Day 7 – The servants were preparing everything very early, dresses, bath, carriage and things that might be needed on the trip to the tea party.
7 hours before the party the servants woke up the Hustran brothers by order of the lords of the mansion, Young Frederick was attended to without problems, but for Miss Veronica it took 4 hours to get her ready, Archduchess Celestine was personally supervising the preparation of her daughter while father and son were waiting in the lobby of the mansion.
When they finally finished getting Veronica ready and she was ready to leave, they went down to the lobby where they were waiting, when they reached the lobby the father and son looked in amazement at their daughter and sister respectively.
⨀ Tyron: You look beautiful daughter, look, Kristtan's son may be amazed and wary at the tea party.
⨀ Celestine: I just hope you don't fight with the other knights.
∎ Veronica: Fighting? I didn't think he was a troublemaker.
⨀ Celestine: No, my daughter, Kristtan Gutts is heir to the Archduchy of Magical Force of the realm.
∎ Veronica: Military force?
⨀ Tyron: That's right, we belong to the military force and they belong to the magical force, their union in marriage will allow us to unite an unstoppable force to any enemy that tries to threaten the kingdom.
∎ Veronica: So, they're just using me...
⨀ Celestine: Veronica, I think you are wrong, I think I told you before, this is something you wanted, you fell in love at first sight with the heir of the Kristtans, you also asked your father to propose the engagement and he refused saying: "my daughter you are very young, I will not give anyone my princess" she seemed like the dragon that takes care of the princess of the fairy tales.
∎ Frederick: I want to see him, if my sister chose him it must be someone very handsome.
⨀ Tyron : Not as much as me, but it has its charm.
⨀ Celestine: They say he's the second most handsome man after the prince, although I think he's more handsome than the prince.
⨀ Chief Butler: Sorry for the intrusion into your conversation, but if we don't go out now we'll be late for the party.
⨀ Tyron: Come on, we can't make it to such an important party.
The Hustran family is on their way to the tea party, even though there are no markets or festivals on the inner walls that afternoon, there were a lot of carriages queuing at a golden gate in front of the palace, as the Hustrans were archdukes they didn't have to queue and went through a golden gate with gems as an ornament, It was so ostentatious that the brothers thought it was excessive and a total waste of money, but it was a princess's party for a reason.
-Brief explanation of the tea party and why the whole family attends- Tea parties are usually meetings of ladies in which they share information and business, being one of the main ways to communicate happenings or happenings in noble society, but in this case, although it has the name of tea party it is more of a training organized by the queen to teach how to handle a meeting of royalty to the princess, and the reason why Celestine told her daughter that she had been invited and was because by organizing it as a tea party only ladies can be invited with or without companions. -Clarified why the family is going together, let's continue with the story-
As you passed the gate you could see the difference between the nobles, the path of the dukes was adorned with flowers and guards, while the other road was barely guarded, when they got out of the carriage the brothers looked at each other and nodded with a look determined to change history and this night was important, the glass door reflected how incredible and magnificent this party would be.
⨀ Tyron: Go ahead daughter, you're the guest, we're just companions, you have to go through first.
Erick was nervous, now she was an 18-year-old girl who had lost her memory, she studied etiquette only 1 week and also the ostentatious dress that is as uncomfortable as wearing a heavy and tight costume, not being enough she was invited to a party by the princess herself. Veronica's friends, fiancé and acquaintances will also be at this party, but that Veronica they knew is no longer in this world.
∎ Frederick: Come on, sister, we'll follow you behind.
Valeria knew that her brother was worried about how things were going to turn out from here on out, so she decided that at this party she will be close to him as much as she can to help him using the knowledge from his novels.
