Chapter 46: Tea Time (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 46: Tea Time (1)
Cecilia scoffed inwardly as she saw their eyes flicker toward Meisel.
Meisel must have pulled something again.
It was as if they had all been ordered not to breathe a word until Meisel spoke first.
Among the young ladies of their age, Meisel was nothing short of the absolute ruler of the social scene. No matter how high the Grand Duchess’s status was, Meisel—who could easily block their future paths right here and now—was a far more terrifying presence than a Grand Duchess with no ties to the North.
Silence instantly descended upon the quiet tea room.
The Grand Duchess, seemingly oblivious to the tension, merely maintained a faint, gentle smile.
Should I say something?
Cecilia cleared her throat softly.
If I step forward here, I’ll become public enemy number one again, but…
Still, she couldn't just sit by and watch the Grand Duchess, whom her own brother served, be put in an awkward position.
She was just about to open her mouth.
“The ground thawed early this year, so it seems the roads have been easy for the carriages to travel.”
Meisel finally spoke, as if granting a great favor, deciding that the silence had lasted long enough.
The young ladies, whose eyes had been wavering violently in the prolonged hush, each let out a small sigh of relief.
“That is fortunate.”
The Grand Duchess, who had been listening with a serene face, gestured to the butler.
“Bring in the tea.”
At those words, maids entered in unison, carrying tea trays.
Cecilia blinked blankly, having expected the refreshments to be displayed buffet-style. What the maid placed before her was an individual tea tray, meticulously prepared for just one person.
The most striking item on the plate was the mini-cake in the center. Baked in the shape of a ‘B’ to symbolize Blenheim, the cake was lavishly decorated with strawberries and berries atop white cream. Surrounding it like a work of art were mini puddings topped with plenty of fruit, tarts, and small plates of cookies.
The sweet scent of fruit wafted up, making her mouth water involuntarily.
Wow… I’ve never seen an individual tea tray like this before.
Cecilia looked up to seek agreement on her surprise. Looking around, she saw the other ladies looking impressed, yet wearing strangely troubled expressions.
She could guess what Meisel had plotted this time.
She probably told the girls not to lay a finger on the refreshments on the table.
It was a tactic Cecilia had fallen victim to before. It happened back when she’d had a spat with Meisel during a tea time. When Viscountess Terito heard about it, she feared her daughter’s future might be ruined and insisted they invite Meisel over as an apology.
Meisel had attended the tea party quite readily, but she hadn't spared a single glance at the refreshments the Viscount’s family had painstakingly prepared. Instead, she had spent the time snickering rudely with the ladies she brought along before leaving.
Cecilia hadn't cared much for herself, but seeing Viscountess Terito so depressed over the incident had made her blood boil.
Though my brother was even more furious than I was.
But today, for some reason, it didn't look like Meisel’s scheme would work. If the refreshments had been served buffet-style, the plan would have gone off without a hitch. But with individual tea trays, it would be glaringly obvious who ate and who didn't.
Once the ladies left, it would be the perfect setup for the Grand Duchess to pick out those who weren't on her side. The ladies were likely hesitating for that very reason.
“This is just a gathering to get to know one another, so please, don't feel pressured and enjoy yourselves.”
Of course, it might work if they all collectively decided not to touch anything, but…
I’m not letting that happen.
Cecilia pointedly picked up her fork. As she cut a piece of cake and took a large bite, the juice from the strawberries embedded between the savory bread and cream burst refreshingly.
The chef at the Grand Duke’s Castle certainly has talent.
Seeing Cecilia happily munching on her cake, the other ladies’ expressions stiffened further.
Just then, the Grand Duchess’s blue eyes swept over the ladies’ empty hands. Even though there was clearly no ill intent, her gaze held a certain weight that was difficult to defy.
Eventually, the ladies, who had been gauging Meisel’s reaction, began to pick up their forks one by one.
“How is the taste? The chef worked quite hard to try and surprise you all.”
The Grand Duchess spoke to Roselle, the daughter of a Count sitting to her left.
“It… it is delicious, Your Highness.”
Perhaps because she was moved by the fact that the Grand Duchess had spoken to her before Meisel, Roselle replied with a flushed, excited face.
“The taste is wonderful, but the cake is so beautiful it almost feels like a waste to eat it.”
The Grand Duchess leaned toward Roselle in a friendly manner.
“Doesn't it? Apparently, it’s quite tricky to make it moist on the inside while maintaining such a shape. The chef was quite flustered at first.”
The Grand Duchess must have designed it herself.
