Chapter 13
The teacup that was said to have been imported from ‘On’ had no handle.
Chloe thought as she looked at the lidded oriental teacup, also called a gaiwan, with a plum blossom pattern on it.
‘Now that I think about it, since the tea sets are imported, they all have very exotic designs. The coffee pots and coffee cups are the latest designs in fashion within the empire…’
Of course, the tea sets imported from foreign countries were beautiful in their own right, but any cultural artifact needed a certain degree of localization to settle down well in a new place.
Perhaps that was why teacups were not popular in the Empire. With that thought in mind, Chloe imagined teacups that incorporated designs popular in the Empire.
‘I like oriental tea sets, but I think it would be more convenient for imperial people to use them if they have handles. I should also change the drawings on them a bit more towards the imperial-style…’
As she was leaving the tea warehouse with that thought in mind, she came across a face that was becoming increasingly familiar. It was Butler Kiel.
“Madam, you are here. It will be lunch time soon.”
“Thank you, Kiel. You always work hard.”
Chloe smiled. She then followed Kiel’s lead and headed down to the dinning room.
On the way, Kiel suddenly said this.
“Madam, how about you start hosting your own social gatherings now?”
“Me?”
Chloe’s eyes widened at Kiel’s sudden suggestion.
“Yes, for your pleasure and for the Duke’s family. Don’t worry. I and everyone in this household will do our best to help you.”
Chloe thought that made sense. Establishing the family’s prestige through appropriate social activities was an important role for a noblewoman. It had been a year since Chloe had last hosted a social gathering, so it was time for her to start organizing a new one.
‘Besides, it was just a while ago that I brought tea, so now would be a perfect time to do it.’
Chloe said politely as she came down the last step.
“Then I will try to do so. Please take good care of me, Kiel.”
“Oh my, it’s me who should say that.”
As Chloe sat down at the table, Kiel bid her farewell with a bright smile and left. Soon, a wonderful lunch was served.
•
•
So Chloe set out to organize a modest party. Since this was her first time hosting a social gathering, she chose the party, which was relatively small and gave her confidence among the two social gatherings a noble lady could host: a ball and a party.1As I explained before, it’s just a tea party, but with other beverages. I am struggling with coming up with a proper name. However, she does intend to make it a literal tea party here.
There were many voices muttering about this matter.
“Did you hear? Madam is hosting a party.”
“Oh my, she was completely embarrassed a year ago, and now she is doing it again? That’s amazing.”
The servants whispered here and there in the mansion. Most of the time, their tone was tinged with laughter. It seemed as if no one had any faith that Chloe would be able to pull off this party.
This was also the case with Lady Coleen.
‘I can’t wait to see how that girl will ruin the party. I can’t wait to see how much she’ll embarrass herself this time.’
Lady Coleen smiled, a gloomy shadow hanging over her face.
Chloe took on the first task she had been given after becoming Chloe seriously. It took a lot of effort to prepare for the first party.
Everything from the list of guests to invite, preparing the invitations, the drinks and food to be served on the day of the party, the tea set and table setting, and purchasing flowers and decorations for the interior of the reception room, was Chloe’s job.
It wasn’t exactly easy, but it was still her work to do. Chloe in the past had no skills or experience needed to organize a party, but Chloe now was different.
She had a long career, and especially because other colleagues often pushed her to do things that weren’t her job, like preparing workshops or organizing sports events, she had a lot of experience planning and organizing events.
For her, preparing a party was a fun pastime. Chloe was delighted to have something good to do to kill some boring time, and she worked hard.
Perhaps because Chloe had messed up the party in the past, Kiel wanted to let him review it when things had progressed a bit. Although he had suggested the social gathering first, Kiel was not entirely free from worries.
Chloe had been doing things quite poorly before, so she figured it would be like that. Chloe wrote up a detailed plan for the party, including a budget plan, just like she had done at her previous job, and handed it over to Kiel.
‘Isn’t it too carefree?’
Chloe felt nervous. Unlike the work she did at work, she was enjoying this work. Maybe that’s why she felt like she was having fun even though she worked hard.
Even though she was the superior, she felt like a subordinate being inspected by her boss.
Meanwhile, Kiel was surprised. No, to be precise, he was almost astonished.
‘She wrote the plan in such detail…?! Oh, my! Is this the madam I knew?’
Although he had recommended it, to be honest, he didn’t know Chloe would do this well.
The plan Chloe had written… was really, really, exceptionally good. Even Kiel, who was known to be quite capable, had never done anything like this.
Chloe felt a little embarrassed as Kiel opened his mouth and read the plan over and over again.
‘What is it? Is there a problem?’
Finally, unable to bear the anxiety, she spoke cautiously.
“Should I cut on the budget?”
“Ahhh… No! Not at all. Wow, Ma’am. You are truly amazing!”
“Yes?”
Kiel was truly impressed.
“I never thought you were this good at your job, Madam. You’re really amazing! I’d like to give you back your budget management rights right here and now!”
Kiel took over the budget after Chloe made a big mistake while managing it. This was one of the main reasons why Chloe was ignored by the other employees.
Budget control was essential to living as a duchess of authority.
Chloe asked with an expectant look on her face.
“Then will you give it to me?”
“…Uh, um. I’ll think about it.”
As expected. It seems that he was hesitant because the accident she had in the past wasn’t small. Chloe was slightly disappointed.
Kiel said with a smile on his face as he returned the plan.
“Anyway, I think this will be fine. If you need any help, just call me anytime!”
Only then did Chloe’s face bloom in relief.
Meanwhile, the employees who were watching them couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.
‘What? He said that madam did a good job? That’s ridiculous.’
‘But the butler is not the kind of person to give compliments when he doesn’t mean them.’
In any case, it was unusual for the butler, one of the important forces of the duke’s household, to express such strong favor to Chloe. The servants began to feel confused.
As things got more serious, more and more employees got to see Chloe’s outstanding abilities firsthand.
The confusion among the servants grew, but it did not directly affect their attitude of ignoring Chloe.
