Man, the Xipil estate is massive.
Here I thought my place was big. But going to both Lance's and Marian's place makes me feel as if our house isn't that big. I guess that's what it is like when you're a high ranking noble. Still, the decoration at the Xipil house is so grand.
The front yard was decorated with red flower bushes. All looked like they were given so much care. The pavement leading to the front door was made with stone pattern bricks. A nice and pretty way to enter the villainess' mansion.
A servant was waiting for us at the front door. He bowed "Greetings, please give me your invitations," He stood back up, reaching his hand out. The three of us handed him our envelope.
"Thank you," He pauses. "Would you like a servant to carry that for you?"
Ah, he's referring to the basket I was holding. The basket holds the gift I planned to give Marian. I waved off his request "It's alright," I have to give this to Marian in person.
The servant complies. He proceeds to lead us to the garden where the tea party is held. The garden was large, spanning far as I can see. The decoration and setting was extravagant, nothing less from an incredibly wealthy Duchess.
I'm really glad I got an invite for Elliot. He seems to be just fine in a setting like this. It almost seems natural for him.
I wonder… What is Elliot's background? He doesn't look out of place at the party one bit.
On the other hand, Isadora seems overwhelmed. This is the 2nd social event she's been to. I guess she's still not used to high society. It'll be alright, I asked Elliot will be there for her while I'm gone. Now that I think about it, Isadora meeting Marian now isn't a good idea. If they get into a fight, giving her a present will be less effective. For now, I'll befriend Marian, then let Isadora into our friend group slowly.
"You and Isadora can walk around first. I'll find the Duchess, then I'll meet up with you," I told them. Isadora and Elliot nod. "I…" Isadora gulps "I promise I won't cause trouble for you, my lady."
I couldn't help but chuckle. I waved them away as I walked off.
Walking into the crowd, I took a moment to look at my surroundings. Many rich and powerful figures gather here. It seems a lot of people have come despite Marian's horrible reputation. But then again, someone of her influence still attracts a huge crowd.
But I doubt a single person here compares to how powerful Marian is.
As I look, I spot a tall woman with red hair. She wore a dark red cocktail dress with pearl jewelry. That's Marian alright. She was talking to a man with a straight expression on her face. Suddenly, he began walking away. There was a look of defeat on his face as he got out of there.
Ah, is this a sign of what's to come?
No, I can't back out now. My life depends on it.
I slowly took a step forward. Before stopping myself.
God, but that older man walked away with such a sad expression on his face. She's managed to scare off someone so much older. What chance is there for me?! She's going to call me trash before I can even utter a word!
But, I still have to try. There's only so much she can do here. Besides, there's so many people here!
Aaaahhh! What should I do?!
"Lady Violette," Marian leaned beside me. I yelp, jumping back surprised. Did she sneak up on me while I was in thought?
She was standing inches away from me. Her pink eyes were narrowed as she looked down on me. I never realized how tall she was compared to me. She's 5'9 right? Why do I feel so small standing beside her?
Get away from me get away from me get away from me.
Wait no. I'm here to try to be her friend.
"A-ah! Lady Marian!" I did my goddamn best to give her the most sincere smile I can give "Good d-day to you! You look wonderful,"
"I can say the same for you," She grins. "I didn't expect you to come here."
"W-well! It would be shameful of me to hide myself after what I did to you!" My hands trembled as I held onto the box. My eyes were locked on her. I was afraid of looking away. She stared right back at me, her eyes meeting mine.
She's very good at eye contact.
Though, after an awkward moment, she looked down at the basket I was holding.
"O-oh, these," I pause, a lump forming in my throat as I said, "I bought you something." Lending the box forward, I wasn't expecting her to instantly take it. She immediately opens the box.
"Tomato sandwiches…?" Marian eyes widened in surprise. I nodded. Tomatoes were Marian's favorite food. I didn't just want to give her raw tomatoes, so I decided to make sandwiches from them. God knows how she'll react if I gave her raw tomatoes.
"HA! Do I look like a zoo animal to you?" My imagination ran wild there. It doesn't seem far off from the real Marian too. Which is terrifying.
"I'm deeply sorry about what happened at the ball. Me and my butler prepared them for you as my apology," I bow politely. It's something simple, yet it should touch her heart.
"You made them?" Marian raises an eyebrow. I nodded nervously and rapidly.
"Well, for you to personally make these for me," She chuckles, "This is the first meaningful gift I've ever gotten. I feel honored." I can't tell if she was being serious or not. Especially since she just put them aside on the table near us. Well, at least it's better than having her yell at me or something "I'll be sure to enjoy them when I get the time, Lady Violette."
"A-ha…no need to rush," I shook my hand awkwardly.
