Chapter 32

The weather was beautiful, what a perfect day for a tea party!

Today’s guest of honor was a young lady dressed in a light blue dress that matched the clear blue sky. Her black hair and eyes exuded a competitive spirit, and the slight upward tilt of her eyes gave her a strong-willed impression.

She was two years older than me, nineteen years old, the same age as Her Royal Highness the Princess, but I didn’t think she had the same harsh personality as the Princess.

Her father held the title of Marquess, and from just a brief conversation, it was clear that she had put in the effort to match her status, which was also evident in her graceful manners.

Yes, she was Michelle Andretto, the Marquess’s daughter, who had attended the tea party hosted by Elise at our house a few days ago.

At the end of the party, she had said, "I’ll invite you next time," so it was perfect.

In fact, I had also received an invitation letter from her.

However, this time, I decided to invite her.

Do you understand?

Because once you host a tea party, you don’t have to do anything for half a year.

I thought it was troublesome, but my husband didn’t say anything about the scale, and well, when two women get together, it’s a proper tea party.

No matter what anyone says.

"But what a wonderful garden. This pavilion also gives off a strong sense of history."

Of course it does.

We spend a lot of money on maintenance, and this pavilion was built by a duke for his wife a long time ago. It’s natural that it gives off a sense of history.

Moreover, you seem to have studied well. You know a lot about this pavilion. You’ve never been to a tea party at the ducal mansion, have you?

Oh, and the tea party at Elise’s place the other day didn’t happen.

"The ducal mansion is wonderful in every way."

"Yes, I agree."

We were still being cautious in our conversation.

I hope we can become friends, but I wonder if it will happen.

While drinking tea slowly, our conversation was light and unoffensive.

I’m not very proactive in social situations, so Michelle’s conversation was very valuable and fresh.

We each drank a cup of tea and ate some light, sweet pastries.

Mmm, delicious!

I was eating the sweets I hadn’t had during tea time recently, being careful not to be too vulgar, when she finished her cup and was being served more tea.

Ah, the conversation was about to change.

Feeling the atmosphere, I straightened my posture.

"How much do you know about the Duchess of Lindbergh?"

"How much... do I know?"

"I’m asking about my position in society."

Well, I know a bit, but her faction is the so-called anti-Princess faction.

It’s not that the Andretto Marquess’s family is anti-royal. Rather, they are neutral.

So why is she competing with the Princess? As you can guess, it’s because of the Princess’s personality.

She was the youngest daughter and was doted on and spoiled by everyone around her.

Can you imagine what kind of person she would become if raised like that?

Especially since she has power and is quite beautiful, she would be very proud.

To begin with, considering the character that led to my husband avoiding marriage with the Princess, I don’t think it’s just a minor issue.

From what I’ve heard, people don’t want to get too close to her. Moreover, I am currently the one most targeted by the Princess, so I decline all tea parties and evening social events she might attend.

Basically, I decline everything.

In short, such a harsh Princess.

Michelle is protecting the young ladies who have been unfairly targeted by the Princess and keeping them safe within her faction.

What a philanthropist. Her wonderful spirit makes me think she might be a goddess.

But I wondered why a neutral faction member like Michelle would do such a thing. The main reason is that the neutral faction’s young ladies are mainly targeted.

Why are the neutral faction targeted? The anti-royal faction is basically a collection of new nobles, so they are small in scale.

However, they have a lot of money, so they become troublesome if they become serious enemies.

The Princess seems to understand this and doesn’t provoke them unless it’s a big deal.

But sometimes, her capriciousness flares up, and she wants to take it out on someone, and the neutral faction happens to be a good target.

If she targets a high-ranking young lady, the neutral faction might become anti-royal, so she always targets weaker young ladies.

And Michelle protects such young ladies.

As a result, Michelle is seen as anti-Princess.

Recently, she is even seen as leaning towards the new nobles, but she apparently doesn’t intend to be.

She has even hinted to the Princess to back off.

But the Princess seems to consider the neutral faction as a kind of enemy and doesn’t listen to her.

"Was your approach to Elise also to protect her from the Princess?"

"That’s part of it. Also, there was a calculation that perhaps we could receive the protection of the Duke of Lindbergh."

She’s honest.

If we had the protection of the Duke of Lindbergh, even the Princess wouldn’t dare to touch us.

The Duke of Lindbergh, known as the most loyal of the loyal, is a relative of the royal family.

I’ve heard that even the Emperor can’t stand up to my husband.

By the way, if you ask which faction the Duke of Lindbergh belongs to, the correct answer is that they are so influential that they don’t belong to any faction.

A family that can give opinions to the royal family doesn’t need a faction, right?

"Was your approach to me also to receive the protection of the Duke of Lindbergh?"

"I do hope to receive protection, but the Duchess doesn’t seem to enjoy social events, so I wouldn’t force it."

In other words, she wants me to join her faction and be protected.

Hmm... a bit of guilt.

Because the fact that I’m not participating in social events is causing her faction to suffer.

The cause of the turmoil is my husband’s marriage.

The marriage partner was someone the Princess considered beneath her.

If it were a royal from another country, she might tolerate it... right? I guess so.

Ah, I think I should cooperate a little.

It’s not entirely my fault, but I am partly to blame, and the world of women is scary...

I sighed a little and suggested:

"How about attending a tea party hosted by the royal family once?"

If I show up, some of the hostility might be diverted.

If I bring my husband, he can be a shield!

Probably.

"Is that okay?"

Michelle said hesitantly.

It’s not okay, but there’s no choice.

It’s one of the troublesome things my husband mentioned, and frankly, I thought it would be better to take the initiative rather than just dealing with Lady Miriam.

Because I am somewhat involved in this.

"I think there’s one coming up soon, right?"

I also received an invitation.

I was planning to decline with a casual excuse.

By the way, there was one for my husband too.

"Yes, then how about then?"

"I think it’s better to start as soon as possible."

My true feeling is that it’s best to get unpleasant things over with quickly.

Seeing Michelle look a bit relieved, I felt a little joy in being able to help.

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