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Chapter : 23
“Has someone come?”
“It seems Count Dude has paid an unexpected visit.”
“Really? Must be urgent, huh?”
“The Marquis is usually so busy.”
It was unexpected. Since Frisia had arrived here, Hats hadn’t called anyone over for work. No matter how busy he was, he only signed documents at the mansion, handling the rest of his affairs elsewhere. But whatever this was, it must be important.
Frisia glanced out the window, then sat across from Ron at the table.
“Did you bring it?”
“Yes. I’ve organized everything into documents. The budget intended for the mansion construction and the remaining assets as well.”
“Good work.”
Frisia stared at the documents repeatedly.
The money Ron had planned to use for the construction came from selling three or four necklaces from Frisia’s royal treasury. It was incredibly fortunate that smart Ron had brought other items, not just heirloom necklaces.
And luckily, the items that hadn’t yet been unpacked were still in the carriage, not the mansion, so they could be retrieved. Since all of Frisia’s belongings had been arranged with only the finest items by Rochelin, the necklaces sold for a high price—enough to rebuild a burned-down mansion or two without a problem.
The rest of the assets were all land deeds that Ron had reissued. Thanks to Hats, they could quickly reclaim the documents. Because Ron had restored the ownership in Frisia’s name when handling the previous incident, all the property legally belonged to her.
The documents containing maps and information about the lands and mountains Frisia had seen from the second floor of the mansion were substantial.
“With this money, a few tea parties should be fine, right?”
“If it’s just a simple tea party, several times wouldn’t be a problem. But if it’s in the mansion, you’ll need the Marquis’s permission.”
“That’s true… but I don’t want to owe Hats anything.”
“But if it’s going to be held at the mansion, you need the Marquis’s approval.”
“Yeah….”
She didn’t want to be indebted, yet the situation left her no choice. It was frustrating that leaving Hats’ side meant facing unknown dangers, possibly life-threatening.
Frisia squeezed her eyes shut.
I need to become stronger, and soon. Somehow.
“I’ll handle inviting the guests. Ron, you have other tasks.”
“I already took care of the informants this afternoon.”
“Really?”
“I gave them plenty of money, so they’ll find out everything—what happens in the palace and even the small rumors from the streets. The information should come in within a few days, so don’t worry.”
“Good. Also, Ron, do you know how to act?”
Ron, organizing the documents Frisia had placed down, froze.
“Act? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“The tea party is in two weeks. Let’s practice acting until then.”
At the sudden remark, Ron stared at Frisia in disbelief, but she was wearing an ambitious smile.
A few days later, Frisia sent out gold-embossed tea party invitations to the young ladies.
She took one and entered Hats’ study.
Upon opening the door, she saw Hats surrounded by piles of documents. His right hand held a quill and was busy signing papers, while his left hand was thickly bandaged.
“When are you going to take off that bandage?”
“Soon, I guess. Why? Are you worried?”
“Is it just me, or does it seem like the bandage is getting bigger?”
“Maybe.”
Frisia narrowed her eyes suspiciously at his left hand, and Hats subtly lowered it out of her view.
“What is it?”
“This is for you.”
“What is it?”
“An invitation.”
“Oh, the tea party you’re holding at my mansion.”
Before even opening the invitation, Hats had already guessed, surprising Frisia.
“How did you know?”
“Isn’t it strange if I didn’t? Everything happening in my mansion is reported to me.”
“Wow, so thorough.”
Frisia plopped onto the sofa facing Hats’ desk in resignation.
“Sorry for not asking beforehand. But it’s necessary.”
“Necessary?”
“Yes.”
Not for fun, but because it’s necessary? Hats felt puzzled by Frisia’s words but opened the invitation casually.
“How many did you invite?”
“Um, about four?”
“Do as you see fit. No special preparation needed for that many.”
“Thank you, Hats. I’ll handle the tea party costs myself, so you don’t have to do anything. I really appreciate it.”
“If you’re that grateful, you should like me back.”
Hats chuckled, but Frisia didn’t respond.
Hats, signing more documents, looked up at her.
“Not angry?”
“Why would I be?”
“You got mad when I said something like that before.”
“That’s enough now. Well, take care.”
Frisia smiled awkwardly and left the study.
Hats frowned, staring at the closed door. Something felt off. The seemingly naïve tomboyish girl suddenly felt mature.
The rigidly exclusive Marquis’s mansion became busy with preparations for the tea party. Maids worked hard to prepare perfect desserts, and gardeners and butlers reorganized the mansion without a break.
Four young ladies were invited. Three were the ladies she had met at the previous exhibition, two of whom were known for talking too much. The fourth was Peach.
On the day of the tea party, Frisia, elegantly dressed early, stepped into the garden and gasped.
