A maid approached in a couple of strides.
What is it?
I have a letter for you, my lady.
A letter? For ?
Thats strange, I wonder who would have sent this?
I narrowed my eyes.
The maid politely handed the letter to .
After receiving it, I turned it over and looked at the na of the sender.
Sienna Antes?
It was a na Id never expected.
As I read the na in a sullen voice, Damians eyes showed concern.
What? Why is Sienna writing to you?
I dont know thats what Im curious to find out.
I opened the letter.
Aside from the stiff, high-quality paper used for the letter, the letter was written with neat handwriting.
Salutations, this is Sienna Antes. I apologize for writing this letter to you all of a sudden.
I smiled involuntarily.
It was because I could just hear Siennas voice through her writing.
Were going to hold a spring tea party this season, but since Ive only been in the north, Im not familiar with the customs for a spring tea party. I would be so glad if Lady Charlize could help. Would that be all right?}
From Siennas point of view, this must have been embarrassing for her.
I nodded.
Spring tea parties were obviously not a custom in the north.
In a land where there are no springs, what are spring customs needed for?
But theres no easier route to making an impression on society than hosting a spring tea party.
{If youre unfortable with this type of request, youre wele to decline it.}
{I look forward to your reply. Sienna.}
After that, the words P.S. were written along with a thank you note.
{You helped a lot at the morial service. I wont forget that. Thank you.}
Sienna was cordial to the end.
I admired her heroine personality as I gently folded the letter and tucked it back into the envelope.
Just then, Damian raised his head.
What was it about?
Ah, about thatshes going to hold a tea party this spring and says she wants to help her.
Sienna?
Yes.
I continued to stroke the envelope.
Viscountess Antes was considerate of . Thankfully.
considerate?
Isnt she? Objectively speaking, I am still only the fiancee of the Crown Prince.
Im not a crown princess or a mber of the nobility.
In many ways, holding a tea party this spring was burdenso for due to the unfavorable situation I was in.
The Emperor had been keeping a watchful eye on so that if I caused trouble, hed be the first to know.
But as Damian ntioned earlier, spring tea parties were a place for intimate interaction with socialites.
It would be a sha to miss that opportunity.
She was being considerate by asking to help her hold a tea party together.
Most of all, it was very heartening that Sienna, Viscountess Antes, invited and asked for help.
If you dont value soone and think they arent on an equal footing, you wouldnt ask them for help.
Damian looked at with a discontented look on his face.
Then he mumbled in a hoarse voice.
I know youre going to go help Sienna.
You do?
Licking his lips for a brief mont, Damian then looked into my eyes and said.
Just dont make that face for other people.
pardon?
Youre only allowed to make that face in front of .
I was at a loss for words.
But Damian appeared to be earnest.
He looked at wide-eyed and repeated himself.
Just put on that happy expression only when youre with . Okay?
Excuse , thats not what I want-
Anyway!
As I looked at a sulky Damian, I shook my head.
Really? Youre not a child, Damian, but you act younger and younger as ti goes by.
His gaze, as he looked at , exuded frustration and dissatisfaction.
Damian leaned his head on my shoulder, muttering in a childlike manner.
I dont act younger as ti goes by.
Then, what was that request?
Its because its you.
I narrowed my eyes.
Seriously, in my head, Im well aware that its nonsense.
Though every ti I hear sothing like that, strangely it makes my heart flutter without even realizing it.
Reallythere must be sothing not right with .
I sighed deeply inwardly.
***
A day later.
I invited Sienna to the Crown Princes palace.
Wele, Viscountess Antes.
Thank you very much for inviting here.
I escorted Sienna to the parlor.
Sienna, who was sitting opposite , had a face as radiant as the sun.
Ugh, my conscience.
I laughed awkwardly.
Whenever I see Sienna, I have an unavoidable pang of guilt in my conscience that I cant help but feel.
It feels as if Im illegally occupying what should be Siennas.
To shake off that remorse, I clenched my fists and exclaid.
This spring tea ti, I will do my best not to be ashad of anyone I invite!
Isnt that right?
All I can do for Sienna now is make this tea party great!
But then.
Sienna stared at and smiled.
I think I can see why His Highness likes Lady Charlize so much.
Huh?
With my eyes wide open, she lowered her voice and continued speaking.
In fact, His Highness only talked about Lady Charlize throughout his entire stay in the north
Dont pester my Charlize, Sienna.
A sharp voice was heard.
Damian, who suddenly appeared next to , sat near .
In addition, he stared at Sienna with fire in his eyes.
However, Sienna only t Damians gaze with a mischievous face.
Your Highness, when did you show up? She asked.
Damian declared with an imposing deanor in response to her abrupt question.
It involves my fiancee, so of course, I should be here too.
No, doesnt Damian know about personal space, and when to give that space?
I narrowed my brow and glanced at him.
Your Highness, please dont do this.
What are you embarrassed of ?
Yes.
At my resolute answer, Damian was annoyed.
But at the sa ti, he didnt want to leave my side.
I decided to just focus on the conversation with Sienna.
Ive been thinking a little bit, but why not do sothing more aningful than just a tea party?
Sothing significant?
Mmm-hmm. I nodded.
Until now, the North has hardly been active in the empire, hasnt it?
Yes, Sienna replied.
Its because theyve had a weaker presence than other families.
Well, youre right on that. Weve only been in the North
Fortunately, Sienna looked convinced.
Great.
I blinked my eyes and continued.
Since youve e to the Empire, I think it would be better to give people a more positive image.
A positive image? How will we set about doing that?
Wellin mory of the northern subjugation, I was thinking we could have a tea party in connection with it.
After thinking deeply for a while, I offered a proposition to Sienna.
Why dont we select orphans and invite them to the tea party?
Orphans?
Yes. There were quite a few children who lost their parents in the northern subjugation.
Ah..
Sienna blinked her eyes in surprise.
Theyve probably never been to a tea party or anything similar.
To be honest, the orphans created by the northern subjugation lived in a state of disrepair even within the Empires borders.
Itd be good to give those children a pleasant ti at least once.
Of course, it may seem hypocritical in the eyes of others.
However .
Its more hypocritical to not do anything at all than to not make happy mories even just for a day.
Of the two, Im sure the latter would be better.
Itll be a good mory for the kids, and hopefully itll help them in coping with the loss of their parents.
I see. Good idea.
Sienna nodded her head a bit.
Then she smiled brilliantly at .
I never thought of it that way. Thank you, Lady Charlize. Youre a very thoughtful person.
Please, dont ntion it.
That smile of hers was so pretty, I stuttered a little without realizing it.
Oh, this old-fashioned temperant of liking good-looking people!
I must have looked stupid just now!
At the sa ti, Sienna held my hand tightly and continued.
Im so glad that Lady Charlize helped .
Im very happy to
Wow, really?
Siennas eyes lit up, and she smiled broadly.
After hearing your idea, I feel relieved. Lets do well for this tea party.
Seeing Siennas innocent expression, I had to suffer a guilty conscience once again.
Thats rightthe expression she has on now is one she should show Damian, not .
At the sa ti, Damian interrupted the conversation with an expression that sothing was bugging him.
Wait a minute, said Damian.
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