"Urgh!" I woke up with a stiff body. I think I need a massage.
The broadcast yesterday gave me a lot of stress that even in my dreams I keep seeing the prince in a bloody state.
"Good morning, my lady!" Maya greeted me. She's opening the curtains of my window.
"Hmmm..." I nodded.
"The duke already went out. Would you like your breakfast here or in the dining hall?"
"This early?" I asked, referring to her first statement.
"It's already ten in the morning, my lady. You must have had a good sleep."
"Good sleep, huh?" I scoffed. "Ah! I want to eat here, please." today, I felt more tired than usual, I don't want to move.
"Yes, my lady." then Maya stepped out, leaving the door slightly open.
I heard she instructed someone outside to go to the kitchen. After that, she stepped in again.
"Would you like to bathe first?"
"No... I'll eat then bathe. Thanks!"
And the morning passed by quickly. Supposedly, I should be at the hunting waiting area now. But since I grew lazy, I will wait until lunch. First, let's send some servants to the site to prepare for the mini tea party.
"Maya, could you call Serena and the others?" she nodded and did my request. Minutes later, she's already back with them.
"Good day, my lady!" they greeted.
I smiled. After I instructed my maidservants, they then head out.
"We'll do as you say, my lady! See you later!" Serena said in a cheery voice before finally closing the door.
Time passed by while I sat in my room. I can't help but wonder why I felt like that towards the prince. There's only one answer, it must have been the real Aerin's lingering feelings. It was only natural to deduct that logic. Because if it was me, I would just pity him, and be sad for the kingdom that has lost its heir.
"Urgh!" I groaned. The stress is not even making me eat, I have no appetite.
When it was finally time, I then called for the carriage and headed out for the site.
So, this is it! The part of the day that I've been waiting for. I will be hosting a tea party with Madame Blouse and Madame Floyd. Just the three of us. When I arrived at the site, I then examined the area where we will be having our tea time. It's not as gallant as we are on the site, but it is presentable enough. My servants haven't failed my expectations.
I still have an hour left. I am patiently waiting for them outside, standing beside the long table that is already set for tea time, desserts such as cakes, cookies, and fruits are beautifully decorated on the white table.
Not long after, my eyes caught sight of the two ladies walking side by side. Both of them have servants following them, and both their parasols are held up for them. With their hands are their fancy fans. Ah, what a fun sight! I imagined something funny.
They looked like two mothers who were neighbors that are not on good terms, but since their sons are friends and did a mistake at school, both of them were summoned together by the principal. They would not even look at each other, heads turned to different sides.
"Ah, that would hurt later." I smiled. Both of them would surely have a sore neck if even in the middle of having tea they wouldn't relax.
"Good day, madames!" I greeted them when they finally arrived.
"Good--"
"Good--"
Both of them said in chorus, and both of them also stopped. Then they eyed each other.
"Pfft!" I tried my best to hold myself from laughing.
"Eherm!" it was madame Blouse. Before she spoke she raised her brow to madame Floyd. Then she continued, "Good day, little miss of the house of duke Melenheim!" then she slightly bowed her head.
"It is great having you here, madame Blouse!" I replied with a smile.
"You have such talented people, lady Melenheim." madame Floyd said. "I am humbled to receive such invitation from the lady." she also bowed her head to greet me.
"You humor me, madame Floyd. Thank you for coming." Then I asked my maids to get their things, I see they brought gifts. "Shall we sit?"
They then followed me to the table. Leaving their servants behind.
Both of them are sitting side-by-side at the long table, with at least a meter of distance from each other, and me across them.
"I brought a tea from a kingdom abroad, lady Melenheim. If you may, can we have it served so you could try it?" madame Blouse said.
I tried to detect whether her words had some hidden meaning in them, but there was none. So, I agreed.
"Of course! Let's try it." then I signaled for my maids to prepare the madame's gift.
"I bought flowers that are specially grown in my estate, lady Melenheim." then I saw Serena with it. She already arranged it and placed it in a vase.
"Yellow roses!" I purposely raised my voice with a smile. It means friendship. "Why, thank you, madame Floyd!"
Both the ladies were trying to show off their gifts. I can't help but be pleased and burdened at the same time.
It didn't take long to prepare the tea. Maya then came back with the others and they started serving us.
When the greeting was done and it was only us three with our tea, it became quiet. I know I have already repeated multiple times that I don't like it when it's quiet, as it's making a dull and awkward atmosphere. Moreover, these two weren't really on good talking terms so it's even more dreadful.
After I sipped my tea, I started to talk. It's not my style to drag something along, so let's be straightforward.
"I would be honest with the both of you, madames. I know what images you pose in society, and you may say I am impertinent for having you both here. You invited me both to your gathering on the very first day of this event, and I thought this would be better than ignoring either one of your invites." I sipped my tea once again, eyeing them both. "I hope you understand where I stand."
It was clear as day in my statement that I do not wish to partake in either both of their cliques. I thought they would react negatively. Instead, I saw satisfying smiles from both of them. I might have given them a good answer.
"I understand, Lady Melenheim. Of course, you do not want any of us to lose face when another was declined."
"Exactly, madame Floyd!" I affirmed.
"It would have caused a little scandal, I see." it was madame Blouse.
"If only I haven't received both invitations for both parties at the same time," I added in a firm tone while smiling.
[Tss. As if both of you weren't testing me!]
These two might have thought so simple of me. Gosh! I may have looked like an eighteen-year-old girl but I am a twenty-nine years old woman inside.
"I hope one day both of you will invite me once more to your parties. I will surely attend so long as they're both not hosted on the same day, yes?" I was putting emphasis on the date. I do not want them to do the same thing again.
"Of course, Lady Melenheim."
"Yes. I would be honored to have you meet the other ladies of the faction."
"That's so kind for the both of you!" I reached for the sweets and offered them. "Would you care for some cookies? This is prepared by our good chef."
"Yes. I heard your house had the most delicious sweets."
"Oh-hoh! If you were planning on getting our chef's secret recipe you can't, madame Floyd." I joked. Then we all laughed.
"I heard you won a bet?"
"Oh, madame Blouse, you heard about it?" I was grinning. Of course, they would have heard about it. We were so loud yesterday.
"Yes! How did you know the prince would get it?"
"Well, I didn't know, madame Floyd. I just feel it."
"I see. It was such a heart-stopping hunt, yes?"
Both of them were taking turns in asking me. I see none of them doesn't want to be left in the talk.
"Indeed!"
The talk continued as is, without having to dive into sensitive topics that would raise an argument. I believe both the madames were also avoiding reaching such circumstance as it would make this first meeting unpleasant. Indeed, both of them were calculating and wise. Their standing in high society is something that cannot be questioned. It was such a pleasant experience meeting them both.
For now, I do not know which group would highly benefit me yet. So, I will continue to act like I'm not siding with anyone. That would be the best course to take right now.
And that's it! I survived this day, thank goodness!