The iron gates of the imperial palace opened, and carriages stopped one by one along the main road. For the safety and thorough security of the imperial family, no more carriages could enter, so everyone had to get off here.

Bellia stood on the stairs overlooking that road, ready to greet them.

“Princess!”

“Welcome. Carriages cannot enter further from here, so I came out to greet you personally.”

After all the invited guests gathered, Bellia personally guided them to the garden where the tea party would be held.

Bellia’s movements as she led the nobles were elegant and full of grace. Her elegance matched the splendid imperial palace very well. As if she had lived here for a very long time.

“Wow!”

The noble young ladies visiting the imperial palace for the first time were busy looking around, while those who had been to the palace before walked after Bellia, pretending to be more at ease than them.

Of course, there was one person who was truly at ease, very familiar with the imperial palace, unlike everyone else.

“Princess. You’ve been to the imperial palace many times, right?”

“Of course.”

It was Elin Canterif.

Elin held a parasol to block the sunlight and put on a prim expression. Then she observed the expressions of the people who came together, slightly apart from Bellia. Everyone looked excited and happy.

“This way. It’s a long walk, so please bear with the inconvenience for a little longer.”

Bellia said with a smile at a fork in the road. Everyone replied that it was fine.

Having come all the way to the imperial palace, a little walking was no big deal.

Of course, for Elin, who always rode in a carriage to the Crown Prince’s palace as a prospective Crown Princess, it had been a very long time since she had walked like this.

“It’s a bit hot.”

Elin said, fanning herself lightly with the fan in her hand.

The expressions of the young ladies next to her stiffened slightly.

“Indeed. It’s a warm day despite being autumn.”

Bellia smiled and naturally brushed off her comment, which was clearly made on purpose.

It wasn’t much of an attack.

Soon after, they arrived at the garden where the tea party would be held. Maids approached the ladies one by one to help guide them to their seats. When everyone was seated, Bellia spoke.

“Could you bring that out?”

At Bellia’s words, a maid brought out something that had been prepared in advance and placed one on each seat.

As everyone looked at the plate in front of them with puzzled expressions, Bellia kindly added an explanation.

“It’s a dessert made by sweetly pickling watermelon in basil.”

It must be a very unfamiliar dessert to the nobles of the empire.

“It’s something often enjoyed in the Kingdom of Ronica. I prepared it because it gives a feeling of relief from the heat when eaten cold.”

The invited noble young ladies all looked curiously at the dessert placed in front of them.

Watermelon and basil.

Moreover, it was topped with soft cream and finely crushed cookies.

“Hehe. Please try it, even if you’re skeptical.”

At Bellia’s words, everyone took a spoonful and put it in their mouths with awkward expressions.

Elin did the same.

It was a dessert she had never seen before in her life.

“Oh my!”

“It’s so delicious!”

“How can it taste like this?”

Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise at the taste they were experiencing for the first time.

It seemed like an unlikely combination, but when actually eaten, it was cool and soft, giving a feeling of calmness. Moreover, the slight aroma of basil rising up was an added delight.

“Delicious, isn’t it? I’m prone to heat, so the palace chef made this dessert for me.”

Everyone nodded at Bellia’s explanation.

So this was a ‘dessert that only the royalty of Ronica could taste’.

After hearing that, the taste of the dessert seemed even more special, and unlike at first, everyone now busily moved their hands.

“It was a long walk to get to where the tea party is held. So I paid a little extra attention.”

When Bellia kindly explained the reason for preparing the dessert, the invited nobles realized her thoughtful consideration and were delighted with flushed expressions.

“It’s really delicious!”

“Oh my. I’m so glad you like it. It’s not difficult to make either. If you’d like, I can share the recipe.”

It was none other than the recipe of the Ronica royal palace chef.

The nobles, all excited, requested the recipe from her one after another.

Bellia gestured to a maid with a gentle smile.

“I had the recipe written down in advance in case anyone needed it.”

On the tray the maid brought, there were neatly arranged dessert recipes written in Bellia’s own handwriting.

This small detail revealed how meticulously Bellia had prepared for today’s tea party.

“Thank you!”

“The empire has longer periods of heat than the Kingdom of Ronica, so I thought this might be of some help if you like it.”

The noble young ladies participating in the tea party felt their hearts flutter, thinking that today would be a truly special day.

From the young noble ladies visiting the imperial palace for the first time to the slightly older ladies, everyone felt the same way.

‘Good. I’ve taken the initiative.’

She had prepared many things in case Elin might pick a fight over every little thing. But it seemed she had gained the upper hand from the start, as Elin said nothing.

Soon, at Bellia’s signal, desserts and teas began to be prepared in an orderly fashion.

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

The tea party began.

Pleasant conversations continued, from light talk about recent happenings to sharing things they were curious about or congratulatory messages.

