Inside the carriage, the two children were staring each other down as though there would soon be a duel in the very next minute.
"I don't care what you want to do at home but learn to behave when we are outside." Howard spoke in a stern voice with his chin held up high.
He looked just like a considerate big brother who was teaching his little sister how to conduct herself in public.
However, he had no such intentions.
'Everyone knows that Yvonne St. Claire is a child genius but if she opens her mouth and blurts out something evil then they will know who she really is!' He narrowed his eyes at her.
"The other nobles don't like us very much because our family has long exceeded them in terms of wealth. Now all they can do is to taunt us with our lower status." He began to explain his words when he saw Yvonne's confused face.
"So make sure that you do not add any more reasons for them to further dislike us." Howard nodded, satisfied with how he had phrased his thoughts.
'I am sure that I can handle myself but what about this guy?' Yvonne glanced at her brother's face.
'If he keeps scowling at everyone then he will be hated regardless of whether our family has money or not!' She shook her head in dismay.
"What do you mean by making that face!?" Howard yelled when he saw the look of dissatisfaction flash in her eyes.
"Oh… I was just worried that you would do something to mess with the other kids. You see, you aren't the most pleasant person to be around." Yvonne did not hold back and shot right back at him.
"You…!" He growled in anger but stopped when the carriage door was pushed open.
"What was all the ruckus for?" Raylene got in with Paula's help.
Yvonne gave Paula a single glance and then turned away.
From the day they had come back from their trip to the Commercial District, Paula had vanished and only today she had shown herself.
'I wonder what this Lower Hall is?' The little girl tapped a finger on her chubby cheek and decided to secretly investigate this matter.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Raylene sat next to her and adjusted the ribbon that was tied to her hair.
Yvonne's violet mane was sectioned into two halves and was tied into ponytails for today's party.
Her oval face with sharp violet eyes and her slightly curly hair in two high ponytails just increased her level of cuteness.
Raylene was dazed when she saw the innocent smile that Yvonne had just given her after she fixed the latter's hair.
'I need to keep Vonny hidden in the house or else some useless and good-for-nothing punk will try to snatch her away!' Her thoughts were not really necessary because there was still a long way to go for Yvonne to get any suitors.
However, if Yvonne had heard what her mother was thinking at this moment then she would have readily agreed with her idea and locked herself inside.
"Can we leave now?" Howard's whining words brought his mother back from her weird thoughts.
Raylene nodded at him and instructed the carriage driver to start their journey.
She then turned to face Yvonne and smiled at her.
"Marquess Kiron's estate is just a few minutes away. Hopefully, we won't be late because of my delay." She informed and rubbed her palm on Yvonne's soft cheeks.
The parents had realized that their daughter would get pale and sick when she was in the carriage for too long. Therefore, she wanted to assure her that their ride would not be a long one.
Although Yvonne did not understand the meaning behind her word, she noticed how Raylene had blushed a little when she said that last sentence.
This was because it made Raylene remember the hungry look in Rutherford's eyes when she had left him and then her mind moved back to her husband's image.
'Looks like she'll melt any minute now.' Yvonne scoffed and turned away when she saw her mother's bright red face.
She knew what they must have done when they were left alone, after all, she was also an adult in her previous life.
Howard, on the other hand, was innocently oblivious to the dirty thoughts that were raging in Raylene's mind.
While Raylene was still blushing, the carriage had slowly come to a halt indicating their arrival at the party.
Yvonne hurriedly looked out of the window on her side but all she saw were large trees and green grass.
"This way, genius" Howard's mocking voice made her turn to his side and there she saw it.
Yvonne's eyes were focused on the beautiful archway, it had a large path that led to the grand mansion.
The coach driver opened the door for them and Raylene got off first before helping her children out.
"I know that you will behave yourselves but don't forget to have fun as well." She patted their heads and brought them in.
The butler and a few maids of the Kiron family were by the door waiting for the guests to arrive.
The moment they noticed a lavish carriage stop at their gates, they hurried to greet them and led them to the back garden.
Yvonne glanced around as she walked towards the venue of the tea party.
'I'm glad she did not insist on carrying me inside.' She was relieved when Raylene allowed her to walk by herself.
No matter how much Raylene wanted to pamper her children, she would not let that be a reason for them to be ridiculed.
'I better keep an eye out on them at all times.' She decided as she glanced at her two lovely children who otherwise might get bullied.
Howard was known for being aloof and indifferent during such social events. He would only show a speck of interest in someone if they had the same hobbies as him, which were swords.
Yvonne on the other hand, was still too young to be brought to such events back then so this could be considered to be her first time appearing in front of such a big crowd.
Raylene's eyes fell on Marchioness Patrina Kiron, who was watching the family of three coming in her direction.
"Good day, Marchioness. How do you do?" Raylene greeted her elegantly and waited for her to reply.
"Ho ho, Countess looks good in this new style of clothing." The older woman gracefully chuckled before complimenting her.
Yvonne stood at the side and watched the two women interacting with each other.
The hostess for today, Marchioness Kiron was a whole decade older than Raylene but she still maintained her youthfulness.
Other than a few wrinkles that were beginning to appear, one would not believe that she was the mother of five children. The eldest being 18 years old while the youngest was 6 years old.
Patrina Kiron felt a pair of bright eyes watching her, so she looked down and made eye contact with the petite looking doll who stood without any expression on her face.
"Has the Countess finally decided to bring her precious daughter to our social gatherings?" Patrina teased Raylene as she smiled at Yvonne.
Feeling that she had to make a good impression on this lady, Yvonne's face broke out in a winning smile as she curtsied to the woman.
"How are you today, Marchioness? The rose garden pales in comparison with your smile." Her childish voice spoke such flattering words but there did not seem to be any falsehood in them.
The woman's cheeks flushed when she heard the little doll speaking such sweet words.
"How precious? If only my daughters could be so considerate and sweet!" She shook her head when she thought of the two imps in her family.
'Oh, I can assure you that she is much worse than your stupid daughters!' Howard muttered in his mind when he witnessed this scene.
"Thank you for inviting us, Marchioness." He bowed slightly and greeted her to make his presence known.
"Such a well-mannered boy!" Patrina amicably smiled at him as well.
She was about to say something when a maid came and whispered something in her ear.
The Marchioness' back straightened and she looked in the direction from where Yvonne and the others had just arrived.
"Excuse me for a minute, I need to greet someone." She gave Raylene an apologetic smile and then followed the maid.
Raylene turned around and watched how the lady rushed towards the gates.
"Looks like someone of higher status has just arrived." She thought out loud and then shrugging her shoulders, she led her kids to greet the other ladies present there.
'Higher status?' Yvonne's little body froze instantly.
'Who could this be?'