The day of the tea party at the imperial palace arrived. Lea planned to bring Pauline and Chainer to the palace as well.

While bringing Pauline was accepted, many people opposed bringing Chainer, but Lea didn’t back down.

She wanted to show them how pure and innocent Chainer’s soul was. Sometimes, it’s necessary to reveal the truth without any deception.

‘I need to show Chainer to prevent rumors from spreading.’

The more she tried to hide her, the more people’s suspicions and false rumors would grow.

So today, not only herself but also Pauline and Chainer were dressed up like proper members of the ducal household.

“Now that we’re dressed like this and going to the imperial palace, I feel good.”

Pauline, who had been the most worried, seemed moved by her reflection in the mirror and choked up.

“I like it too.”

Chainer didn’t really know why they were going to the palace. She just thought they were going out to play with her sisters.

“Pauline, Chainer.”

Lea called the two with a slightly solemn tone.

“Yes, my lady.”

“You are members of House Courtois. So don’t feel intimidated and maintain your manners and dignity.”

Lea clearly saw Pauline’s eyes flickering with excitement. Chainer, on the other hand, was just excited.

“Take pride. When we get to the palace, there will be maids brought by the noble ladies. Most of the Empress’s maids are nobles…”

“We won’t be intimidated. We’re the maids of Lady Grace Bizac, after all.”

“That’s right.”

In truth, Lea wasn’t too worried about Pauline.

The problem was Chainer. In a way, bringing her could be either a masterstroke or backfire.

“Chainer, you need to be careful with your words and actions at the palace.”

Lea didn’t give long-winded advice. Pauline had already done that. Instead, she looked Chainer in the eye and said very seriously:

“Yes, don’t worry. I’ll do well too.”

“Good. By the way, both Chainer and Pauline look so pretty today, don’t they?”

Lea praised the two who were properly dressed up.

“Not as much as you, my lady.”

Pauline saw a different side of Grace today. She fully realized why she needed to be enchanting.

Lea closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. Was this how a soldier felt heading into battle?

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

The three steeled their resolve and left the room.

* * *

When the three women appeared, people let out exclamations in unison. Among them, Terran’s gaze towards Grace was especially different.

This was truly an unexpected sight.

Lea wore a deep purple lace cape on top, and below her slim waist was a voluminous skirt that looked like a black tulip.

The shimmering satin was overlaid with fine mesh and studded with subtle jewels to maximize its splendor. Above all, her plump lips seemed stained with cherry juice.

“My lady, you look enchanting.”

James did not hold back his praise.

‘It’s startling.’

Terran couldn’t hide his surprise either. If Grace usually resembled a pure freesia, today she was as alluring as a black rose.

Perhaps due to her freesia-like appearance, she didn’t look vulgar at all even in clothes of such intense color. Rather, she seemed imbued with a strong beauty.

‘She wouldn’t be outmatched even against the Empress.’

Terran thought Grace knew her own looks too well. She looked young and fragile like a girl, which could easily make others underestimate her.

But knowing this about herself, she compensated well for her weakness.

“Grace, you’re beautiful.”

As always, Terran’s praise was restrained.

‘Whatever.’

Lea smiled at him, but inwardly she was quite annoyed. Soon after, Terran reached out his hand towards Lea, and she gently placed her hand on his.

At that moment, Chainer surprised everyone with an unexpected remark.

“Mister! Other men are trying to steal sister away.”

‘Again with the Mister?’

He just couldn’t get used to being called “Mister.” Every time he heard it, his neck stiffened and he felt irritated.

“Is… that so? What kind of men?”

Terran’s temples throbbed, but he smiled and asked Chainer.

“Young, handsome, and tall men.”

“Chainer, there’s a young, handsome, and tall man right in front of you, you know?”

He pointed at himself and smiled at Chainer. But Chainer turned her gaze to Luke and ran to him.

Terran squeezed his eyes shut when Chainer didn’t respond to his words. It was a mystery why he remained just a “Mister” in Chainer’s eyes until the end.

“Luke, am I pretty?”

“You’re pretty, Chainer.”

“Then will you marry me, elder brother?”

“Duke, shall we get going?”

Luke spoke as if he hadn’t heard Chainer’s words. Still, it was true that Chainer looked pretty today.

* * *

The carriage stopped right in front of the Empress’s palace. As Terran got out of the carriage, the palace servants came out to greet the guests.

“Luke and I will go to pay our respects to His Majesty, so do well and come back.”

“Yes.”

Lea quickly pulled her hand away from Terran’s grasp and disappeared into the Empress’s palace, following the servants.

Watching her retreating figure, Terran felt conflicted. Throughout the journey to the palace, Grace had only looked out the window and didn’t speak to him at all.

Moreover, Chainer had kept chattering annoying words that grated on his nerves.

