*PREVIOUS CHAPTER*
I had to hide my collections manga's and novels because my parents thought that I'd become an author instead of a doctor. Although I hated them being protective, it was for the best. I can read novels to my hearts content here!
***
There was a new butler in the mansion since the older butler quit. The new one, sir Philip was really nice. He just got a bit uncomfortable and gave a smile when you teased him, it was adorable.
"Duchess, since you're a duchess now... Won't you organise a tea party?" Philip had a point.... The problem was that I didn't have any noble ladies I was close with. I also wasn't that good with etiquette, it was alright but needed some improvement.
"I don't have any noble ladies I'm close with. Most of them don't dare to talk to me because of Elia" I sipped my tea, only if Elia had a better personality.... A lot of people want a princess with a loving personality, not someone like her.
Philip handed me a list, it contained the names of ladies from noble houses. I recognised two of them, baroness Rayna and viscountess Lily. They used to mock me when I just arrived at the Luvenis Mansion, they threw water over my head and tried to give me poison. Elia was the one who ordered them to do the last one. She probably forgot that I was going to marry the duke in her place, so she immediately stopped them when she saw them adding it to my food.
I read the list and the last name.... Countess Selina... She was Elia's biggest enemy and the only one who could provoke her. She would always glare at Elia and never say a good word to her, she even confronted Elia during a tea party for hitting servants.
I needed to invite the three of them and get countess Selina on my side. I smiled and marked their names.
"Philip, please sent an invitation to the marked names. I'll hold the tea party Friday at 12 p.m." I smiled and handed him the list back. He bowed and left.
'I'm definitely going to let Rayna and Lily pay... As for the countess, I need to get her on my side' My eyes were cold, but I also thought of what the gift should be when inviting them. I didn't know till the duke told me, but when a noble visits, you both have to prepare a gift.
***
*Friday, 12 p.m.*
Everyone arrived and we were sitting around the table. The baroness and viscountess kept glaring at me and whispered about me.
"May I ask what you're whispering about in company of others?" My voice was cold, I shouldn't have mercy on the two of them. They both would even commit a crime to get rid of me and help Elia.
"It's nothing duchess, it's just that your party is so 'fun'" They both held back their laughter. The baroness was probably the worst of the two of them, despite her low rank, she still tries to look richer than she is. She was wearing a golden necklace with several gems in it, how could her neck not break from that weight?
"You two should keep your respect, she could make your houses bankrupt if you irritate her" The countess spoke up for me, everything was going like I planned. The countess doesn't tolerate their behaviour so she always confront people when they do. The two baroness is the type to try and keep her dignity so she goes against others.
"Ladies, let's all calm down. I prepared gifts for you" Some servants brought boxes, I prepared small fans for them as gift.
I gave the viscountess an orange lily embroided fan..... It symbolises hatred, pride and disdain. Perfectly made for her. I liked floriography a lot as child, so that's the reason why I used flowers. I gave the baroness a fan with a meadowsweet on it, it's actually a herb but I liked the message... It symbolised uselessness.
As for the countess, I gave her a freesia designed fan. She smirked, she probably knew what I was doing. She must know floriography, otherwise she wouldn't have laughed when I handed the other two fans.... She stayed behind when the party was over.
"So, you trust me?" The countess guessed it right, since freesias symbolise trust. I gave her a nod and she smiled.
"Alright, I'm on your side. What you gave the two other as gifts was quite interesting, duchess" The countess showed a smile, at least she was smart. We talked about each other before it got a bit dark and she had to go back.
"I liked today, duchess. I hope we'll meet more in the future" I gave her a light smile. "Just call me Celestine, we're friends now" The countess nodded. "Just call me Selina, Celestine" She smiled as she took off.
***
The duke also sent a gift because it was my first tea party. He gifted me a horse.... I also had to learn horse riding now.... I felt like crying, I had to give up my time for reading novels.....