Chapter 69: Rosette’s Gift
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 69: Rosette’s Gift
*
The day of the tea party finally dawned.
Since it was a special occasion, I woke up early to get ready alongside Veronica. As I put on the dress Dantalion had sent, I felt like a doll being dressed up for playtime.
[The outfit suits you perfectly, Master!]
‘Really?’
Even Desmond, who was usually stingy with compliments, raised his paws in approval. Seeing the teddy bear’s adorable little arms, the corners of my mouth curled upward.
“Hoho, the star of today’s tea party is going to be the Little Lady, isn’t it?”
“I think so too.”
Veronica playfully chimed in at Sophia’s remark. As a child, there wasn’t much to do for my grooming, yet Veronica had finished her own preparations quickly and was still fussing over me.
“Wouldn’t this ribbon be cuter?”
“No, I think that hairclip would be better…”
“…”
I watched their seemingly endless bickering with bored eyes.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
At that moment, the Duke and Vincent entered the room.
“Oh, our Berry and Dia. You both look very beautiful today.”
“Father, haven’t you left yet?”
“How could I leave on such an important day?”
“Oh, Father, really.”
Normally, the Duke should have been on his way to the Imperial Palace by now. As the head of the Noble Council, he surely had a mountain of work.
However, today was the day Veronica would announce her marriage to Dantalion to their closest vassal families. Most nobles already knew, so it was a mere formality, but it seemed today held special meaning for the Duke nonetheless.
“I’ll do well. Don’t worry too much.”
“Right. I’ll leave the knights behind, so use them as escorts. If anything happens, make sure to let me know.”
“Yes, I will.”
Moreover, since Cedric’s threat hadn’t been fully neutralized yet, the Duke’s concern was great.
But besides the knights, the demons of the gems were protecting us, so nothing major was likely to happen.
“Gwandpa, have a thaf twip!”
“Oh, my little Dia. You’re so cute even with a missing front tooth.”
“Hmph.”
It’s already a complex of mine, and he’s teasing me again!
I fumed inwardly while putting on a tearful face. Seeing me like that, the Duke let out another hearty laugh, calling me precious.
‘Whew, he’s a tough one to please.’
One day, even if the Duke teases me, I’ll just give him a cynical look. I’ll be able to rebel a bit once I hit puberty.
Actually, wouldn’t that be more natural back then?
While I was lost in my imagination, Vincent also stroked my head and showered me with excessive praise. Then, the two of them left for the Imperial Palace.
“Now, shall we head to the garden?”
“Mhm.”
I took Veronica’s hand and headed downstairs. Abel and Nathaniel were waiting for me on the first floor.
‘It looks like the Duke is trying to make those two my permanent escorts.’
It seemed the Duke had come up with this method because I had shown discomfort around the large, imposing knights—except for Sir Raven—thinking they might be too much for the young Claudia.
Well, it’s true that I’m more comfortable with these two than the knights.
Since I have the reliable demons anyway, the more the merrier, right? I approached the two with a bright smile.
“Did you wait long?”
“No, I just arrived as well.”
I gave a satisfied smile at Abel’s gentlemanly response. As expected, his future is bright.
“Yeah, I waited a long time.”
“…”
Nathaniel, however, gave a blunt, factual answer with a deadpan face.
This one still has a long way to go. I clicked my tongue inwardly and shook my head.
“Niel, in times like thith, you’re thuppothed to thay you didn’t wait long, like Abel!”
“Why?”
“Becauth that’th mannerth!”
“Mannerth?”
“Man. Ners!”
It wasn’t easy to pronounce things with a missing front tooth. My speech sounded clumsy even though I wasn’t trying to act cute for the adults.
“Okay, I get it. I didn’t wait long.”
“Mhm, good boy.”
When Nathaniel nodded and spoke obediently, I reached out and patted his head. Of course, because of the height difference, Nathaniel had to lean down.
“Now, let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Sensing it was time, Veronica, who had been watching us with a fond expression, took my hand again.
Come to think of it, perhaps because they were attending the tea party, Abel and Nathaniel were dressed more handsomely than usual.
