My name is Thomas Alby. I am a Viscount and because of my middle noble status I know the high nobles and the one in the base of the pyramid.
Some days ago all the kingdom was shocked with news we got early in the morning. The Royal Household and The Duke Household who held an engagement contract between the announced that this contract was now void. I'm sure as everybody read the news the only thought they had was: WTH?
Sure I heard the rumors of the Prince's lover but like the other nobles, I thought that it was only a summer love or something like. I mean, you can't have something better than THE flower of society. She has this nickname for a reason ok?
You maybe say that I'm biased because I don't know the Prince's lover, but the truth is that I am acquainted with Lady Julia. because I know her father and I ended up helping their family to reunite and had some meals with them.
And is not like Lady Julia is ugly or rude. She is actually really cute and pure. Like a white rabbit I think?
The problem is that rabbits are not Queen material.
Besides she is only a illegitimate daughter, even if the Crown Prince doesn't mind, those old geezers surely do.
Furthermore she doesn't have any merits in any of the societies be it the noble one or the commoner. While Lady Cecile is renown in both of them, in one she is called angel or goddess and the other she is called flower of the society. That he exchange them is a type of mystery for me.
But, apparently Lady Julia has a lot suitors in the Royal Academy. Maybe the youngsters tastes now are different from my time. Well, whatever, is not like I can change the Prince's choice.
The point is, because of this shocking news some nobles starting to get unrest. Some doubt that a Prince that would prioritize his personal affairs in something that afflicted the country was the best choice for the throne, while others who had close ties with the Prime Minister and Lady Cecile took offense with His Highness choice. The result was that some people are starting to build a 2nd Prince Faction, even without the support of the 2nd Prince.
And in the middle of this chaos, all the noble faction receive an invitation from the one who we all thought was suffering. In the letter she politely invited us to come to her tea room that would be open two day from now.
What the hell? Aren't you suppose to be suffering and being depressed because of your engagement? What is even a tea room?!
Maybe I'm truly old, I can't get these youngsters.
But, because the one inviting is the flower, I swiftly confirmed my presence. I hope she shows to all society that even without the prince she is still the most noble and beautiful of all the flowers.
...
And now I'm on my way to Temone. I actually know the previous owners of the mansion, and even visited once before. I remember it being a little gaudy and tacky, I hope that Lady Cecile redesign the place.
"My Lord we are here"
As I left my carriage and enter the mansion I was in shock with the changes made. If not for the huge Temone written in the gates and the amount of familiar faces I would have thought that I was in the wrong place. As I was lost admiring the place I heard a cold but calming voice.
"Hello Viscount Alby, I'm Cecile Dubois, daughter of the Duke Dubois, delighted to make your acquaintance. I'm truly honored that you could come to my humble opening, if you could please follow this gentleman he will explain our facility and guide you towards the room of your choosing. I hope that later we can have time time to chat"
Haa... now I'm sure the Crown Prince is blind. Beautiful, educated, gentle and capable. What else do you want from a woman? Not even a woman, but a person, if my son had half of her poise I would die happy. Is like I just met the person we ought to be.
"The pleasure is all mine Lady Cecile, I must say that the changes that you did to this place are wonderful. I hope we can chat in a later date. As I know you are probably to busy right now, I'll take my leave"
"Thank you for your compliment Viscount. Abraham could you please escort him?"
"Sure Miss. This way sir"
Signaling for me to follow him the young man wearing a black suit looked impeccable. He had some kind of noble aura that is lacking even in some noblemen. Is this the clerk of this store? Maybe I should send my own son to study under Lady Cecile. I wonder if she would accept.
"My Lord, we have a room for noblemen, one for noblewomen, one for all the nobles, one for the commoners and one for everyone. We also have outdoor tables and private rooms, but the private rooms are exclusive to members of the IP. Do you have any questions sir?"
Of course I do! Although I know the meaning of each word I don't understand when you put them together.
"Explain to me the difference between the rooms"
"Well, most of them is the details. The color pallet of each room changes and the literature contain in each room is different. Somethings like cigars and embroidery needles are exclusive to some rooms but can be taken out if asked."
"Literature? Do you have books to read in this place for free, even for the commoners? Also can I go to the commoner room or the noblewomen room and vice-versa?"
Pardon my confusion, but books are expensive on the kingdom. Even my house I only have 100 books that were collected trough many generations. A commoner sometimes can even die without touching one. And now he is telling me they have a collection you can access for free?
"Yes each room has all kinds of literature but we emphasized on 3 types of literature for each room that we conclude through our research to be the favorite topic/genres in the target public of the room. And about your second question, yes everybody can room freely in all rooms besides the private ones. The separation was only made because we thought people would feel more comfortable around people they are used to"
Lady Cecile is truly something from another world. It's true that people will feel uncomfortable in a unknown environment and feel more open with people that they are familiar with. But it's wonderful to not limit any one to those societies rules. If you want you can. Simple as that.