Chapter 34: The Tea Party
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 34: The Tea Party
Ferda was a nobleman.
He was born into the Rosnova family, a lineage of knights who served as vassals to Duke Houston. As a member of an honorable knightly house, Ferda had been strictly trained in the finest etiquette from a young age.
Though he had been cast out of his family under the guise of becoming the Archduchess’s fiancé, he had clawed his way up to the rank of Archmage, attaining a status no less than that of a high noble. Despite his pedigree, however, Ferda was a complete stranger to social circles.
In House Rosnova, he had been an illegitimate child, never granted the opportunity to mingle; as an Archmage, he had simply refused to.
‘I never even touched food prepared by others.’
After surviving several near-fatal poisoning attempts, he had stopped eating anything he hadn't prepared himself. This remained true even after his body reached a point where toxins could no longer kill him. His life strategy had always been to drive people away with hatred and discard them, rather than fostering deep human relationships.
Thus, this was the very first tea party of Ferda’s life.
* * *
One hour before the scheduled time:
“This is the parlor where you and the Master can enjoy your hobbies after the wedding. The tea party will be held here.”
Ruri led Ferda to the meeting place ahead of time, explaining the layout. Since it was Ferda’s duty to escort the lady, she wanted to ensure he was fully aware of his surroundings first.
Ferda turned his gaze toward the terrace. “You can see the West from here.”
“It’s a room designed so that you can focus entirely on your leisure, after all.”
The atmosphere was certainly different. The Land of Demons, which remained gloomy even after sunrise, naturally led one into dark, heavy thoughts—but this place felt purely peaceful. It was the perfect spot to find ease while watching the sunset.
“And the tea party will take place here.”
Two chairs and a single table were positioned to enjoy the view. On the table sat two teacups, a tiered tray enchanted with cooling magic, and an array of intricately decorated desserts. They were extravagant, unlike anything Ferda had seen before.
“What are these confections?”
“Macarons, Mont Blancs, pastries… they go by many names. I personally selected twenty varieties from the 150 types of desserts the patissiers scouted from the Imperial Palace can make.”
“I see.”
Ferda was about to move on, thinking she had gone to a lot of trouble, when he suddenly paused. The fact that she had personally selected them meant…
“Does that mean you’ve tasted them all yourself?”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“All one hundred and fifty?”
When he emphasized the number, Ruri’s expression soured. “I know what you’re thinking. Do you think I just ate them to satisfy my own greed?”
“Isn’t that obvious?” Ferda replied honestly.
Having seen Ruri devouring honey preserves with such gusto back in Escoleia, he couldn't help but be suspicious.
Ruri scowled deeply. “Those are some very rude thoughts. I put a great deal of effort into preparing this tea party. I savored and strictly selected each one, agonizing over whether I had missed anything. There is no greater labor than this, and you don't appreciate it?”
To Ferda, it sounded like she had simply eaten three hundred desserts.
Her face was so deadpan that most people would have been fooled. Even the suspicious Ferda might have fallen for that ironclad poker face—if she hadn't made one crucial mistake.
“There’s powdered sugar on your mouth.”
At Ferda’s words, Ruri wiped her lip with a finger. She glanced at the white powder on her fingertip and then naturally popped it into her mouth.
“I simply needed to determine if there was any poison. The Master wouldn't succumb to amateurish toxins, but you are a human, Lord Ferda.”
“Is that so?”
“You don't believe me. You don't think of me as a pig, do you?”
“How could you be a pig? Your loyalty is like that of a dog… so if I had to say…” Ferda nodded slightly. “You must be a dog-pig.”
“Please, just once, tell me to hit you. I’m begging you.”
Ruri’s face was flushed with irritation. Since Ferda was not a fan of pain, he had no intention of granting her request.
Ruri glanced at the sun and took a step back. The appointed time was drawing near.
“I shall go fetch the Master. In the meantime…” Ruri shot him a fierce glare. “Do not touch the tray.”
“Don’t worry.”
I’m not you.
Ruri stepped out of the room to bring Valdrova. Ferda waited for her quietly.
‘This will be our second meeting.’
The only meeting in Ferda’s memory was when he had seen her face clearly. At the engagement ceremony, he had barely seen her chin, and when she had been unable to control her blood energy, he had been too preoccupied to look. This was the first time they would have a proper conversation.
‘The first time… huh.’
A sudden sense of helplessness washed over him.
‘What should I even say first…?’
Ferda brushed his lips with his hand. If it were a normal meeting, he could just naturally blend into the atmosphere. But the reason for this meeting was rooted in Valdrova’s anxiety—and Ferda still had no answer for that.
That was why he had called upon a man with expertise in this field: Jed Swallow.
— That? It’s better to just play dumb.
Jed Swallow. He was a man who had seduced many women during his days as a gigolo.
— There’s no need to explain yourself; just show her through your actions. There’s no need to dampen the mood with depressing talk, right? Just pretend you don’t know and try to liven things up.
Ferda thought that made sense. While it might be better to apologize for making her feel neglected, she probably wouldn't want such a gloomy atmosphere at a tea party.
