Starting with Lordy, the ladies and young ladies of the families who received invitations gathered one after another.

Those gathered in the beautifully decorated garden marveled at the sweet-looking refreshments and beautiful teacups.

Some enjoyed looking at the gorgeous yet not overwhelming tea sets, while others liked the special desserts.

Among them, the one who stood out the most in others’ eyes was none other than Tanya Papia.

Unlike the others waiting with flushed faces for the tea party to begin, her sullen figure sitting alone was particularly noticeable.

As one by one the seats were filled and all the prepared places at the table were taken, Erina hurriedly came and sat down.

As Erina took her seat, all eyes turned to her.

Tanya, who had been dragged out unwillingly, was disgusted by the theatrical situation.

She couldn’t understand why everyone was cheering for that woman who manipulated people while wearing a mask.

Despite this, the tea party proceeded steadily.

Erina, who had briefly glanced at Tanya, stood up and greeted everyone.

“Thank you all for attending this suddenly arranged tea party.”

Except for Tanya, all the nobles were on friendly terms, so they applauded and cheered at Erina’s greeting.

Tanya, not wanting to draw attention, forced a smile and halfheartedly clapped her hands.

At the same time, the maids and servants standing behind the nobles began pouring tea at the right temperature.

Everyone marveled as the fragrant scent of tea wafted through the garden.

“The aroma is really lovely.”

“Is this not a tea sold in the market? The scent is a bit unique.”

A noblewoman who regularly enjoyed tea and had a deep appreciation for it noticed that this was a scent she had never encountered before.

Then everyone started pulling their tea closer to smell it.

“Oh my, it really is!”

“It’s truly a unique scent. Could it be a flower tea?”

“It seems to have a hint of herbal aroma as well, not just floral.”

People began to speculate about the special tea fragrance.

As Erina raised her hand at this sight, the maids and servants who had poured the tea placed small boxes next to each cup, as if they had been waiting for this moment.

“This is a new blended tea that Murica Trading Company will soon release, called Lovelli.”

“My goodness, if it’s about to be released, that means it’s not yet for sale?”

“That’s correct. Murica Trading Company chose my tea party as the venue to showcase their new item.”

People let out exclamations and showed signs of excitement.

Murica Trading Company had been undoubtedly the best in tea for over 300 years.

Dealing even in precious teas from distant kingdoms difficult to reach from the empire, Murica Trading Company distributed tea with the motto of never handling poor quality tea.

It was so famous for tea that there was a saying in the Asilium Empire that one must buy tea from Murica Trading Company.

“It’s really amazing that they’re introducing a new item after 10 years.”

“I prepared this Lovelli tea as a return gift by requesting it from Murica Trading Company. Lovelli tea is unique in that it contains herbs, flowers, and medicinal plants, said to have many health benefits.”

At Erina’s explanation, even Tanya, who had been sitting sullenly, sparkled her eyes and busied herself examining the box placed in front of her.

Even if one didn’t like the situation, it was natural for eyes to be drawn to precious items.

Erina started the tea party by drawing everyone’s attention with an item that wasn’t easily obtainable by just anyone.

The tea party maintained such a friendly atmosphere that it was hard to believe it was one of the social activities where envy and criticism were exchanged.

This was because the nobles invited to Erina’s tea party, except for Tanya, were on friendly terms and were sensitive to rumors yet refined people.

As they complimented each other and shared in each other’s joys in the warm atmosphere, someone threw out a tremendous topic.

“I’m not sure if I should bring this up, but…”

A noblewoman who had made a name for herself as an etiquette teacher for others, but who greatly enjoyed gossip, began the conversation while glancing at Erina.

“What is it, Lady Rumor?”

Erina asked the hesitant Baroness Rumor, smiling as if to encourage her to speak freely.

“Well, I hear there are quite a few people who have seen Lady Asila secretly meeting with Count Iolls.”

At those words, everyone froze as if someone had cast a time spell on the tea party.

Erina thought that the inevitable had finally come.

She silently lifted her teacup to avoid eye contact, trying not to smile.

Baroness Rumor, who had been watching Erina’s reaction until the end, seemed excited by her averted gaze and continued speaking.

“I didn’t believe it at first either, but they say the number of witnesses keeps growing.”

“Is that true?”

Other nobles also began to participate in the conversation, subtly observing Erina’s expression.

