The palace gates opened and carriages stopped one by one along the large road. For the royal family’s safety and thorough security, no more carriages could enter; everyone had to disembark here.

Velia stood at the top of the stairs overlooking the road, ready to greet them.

“Princess!”

“Welcome. No carriages can enter further, so I came out to meet you myself.”

Once all the invited guests had gathered, Velia personally led them to the garden where the tea party would be held.

Velia’s graceful movements as she led the nobles exuded sophistication and dignity. Her elegance harmonized perfectly with the resplendent palace, as if she had lived there for a long time.

“Wow!”

Nobles who were visiting the palace for the first time looked around in awe, while those familiar with the palace walked more leisurely, following Velia.

Of course, there was one person who was exceptionally at ease, as the palace was very familiar to her.

“Your Highness, you’ve visited the palace often, haven’t you?”

“Indeed.”

It was Elin Cantrelif.

Elin held up a parasol to shield herself from the sun, wearing a radiant expression. She then scanned the faces of the people who had come with her, all of whom looked excited and pleased.

“We have to walk a bit to get there, so please bear with it a bit longer.”

Velia spoke warmly at a fork in the road. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Getting to walk a bit to the palace was no big deal at all.

Of course, Elin, in her capacity as the prospective princess consort, had always ridden a carriage up to the prince’s palace, so walking like this had been rare for her.

“It’s, well, a bit warm.”

Elin said, fluttering the fan in her hand.

Upon hearing this, the expression of those around her slightly hardened.

“It is a warm day, even though it’s autumn.”

Velia smoothly bypassed Elin’s deliberate comment with a smile.

It was hardly an impactful jab.

Soon, they arrived at the garden where the tea party would be held. Maids approached the ladies one by one to guide them to their seats. When everyone had sat down, Velia spoke.

“Could you bring that over?”

At Velia’s command, a maid brought out prearranged items and placed one at each seat.

Everyone looked puzzled at the plates set before them until Velia kindly explained.

“It’s a dessert made of watermelon pickled in basil.”

A very exotic dessert for the empire’s nobility.

“It’s a popular treat in the Kingdom of Ronica. It feels refreshing when chilled, so I prepared it.”

The invited noble ladies and gentlemen looked curiously at the dessert in front of them.

Watermelon and basil.

Moreover, soft cream and crumbled cookies were on top.

“Hehe, just try it.”

At Velia’s words, everyone cautiously took a bite.

Elin did the same.

It was a dessert she had never seen before.

“My goodness!”

“It’s so delicious!”

“How does it taste like this?”

Everyone widened their eyes in surprise at the unfamiliar taste.

It was an unexpected combination, but the actual taste was cool and soft, settling the stomach. The subtle scent of basil was also a highlight.

“Delicious, right? I’m prone to heat, so the royal chef of Ronica made this dessert especially for me,” Velia explained.

Everyone nodded.

So, this was a ‘dessert only the Ronican royalty could enjoy.’

Hearing this, everyone began eating more eagerly than before.

“We had to walk a bit to get to the tea party. That’s why I paid special attention to this,” Velia kindly explained her reason for preparing the dessert.

The invited nobles realized her thoughtful consideration and their faces brightened with joy.

“It’s really delicious!”
Ah, that’s truly fortunate. Making it isn’t difficult either. I can also give you the recipe if you’d like.

It was none other than a recipe by Ronika Kingdom’s chef.

Nobles were buzzing with excitement, one after another asking her for the recipe.

Velia gestured to the maid with a soft smile.

“I’ve already prepared the recipe in case anyone might need it.”

Laid neatly on the tray the maid brought was a dessert recipe, written in Velia’s own hand.

Such a minor detail revealed how meticulously Velia had prepared for today’s tea party.

“Thank you!”

“The empire has a longer hot season than Ronika Kingdom, so if this is to your liking, I thought it might be a small help.”

The noble ladies attending the tea party felt today would truly be a special day.

From young noble girls who were new to the palace to somewhat older ladies, all felt the same way.

‘Good. I’ve taken control.’

In case Elin would pick fights over everything, Velia had prepared for various scenarios. But Elin hadn’t spoken a word.

Soon at Velia’s signal, desserts and teas began to be served efficiently.

“This location where the tea party is being held is also my favorite place. I hope you all can fully enjoy the atmosphere here.”

The tea party had begun.

From light current events to mutual curiosities or congratulatory matters, pleasant conversation flowed.

“It’s been a month since you got engaged, how has it been?”