"Oh, dear!" Akeelah heard her mother call for her, a familiar hint of annoyance creeping in. She knew her mother was about to ask something of her that she would not enjoy.
The doors swung open, and the Baroness came barging in with a smile on her face, clearly excited about something. "Stop what you're doing, you're just wasting paper."
Rolling her eyes, Akeelah continued her drawing and asked, "What is it, Mama?"
Akeelah was passionate about her hobby, drawing. Inspired by the architecture of many noble houses and buildings in the Empire, she aspired to be like the renowned architects she admired.
Pulling out a letter, the Baroness waved it in front of her daughter, whose eyes were still focused on her paper and pen. "You have been invited to a tea party at the Roaduel Duchy! Isn't it lovely? I knew being friends with Lady Roaduel would pay off." She continued to chatter excitedly.
Akeelah knew her dear friend Zoe would never host such parties for herself, concluding that this must be an event arranged by the Duchess.
"What are you still scribbling for? Get up, and we're calling the seamstress to get you ready for tomorrow," her mother nagged. Finally, Akeelah had enough and stood up to follow her mother's instructions.
"Alright, Mama," she said, resigning herself to the inevitable.
Later on, as she followed her mother outside her room to meet the seamstress, her sister Tatiana came running up to them. "Mama! I would like to go as well. Is that possible?"
The Baroness pondered for a moment before replying, "Hmm, I don't think it's impossible. Your dear sister might like you to accompany her."
Akeelah's irritation grew. It wasn't that she hated the idea, but rather her sister herself. Tatiana Linea Stutenberg was known as one of the prettiest ladies in the Empire. She had many suitors and a loving mother, yet they still lived on a tight budget. Their mother was actively searching for a wealthy suitor for Tatiana, and Akeelah was not an exception.
Despite her sister's charm, Akeelah knew Tatiana's true nature. She was unbearable, never allowing anyone to correct her because she believed she was always right. Her constant tantrums whenever things didn't go her way had shaped her into a spoiled young woman. Their mother had spoiled her, leaving Akeelah to fend for herself.
Tatiana clapped her hands in excitement. "Oh, fun! Thank you, sister. You're always so kind to me. Then I shall get a new dress as well. How fabulous!"
"I haven't even agreed," Akeelah muttered to herself, rolling her eyes once more.
"Did you say something, sister?" Tatiana asked, her tone suspicious.
Not wanting to cause any more fuss, Akeelah remained composed and breathed deeply to calm herself. "Nothing. Then shall we get our dresses?"
With that, they proceeded to meet the seamstress, Akeelah's mind already dreading the upcoming tea party and the company of her agonizing sister. As the seamstress took their measurements, Akeelah's thoughts wandered back to her drawing, wishing she could return to her peaceful hobby instead of facing the social obligations imposed upon her.
On the day of the tea party, Akeelah found it hard to not get annoyed, even by the presence of her sister.
"Oh my, I never knew they had such roses! It's kind of weird, don't you think, sister?" Tatiana exclaimed.
Akeelah sighed. "Tatiana, that's a tulip," she corrected.
"What is even a tulip? Don't make up such things. Ugh, it's so hot. I wish I had a fan with me," Tatiana nagged. "Oh, I do have a fan after all!" She fished a small fan out of her bag, fanning herself dramatically.
Face-palming, Akeelah continued to follow her sister as they approached the venue.
Everyone was already there, many noble daughters gathered in the garden. Zoe was there too accompanied by a maid who held the Umbrella for her, she had this gloomy expression on her face as the other ladies awkwardly kept their distance.
Once everyone was seated at the long rectangular table filled with biscuits, sweets, and tea, decorated with assorted colored tulips in glass and porcelain vases, Zoe stood to address the group.
"Welcome to my tea party," Zoe stated with an unpleasant look on her face. "I hope you ladies enjoy my tea party."
Akeelah couldn't help but slip out a laugh, which caused everyone to look at her with irritation.