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Chapter 03
The day of the tea party arrived.
Fluffy clouds drifted lazily across the sky, and the sunlight was just right.
In the rose-filled rear garden, a beautiful fountain sent water arching into the air.
On one side of the garden, large awnings and several parasols had been set up to block the sun, and the tables were arranged in the latest fashionable style.
Mother was surprised, saying there was nothing left for her to help with.
“You know, Mother, if you do something like this just once every lifetime, that’s forty-eight times.”
I murmured that to myself and simply smiled.
“Welcome to the Marquisate of Levian.”
Wearing a pale yellow dress, I looked lively and cheerful; when I greeted the guests with a smile, they seemed to find me less intimidating and distant than usual.
“Welcome, Your Grace. Thank you for coming.”
Everyone looked pleased—except for one person, who had been forced to attend.
“Hey, Lexian. We’re at a tea party, try not to look so grim. It’s an honor to be invited, Lady Levian.”
It was Taylor Nova, the Marquis and close friend of Duke Lisianthus, who smiled warmly as he greeted me.
“I’m the one who should be thankful that you came, my lord.”
Since I was the host, the gathering consisted mostly of unmarried men and women, and the mood was quite pleasant.
Because the Levian family’s rear garden was rarely open to outsiders, the attendance rate was high, and the atmosphere soon became lively and warm.
When I had finished making my rounds, checking that everyone was comfortable and exchanging greetings again, Merina quietly approached me.
“Um, Lady Levian. Excuse me, but could you spare me a moment?”
“You mean, to speak privately?”
“Yes.”
From experience, I knew that talking alone with the heroine never led to anything good.
Nine times out of ten, it would end in some sort of misunderstanding.
For instance, I’d end up accused of slapping her when I hadn’t done a thing.
“All right, Lady Ichel. But since I can’t just disappear in the middle of hosting, let me give a few instructions to the maids first.”
Merina clasped her hands together and nodded.
“Would you wait for me in the small garden over there? The one with the rose-covered arch—it’s quiet and perfect for conversation.”
As her small figure headed toward the garden, I turned to my friend.
“Stella.”
“The atmosphere’s nice, Roa. You did all this yourself?”
“Yeah. But listen—Merina Ichel just asked to talk to me. You know the little arch by the garden? Bring someone trustworthy and come there quietly.”
“No problem. But why?”
“Because I don’t want to be accused of something I didn’t do.”
Stella, who knew about the strange rumors surrounding me, raised one golden eyebrow in silent understanding.
I called the head maid and told her I’d be gone for a short while, to take good care of the guests, and to inform my mother if anything troubling happened.
The small arch adorned with roses stood about ten meters from the main garden. Tall grass surrounded the area, making it easy for someone to hide unnoticed.
Standing by the lush roses, Merina Ichel looked like a fragile flower herself—someone who simply had to be loved by all the male leads.
Because of that woman, I had died several times.
There was a time when I felt furious about it, but that emotion was long gone.
Now, to me, Merina was nothing more than a means to extend my lifespan.
The easiest way to twist a story was to turn the heroine into the villainess.
“Lady Ichel.”
At my even-toned call, Merina turned around. Her golden hair and light brown eyes were bright and radiant—such a stark contrast to my darker appearance.
“First of all, thank you for coming to our family’s recent banquet.”
“Not at all. It was only proper that I attend and offer my congratulations.”
Rustle. A faint sound came from the grass—Stella must have arrived.
Fortunately, Merina didn’t seem to notice. She hesitated for a moment, and when I gestured as if to leave, she quickly stopped me.
“Lady Levian, do you… have feelings for Duke Lisianthus?”
“I believe you know it’s quite rude to ask such personal questions, Lady Ichel.”
“I do, but it’s an important matter for me.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand. Could you explain in more detail?”
Seeing that I was willing to continue, Merina smiled brightly.
“I’ve met the Duke several times. During that time, a fondness for him grew in me.”
Her gaze went dreamy as she stared into the air, then stepped closer to me.
“People say the Duke is cold, but I know that’s not true. I can see a person’s heart.”
She clasped her hands to her chest and asked,
“You, Lady Levian—you only see his position and outward appearance, don’t you? He actually has a very gentle heart.”
Her pretentious familiarity with Duke Lisianthus was almost laughable.
After all, I was the one who knew him best.
“If he finds out that you’re only interested in his status and looks, he’ll be hurt.”
With my back to the bushes, Stella and her companion couldn’t see my face, so I didn’t bother hiding my disbelief.
I even let out a small, sarcastic laugh, which made Merina finally raise her voice.
“So please—don’t torment him anymore! I beg you!”
Anyone hearing that would think I’d punched the Duke in the face.
Merina was always like this, acting as if she were the only kindhearted person in the world.
I was used to this way of talking, so I wasn’t surprised—just tired of dealing with it.
Still, I forced myself to sound shaken, pretending to tremble.
“Lady Ichel… I-I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. What you said was so shocking—”
“—Please, stay away from the Duke.”
Merina stepped toward me, and though she didn’t even touch me, I pretended to stumble back.
“Kyaa!”
“Lady Levian?”
“I… I’ll be going now.”
While she was still startled, I got up and staggered away, making sure people could see me.
“Lady Levian!”
Merina called after me, but I quickened my pace.
Most of the guests were gathered under the large awnings now.
Since it was rare for the Duke to appear at such casual social gatherings, everyone was eager to speak with him.
The audience was ready; now all the leading actors had to do was play their parts.
“Duke Lisianthus.”
As the host approached, people naturally stepped aside to make way.
“Are you and Lady Ichel in a relationship?”
The answer, of course, was no.
Among the four male leads, the Duke was the last to realize his feelings and acknowledge them. He didn’t even court the heroine properly.
Those cool blue eyes looked down at me.
“May I ask what prompted that question?”
“Lady Ichel told me not to even speak to you.”
I lowered my gaze slightly and clasped my hands together.
“It’s just that my younger brother in the knights often says he admires you, Commander of the Imperial Knights. So I only wished to talk to you briefly…”
My voice trembled faintly—just enough to elicit sympathy from the onlookers.
“Lady Ichel said that you and the Duke share special feelings for each other. If that’s the case, I understand it would be rude of me, so I wanted to ask directly.”
“If that’s your concern, then let me clarify: Lady Ichel and I are not in such a relationship.”
His cold tone gave exactly the answer I wanted.
“I’ve only spoken with her a few times in public settings. That’s all.”
Whatever trouble this caused him later didn’t matter.
“Lady!”
As long as it made Merina lose her composure—
“How could you ask something like that?”
Her trembling voice made it obvious she was on the verge of tears. I bit my tongue, hard.
Pain shot through me, and tears welled up reflexively. I blinked once.
Drop.
A single tear rolled down my pale cheek—faster than hers.
Merina Ichel’s tearful eyes instantly dried up.