Erick decides to enter, the guards at the door announce the arrival of Veronica Hustran and those present stand up as a sign of greeting, the only ones who do not get up are the other archdukes and royalty who due to their position do not have the obligation to do so, a servant guides the Hustran family to their table, these tables were round, the tables of the archdukes were around the royal table which was in the most colorful part of the room, the Hustrans greet first the royalty, the Corthanbell family, then the archdukes Tringold and Kristtan, each archduke dresses according to the force to which you belong, Erick saw the Kristtans and it was obvious that they were wizards because of their costume, but he couldn't deduce the strength of the Tringolds, once the Hustran sat down at their table - the brothers side by side - the doors closed and the ceremony began, the families who arrived later entered through the side doors without anyone noticing.
∎ Frederick: Father, what strength are the Archdukes Tringold?
⨀ Tyron: They are from the Technological Force, their costumes are a bit weird, but thanks to them both the military and magical force have been able to advance more quickly than other realms.
⨀ Celestine: But 1 year ago the Archduke died and now the one who leads his lands is his wife the Grand Archduchess, she is someone very capable, but because she is a woman there are many who do not value her.
Let us remember that in this kingdom women are only dedicated to fulfilling their role of reproduction and politico-marriage.
∎ Frederick: So the same thing will happen with my sister?
⨀ Tyron: That's right, there are only very few women who are respected and valued in the kingdom, because everything is measured in decorations and titles of nobility, and those titles are only held by the heads of families and the male heir.
∎ Frederick: Will I inherit your father's title?
⨀ Tyron: If you inherited everything.
Valeria and Erick thought it was very unfair, they knew that whether you are a woman or a man both are capable of leading, but the patriarchy was already impregnated in the culture of the kingdom, after the first part of the ceremony is over, the ballroom dance begins, where gentlemen invite ladies to dance in the center of the room, but since Veronica was already engaged, she was not invited to dance.
Until the eldest son of the Kristtans got up from his seat and approached the Hustrans.
⨀ Gutts: Excuse the interruption, I've come to ask for a dance with Miss Veronica.
⨀ Tyron: That's no problem for me, but accepting the invitation is solely up to my daughter.
∎ Veronica: It will be a pleasure to be heir to the Kristtans.
Gutts extends his hand to help Erick up, Erick accepts the help naturally and they head to the center of the room, but who knows how Erick really feels is brother or rather sister Valeria, "He must be nervous and embarrassed" he thought. Erick, on the other hand, was afraid of stepping on the heir of the Kristtans and was red and embarrassed by the fact of dancing with a man, because for him this was going to be more of a torture to his masculinity.
The couple stands in the center of the room, the music plays and they start dancing, the young Gutts being known as the most handsome man in the kingdom not counting the prince steals all the looks of the ladies, this bothers Erick because he is the type of person he did not like in his past life because the girl he liked left him for a handsome boy.
⨀ Gutts: I wanted to talk to my fiancée, after all it's the first time we've seen each other since we've gotten engaged, I found out you had an accident.
∎ Veronica: No... It's not something you need to worry about, I'm fully recovered now.
⨀ Gutts: Well, then I can ask you without any problems now.
∎ Veronica: Go ahead, what's your question?
Gutts: Why did you do it, it wasn't necessary to get to that point.
∎ Veronica: Why did I do it? I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean.
⨀ Gutts: I guess you don't remember what doesn't suit you. You know, the only reason I came to this party and invited you to dance was to give you a chance to explain yourself, but I see you just deny not knowing what I mean.
Erick realized that the heir of the Kristtans had a bad opinion of Veronica, Valeria had already anticipated this situation and told Erick that, if he couldn't have Gutts on his side, he shouldn't have him as an enemy.
∎ Veronica: Don't worry, I don't really care if you believe me or not, and if I'm at this party it's because I couldn't refuse the princess's invitation.
⨀ Gutts: You say you don't care about me, but I heard that you asked for this commitment yourself.
∎ Veronica: Let's say I was harvesting, after the accident I opened my eyes and realized that there is no reason to get married.
Erick is not following Valeria's instructions, instead of avoiding enmity he is provoking Gutts, Erick does this because he was angry that Gutts is so handsome that he catches the attention of all the ladies while he dances.