Then Baroness Rumor unleashed all the words she had been holding back.

“At first, I even doubted my eyes wondering if it was really them, but how could anyone mistake their appearances?”

People nodded at those words.

Count Iolls, who once held the position of captain of the Imperial 2nd Knight Order, was actually more famous for his looks than his skills in social circles.

With mysterious silver hair resembling moonlight illuminating the night sky, vivid scarlet eyes shining like the sun, and a tall stature with a beautiful appearance as if drawn, despite his large build.

His appearance was such that it was impossible to mistake him for someone else even if seen passing by in a carriage.

The same was true for Rose.

Her pink hair, curling lovably and looking as sweet as cotton candy, and her green eyes resembling lush greenery were so fresh they evoked images of a forest.

Her petite figure and lovely appearance were enough to quickly make her the flower of social circles.

Those who happened to witness Peiron and Rose’s meeting immediately recognized the two.

“In fact, there are already more than three people who have confidently said they saw the two together.”

“Oh my.”

“It seems certain that they are continuing to meet.”

“I wonder when they started seeing each other?”

People were busy exchanging conversations in admiration.

Of course, while they freely discussed the two, their gazes were fixed on observing Erina’s reaction.

Although Count Iolls was no longer Erina’s husband but a stranger, he had kept a mistress even when they were married, so there was much interest.

Moreover, neither Peiron nor Erina had revealed who his mistress was, causing quite a stir in social circles for a while.

At one point, there was a rumor that Lady Ideli Modim might be the mistress, but everyone realized it was clearly the wrong person and kept quiet.

Erina was aware of the attention subtly focused on her, but she pretended not to notice and busied herself sipping tea while listening to their conversation.

The reason Erina didn’t immediately reveal that Peiron’s mistress was Rose was to bide her time.

Although she had become the owner of the mana stone mine by divine selection, it was still a bit difficult to bring down Rose, who had established herself as the flower of social circles, in one fell swoop.

It meant that Rose had put in years of effort in social circles, and that she had thoroughly deceived others with her not-so-amusing acting.

If Erina had revealed at the Founding Day celebration that Rose was the mistress, it might have caused even more confusion.

The social circles might have split between those supporting Erina and those defending Rose, saying it couldn’t be true.

Of course, if she had revealed it then, Peiron wouldn’t have denied it.

But Rose might have cried out that it was a lie and cut ties with Peiron.

After all, Rose had completely turned her back on Peiron for a while after the Founding Day celebration.

If that had happened, not only would people not fully believe Erina’s claim that Rose was the mistress, but a group might have formed questioning whether Peiron and Erina were mistaken.

Erina wanted to reveal that Rose was the mistress without all those assumptions.

Now that she thought about it, it seemed like a good decision.

After the Founding Day celebration, Rose had neglected her social activities to search for the prophecy, while Erina had gained people’s trust by going between the temple and the tower.

In addition, witnesses had appeared who had seen the two meeting secretly.

At this point, even if she were to reveal that Rose was the mistress, very few would doubt it.

Meanwhile, Tanya, who had been quietly listening to this situation, was dumbfounded.

She wondered why Rose, who should have been living quietly, was at the center of this rumor.

A meeting between the two?

It was absolutely impossible.

There was no way the angelic Lady Asila would meet with the filthy Count Iolls who brought his mistress into his mansion.

Tanya couldn’t bear the situation where Rose’s name was being tossed around and slandered by their mouths.

Tanya suddenly stood up from her seat and exclaimed to the people.

“That’s impossible!”

At Tanya’s sudden outburst, the conversation came to an abrupt halt.

Confirming that all eyes were on her, Tanya said with a grave expression.

“Lady Rose Asila, that kind and frail lady, would never do such a thing!”

“Pfft!”

At Tanya’s cry echoing through the garden, Erina couldn’t help but let out a snicker and covered her mouth.

She couldn’t suppress the laughter that burst out at the completely unfitting description of Rose.

Then people’s eyes flickered between Tanya and Erina.

“Why did you laugh just now?”

Erina asked Tanya as she wiped around her lips with the napkin placed on her knee.

“Is Lady Asila really kind and frail?”

“Of course! Are you mocking my words now?”

“No. I just asked because I wondered if you really thought that, Lady Papia.”

Erina’s smile was infinitely calm.

But her golden eyes looking at Tanya were somehow eerie.