‘Pretending not to know might be the best way.’
Not bringing the problem to the surface was one strategy. The important thing, ultimately, was to ensure that the Archduchess did not feel anxious. Ferda steeled himself and waited.
“The Master is entering.”
Ruri’s voice came from outside the door. Simultaneously, the door opened. Ferda welcomed her with his prepared greeting.
“Welcome—”
Ferda’s words caught in his throat. No matter how composed he was, he couldn't help but be flustered by the sight before him.
Red hair and golden eyes. Her face, so beautiful that even a painting would be an insult to it… was nowhere to be seen.
‘A Dragon Knight?’
The figure walking through the door was a Dragon Knight. The helmet and armor were designed to trigger a human’s primal fear. Of course, in Ferda’s case, that fear was replaced by sheer bewilderment.
At the same time, he felt a sense of déjà vu from the armor.
‘I wondered where I’d seen it… it was the engagement ceremony.’
It was the armor he had seen after he had spilled the engagement wine. That meant the person inside was undoubtedly Valdrova.
Why was she wearing that armor?
Ferda glanced at Ruri, who was standing behind her. Their eyes met. Ruri stared at him intently and then slowly shook her head. It was a gesture that practically screamed, ‘Please don’t ask.’
After a moment’s thought, Ferda offered a polite bow.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, my Liege.”
In response, the figure’s hands folded demurely, and the dragon-headed helmet gave a slight nod. Her movements felt like those of an awkward young lady who had just made her social debut.
Clank, clank.
With stiff movements, she stepped onto the carpet and sat down across from Ferda.
Creeeeeak—.
The chair let out a groan. Despite the immense weight of the armor, the chair held firm without breaking.
‘Act as if nothing is wrong…’
Recalling Jed’s advice, Ferda spoke. “I am very pleased that you suggested this meeting first.”
Nod.
The only response was a single tilt of the head.
An awkward silence followed. Everything seemed to freeze. Cold sweat broke out, and even breathing felt difficult. Ferda struggled to find words to keep the conversation going.
“That armor is truly fitting for the Aspect of a Dragon.”
Nod.
She answered with another nod.
“How have you been lately?”
“……”
He had thrown out a topic that required a verbal response. Valdrova made a circle with her thumb and index finger.
“You’ve been well. That is a relief.”
Nod.
Ferda felt like he was going to die. He wanted to let out a sigh to ease the tension, but he didn't dare. His nervous heart was boiling over, but it felt trapped like a tightly sealed pot.
Meanwhile, Ruri performed her role as a background prop perfectly, pouring the brewed tea into the cups.
I should at least hydrate my parched throat.
Ferda picked up his cup.
‘Come to think of it, does that helmet even have an opening for drinking?’
He suddenly looked to see how she would manage. She was sitting still, her gaze fixed on the floor.
“Are you able to eat while wearing that armor?”
“……”
She fumbled with her helmet, tapping near the mouth area. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she looked up. It was the behavior of someone who hadn't thought that far ahead.
“Why don't you take it off?”
Shake, shake!
She refused vehemently. He could feel her determination not to show her face. Even Ferda, who was trying to act as if everything was normal, began to find this awkward atmosphere unbearable.
‘She suggests a tea party, yet she neither eats nor drinks…’
It would have been less awkward if they were at least talking, but she was refusing even that.
‘She must be angry after all.’
Until now, Ferda had made her believe he was tired of her. To be acting so nonchalantly after making her feel so anxious… he felt like a truly pathetic man.
Therefore, Ferda decided to apologize.
“I am sorry.”
Clatter!
Valdrova’s armor jolted violently.
“I dared to cause the Archduchess distress, yet here I am acting so casually. It was a foolish thought. I should have apologized first…”
—……
“You may blame me. I am the one at fault, so no matter what you say—”
“T-That’s not it!”
Ferda was startled. A loud voice echoed from within the helmet. There was a gap between her tone and her words, but it was the voice itself that surprised him. What erupted from the helmet was the heavy, resonant voice of a warrior.
“That is…”
Valdrova also seemed surprised by her own voice and covered the mouth of the helmet.
“That is… the reason I’m not speaking… it’s not because I’m angry, nor because you did anything wrong, Lord Ferda.”
The head of the fearsome Dragon Knight fidgeted its fingers shyly.
“I-It’s just that I c-can’t seem to speak to you… that’s the o-only reason I couldn't answer…”
“Ah.”
Only then did Ferda remember something. It was something Ruri had told him during the engagement ceremony.
‘Social phobia.’
She found humans difficult.
Right. He knew that, so why had he assumed she was angry? He had been so focused on his own concerns that he had forgotten her circumstances.
“I apologize. I was thoughtless. Please forgive me.”
“No. I’m the one who should be sorry… calling you here and then keeping my mouth shut like this…”
“Not at all, I…”
The conversation cut off abruptly as they repeatedly apologized to each other. In the heavy atmosphere, Ferda didn't dare open his mouth. He secretly searched his mind for a spell that could break this silence.