Marian almost chuckled seeing how nervous I was. Her smile was small, but it was a good sign.
At least she was in a good mood.
"W-well, that's all I have time for," I said, quickly turning away with a wave. The confidence I had when I arrived here was gone now that I was walking to her. I need some time to recuperate.
"Wait." Marian pauses. "That's it?" Her expression was…confused? I've never seen an expression like that from her before. She stared at me blankly, her eyes were open like she was surprised.
What? Was she expecting more gifts?? Shit, I didn't bring anything.
"I-is the gift not to your liking?!" I kept my voice from shouting in fear. I had a feeling they were a stupid gift, but I couldn't think of anything else she likes that I can give. Damn you novel author, why didn't you disclose more information?!
Marian shook her head "No, it's…" She remained silent. Her lips were sealed shut, like she didn't know what to say. For a moment, she looked away from me.
I guess it's my chance "I-I'm sorry, my lady-! Isadora and my butler are probably waiting for me," I turn to walk away. Backing away, I thought I made it. That is until Marian turned to me and said "No no," She put her hand out and placed it in the direction I was walking "Let's chat."
Heh?
Her hand had blocked my path. At this moment, I was pinned with nowhere to run. "You seem like a good girl, so I'll be nice about this," She leans in, her pink eyes full of malice and wickedness. My mouth was agape. I was too nervous to move a muscle as I stood.
"You and your sister better keep away from my fiance."
I was confused. Frightened, but confused "What…?"
"That night at the ball, both of you were gawking at the prince." She explains. I tried to recall what she was talking about. I don't remember staring at the prince that much. Maybe Isadora had, but not me. "It's not that I'm angry, it's simply rude to be leering at another woman's lover. Am I wrong?"
I couldn't speak. Any attempt at a response came out as a string of stuttering.
"I suppose it cannot be helped that the young ladies of the Itzal household would find the prince attractive," She chuckles.
"I-is that why the prince isn't here?"
"Indeed. I didn't invite him because I can't fathom the thought that other noblewomen will try to talk to him. They won't know their places," Marian explains as she looks throughout the room. Her eyes scanned everyone. Everyone of the nobility she invited. All of them whom she has no respect for.
"After all, girls like handsome boys, don't they?"
Finding a response to that is difficult. I gulped down the lump in my throat. Clenching my hands into a fist, I tried my best to think of what to say. Something that will save me from this situation. I know Marian better than most thanks to reading the novel.
Appeal to her as best as I can.
"I think it's the other way around," I succeed in saying it clearly.
Marian raises a brow "What do you mean by that?" she questions.
The villainess is someone who doesn't think highly of others. Marian thinks many are below her. Someone like her has a high self image, and I must play to that if I want things to work out right now.
"Well, I think his highness likes you because you're a beautiful woman."
Marian's eyes widened for a moment. That unmoving smile is still on her face, but her eyes tell me she wasn't expecting a response like that.
Oh no, did I say something weird?
"Ha, don't be stupid," She smirks, "The prince is not in love with me."
My eyes widened. For a moment, I felt my chest hurt so badly I thought I was about to collapse at that moment. She knows…?
We were both at a standstill. Both her and I didn't know how to continue from here on out. I thought I knew everything about Marian. Yet here I am, not knowing what is going on in her mind.
Marian puts her hand on her side. Her smirk never left but her eyes did not convey confidence.
My mouth parted, "I…"
"My lady?" A familiar voice appeared, interrupting me. Elliot! I quickly turned to him. I was very happy to see him.
Upon seeing her, Elliot bows down to Marian "Please excuse us." He politely asked. His posture was sincere, hoping to appeal to Marian's current mood.
The duchess threw him a glance. Her flower-colored eyes looked at him coldly. In the corner of my eye, I saw her fingers tightened angrily.
"Alright then!" Marian raises her hand as if surrendering. Her smirk changed to something more friendly. She switched up so fast!
Quickly, I walked away from Marian towards Elliot. I could hug him for getting me out of there but I don't think he would like that.
The two of us walked away, but not before I turned back to look at Marian. The villainess has the sly smile she's usually described to have in the novels.
I stopped looking back. What a strange interaction just now. I have this aching feeling swelling in my stomach from all that. Marian knows that Oberon is not in love with her… from the start? In the novels, it was revealed from Oberon to Isadora later in the story that he didn't have feelings for Marian. But it was never mentioned whether Marian knew about that or not. So she knew this whole time?
…Whatever, at least that's over. There's no point in dwelling on it anymore. We have to move on if I want to find a way to stay alive.
Ah, still. Isadora was to make amends with Marian too. I'll give it a little while, maybe at a later date. Marian doesn't seem to be in a good mood.
Speaking of Isadora…
"Elliot, where is Isadora?"
