Chapter 6

I was busy helping the children finish their summer vacation homework, which they hadn't completed, so I'm late!

Now, my eldest daughter, Riberi, is petting my head, and my second daughter, Rafra, is taking care of my nails, but I'm a bit perplexed.

"Riberi, stop petting my head; it's almost bald from all that petting."

"Alteina, you've been going to the royal library recently, haven't you? Has anyone said anything terrible to you?"

"Alteina! That's right! If anything happens, you should consult with Riberi and me immediately!"

I showed a wry smile.

"I can't bear the thought of my treasure being surrounded by wolves with ulterior motives."

"Oh! It's not just Rafra's treasure! It's the treasure of all of us siblings. That's why Brother will protect you properly."

What do they mean by 'treasure'?

When Rafra finished my nail care, she massaged my hand while saying,

"I thought a prince would be a good match for Alteina, but to cancel the engagement just because she lost her voice is a complete lack of judgment! Don't you think so, Sister?"

"Yes, anyone who sees such a cute Alteina would definitely regret it! I won't give her to anyone who wants to marry her!"

The sisters chuckled.

These two are really close.

"Alright, Alteina! Now your delicate hands are sparkling! If you keep reading books, all the oil from your hands will be absorbed by the books! Be careful."

I nodded.

The sisters, smiling, then started picking out a dress.

That's because today there's a tea party for noble young ladies and noble wives.

I rarely attend tea parties, but to change my mood, and because I've caused them a lot of worry, I couldn't refuse when the sisters insisted.

I was dressed in a beautiful sky-blue dress with sapphire accessories.

I don't particularly like dressing up, but since it makes the sisters happy, I'll let it go.

The host of the tea party is the Anged family.

The second most powerful ducal family after the Serielle family.

In the beautiful garden with colorful roses in full bloom, influential noblewomen have gathered.

"Miss Riberi, Miss Rafra, you've come! I'm so glad! And who is that?"

"Mrs. Anged, this is our younger sister, Alteina. Please be kind to her."

The one who greeted us was Mrs. Anged, the host of the tea party.

I've heard she's Riberi's close friend.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Alteina. I've been looking forward to meeting you."

I lifted the hem of my skirt and bowed.

"I'm sorry, but Alteina can't speak right now..."

"Oh! That's terrible!"

"Her doctor says it's due to stress. So, I brought her here to have some fun!"

Riberi smiled cutely.

"That's good. Miss Alteina, please enjoy yourself."

I nodded.

Around me, the dresses of the young ladies fluttered like butterflies, dazzling to look at.

"Alteina! Come over here."

When I went to the table where Rafra called me, I noticed the maid's hands were trembling as she tried to pour tea.

The cups and saucers were clinking.

The sisters smiled wryly, and I could tell Mrs. Anged sighed.

I wrote on my notepad, "Can I pour the tea for you?" and showed it to the sisters, Mrs. Anged, and the maid.

I've always loved reading books and pouring tea whenever I want, so I'm proud of my tea-pouring skills, which I honed by reading and practicing.

I poured tea for everyone slowly and gracefully, and the maid distributed the cups.

The sisters, knowing I was once obsessed with pouring tea, didn't hesitate to drink from their cups.

"Alteina, have your skills improved again? What do you think, Rafra?"

"Alteina, teach our maid how to pour tea like this! If this continues, we'll only be able to drink tea poured by you!"

It's nice to be praised for my skills.

I wrote down my tea-pouring method and gave it to the maid as a gift.

"Oh, thank you. I'll work hard."

The maid was so grateful, it made me happy.

"Oh! Isn't it embarrassing to imitate a maid?"

"I heard she was removed from the list of candidates for the second prince's engagement."

"Oh, I'd be too embarrassed to even go outside!"

Some young ladies were gossiping about me from a distance.

I usually avoid tea parties because of this...

"Who just insulted my precious little sister?"

It was Rafra who spoke with a voice full of anger.

"Who insulted my precious treasure?"

Rafra stared at a specific spot and repeated the same words.

She definitely knows who said it.

Rafra stood up, flipped her dress gracefully, and walked towards a table in the back.

I tried to ask Riberi for help, but she was waving at Rafra with a full smile.

Riberi is no help.

I followed Rafra a bit later.

"Who just insulted my precious treasure?"

When Rafra reached a table, she repeated the same words.

There were three young ladies sitting at the table.

I was impressed by how well she could distinguish them.

Two of the three were pale and looking down, but the remaining one glared at Rafra aggressively.

"Oh, it's all true! Imitating a maid and being removed from the list of candidates for the second prince's engagement! By the way, I'm still on the list!"

Rafra's brow furrowed.

I quickly stepped between Rafra and the aggressive young lady to stop Rafra.

Honestly, I don't envy her, and I don't want to fight over this.

"Alteina! Don't stop me!"

I shook my head.

This is a pointless fight.

I hurriedly wrote on my notepad, "Rafra, I'm fine. I'm happy just to be called a treasure. Please let me stay happy."

"Alteina... Are you an angel? You don't have to get married! The Regitreet Marquess family will take care of you for life, so please be kind to us!"

Rafra hugged me tightly.

After that, we had to leave the tea party early due to the commotion we caused.

I'll do my best!