From small sandwiches to cakes, scones, and baked treats.

‘Ah…?’

Velia scrutinized the variety of desserts on her plate.

These were not light appetizers, but full desserts.

They said it would be served in three rounds, but it looked like the future menus would only slightly differ in variety.

‘Is this it?’

It was neither insufficiently nor meticulously prepared.

Especially considering this was a tea party in the Empire.

“Please enjoy.”

With that, Countess Duncan rang a small bell on the table.

A clear bell sound spread, and the maids poured tea into the cups at each seat.

The tea was remarkably aromatic. Furthermore, it was the type of tea Velia enjoyed in the Ronika Kingdom.

Velia briefly savored the aroma, then took a sip. Indeed, it was a highquality tea.

“Does it suit your taste?”

Countess Duncan approached Velia’s table to inquire.

“Yes, the tea is excellent.”

“My father granted permission to use this tea he received as a gift for today’s tea party.”

Countess Duncan proudly straightened her shoulders as she spoke.

Velia found the countess adorable and couldn’t help but smile.

‘…How cute.’

To the regressed Velia, all these young nobles felt like much younger siblings.

To think she’d have to fight these people. Suddenly, her burning ambition fizzled out.

In that moment, her waning determination caused Velia to smile faintly. Then, she relaxed her tense face and began to engage with them. As if waiting for this moment, questions began to pour in toward Velia.

“What kind of tea is most popular in the Ronika Kingdom?”
“I saw you dancing with Prince Khaled at a party recently.”

“Did Prince Khaled gift you that dress as well?”

Young girls had many questions for Velia.

And most of those questions were more about Khaled than Velia.

‘What is this? He’s unexpectedly popular?’

Given the rife rumors, everyone was subtly curious about Khaled, who was rarely seen.

“Did Prince Khaled treat you particularly affectionately? I heard he is usually quite kind to you.”

This time, the question had a hint of concern.

As if Khaled could never be that way.

Velia suppressed a smile as she opened her mouth to reply.

“Prince Khaled is actually a very warm and affectionate person. It seems many people misunderstand him.”

“Oh my.”

When the topic of romance arose, everyone’s attention shifted in that direction.

“Will you continue to make public appearances with Prince Khaled in the future?”

“Of course. As the future queen, I intend to fulfill all my responsibilities. Naturally, Khaled will be with me.”

Hearing Velia say Khaled’s name, some young ladies giggled behind their hands.

The atmosphere had certainly loosened up through various conversations.

Just then, a maid whispered something to Countess Duncan, who then abruptly stood up.

“It seems Princess Elin Cantelief has arrived. I’ll go and welcome her.”

Her words immediately dampened the mood in the room.

With Countess Duncan disappearing, Velia turned her head to look at the young lady who had just asked her a question. The lady avoided her gaze.

‘Hmm.’

It seemed premeditated.

Velia calmly addressed her.

“What was it you were curious about earlier?”

“No… it wasn’t an important question.”

The conversation was abruptly cut off, as if something terrible would happen if Velia appeared too familiar.

Silence enveloped the garden.

A moment later.

Elin Cantelief entered the garden, accompanied by Countess Duncan.

“Sorry I’m late. Something came up in my family.”

The moment she entered, as if she owned the place, she gracefully greeted the young nobles attending the tea party. Quite an arrogant attitude.

“I also apologize to you, Princess Velia. I shouldn’t be this late…”

Before even being seated, Elin naturally sat in the central chair.

“It’s alright. Things happen unexpectedly.”

Is she trying to establish dominance?

Even if she’s from another country, Velia is a princess of this country. Therefore, even before her marriage to Khaled, she outranked the imperial nobles in public standing.

It was an extreme breach of etiquette for a princess to be late to a tea party Velia was attending.

Yet, in a place where she had no allies, pointing this out wasn’t easy. Undoubtedly, Cantelief knew this and had deliberately been late.

However, Velia did not want to let the situation slide either.

Smiling slightly, she delivered a cutting remark.

“After all, if even the host says nothing, how can I complain?”

Everyone looked shocked, probably because they hadn’t expected Velia, who had been consistently kind, to react so sarcastically. The atmosphere turned icy in an instant. Elin’s expression also stiffened.

Countess Duncan rang the bell to change the mood.

“Let’s prepare the next dessert.”

The second dessert was quickly prepared.

“It seems Countess Duncan put in a lot of effort knowing that you would be here today.”
Elin Kanterip looked at the array of snacks and cakes on the table.

Pointing at the desserts on the table with exaggerated gestures, as if she were an actress.

“Isn’t it?”

She then asked Velia with a friendly face.

Velia took a sip of tea with a reserved expression.

Those unfamiliar with how the empire’s tea parties are prepared could easily fall for such words. That’s probably why she resorted to this ploy.

If Velia were to respond that she paid a lot of attention here, she would become a fool who knows nothing about the empire’s social circles. So she couldn’t offer a polite word while knowing everything.

‘However.’

The moment she speaks of poor preparation, rumors would spread that she’s a boor who doesn’t even understand manners.

Velia silently applauded Princess Kanterip for effectively blocking her escape routes.

‘She’s much smarter than I thought.’

The princess was watching her, her expression indicating she was very curious about how Velia would respond.