“What is all this?”
“Your Highness, this was prepared by the Marquis for the event.”
“Why?”
“Why? Well… for the tea party, of course…”
The garden was always beautiful, but Frisia had only asked the butler to place one table. Yet today, it was decorated even more splendidly.
A pristine white table matched the number of guests. When seated, a fountain was visible to the left and a pond to the right. Above, a trellis of roses, white and yellow, bloomed abundantly. Around the pond, hydrangeas were larger than usual. The garden was more vibrant than ever.
From the entrance to the table, marble paths were lined with baskets of white hyacinths.
Frisia, mesmerized, was snapped back to reality by Peach’s arrival.
“Oh my! It’s so beautiful, Your Highness.”
“Peach, you came?”
Peach had arrived early to bring special items. She instructed the attendants to move gift boxes beside the table.
Soon, the invited young ladies, elegantly dressed, entered the garden. Though noble and composed, they were awestruck by the luxurious mansion. Nervousness was hidden behind their pretentious airs.
“Your Highness, thank you for the invitation.”
They curtsied slightly in unison.
“Welcome.”
Frisia smiled lightly and guided them to the table. They followed gracefully.
“Thank you all for coming on such short notice.”
As maids served desserts and tea, the young ladies glanced at each other. Frisia, who had behaved absurdly at the exhibition, now embodied the perfect princess.
“But… why did you invite us?”
“Oh my, did I give that impression?”
A brown-haired young lady asked boldly, and Frisia hurriedly spoke from her teacup.
“I had no particular intention. I regretted our previous meeting and wanted to get to know you better.”
The young ladies’ eyes widened in disbelief. It was absurd. That day, Frisia had ranted incomprehensibly, mocked them, and even announced her engagement to the Marquis.
“So, Princess, let me ask directly.”
“Yes, anything.”
“Why, if you’re engaged to the Marquis, did you say those things to us?”
“Oh… do you mean when I told you to make a move?”
Frisia pretended to ponder, then clasped her hands seriously.
“That was true. Ladies like you shouldn’t miss opportunities. I just wanted to encourage you, but if it seemed deceptive, I apologize.”
Though hastily said, it wasn’t wrong. Before Hats announced the engagement, everyone had dreamed, even once, of confessing to the Marquis. It was natural. Hats was wealthy and capable, owning dozens of grand estates across the empire and astonishingly handsome.
The young ladies quietly sipped their tea, impressed. Frisia gave Peach a subtle signal.
“Oh ho ho! Ladies, the Princess felt sorry about last time and prepared gifts.”
“What?”
The young ladies set their teacups down. Peach instructed the maids to bring out neatly wrapped gift boxes, one for each lady.
“What is this?”
“A token of my regard. Open it.”
The young ladies opened the boxes, surprised, and smiled broadly.
“Do you like it?”
“How… how did you get this?”
“Well, somehow.”
Frisia smiled. She had given them jewelry—newly released, limited necklaces and rings. From a gem-studded necklace, a gold chain extended along the shoulder to a ring, a complete set.
Seeing their joy, Frisia thought:
It’s a predictable gift, but young ladies love this. I went through so much to get it. Paid triple the original price to have it made in time, all different designs for each guest.
Though she thought this, outwardly she smiled elegantly.
“Take the big boxes on your way back too.”
“Those too?”
“They’re new dresses Peach will release next season, not yet on the market. Special, right, Peach?”
“Of course, Your Highness. Only the three of you get them, special permission.”
“Oh my! We haven’t prepared anything, yet we receive so much…”
The gifts had a strong effect. The young ladies’ attitudes changed instantly, their hostility replaced with fondness.
“Take them without hesitation. I’m already happy you came on short notice. Simply…”
“Simply…?”
“Consider it the price for the gifts—would you be my friends?”
The young ladies hugged their gift boxes and replied in unison:
“Of course, Your Highness!”
Frisia smiled contentedly.
“Thank you, I’m so glad to have friends.”
“Friends with the Princess? What an honor!”
“Shall we introduce ourselves?”
Since they were of similar age, winning their favor made the rest easy. Previously shrouded in mystery, Frisia was a subject of envy and curiosity. Her calling them friends made a strong impression. Her beauty surpassed her reputation.
The young ladies, captivated by Frisia’s pale, radiant skin, thought she and the Marquis made a perfect couple.
Feeling privileged, they quickly showed friendliness, laughing at small jokes, giggling at gestures. The tea time atmosphere warmed immediately.
Frisia memorized their features for easy recall: the brown-haired one was Lena, the freckled blonde was Melkin, and the one with a beauty mark by her eyes was Cecilia.
As a third of the cookies disappeared, someone suddenly ran to the table.
“Your Highness!”
It was Ron.