⨀ Gutts: So you're saying that you don't want to marry me anymore, but you agreed to dance, you're just contradicting yourself with your actions.
∎ Veronica: If I accepted the dance it was because I would have left you hanging, I don't hate you young Kristtan, but I don't like you either, so the best thing is to cancel our engagement and let each of us go where and with whom we want without being forced into a commitment.
⨀ Gutts: Who is he?
∎ Veronica: He? ...
⨀ Gutts: From what you say, it sounds like you're looking to cancel our engagement so you can marry someone else.
∎ Veronica: Don't be so self-centered, I didn't mean it this way, but I don't see any benefit in committing to an empty gift box.
⨀ Gutts: Empty gift box, I'm not a young Veronica box.
The music ends, the ballroom dancing comes to an end, and the main couple split up 2 steps.
Veronica: If you don't understand a metaphor like that, then I'm wrong about you, it's not a box, but it appears to be full, but it's just empty. We won't see each other again, young Gutts, so I hope you're happy.
Erick leaves, not waiting for Gutts to respond to his words
⨀ Gutts: Wait... You can't end the engagement like that...
Erick turns to smile at Gutts and smiles at him, implying that he already did it, Gutts heads to his table angrily, but since their tables were next to each other they were both going in the same direction.
Erick arrives without a seat and sits down without any conscience, while Gutts apparently told him by his family that he had to go out to the garden of the mansion for a moment.
∎ Frederick: What have you done?
∎ Veronica: I swim little brother
∎ Frederick: Your smile from ear to ear doesn't make me calm, what were you talking about with young Kristtan?
⨀ Celestine: Don't ask those questions son, there are things that can only be talked about between couples.
∎ Veronica: No, actually...
⨀ Tyron: Don't say that woman, our daughter isn't even married yet.
∎ Veronica: Don't worry father, we were just talking about the future and how we were going to lead our lives.
⨀ Tyron: I'd better worry about improving your etiquette first...
Archduke Tyron scolded his daughter for talking to her fiancé from the future, he is undoubtedly an overprotective and jealous father, but the one who was worried that they had not advanced anything today was Valeria, who kicks Erick to fix what he has done and to look for an opportunity to talk to the princess, to which Erick wants to pretend not to understand by looking the other way.
∎ Frederick: Mother, this is my first time in the capital and in the palace, can I go and see the garden?
⨀ Celestine: Of course, but I'll have to accompany you, the palace is very big and you can get lost.
∎ Frederick: Let my sister accompany me, she promised to show me the palace.
∎ Veronica: But I...
⨀ Celestine: In that case, go together like the brothers that you are.
∎ Veronica: Mother, but...
⨀ Tyron: A Hustran never breaks his promises.
Erick had to listen to the Archduke and take Valeria to see the garden. The brothers went hand in hand until they reached the door that gives access to the garden where there were guards who opened the door, the brothers saw on the other side a colorful garden, there were lights everywhere and despite being night they shone so brightly that it seemed to be day, but Valeria let go of Erick's hand and sat down on one of the benches in the garden.
∎ Frederick: What have you done?, young Gutts looked very upset after the dance they had.
∎ Veronica: Let's say... I broke off the engagement we had and he didn't seem very happy.
∎ Frederick: Why did you do that? I didn't tell you that it wasn't in our best interest to antagonize the Kristtans.
∎ Veronica: I thought that if I did that he would be happy, because he was forced into this commitment, and he seemed interested in someone else when we talked, so I thought it would be the best thing for both of us.
∎ Frederick: Do you really have no idea what you've done, I'll explain to you, when you're engaged you usually don't break commitments if you don't like them, in fact, that's frowned upon, because here men are raised with the mentality that family titles come first, and breaking an engagement is considered an offense to both the woman and the man, Therefore, our parents will most likely scold you, although I don't think your punishment will be very severe. On the other hand, men are the ones who suffer the most, other ladies will find out that you broke off the engagement and will think that he is a womanizer, abuser or some other rumor that they can invent, that will bring him problems with his family so he will have a worse time than you.
