Something had happened.

Duchess Patrice rented the hall of the Wellington Hotel to host a tea party.

The moment Odette, who had attended the tea party holding Katarina’s hand, stepped into the hall, she realized something.

‘I think I may have been mistaken.’

She thought.

The tea party Odette had envisioned was a gathering of young ladies her age, and noblewomen of Katarina’s age.

After all, Duchess Patrice was famous for often hosting such considerate tea parties.

Even Elly had reacted like this when she heard the news.

[Dash] A tea party hosted by Duchess Patrice? Then many young ladies will be attending. It should be comfortable to go.

[Dash] I think so too? When there’s a diverse age range, there’s less chance of major disturbances… It’s relatively congenial.

Young ladies would be timid in the presence of the noblewomen, and the noblewomen wouldn’t dare act improperly in front of the young ladies. It would create a warm atmosphere.

[Dash] You could casually laugh and mingle. If there’s a nice young lady, it would be good to get to know her. It seems fine.

[Dash] That sounds good. It would be great to meet a good young lady. It’s rare to meet someone my age.

[Dash] Your Highness, don’t forget me if you meet someone new!

At the end, even Elly’s cute pouting made them laugh.

So, Odette had attended the tea party without much tension.

The problem was that the tea party she had attended was not what she had expected.

‘…All middle-aged noblewomen.’

They were naturally conservative due to their age, and noblewomen old enough to have one or two children sat at each table.

These noblewomen had two things in common.

‘They dislike illegitimate children.’

And they dislike people who stir up scandals.

By some strange coincidence, Odette fit both of these criteria.

It was maddeningly ironic.

Odette briefly pondered Katarina’s true intentions as she calmly stepped inside.

‘No, let’s not think too pessimistically.’

Perhaps Katarina genuinely wanted to introduce her to these noblewomen?

Especially since these middle-aged noblewomen were sensitive about class due to their conservative nature.

Being a princess and soon to become Duchess Ertman, they couldn’t easily ignore Odette.

So maybe it wasn’t as bad as she thought…

“Oh my, Her Highness the Empress. Thank you for your precious time. And the person next to you, is she an attendant?”

“Ho ho, let’s not be disrespectful, Duchess. She’s the Fourth Princess.”

“Ah… the ‘famous’ Fourth Princess. Allow me to guide you to your seat. This way.”

Duchess Patrice neither greeted Odette nor introduced herself.

She just briskly guided her to her seat, as if uninterested.

The quick, dismissive up-and-down glance was an added insult.

‘It’s ridiculous that she even asked if I was an attendant.’

An attendant wouldn’t dress this lavishly, and if Katarina is accompanied by a mysterious silver-haired woman, it’s easy to guess who she is.

So, Duchess Patrice was simply ignoring Odette.

‘And if she’s treating me, the guest of the Empress, like this, the Empress must have agreed.’

As much as she hoped it wasn’t the case, it seemed today wouldn’t be a peaceful tea party.

Odette kept her gaze fixed on the tableware being set before her.

Noblewomen were lining up beside her to offer their greetings.

Not one of them approached Odette.

‘Well, this is easier on me.’

Their intentions were clear.

They intended to treat Odette as if she were invisible.

And if Odette tried to join the conversation, they would rebuke her for being rude.

‘Even if they include me, it will be in a conversation that’s uncomfortable.’

Odette concluded.
To put it simply, the intention was to kill her social momentum before it could even begin.

If she were to behave incorrectly here, stories would circulate about how the 4th Princess had grown arrogant due to her connection with Duke Ertman and had disregarded noblewomen of advanced age.

As expected, hushed whispers could be heard here and there.

“That woman, she…”

“She doesn’t even greet people first. Regardless of being a princess, she’s young and should know to bow first.”

These murmurs reached not only Odette’s ears but also Katarina’s.

She covered her mouth with a fan and wore a satisfied smile.

‘It’s worth bringing her along.’

The thought of treating Odette well had not changed.

But being overly confident solely because she was the Duchess of Ertman was something to be wary of.

Katarina had deliberately brought Odette to a gathering of matronly noblewomen to suppress her spirit, planning to soothe her later.

In other words, it was a carrot and stick approach.

‘What can someone with so little social experience possibly do?’

Though the tea party had not even properly begun, the fact that comments were already being made about Odette’s stiffness suggested that her plan was taking effect.

Once her social standing was damaged here, surely gossip would follow.