"Hmmmmm, an invitation to a tea party from the daughter of the Rosenburg family....."
This did happen in the game before, but there wasn't even an option to attend it....
This wasn't the first time the Rosenburg family invited her as well and the in-game Selene was either too weak to go or too introverted to attempt socializing with others.
There was also the fact that she didn't want to show her weakness to others, trying to not smear the strength of the imperial family.
Selene placed down the letter as she sighed, contemplating whether to go or not. She was just chilling on the balcony, drinking tea, when Elsa gave her this letter.
Generally, invitation letters like these don't even get past the imperial gates and tea parties are usually hosted by the higher or equal standing nobility to show off their wealth or make connections, It was an distasteful unwritten rule Selene didn't like.
This is also the reason why low ranking nobility tend to be desperate in trying to get these kinds of invitations to form connections with those higher in the noble ranking. It was exceedingly rare to invite those with higher ranking nobles.
The imperial family didn't have anyone higher than them, obviously, so they were the ones that generally host a tea party, but with Selene's personality, she obviously didn't have the courage to make one.
But this was a duke's invitation, the second highest noble rank of the empire and a Rosenburg, in charge of the money flowing in and out of the country, basically the house that controls the economy of the empire, so it only makes sense why the invitation went through.
The house of Rosenburg was also of the Neutral Faction within the empire.
There were three factions in the Empire of Vitoten. The anti-imperial faction, the Emperor faction and the neutral faction. Duke Rosenburg was the leader of the neutral faction.
Selene had every right to reject this invitation, she was of imperial blood after all.
But there was one thought that bothered her. The friendly and neutral Duke Rosenburg suddenly, around this year joined the anti-imperial faction, making them stronger than ever, which then made up to sixty percent of the nobles after they joined.
This was the reason why her country was destroyed, because of all the infighting and disagreements that occurred during the chaos that was brewing around the world.
And it escalated when her father, Renwick Aventus died.
Just remembering the story that unfolded in the game left a bitter taste in Selene's mouth.
Maybe accepting this might give me a clue on what the hell was going on.
She found it strange because after this invitation, Selene had not received one after that, signaling that it was around this time that they probably considered joining the Anti-Imperial faction.
Detective Selene on the case! For my family and the world as well!
For some reason Selene was pumped up and ready to go investigate the matter at hand!
"Elsa, send a reply back and tell them I'm attending this tea party" Selene said with a cool expression.
On the inside she was as giddy as a seven year old child going to the toy store, looking forward to using her detective skills.
"Yes?" Elsa was dumbfounded by her master's request.
"I said, I'm attending the Rosenburg tea party in the next two days"
Elsa was astonished. Her master, Selene, was finally willing to socialize with people?
This was an unprecedented event!
Selene would usually only attend important events, like birthdays, founding days and etc. But an unofficial event like Tea parties?
Never in this life. She has gone to one in her past life, so Selene believed that everything will end well with her past experience.
"Yes! Young Lady!" Elsa excitedly said with a proud smile on her face.
"Haha.." Selene laughed dryly at Elsa's over enthusiasm .
*****
Clack* Clack* Clack* Clack*
Selene was in her carriage, yes she had her own personal carriage, on the way to the mansion of Rosenburg.
They're actual territory was farther in the south but like every other high noble, they had a mansion built here for events or political matters they had to in the capital.
"We have arrived ,Lady Selene" Elsa spoke through the window of the carriage as she rode a horse.
Selene glanced outside and saw the mansion of Rosenburg.
Very flowery.
The walls surrounding the mansion had roses adorned all over it, in a myriad of colors. As soon as they entered the gate, She noticed how many roses there were all over the front yard of the mansion, all beautifully planted around the Estate.
Everything's so visually pretty..... Can't the imperial castle have more flowers? Everything's so dark and depressing....
Though, I actually like that kind of aesthetic as well, so I'm not really one to complain.
Creak*
The door to the carriage opens, signaling Selene to exit. The Selene side of her shivered in fright.
Breath Breath..... It's been a while since I spoke with strangers, but the Lena in me can handle that!
Selene took a deep breath and slapped her self mentally on the face, resolving herself to be more confident.
YOU CAN DO THIS SELENE!
Elsa's hand was offered to her, guiding her down the carriage. It was difficult when she was wearing a black dress adorned with expensive silver embroideries.
"Thank you, Elsa." Selene said with a pristine smile.
"It is my honor, Lady Selene" Elsa bowed after Selene landed with ease on the ground.
Selene glanced in front of her, revealing a line of maids and butlers from both sides of the entrance and a handsome man in his thirties and a young girl around her age, looking to be the two Rosenburgs that invited her to their tea party.
Both of them had dark red hair and green amethyst eyes and of course they were good looking.
They also wore matching pairs of very dark maroon outfits.
All of them knelt to the ground, giving respects to the imperial princess of Vitoten.
"We are grateful to give us the honor of giving us your presence here, Your highness" The thirty year old looking handsome gentleman respectfully said with grace.
The girl lowered her head a little more after her father spoke. Selene smiled wryly at their seemingly actions and gestured to them to stand up.
"Thank you Duke Florian Rosenburg, I am pleased to meet you and your daughter. I hope, she and I will have a wonderful time in the tea party you invited me and please rise"
The Duke then promptly stood up and the others followed.
"Of course! My daughter, Violet Rosenburg, is a splendid host! She will most definitely give you a wonderful time, Your highness-!"
Her daughter stepped on the shoe of Florian at lighting speed.
"Hahaha, I am looking forward to it"Selene, awkwardly laughed.
She's probably trying to tell her father to not lift up the expectations too much.
"Hahaha, Don't mind my father, Your highness Selene, Please follow me, I will guide you to my garden, where the tea party is being held." Violet said with a wry smile on her face.
Selene smiled at the display both parent and child showed and spoke.
"Of course, and please, call me Selene and I shall call you Violet if you don't mind" Selene with the most graceful smile she could muster.
Violet stood in shock for a second before bowing and responding.
"Please call me whatever you want, Your highness Selene, but to be so informal towards-!"
"A shame, I came here to make friends... I guess my expectations were too high, I shall take my leave" Selene said with a frown as she slowly turned around.
Violet with horrified eyes, realized her mistake and bowed her head in apology.
"Ah, Forgive me.. S-Selene, I am honored to be a friend of yours!" Violet hastily said, panicking that she made a grave mistake, stuttering in the process.
Cute. I can't believe the person that always ignores me in the future is so adorable.
Violet clutched the hem of her skirt in panick, hoping that she hadn't made a mistake worth getting punished for
Seeing her nervous and stuttering like that gives me a sense of relief.
Selene gently grabbed Violet's shaking hands and gently smiled.
"Looking forward to being your friend, Violet"
"Y-Yes, Your- I mean, Selene" Violet correcting herself, again stuttering.
"Alright lead the way, Elsa, I'll see you later when its time" Selene looking back at Elsa who was visibly shocked that her master was able to communicate briskly with other people
"O-Of course! As you ordered" Elsa replied, bowing.
"Now then, escort me to the tea party, Violet"
"Right this way, Selene" Violet said with a cramped smile
"And I hope you have a great day Duke Rosenburg." Florian bowed politely once more to Selene
"Of course, Your highness, Please call me if you have any other request that my daughter cannot fulfill"
After the exchange of words from the two highest status people in the mansion was finished, Violet led Selene deeper inside the Estate in a fashionable manner.
Detective Selene, is on in the case and all hail my lady manners are still alive and kicking. Reviewing manners before coming here was worth it as well. Good job the Lena me!