∎ Veronica: It wasn't my intention... I thought that... He asked me if there was anyone else, I guess he was looking for an answer to the breakup.
∎ Frederick: Since he went to the garden and during the time we were in the living room I didn't see him come back so he must be here, find him and fix things.
∎ Veronica: But, after what I told her, it wouldn't make sense to fix things, and I don't know what to say.
∎ Frederick: A lot of times men say they don't understand women because they're complicated, and women say that you're very simple, so you understand men better and you're just as complicated as a woman now, I think you'll be able to find the answer, so I'll go back to the living room and sit with our parents. Don't come back alone, little brother.
∎ Veronica: Look at doing these things to your brother, I wish you were in this body, I think you could solve everything sister.
The siblings separated, Erick stayed in the garden looking for Gutts, while Valeria returned to the living room, Valeria thought the same as her brother, if only she was in Veronica's body or in a bigger one she could help her brother, because right now, surviving depends on what he can get at this party. Valeria returns to the Hustran table alone.
⨀ Celestine: Son, where is your sister, didn't you go together?
∎ Frederick: She left me at the door, told me I had to talk to her fiancé, so I left them alone.
⨀ Tyron: Alone, excuse me, but I have to go to the bathroom for a moment.
⨀ Celestine: Darling, let me accompany you, just to make sure you don't get lost.
⨀ Tyron: No need, I'm not a kid anymore.
⨀ Celestine: I'm sorry, I didn't express myself well, I'm going to accompany you in case you get lost.
∎ Frederick: Father, don't worry, my sister is no longer a child, she will know how to take care of herself.
Valeria knew that Erick would never make a couple with Gutts, after all he is not a woman deep down.
Mr. and Mrs. Hustran went for a walk while they talked about their daughter, on the other hand, Erick was still looking for Gutts in the garden.
Where can he be?, Erick thought, but just found him sitting on a bench, Erick approaches Gutts and he sees him.
⨀ Gutts: What do you need? Didn't you say we wouldn't see each other again? Please don't give me any more trouble than you've already given me.
∎ Veronica: I haven't come to give you trouble, in fact, I came to make clear one last detail about what I intend to do.
⨀ Gutts: I don't want to know, we're nothing anymore, right?
Veronica: I'll tell you anyway, don't worry, I'm not going to disband it now. I'm not bad enough to do that to you, after all I don't hate you, I just wanted you to know that I wasn't going to get married, and only you know, neither my father nor your father, nor anyone else knows, so you can rest assured, I'll find a way to do it without you getting harmed.
⨀ Gutts: Are you crazy? Something like that is impossible, you would have to fake your death or wait for our families to fall out and call off the engagement or for someone from royalty to object.
∎ Veronica: I'll see how I solve that problem, you just be happy and please don't tell anyone else.
Gutts : You really don't have a clue, you know we have to meet at a few meetings before marriage, right?
∎ Veronica: Do we have?...
⨀ Gutts: Yes, our parents have organized private banquets so that we can get to know each other better before the engagement, and that condition was set by your father so there is no other choice.
The reason Gutts says it was a condition of his father's is because it is not usually necessary for them to meet before marriage, in many cases they usually meet on the day of their marriage.
Veronica: My father never told me anything, but then what I'll do is pretend not to get along with you, so maybe my father will cancel the engagement and settle the matter.
⨀ Gutts: Don't leave me as someone who mistreats or harasses you, please.
∎ Veronica: Don't worry, we just won't be compatible, so now I'm asking you to go back to your table because your parents must be worried and mine too.
⨀ Gutts: What a scare you get, but I'll help you with your goal, Miss of Evil.
∎ Veronica: Calling me a lady of evil is ugly.
⨀ Gutts: That's what the other ladies at the party call you, I've been told every story of what you've done that I couldn't believe it so I wanted to know on my own.
∎ Veronica: I've been told not to tell, but since we're in this together... Since my accident I have lost the memory of what I had done before, and I seemed to be a bad person. I don't know when I'll get my memory back, so I don't want you to associate with someone like my old self.
