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Chapter 20
To Lady Angela Farel,
As the season arrives when the sun stands highest in the sky, we invite you to attend and enjoy the fragrance of greenery in the Fairy Garden this coming Friday.
July 1st, Year 1012 of the Solar Calendar
From the Tree of Life.
Angela folded the invitation and placed it back into its envelope. It was neither overly humble nor arrogant—just a straightforward invitation. What caught her attention was the sender’s name, “Tree of Life,” a phrase traditionally used to refer to the Empress’s residence.
This would be the Empress’s first social gathering.
The Duchess of Sonz must have put a lot of thought into this.
The Empress lacked experience in high society, so having too many guests would be overwhelming. Yet it couldn’t appear too trivial either. As an Empress from a lower noble background, she couldn’t invite only high-ranking nobles—there were expectations from the people of the Empire.
Angela also recalled a conversation she had with her grandfather, Chancellor Farel.
[His Majesty the Emperor said to ensure that Her Majesty the Empress does not get too entangled in political matters. There’s the issue with the House of Larusa, and besides, she’s not particularly skilled in such affairs.]
[I see. But you can’t keep her hidden away like that forever.]
[That’s why… I was thinking of recommending you. What do you think?]
[Me?]
[The Duchess of Sonz is there, of course, but she’s better suited as a head lady-in-waiting. As a companion, the age gap is too large. The Empress has no connections in the capital, and her relatives and friends are of too low a status to be brought into the imperial palace.]
[So you’re asking me to win her trust.]
[If possible, yes. In any case, Her Majesty needs a proper friend who can also serve as an advisor.]
It wasn’t clear whether this was the Emperor’s will or her grandfather’s idea. Perhaps they wanted to prevent opportunistic flatterers from taking advantage of the still-innocent Empress. But a friendship without sincerity…
I could pretend to be her friend, Angela thought, but…
It didn’t sit well with her to deceive an innocent lady.
Moreover, becoming a close attendant meant dedicating her life to that person.
Seeing her deep in thought, Sophia—the daughter of Count Pale and Angela’s companion—spoke up.
“Is that an invitation to the Empress’s tea gathering?”
“Did you receive one too?”
“Yes. I was planning to follow your decision, Lady Angela.”
“I don’t think you need to think that deeply about it.”
“It could cause conflict, though. The nobles aligned with the Duke of Larusa might refuse the invitation. And then it could be misunderstood that Her Majesty is gathering the opposition faction…”
“If conflict arises, it will be because of Lady Eliana, not Her Majesty.”
“Either way, I’d rather not get involved. You feel the same, don’t you?”
That was true—but since she had been recommended for the role of a close attendant, she couldn’t avoid meeting the Empress at least once. If it came as an imperial command, refusal wouldn’t even be an option.
Angela sighed.
“I’ll attend.”
“Then I will too…”
“Hmm… but if it looks like we’re forming a faction, it could harm Her Majesty. You should think carefully.”
“Ah… that’s true. If people gather around you, they might think you’re using the Empress to oppose Lady Eliana.”
“Can we find out who else received invitations in advance?”
Sophia looked slightly surprised but nodded.
“Yes, that shouldn’t be difficult.”
“Then please do. There isn’t much time left.”
“Of course.”
Angela smiled gently at her response.
Seren woke up early in the morning. Though her body was tired from being overworked the night before, her heart fluttered with anticipation.
She had attended a prestigious girls’ school in Estel, where there had been small social gatherings. Some upper-class girls were there, and she had even once been invited by a baron’s daughter.
But this—this was her first real experience in high society.
Though it was just a small garden tea party, Seren felt both nervous and excited.
The invitations had been carefully sent out after multiple discussions with the Duchess of Sonz. Thirty young ladies of similar age, from various ranks and backgrounds, had been invited.
The most important guest was supposed to be Lady Eliana of the House of Larusa… but she won’t be attending today.
Seren remembered her well—the noble lady with beauty like a blooming red peony she had met in the White Flower Garden. Even now, her elegance and radiance remained vivid in her memory. It was only natural that she was called the queen of high society.
The humiliation she had felt that day surfaced briefly, but Seren shook her head and dismissed it. That had been her own mistake.
It would have been burdensome to meet her again so soon, but fortunately, she was currently away in another region.
Abba, the maid brushing Seren’s hair, said with a cheerful smile,
“Most of today’s guests are young ladies, but Your Majesty will surely be the most beautiful of all.”
“It’s not a competition of appearances.”
“Of course not. It’s only natural that Your Majesty is the most noble and lovely.”
“Don’t flatter me too much, Abba. I appreciate the compliment, but…”
“I never say things I don’t mean. There may be many beauties in high society, but none as pure and graceful as you.”
“And His Majesty the Emperor is completely captivated by you.”
Another maid chimed in. Seren blushed, feeling both awkward and secretly pleased.
In any case, she hoped to meet someone she could get along with. Making a true friend in the imperial palace like in her childhood might be difficult, but she at least wanted someone she could talk to and enjoy spending time with.
After finishing her hair, Seren went out to the rear garden to inspect the tea party venue.
The Fairy Garden was filled with large trees blooming with summer flowers, but extra shade had been set up. Elegant tea tables and chairs were arranged, and bowls of ice were placed around for use at any time.
Return gifts for the guests had also been prepared. For Seren, who had never spent this much money before, it was nerve-wracking—but the Duchess of Sonz had dismissed it as modest for the Empress’s first tea party.
After finishing the inspection, she returned to change clothes.
She wore a light dress made of cool fabric, with a refined shawl draped over it. Exposing her neckline might have looked cooler, but it wasn’t appropriate for the occasion.
Aquamarine earrings dangled from her ears, gleaming with a refreshing light. As she walked in comfortable sandals, her anklet jingled softly.
Though it was just an anklet, it felt like a secret, making her heart flutter with a mix of shyness and excitement.
Three guests had already arrived. Seren greeted them warmly.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty. My name is Emma.”
“We are delighted to greet you first. I am Eliza.”
The two sisters from the House of Ximena greeted her like twin flowers. Then Lady Brian, a viscountess, presented a bouquet.
“Thank you for granting us the honor of entering the Fairy Garden, Your Majesty.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Emma, Eliza, Lady Brian.”
Seren smiled gently as she welcomed them. More guests began to arrive, greeting her in turn. Before taking their seats, they strolled lightly through the garden, exchanging small talk.
The atmosphere shifted when the sixth guest was escorted into the garden.
“Oh my.”
Though it was improper to speak before the guest greeted the Empress, Lady Brian instinctively covered her mouth. The other guests exchanged cautious glances.
“Thank you for inviting me, Your Majesty. I am Olive of the House of Kylie.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Olive. But…”
Seren looked at her with slight confusion. Olive wore a black dress and a black gemstone necklace—it looked unmistakably like mourning attire.
At first, Seren thought she had made a mistake—perhaps she had invited someone in mourning. Yet she didn’t even know who in the Kylie family had passed away, so she couldn’t offer condolences.
But she soon realized that wasn’t the case.
Three more guests entered—and all of them were dressed in black.