Cecilia looked at the carefully prepared tray again. If the Grand Duchess had personally overseen the composition and setting of the refreshments, she certainly had an extraordinary sense of style.
A strong sense of curiosity about the Grand Duchess welled up within her. This was a much more interesting story than the fashions of the Capital or the scenery of the Grand Duke’s Castle.
“To have tarts topped with such fresh fruit… I feel like I could drink ten cups of tea with this.”
Karina, another daughter of a Count sitting next to Meisel, chimed in. She seemed desperate not to be outdone by Roselle.
Seeing the two ladies competing to flatter the Grand Duchess, Meisel curled her lip into a crooked smile and spoke.
“Forgive me, Your Highness, but I am not sure if I dare eat these refreshments.”
The tea room fell silent instantly.
The Grand Duchess asked with a peculiar smile, “What do you mean by that?”
“Fruit is rare during the spring in Blenheim.”
Meisel lowered her eyes, feigning embarrassment.
“The roads to Blenheim are often blocked at the slightest provocation. Of course, Your Highness might not be aware… but seeing fruit piled so high on a dessert feels somewhat extravagant to me. I suppose I cannot help it, being a person of the North.”
What is she talking about?
To discuss extravagance over a few pieces of fruit on a dessert? Cecilia frowned at the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard.
“Oh, this is quite awkward then,” the Grand Duchess said, offering an awkward smile. “I had no idea the House of Arbor was in such dire straits.”
“To not be able to eat fruit in the spring… that is something unimaginable in the Capital.”
The Grand Duchess lowered the corners of her eyes as if in pity.
“No, this isn't just a problem for the Count’s family, it’s—”
“At the very least, feel free to eat your fill here at the Grand Duke’s Castle without worry. Isn't that right, Whitley?”
The Grand Duchess turned to the butler, acting as if she hadn't heard Meisel’s last words.
“Yes, Your Highness. His Grace the Grand Duke personally gave instructions to ensure the castle never runs out of fruit.”
“I only mentioned that I liked fruit, but His Grace really is something.”
As the Grand Duchess murmured those words, Meisel’s face turned ashen.
The Grand Duchess suddenly clapped her hands together.
“Oh, while we’re at it, I should send some fruit to the House of Arbor as well.”
“That is not necessary, Your Highness.”
Despite Meisel’s hurried refusal, the Grand Duchess called for the Head Butler.
“Make sure to pack plenty of fruit for Lady Meisel to take with her when she leaves.”
“Is there anyone else who would like some?”
“Of course not.”
The ladies replied nonchalantly, struggling to suppress their laughter. Cecilia pressed her lips tight to keep from grinning.
In an instant, the House of Arbor had been relegated to a destitute family that couldn't afford fruit in the spring.
To crush Meisel without even changing her expression…
The "Villainess of the Capital" was clearly on a different level.
While Meisel sat beside her with a face flushing red and purple, the Grand Duchess was already savoring a pudding with orange slices.
The other ladies in the room were also starting to catch on.
The Grand Duchess has no intention of siding with Meisel.
This was a very different development from Meisel’s letter, which had claimed her position as the Grand Duchess’s lady-in-waiting was practically guaranteed—a letter Cecilia hadn't received. Furthermore, contrary to expectations, the Grand Duchess’s presence wasn't being overshadowed by Meisel at all.
Of course. No matter how much Meisel flies and crawls, isn't she just a big fish in a small northern pond? She’s no match for a lady from the Marquis Frais family who dominated the Capital’s social circles.
After that, the initiative of the tea time shifted completely.
Except for the frozen Meisel, a fairly harmonious atmosphere followed. The Grand Duchess seemed to have studied the ladies quite well, as various stories about their family members and territories were exchanged.
Finally, it was Cecilia’s turn.
“Sir Norton is your brother, is he not? He is one of the knights I rely on most in Blenheim.”
“You flatter him, Your Highness. It is my brother who is always indebted to Your Highness’s grace.”
In front of the Grand Duchess, who gave a soft, eye-curving smile, Cecilia found herself blushing involuntarily.
Unable to stand the sight, Meisel, who had kept her mouth shut throughout the conversation, subtly interjected.
“Lady Cecilia, didn't you say you write for a magazine that commoners read? Why don't you tell Her Highness about that?”
“A magazine?”
As the Grand Duchess tilted her head, Meisel took the opportunity to speak up aggressively.
“What was the name again? Was it Northern Gossip?”
“It’s Northern News,” Cecilia whispered, her face turning red.
Since she had failed to overshadow the Grand Duchess, it seemed Meisel intended to make an easy target out of Cecilia.
Cecilia bit the inside of her cheek hard.