“Miss Herena. I am the maid.”

Even today, while working in the office at home, I heard the maid’s voice from outside.

“Come in.”

With permission granted, the maid opened the door and entered.

“What’s the matter?”

As I asked, I noticed a letter envelope in the maid’s hand.

“It’s a letter just arrived from the palace.”

“From the palace?”

“Yes. Her Majesty the Empress personally sent it.”

Reaching out, the maid politely handed me the letter.

“Understood. You may leave.”

“Yes, Miss.”

After the maid left, I stared at the envelope, suspicious that it might be a trap like Warren’s letter I received last time. Luckily, the royal seal on the envelope matched the one I knew.

‘Why would the Empress contact me?’

The question would soon be answered once I opened and read the letter with a slightly tense heart.

“My dear Rosentia Herena,

The season has passed with fresh sprouts emerging, and now summer, where all living creatures exude vitality, has arrived. Before the weather gets even hotter, I plan to invite a select few to spend some precious time in my garden.

Since our last conversation was so delightful, I am gladly extending an invitation to you to attend this tea party. I have prepared some very delicious tea that you will surely enjoy. I eagerly anticipate your presence.

Empress.”
Postscript. I remember the time when you and I walked through the garden alone last time with fondness. I am eagerly anticipating another enjoyable time this time. From Empress Monica Royden.

After reading the contents of the letter and the postscript, I fell into thought for a moment.

An invitation to a tea party from the Empress.

Wasn’t it just empty words to say that our last conversation went well?

And to claim she has tea that I would like?

No way…

I smirked inwardly with a mix of curiosity and discomfort.

I didn’t particularly feel like going, but anyway, it was an invitation from the Empress.

That meant it was difficult for a noble, especially an aristocrat from a prominent family, to decline.

Moreover, the content of the postscript was practically an order to come early.

Sigh.

Seeing the Empress at a time like this.

The only fortunate thing was that I wasn’t alone; it seemed that others had also been invited.

Of course, when we meet earlier, it will likely be just the two of us.

What day was it again?

I carefully scanned the letter once again to confirm the date.

If it was in three days, I could probably make some preparations.

After hastily dealing with the remaining tasks, I returned to the Duke of Laverion’s residence.

And I immediately went to find Kaern, who would be in the office.

Knock, knock.

“Kaern, it’s me.”

“Come in.”

As I opened the door and entered, Kaern, whom I thought would be sitting at the desk, was sitting on the sofa with his back leaning against it.
“Kaern? Are you not feeling well?”

I approached him hastily with a surprised expression.

“No, I was just taking a short break.”

“Oh…”

“Don’t stand there looking troubled. Come over here and sit.”

“Yes.”

Relieved to hear that he wasn’t feeling unwell, I intended to take a seat in front of Kaern. However, I paused for a moment in my movement, looking at him, and then spoke.

“Well, should I come back later?”

“Why?”

He asked me with a completely puzzled expression.

“I thought I might be bothering you since you were taking a break, Kaern.”

“Bothering.”

Kaern, narrowing his eyebrows, got up from his seat unexpectedly and grabbed my hand. Startled by his unexpected action for a moment, Kaern led me to his side.

As we sat down side by side, with unexpected closeness, my heart started to beat faster.

“Kaern.”

“I mentioned that being with you is like a break for me.”

“Oh, right.”

Continuing to hear the thumping sound of my heart, I awkwardly smiled and replied.

“Duke, did you have a good time?”

“Yes, I’ve finished my work and returned.”

“Anything special happen?”

“Well…”

I hesitated for a moment and then opened my mouth.

Actually, I received an invitation from Empress Monica.

“An invitation?”

“Yes, she invited me to a tea party.”

“Do you have the invitation now?”

“Yes, here it is.”

I took out the letter from my pocket and handed it to Kaern.
Throughout reading the letter, Kaern’s expression hardened into a grim look.

“Kaern?”

My cautious voice made him look away from the letter.

“It’s the tea you like.”

He, too, seemed to sense something similar and sharply met my eyes.

“Warren Marquis informed Empress Monica about me, so what we’re thinking is probably correct.”

“Maybe it’s better not to go.”

“What?”

When Kaern firmly advised me not to go, I looked at him with a momentary sense of confusion.

“It doesn’t feel right.”

I felt the same way. At this timing, with an invitation suspiciously sent for the first time and the Empress mentioning a tea I had never spoken to her about, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. Despite my reluctance, I couldn’t skip a tea party attended by other nobles.

“It’s an invitation from Empress Monica. You know I can’t refuse it just because I don’t want to go.”