"I left her to come looking for you," He replied.
"What?!" I paused. Great, once again she's lost. But why wasn't Elliot there for her when I thought he'd be?
Where is she now?
"Where did you leave her last?" I continue walking. My eyes scanned the yard for any signs of her, but there were so many people around.
"Near the tulip flowers," He responded, pointing to the direction. Sure enough, after walking towards the flowers direction, I saw her figure. I was barely able to see her though, as people blocked my line of sight.
I see Isadora talking to someone. A young man with dark green hair. Above average looks, the boy wore formal attire. His hand was on the table as he leaned. He didn't look like a servant, nor did he look like a powerful figure.
"So what household are you from?" A young man said. His red eyes stared at her with interest.
"Um, Elliot," I whispered "Who is he?" Violette probably should know who that is, considering she seems like a noble. But I don't remember anyone in the novels who was like that.
"Rhys Hawks. He is the son of Sir Geovani Hawks."
Hm, the son of a knight and a local noblewoman. I've seen the name Geovani Hawks before. A powerful knight of the Cresia empire. But his son never made an appearance in the novel.
Isadora didn't respond. Her body shifts awkwardly. As if trying to move away from Rhys.
"Hey I asked you a question," He hissed. Isadora went stiff "U-um, I…"
"You're a noblewoman aren't you? I've never seen you before. What's your name?"
Once again, Isadora didn't give an answer. Rhys' eyebrow narrowed. The look of anger was appearing on his face.
The hand that he had on the table was clenched into a fist. "What? Must I repeat myself?" The boy grits his teeth.
Oh dear, this might end up heated if I don't step in.
"Isadora! What are you doing?" I shouted to get her attention. The two of them turned to me in an instant. Both their eyes widen. Isadora's mint eyes were relieved to see me. On the other hand, Rhys was stunned, like he had just heard something unbelievable.
Quickly, he turns back to Isadora "Isadora?! As in the one from the Itzal household?!" Rhys' face contorts into that of utter confusion. "Ha, no wonder you didn't talk. You aren't even a real noble considering your background. To think I was trying to make small talk with you," He crosses his arms.
Isadora lowers her head, her black hair covering up her expression.
"Violette Itzal, is that who you are?" Rhys turns to me. So he knows who I am.
He wants to start something isn't he? He's trying to start a conversation with me. But I do not feel the same.
"That is enough, Rhys Hawk," I glared at him.
"What? Are you coming to fetch the orphan girl?"
"That is enough from you," I repeated nervously.
"Seriously? Coming to defend the little rat? I must admit, she has a pretty face! At least she'll make a good wife to some no-name noble," He continues.
Creep. Being near him makes me very uncomfortable. But I suppose I'm not as comfortable as Isadora right now. Looking at her, she was obviously distressed. She stands with her hands close to her. As if seeking any comfort and safety.
Rhys had a pompous look on his face. Normally I wouldn't continue, but I feel as if I needed to say something. But what would Violette say in this situation? Taking a deep breath, I build up the confidence I need. I must put up an act of bravery. I am the strict noblewoman after all of the Itzal family.
"When you speak of this no-name noble, are you referring to yourself?"
"Huh?" His expression changed quickly. From a smug grin, he now has a confused stare.
"If I recall correctly, I didn't even know your name until I asked my butler." I place my hands on my hips. Putting on a stern face as I put up a facade of confidence.
"You speak so much yet I've never heard of you."
He grits his teeth, his eyebrows narrowed with rage. I can tell he was seething. It's written all over his face.
"I don't think you know who you're talking to!" He yells. His voice was loud and rattled. Damn it, he's not backing down is he?
"Just because you're from the Itzal household doesn't mean you get to look down on me!"
He's being so loud. It made me nervous. Even after talking down on him, he doesn't want to stop. I will give him this, he sure is persistent. He's the type to never back down from an argument. I hate people like that, I just can't put up confidence with them. I bit my lips nervously as I clenched my hands.
"Pardon, but please stop causing a commotion," Someone said. All of us turned to the source of the voice.
Standing there was a young woman, who seems to be in her mid 20s. She wore a maid outfit. Her long honey brown hair was tied into a side braid, with not a single strand out of place. "You are disturbing our other guests," Her brown eyes were dark behind her glasses as she spoke.
I paused, taking a moment to look around. She was right, we were attracting a lot of attention at this point. How much did they hear is my question. They stare like we were a spectacle. Almost like it was entertaining to them.
"Who are you telling me what to do?" Rhys yells at her "Do you know who I am?"
The maid suppresses her distaste as she remains silent. While she didn't say anything in response to his question, she remains still, holding her ground.
"Please head outside, churl," Her deadpan tone matches the stare she was giving him.
Did this maid just… insult him?