Chapter 3

I entered my classroom and sat at the desk with the same number as the one written on the document.

Next to the number on the document, there were also names written, so by comparing them with the seats, I could easily match the faces with the names.

How efficient!

I love efficiency!

The long desks were for three people. I was in the middle.

To my right was Ace, a handsome boy.

To my left was Natalie, a gentle girl.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Marianne. Please take care of me."

I gave my first smile with all my might!

A smile is important!

"Ace."

"I'm Natalie. Please take care of me."

Hmm, hmm. Is Ace nervous?

Natalie seems kind.

At least they don’t seem hard to get along with. That’s a relief.

While I was thinking this, we were told to gather in the auditorium, and each class gathered there.

This is a bit depressing.

I’m supposed to give a speech as the representative of the new students.

I hope I don’t trip.

I hope I don’t stutter.

I was making the sign of the cross in front of my chest while taking deep breaths, and the kids around me were giggling.

They might think I’m weird.

The ceremony proceeded smoothly.

"Next, the new student representative, Marianne de Landfury."

"Here I am!"

I walked quickly but tried not to look too rushed.

I stood on the stage and read the speech I had written after much deliberation last night.

It was going well until...

"...and, I will engrave it in my heart and strive hard!"

I stumbled on the last line.

I thought maybe no one noticed because it was so quiet...

But then there was a giggle after the silence.

Yeah, I knew I’d be laughed at.

When I glanced at my older sister, she turned away with a red face. I’m sorry.

Behind my sister, the black-haired prince from this morning was laughing loudly, holding his stomach. You’re laughing too much, Prince.

(Oh well, it’s already in the past) I decided and went back to the classroom, where many people called out to me.

"Wow, you’re the top student who entered. Nice to meet you."

"You’re cute and smart!"

"Your speech was great, and you had a charming personality too!"

People of all genders called out to me, but when they introduced themselves, they all said, "I’m ~ for sure!" Isn’t that bullying?

□ □ □ □ □

The ride home was awkward.

My older sister scolded me, saying, "You should have practiced your reading more."

"Yes, you’re right. But even if I had practiced, I might have still been nervous and stumbled."

When I replied, she sighed elegantly.

Well, it’s okay, right? It’s the truth.

Even if I stumbled, I think I conveyed what I wanted to say: "Let’s all learn and play together and make friends."

My mother always tells me, "It’s more fun in life to take a half step forward even if you fail than to do nothing out of fear of failure."

I agree with that.

I think my older sister must have been scolded a lot when she was little for making mistakes.

Thinking about that, I feel sorry for her.

I got home quickly.

I changed into a comfortable dress and planned to go see the gardener, Uncle Tom, who was trimming the hedges.

"Tom, I’m back!"

"Welcome back, Miss Marianne."

Uncle Tom was trimming the hedges with large shears, creating a beautiful curve. The shears moved with a snip-snip sound, and the finely cut branches and leaves fell.

It’s like giving the plants a haircut, and I never get tired of watching it.

"By trimming the hedges regularly, the branches and leaves become dense and form a beautiful hedge. If you let them grow wild, it might seem good, but in the end, the base of the branches will be in the shade, and no leaves will grow, making it look bad and unhealthy."

I always find it interesting to listen to experts like this.

I was so engrossed in the conversation that a maid ran over from the house.

"Miss Marianne! We have a guest."

"Really? Misha? Or Lala?"

"It’s Lord Daryl."

"Who’s that?"

"… Just hurry back! You need to change your clothes!"

The maid grabbed my arm and pulled me back to the house. Even when I said, "I don’t need to change," she wouldn’t listen, and I was forced into a formal dress.

What does this Daryl want!

After my hair was brushed and I was deemed presentable, I was led to the guest room.

There was Daryl, the brown-haired guy from this morning.

"Welcome, Lord Daryl."

"Hey, sorry for coming so suddenly. I have something to talk to you about."

"Ah."

Daryl was sitting relaxed in my house, crossing his legs and drinking tea.

"Prince Alexander, whom I met this morning, wants to chat with you. He wants to invite you to a tea party."

Daryl said this with a "Isn’t that great!" kind of face, but I’m not happy about it.

"Will I be punished if I don’t go?"

"Huh? Why? It’s a tea party with the prince."

"Can I be honest without getting angry?"

Cough!

Sebastian, the butler, who was standing in the corner, coughed loudly. What a bad manner, Sebastian.

"Miss, your hair is a mess. It would be better to fix it. Lord Daryl, please excuse us for a moment."

Sebastian gently pushed my shoulder and led me to the hallway. It was gentle but too forceful. If I stopped, I would have stumbled.

"Miss, you cannot refuse an invitation from the royal family."

"But… the palace is so strict with manners, and I might make a mistake. I’m not interested in the royal family."

"You must accept the invitation! If you don’t..."

"If I don’t?"

"It will cause great trouble for the Earl and his wife."

"Ah… Okay, I understand."

When you put it that way.

I’ll go to the palace.

I’ll drink a lot of tea.

I’ll do my best for my beloved father and mother.

(But isn’t it wrong for adults to take revenge on children for their own relationships?) I think.

But I won’t say it because it’s disrespectful!

I told Daryl, "I accept the invitation." I didn’t say "gladly" by accident.

I’m still a child!

I just made a mistake.

Daryl left with a "Of course, of course, you must be happy" kind of face.

It seems that the news of the tea party invitation was quickly sent to my father, who was at work, and to my mother, who was out.

After that, my house was in a frenzy.

It was decided that my older sister, who wasn’t invited, would also go, and she was nervous.

I don’t want to go.

I don’t want to go to the prince’s tea party.

I’m sure it will be boring.

I’d rather have tea and cookies with Misha and Lala.