Just then, Luke saw something and approached Terran, speaking in a low voice.

“It seems the noble ladies invited to the tea party have brought their sons as well.”

Terran followed Luke’s gaze, and at the end of it were young, handsome, and tall nobles, just as Chainer had described.

The noble ladies would probably want to use this opportunity to let their sons see the palace and greet the Empress.

The problem was that Chainer’s occasional remarks were not wrong.

‘Damn it, Chainer.’

“Luke, do I look like an old man?”

“Pardon? Well, compared to those young men over there, you do look a bit more mature, Your Grace.”

“What are you waiting for? Lead the way!”

The Duke must have gone slightly strange. He was incomparably more splendid than those green boys.

The hero of Rubeck’s war, the first noble, with an appearance exuding masculinity, yet only he himself didn’t know it.

They say when you like someone, you lose your composure and develop excessive vigilance – it seemed to be a credible theory.

“Under…stood.”

Terran’s words came out rougher than usual to Luke, as he was irritated.

He was annoyed that Grace looked especially enchanting today, and he didn’t like the young boys the noble ladies had deliberately brought either.

Meanwhile, Lea was overcome with tension as soon as she arrived at the palace. The path to the tea party venue following the servant felt so distant.

“The tea party will be held in the largest greenhouse in the palace.”

The servant explained about the palace throughout the guidance.

Chainer and Pauline were busy nodding at his words. However, Lea had a headache thinking about how to overcome the displeasure of the Empress and noble ladies that would be poured on her.

She clutched her handbag tightly.

Finally, they arrived in front of the greenhouse. But it was larger than any ordinary mansion, let alone a greenhouse.

“Lady Grace Bizac has arrived.”

The servant at the greenhouse door announced loudly. Come to think of it, women’s voices could be heard from inside.

‘Am I the last one?’

“Please enter, my lady.”

The servant politely opened the door. Lea swallowed dryly before entering. Soon, a long table covered with white linen tablecloths came into view.

The greenhouse was filled with various flowers in full bloom that were out of season, making it look like a banquet hall in a flower garden. Also, noble ladies who had arrived earlier were seated on both sides of the table.

However, not a single woman was wearing dark colors like Lea. She quickly scanned the head of the table.

‘The Empress hasn’t arrived yet, it seems.’

Lea walked to her seat following the servant, with a smile on her lips. Even then, she could hear what the noble ladies were saying.

“My goodness! Look at that lace cape.”

“It’s so pretty. It must be new.”

“What does it matter if it’s pretty? It’s made by a deranged gypsy.”

“What does she take us for? We don’t wear the same clothes as those lowly people.”

“That’s true, but Lady Bizac does catch the eye at a glance.”

The noble ladies all looked at Lea, and the young men standing behind them couldn’t take their eyes off her either.

Pauline and Chainer sat in the chairs prepared behind Lea.

Lea greeted the noble ladies next to her, trying not to lose her composure. Of course, their reactions were cold.

‘Don’t be intimidated, Lea Hamilton.’

Lea encouraged herself. The noble ladies beside and in front of her were from the most prestigious families in Rubeck.

Their sharp wariness felt like daggers flying and cutting into her skin, but she tried not to lose her composure.

The seats were soon filled. The noble ladies whispered among themselves and glared at Lea. Just then, the servant’s voice rang out loudly from outside.

“Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.”

All the noble ladies rose from their seats at once.

* * *

The Empress wore a light turquoise silk dress overlaid with gold lace. It matched perfectly with her exceptionally white skin and light brown hair.

She hadn’t been able to see her clearly at the banquet, but up close like this, she was beautiful.

‘No wonder she was Terran’s first love, she’s quite likable.’

It wasn’t just because of her outstanding beauty. The Empress exuded a power that overwhelmed people. Even without using many flowery words, anyone could see she was truly an empress.

“Thank you all for accepting my invitation despite your busy schedules.”

The noble ladies bowed their heads in respect at the Empress’s words.

“Oh! Our young men have come too.”

“We pay our respects to Your Majesty.”

The young men also greeted the Empress politely.

“Our young men should go to the main palace. Since you’ve come to the palace, you should greet His Majesty as well.”

“It’s a great honor, Your Majesty.”

The young men bowed to the Empress and left the greenhouse.

“You’ve all raised your children well.”

The noble ladies couldn’t hide their joy at the Empress’s praise.

The Empress smiled leisurely as she looked over the people she had invited. Then her gaze stopped on Lea.

The Empress couldn’t take her eyes off the purple lace cape Lea was wearing.

The intricate and uniform weave was exquisite. Above all, the bold color accentuated one’s appearance.

“Lady Bizac, you’re still beautiful as ever.”

The Empress examined Lea for a while and then complimented her.

“I’m honored, Your Majesty.”

Lea replied in a humble tone.