princess Sienne.”
Thanks to Lady Grania’s prelude, I didn’t feel the piercing glances or hostility that I had experienced in the palace. ‘But there are still some who seem uneasy.’ Whether it was fear or a desire to avoid, some people turned their heads away forcefully. Considering Sienne’s notorious reputation, it was understandable. Even if I were in a similar situation at work, I would avoid eye contact to avoid trouble.
Without me sensing any discomfort, Lady Grania led me to others.
“I’d like to introduce this person first. She’s my close friend, Countess Salome.”
“Hello, Your Highness. It’s my first time greeting you.”
The person she introduced had her hair neatly tied up in a round bun.
I wanted to greet her politely, but the only words I could manage were, “Ah Ah.”
As if it were nothing, she nodded her head and said so, but I didn’t feel comfortable inside.
‘What on earth does ‘Ah Ah’ mean? Is it an abbreviation for iced Americano?’
T/N; “Ah-Ah” is the Korean slang term for “Iced Americano”. It’s a shortened version of “Ah-ced Ah-mericano”.
But I had no choice but to say that. If I had tried to be kind and nod my head, options like “push ahead” or “ignore and pass by” would have popped up like ghosts.
With my clear behavior, as if dealing with someone beneath me, Countess Salome’s eyebrows twitched noticeably. It was when I was clumsily struggling between my casual demeanor and my uncomfortable feelings. Lady Grania intervened appropriately between us and said,
“Her Highness tends to be shy. Even though she seem calm, she’s actually very nervous and expectant.”
Thank you, Lady Grania.
I said curtly, tears welling up inside me.
“What nonsense? Don’t speak so recklessly.”
In response to my answer, Lady Grania smiled as if she had expected that.
“It must be very enjoyable for you to attend a tea party after such a long time, isn’t it?”
“No, I just came because I had nothing else to do.”
“You usually don’t do things you’re not inclined to do.”
“I didn’t come here out of inclination.”
I noticed a hint of confusion on Countess Salome’s face at my logically inconsistent and blunt words.
Countess Salome held my hand. Seeing the gloved hand, Percy oddly came to mind.
“You turned twenty this year. I remember that time. Young, excited, and scared.”
Especially since you don’t have your mother.
It felt like her unsaid words were ringing in my ears. It seemed she judged all my words as the antics of a young lady who had lived pitifully without a proper facade.
“Come this way. Let me introduce you to other friends.”
As Percy had asserted, everyone at Lady Grania’s tea party wasn’t there to cause trouble. Many of them were quite friendly, initiating conversations with me.
“Your Highness, you’re so beautiful. Coral suits you very well.”
But the problem was me. I replied confidently, chin held high.
‘Maybe it’s because of the hanger?’
No, it absolutely wasn’t just because the dress was pretty. How much effort had gone into choosing it, even after trying on and off.
But a villain must be overflowing with self-love. You mustn’t praise anything else.
The kind-hearted people continued to engage in conversation even after I responded like that.
“The necklace you’re wearing is in the shape of a rose. Is it really possible to craft it so intricately? It’s so detailed and beautiful.”
“It’s just a trivial item.”
As I replied like that, I felt like banging my head against the wall.
“Wow, even though I’m saying it, it really feels bitter.”
Was I condemned to spout bitter words every day just because I happened to be incarnated as the villainess in a game?
It was when I was sinking into self-loathing that Countess Salome fanned herself and spoke.
“Do you know that Duke Stewart sent inquiries to every wardrobe in the capital to match Your Highness’s dress?”
“Huh?”
That was the first time I heard of it. I widened my eyes.
He contacted every wardrobe in the capital?
So, does that mean all the clothes and jewels lined up in the restaurant were carefully chosen?
“Oh my goodness!”
“Hahaha.”
“Youthful indeed.”
There was no rebuttal. I just fanned myself vigorously with both hands on my flushed face.
Then, one of the ladies prompted and brought a large tray.
“Here, let’s each have a glass of champagne.”
“Why suddenly champagne?”
“Mrs. Ivana brought her granddaughter as a celebration.”
“Oh, it smells like flowers.”
“It’s fragrant.”
The glasses were placed in front of me too. The transparent rose gold liquid shimmered in the glass.
“The scent is really nice.”
As I sniffed it, the ladies all held up their glasses high.
“May your granddaughter be very clever.”
“She will grow up to be a beautiful lady.”
Each of them offered a word of blessing. It was my first time in such a gathering, so I looked at them blankly. Lady Grania, who was sitting beside me, chuckled softly and asked,
“Do you enjoy drinking, Your Highness?”
Well, I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve ever tried it after being incarnated.
“Wouldn’t the villainess drink well? Would she like it?”
Isn’t that the stereotype of a villainess? I shrugged my shoulders and replied,
“Fairly.”
* * *
“Having had just two drinks, she’s already this intoxicated.”
Lady Grania spoke with a smirk to the tall blonde man standing in front of her. As the man stood before Lady Grania, she felt like a squirrel facing a lion.
It was none other than Percy Stewart. And beside them, Sienna lay sprawled, intoxicated by alcohol.
The sudden appearance of Percy at the gathering startled the ladies, who murmured among themselves.
“Oh my, he came to fetch her in person.”
“I’ve heard, but it seems he’s truly fallen deeply in love.”
The arrogant Duke Percy Stewart appearing at a gathering attended only by ladies – it was a sensational event in itself. Everyone shielded their faces with fans and glanced in their direction pretending not to look. Lady Grania once again lowered her head to Percy.
“I should have kept a better eye on her, I apologize.”
“No, thank you for taking care of her.”
Lady Grania widened her eyes at Percy’s unusually gentle words.
“Indeed, he must be in love after all.”