Abel wore a dark navy suit that matched his hair color, while Nathaniel was in a pure white suit.
‘If there were girls their age here, they’d be swooning.’
I grinned to myself. Of course, it was great eye candy for me as well.
“Wow.”
A large crowd had already gathered in the spacious garden of the Winston townhouse.
Several tables and chairs were set up in scenic spots. While some were already seated, the party hadn’t officially begun, so most people were moving about and chatting in a relaxed atmosphere.
“Lady Veronica, you’ve arrived.”
“Yes, thank you for coming today.”
Nobles who recognized Veronica approached to greet her. After exchanging graceful greetings, Veronica led me toward the head table.
“I am truly grateful to all of you for attending the tea party I’ve hosted today. I have prepared fine tea and desserts, so please, enjoy yourselves.”
As Veronica spoke elegantly with a bright smile, the nobles burst into applause. It was a sight akin to fans cheering for an idol.
‘Well, Veronica is the Empire’s only Ducal Lady and the greatest beauty in this world’s setting.’
I’d heard that when she married Cedric, some noble sons were so heartbroken they even contemplated suicide, so I could tell just how immense her popularity was.
“Congratulations on your marriage, Lady Veronica.”
“Congratulations.”
The nobles, who already knew the news, naturally offered their congratulations. Veronica nodded with a smile.
“Honestly, we are so relieved that you are becoming the Empress, Lady Veronica.”
“That’s right. We were a bit worried about the other candidates.”
Seated near Veronica were the wives and young ladies of the families closest to House Winston.
It seemed they had been quite anxious that someone like Rosette might become the Empress.
‘Since Veronica was a Ducal Lady, she’ll manage internal affairs well, and her personality is on the gentler side.’
The Rosette I saw at the banquet was a total piece of work. She was the typical type to look down on others and try to assert dominance, so she wasn't suited to be Empress in the first place.
“By the way, the Little Lady is so cute today.”
“Hehe, thank you.”
“Oh my, your front tooth… Your baby teeth are already falling out?”
“Yes, it was wobbly for a bit and then it fell out.”
“Oh, my children also…”
The topic of conversation at the table shifted quickly. The noblewomen, showing interest in me, laughed as they saw my missing tooth and excitedly shared stories about their own children. I was glad the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
“Wait, why is that person here…?”
“…?”
Just then, a commotion broke out behind the table. I turned around, wondering what was happening.
‘Ack.’
Rosette, whom everyone had been gossiping about just moments ago, was striding toward us with an air of confidence.
After the confrontation at the banquet, Veronica obviously wouldn't have invited Rosette. That was why all the nobles present were looking on in horror.
“Greetings to the Lady of the House.”
“…Welcome, Lady Chernoke.”
Veronica barely managed to maintain her smile as she spoke. Her questioning gaze drifted behind Rosette.
Since she didn't have an invitation, the servants must have tried to stop her, but it seemed Rosette had forced her way in. The servants looked at Veronica, unsure of what to do.
Soon, Veronica gave them a subtle nod, signaling it was fine. Only then did the servants quickly retreat.
“You must have worked hard to travel such a long way.”
“I have more free time than others, so it was no trouble at all.”
“Oh, how fortunate for you.”
“Indeed.”
The two exchanged smiles while their words were laced with thorns.
First, Veronica was indirectly saying, ‘It’s impressive you crawled all the way here without an invitation,’ and Rosette threw it back by subtly complaining about being the only one not invited.
In truth, the Marquis Chernoke family, being part of the Imperial Faction, was on relatively good terms with Winston. It was just that Rosette was so greedy for the Empress’s seat; Marquis Chernoke himself didn't want to fall out with Winston.
So, normally, Rosette would have naturally received an invitation—if she hadn't caused that scene herself.
“I haven't prepared a seat for you. Would you mind waiting a moment?”
“That’s quite alright. I only came to deliver a congratulatory gift.”
“A gift?”
A congratulatory gift? From someone with Rosette’s personality?
Something’s fishy.
As if sharing my thoughts, Veronica’s face stiffened with a similar suspicion.
Clap!
As Rosette clapped her hands, those following her approached, carrying something.