⨀ Gutts: I see, then forgive me for what I said to you at the party, I thought you didn't want to accept your guilt.
∎ Veronica: And who was the girl you were referring to?
⨀ Gutts: I was referring to a friend that I talk to a lot, she's like a younger sister to me so when I found out that she was being harassed by an order from you I got upset so I came to this party just to face you.
∎ Veronica: I understand your motives, but you shouldn't jump to conclusions so quickly, although I can't assure you that I didn't do it before I lost my memory.
⨀ Gutts: Well come on, we have to get back as soon as possible.
Erick and Gutts each came back from the garden separately and each sat down at their table, Tyron kept asking Erick questions about what they were doing for so long in the garden, while Valeria kept thinking about how the future could change.
After the party is over, the archdukes are the first to leave because leaving before them without a reason of force majeure was seen as an offense. The Kristtans said goodbye to the Hustrans, the Tringolds left in a hurry, it seemed that they had something to do.
The Hustrans head home, Valeria and Erick fall asleep due to the tired night they have had, when they arrive at their mansion, the brothers have one last meeting of the day in Erick's room.
∎ Veronica: I managed to get on good terms with Gutts, and also a little information about my past, you know that they call me the lady of evil.
∎ Frederick: You must have done a couple of misdeeds to earn that nickname, but now the main thing is that we already know the most important people, getting closer to the princess is going to be more complicated than I thought and I don't know if in my school I will be able to make contacts that can help us.
∎ Veronica: I heard from Gutts that we will have meetings with the Kristtans in private, I don't know if we will all go or if it will only be Gutts and me, but my plan is to cancel that commitment or at least extend it so that we stay in this territory as soon as possible.
∎ Frederick: You complicate things further, if you marry the heir of the Kristtan who are the magical force of this kingdom, they could help us defend the north from invasion.
∎ Veronica: It's not that simple for me, you may not mind marrying a woman, but it would affect us a lot if we found out that our partner is not a woman.
∎ Frederick: Although you are now, but I won't insist anymore so at least try to form a friendship strong enough to help us in the north when needed
Veronica: Okay, we'll need all the help we can get to protect the north. Hold on... We really need to protect the north, isn't it enough to stay in the capital?
∎ Frederick: In about 4 years there will be the invasion and if the north falls, the capital will also fall, if we are here and not defending the north, it will be even worse than before. The book describes it as an unprecedented massacre, the truth is that there is no detail of what it is that we faced, but it was not something human, claws, teeth, heads, wings, fire, ice, plague left the battle, but the Hustran did not lose because they were weak but because of numbers.
∎ Veronica: That's a problem, and you don't usually read magic books, what am I supposed to do apart from getting allies and information.
∎ Frederick: There's magic in this world so Kristtan would come in handy as allies, but being a Hustran you must have some skill with a weapon since you belong to a military family.
∎ Veronica: Don't make jokes, now that I'm a woman I have the strength of a 14-year-old boy, and I don't think I will get any more, so I must gain political power to be able to protect our territory, this is like a game of decisions, where depending on what you say or choose fate can change, leave it to my sister, I will get the best allies to defend the north and we will live.
∎ Frederick: Sometimes I forget that you are no longer a child, thank you, Erick I will trust your decisions, but please come to me if you need help.
∎ Veronica: I didn't expect that thank you, but there are times when I see you worried so I thought I had to tell you not to worry and that you can trust me when you should.
The siblings end their conversation with a hug and Valeria goes to her room, once inside she thought.
∎ Frederick: I have to compromise Princess Irina Corthanbell or ally myself with the Tringolds, I don't intend to leave everything in my brother's hands, but even if we manage to defend the north it doesn't guarantee our lives, why did that prince have to be? The main culprit in the fall of the north and the traitor who allowed it.
From thinking so much about the traitor, Valeria fell asleep, tomorrow is the first day of classes at the Royal Academy where the children of the most influential families in the kingdom are studying.