After completing preparations to go to the princess’s palace, I descended to the first floor. Jenny helped me put on white lace gloves.

“I went to every store and got the prettiest one. You won’t be outshined at all, even compared to other ladies!”

‘Jenny, this isn’t a beauty contest.’

Seeing Jenny’s excited and tense face, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness, I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

While I had taken charge of the Marquis’s household in place of the busy Hubert, I was distant from high society. Due to the disdain from Lady Emérun, who deemed my dignity lacking due to my maid background, there were occasions when I received invitations but couldn’t attend.

Watching Lady Emérun and Arist, both dressed up, leaving the house, guarding the house became my routine.

Initially arriving out of curiosity and kindness toward me, the number of invitations from high society gradually decreased, and eventually, I stopped receiving even one a month.

In contrast, Arist’s letters increased day by day.

Given the circumstances, it was understandable that Jenny was thrilled by the sudden influx of invitations.

“A princess’s tea party. I can’t even imagine how fragrant the tea will be, and the snacks will surely be sweet.”

“Try them, and if they’re good, I’ll bring some.”

“Really? No, you don’t have to do it because of me!”

Jenny, clapping her hands, looked adorable, and I chuckled.

“If we’re considered a family as the princess said, you wouldn’t hesitate to give a lady even one snack, right?”

“Is that so?”

Holding hands and with sparkling eyes, Jenny’s appearance was pleasing to see.

When I first took her in, there was always a gloomy and worried expression on the face of the lacking mistress. However, nowadays, Jenny was as lively and carefree as a girl her age without shadows.

Originally kind and diligent, she suffered in her past life because she met me. If I could repay her efforts, would it be too much to offer some snacks? I could even ask the king, not just the princess.

“Is it okay to go with Lady Arist?”

Suddenly, Jenny, perhaps worried, asked while glancing at me.

“Oh, I didn’t mention that.”

“What are you talking about?”

“That.”

Then, at that moment.

“Miss, the carriage is ready.”

The butler opened the door and shouted.

“I’m ready too.”

Click-clack. The sound of heels echoed on the stairs.

Arist, who dressed up splendidly, was coming down. Following behind her, Georgiana seemed nervous.

Even when going to a small party, Arist was always meticulous in preparation, turning her wardrobe upside down.

But a princess’s tea party. How chaotic that preparation must have been. Just by looking at Georgiana’s face, I could guess how much of a commotion Arist had caused.

“It would be great if Hubert could come too, but of all days, he’s leaving for the west today!”

Hubert, a scholar with excellent character and looks, was quite popular in high society. There were quite a few ladies who envied Arist, receiving Hubert’s escort at every party. Even in my past life, I was one of them.

“Is everything ready? Is that all for you, sister?”

Arist, scanning me, furrowed her brows.
“What’s with the mismatched gloves?”

Jenny shrugged, her eyes alternating between my gloves and dress, filled with concern.

I took her hands and made a fist, holding it up in front of Jenny’s eyes.

“I like this.”

Her previously disappointed face lit up with a bright smile, looking much better.

“Sister, you really need to broaden your perspective.”

“…”

“Let’s go quickly. We’ve been delayed in preparation.”

Following Arist, who went ahead of me, I spoke while facing her back.

“What should we do, miss? It seems challenging to attend together.”

“…What?”

Arist swiftly turned to look at me.

“W-What are you talking about?”

“Read this. Someone from the princess’s palace came and delivered it a while ago.”

Handing her the pink letter, Arist hastily read it from top to bottom.

As she read each line, her face darkened sharply.

I silently moved next to her and read the letter aloud.

“As a precious asset of the kingdom, Arist Dorencia’s reputation is well known. However, for today’s tea party, I wish to engage in close conversations with like-minded friends. This tea party is not the end, and I hope Dorencia will attend the next one to grace the occasion.”

After reading it to the end, I looked at Arist. Her face turned crimson.

In simpler terms, the meaning was clear.

‘The princess is saying that you shouldn’t come.’

Arist, as if she would tear the letter apart, grabbed it tightly and glared at me. I expressed my apology with my expression.

“…”

Arist, her lips trembling, ultimately didn’t say anything and tightly sealed her lips.

With her beautiful face and even the ability to control water, she must have never experienced such treatment anywhere.

In a situation where she wanted to become friends even with nobles higher than the Lorence family, this was possible, given her talent and lineage as a superior priestess than Lorence.