“Um…”
Valdrova, having found her voice, painfully brought up a topic. “The reason I… wore this armor…”
Ferda waited for her to finish.
“Ruri said… that my expressions show everything.”
Ferda tilted his head. “Your expressions show everything?”
“She says that when I’m in human form… it all shows on my face. So… I wasn't confident in what kind of face I’d be making when I looked at you…”
She hesitated before finally finishing her sentence. “So I w-wore iiiiit.”
The end of her sentence trailed off into a squeak, and Valdrova covered her mouth with both hands.
“I must look… truly stup…id, right?”
The heavy warrior’s voice trembled delicately. Looking at her behavior, he could clearly feel it—how hard she was trying to hide her emotions.
‘Truly…’
To be unable to hide them meant she was pure. Because she was so pure, whether she wore a shell or spoke with a heavy voice, she couldn't hide the essence he felt with his heart.
‘Beautiful.’
That was why she was beautiful. Ferda answered her question.
“That is not true. I, too, am trembling even at this very moment.”
Valdrova looked up at Ferda. He could feel her eyes scanning him.
“Liar,” Valdrova said.
“Pardon?”
“You say that, but you don't look like you’re trembling at all… I’m even stuttering, but you look perfectly fine.”
“It’s because I want to look good for you. I’m forcing myself to pretend I’m not trembling.”
“Is that how it is?”
She reacted as if she couldn't understand. Since Valdrova had confessed her embarrassment, it was now Ferda’s turn to confess.
“The reason I haven't seen you lately was because I was also afraid.”
“Of what?”
“The mana within me is tinged with darkness.”
“Darkness…?”
“Yes. My mana is tinged with darkness. So I was worried that the darkness might harm Your Grace. That is why…” Ferda’s eyes turned toward her again. His blue eyes were shining like sapphires. “I didn't have the confidence to see you.”
“……”
There was no answer. Hearing those words, Valdrova fidgeted with her fingers and repeatedly clenched and unclenched her fists. It was an action as if she were trying to suppress some rising emotion.
“Lord Ferda…” Her voice was one of restraint. “You were worried about me?”
“Yes. Was it presumptuous of me?”
“No. It’s just… I’m a little happy…”
Only then did he see it. All those actions were like those of a delicate maiden.
“Does that make you happy?”
The menacing helmet nodded lightly.
“Until now, except for Ruri, I’ve never thought that anyone was worried about me… because people think I’m strong. And I am. But… you were afraid that I might get hurt? So… strangely, that makes me happy.”
She placed a hand on her chest, composing her emotions.
“What you gave me back then…”
On the day she was suffering from uncontrollable blood energy.
“What I felt… was a sensation I had never felt before.”
Valdrova retraced the memory of that day with a voice full of sentiment.
“That cozy, warm thing circulating through my body… I think that’s what it would feel like if someone hugged me. There’s no way something like that could harm me, right?”
“Is that… so?”
“Yes.”
Her hands fidgeted again. Her legs twisted. Her girlish behavior stood out in stark contrast to her solemn tone.
“I’m so happy just being like this. This moment, facing you, Lord Ferda, makes me so happy… It makes me so happy that…”
Valdrova’s voice cut off. “Ah.”
As if she had suddenly become conscious of something she hadn't realized.
“Are you alright?”
“Um… I-I’m sorry, but… m-may I s-stand up…?”
“Pardon?”
“I-It’s just, I-I feel like I’m g-going to s-scream if I stay here any longer, and that would be a nuisance, so, I-I’m s-s…”
Trembling violently, Valdrova didn't know what to do.
“I’m sorryyyyy!”
With that apology, she threw herself off the terrace.
Ferda and Ruri stared down at the spot. Even at a glance, it was a dizzying height from the ground. However, no one thought that Valdrova would be hurt.
Ruri, who had been standing like a folding screen, spoke up. “Well, I suppose we can consider this tea party a success.”
She popped a dessert from the tiered tray into her mouth. Ferda stared down at the spot where she had fallen, dwelling on her words.
‘Right.’
And suddenly, he realized.
‘Valdrova was such a simple woman.’
A pure woman who couldn't even look her fiancé in the eye. Such a woman had been forced to act as a ruler under the weight she carried.
‘But the world is not easy.’
He knew this as well. The world tried to crush her, as if even that simplicity was too much for her to have. The swarming monsters, the corruption of the Empire, her past—all of it constantly tested and weighed her down.
‘I made a vow.’
That he would protect what she loved and fulfill what she only dared to wish for. That ultimately, the name Valdrova would be reborn not as a synonym for fear, but as a name of joy.
To achieve that, what Ferda needed was decisiveness.
‘Sometimes, I must be bold.’
And if necessary, cruel.
The fear that he might harm Valdrova could no longer shake him. A sense of duty became the fuel that ignited the fire within his heart.
* * *
The next day, Ferda called Jed and told him about his plan. After listening to the story, Jed asked:
“Are you insane?”
It was a remarkably rude remark, but surprisingly, it was a word Jed had chosen after much deliberation. That was how absurd Ferda’s plan was.
“You’re going to rob the Imperial Warehouse?”