“It’s been a month since your engagement, how is it, Lady?”

Attention turned to Elin Canterif, who had recently held an engagement ceremony with Raul.

“His Majesty treats me well, and Her Majesty the Empress often invites me to have tea together. It’s just an honor for me.”

Elin answered with a faint smile.

“Congratulations. Prince Raul is kind, so he must treat you very well?”

Those who couldn’t attend the engagement ceremony offered their belated congratulations.

Elin looked at Bellia with indifferent eyes while fiddling with the handle of the teacup on the table. And Bellia smiled, pulling up her lips at that sight.

So that’s why it passed quietly.

‘I knew it.’

The corners of Elin’s mouth rose slightly.

She seemed certain that Bellia wouldn’t understand her actions.

What they were now demanding of Bellia was the implicit etiquette of nobles observed in the empire’s social circles.

Bellia remembered being properly embarrassed at the first social gathering she hosted when she first came to the empire, not knowing this. No one had told her, and it wasn’t mentioned in any books…

‘It’s truly an action that only takes place implicitly in real life.’

Bellia inwardly smiled deeply and slowly parted her lips.

“As a congratulation on the lady’s engagement, I’ll gift you that teacup. I’ll have it beautifully wrapped and prepared before the tea party ends, so please accept it.”

At Bellia’s words, Elin removed her hand that had been holding the teacup.

That seemingly unremarkable action of bringing her hand to the cup as if just to drink tea actually meant…

‘I’d like to receive this teacup as a gift.’

“Oh my, you don’t have to…”

Elin hid her surprise and spoke words of modesty, gently closing her eyes.

“I can’t just sit still when there’s such happy news at a party I’m hosting.”

Bellia and Elin smiled brightly while exchanging obvious words.

So.

When there was good news like pregnancy, marriage, or engagement, the host would gift whatever the person first touched, as a kind of kindness from the host.

It was usually limited to things on the table, like teacups or cutlery sets.

‘What a useless…’

While inwardly cursing, Bellia’s expression remained gently smiling.

Something so trivial that no one who isn’t from the empire would know, something that most people already do and even if they don’t, they would just acknowledge and move on.

‘But trivial things make for very good fodder for gossip.’

When Bellia, who came from a foreign country, hosted a tea party for the first time.

All sorts of mocking words circulated behind her back, using her failure to notice this small signal as an excuse.

“You know the imperial social circles well?”

Someone couldn’t contain their curiosity and asked.

Their expression said, ‘How on earth did you know this?’

Even if one receives education on social etiquette, they don’t explain these parts.

“Is that so? I’m still very lacking. I’m trying to learn step by step.”

Bellia took a sip of tea after finishing her words.

Everyone seemed flustered. They also looked a bit surprised.

Bellia slightly raised the corners of her mouth, smiled, and opened her mouth.

“Let’s have the second plate brought out.”

Bellia lightly rang the bell.

The clear bell sound resonated through the garden.

The desserts, teacups, and plates that had been set on the table were all collected, and new teacups and plates were placed. Then the maids went around pouring properly brewed black tea into each cup.

The desserts were different from the first, of a kind that could fill one’s stomach.

“I prepared something substantial hoping it would serve as a snack.”

Various sandwiches and well-baked scones. Jam and cream to go with them.

For the last course, pudding with fruit, sweet cakes, and tarts were planned.

“Wow…”

Everyone was amazed at the preparation that far exceeded their expectations.

It was difficult to find even a small flaw.

“I’ve prepared plenty of desserts and sandwiches, so I’ll pack them separately for you to take when you leave.”

“Oh my.”

“How thoughtful…”

Bellia smiled brightly.

She couldn’t possibly prepare carelessly considering how much she had endured from them.

She paid meticulous attention to every detail so that no words could be said anywhere.

“As expected of a princess of a country, your preparation is extraordinary.”

“The watermelon dessert that came out first was really innovative. I’m thinking of making it when I host a tea party too.”

Bellia quietly listened to their words while drinking tea.

“By the way, I heard that the princess is preparing a charity bazaar this time.”

She was about to bring up that topic anyway.

Bellia responded with great enthusiasm.

“Yes, that’s right. I used to support artists in Ronica, and I’m continuing that work here in the empire. I’m planning to hold a bazaar collecting works from talented artists. All proceeds will be used to support those in need.”

Bellia smiled brightly after reiterating that the purpose was for public benefit, not her personal gain.

‘It would be great if someone here says they want to participate too.’

If the event grows and a large-scale bazaar is held, it can attract a lot of attention. Moreover, it would be a good opportunity to influence both the imperial citizens and nobles.

Just as Bellia was about to say that if anyone wanted to participate in the bazaar, they should tell her anytime…

“Do you have any plans to accept sponsorships or participants who wish to join?”

A young noble lady sitting in the middle asked in a cautious voice.