Chapter 5

It's finally the day of the tea party.

I don't really want to go, but I remember my grandfather's wise words: "Do the things you don't want to do first." I decide to push through and try my best.

Mother and I baked four whole apple pies, enough to share with the guards as well. Sebastian solemnly carried them in for us.

It seems only the prince, my sister, and I will be attending this time. I wonder what an eleven-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl are supposed to talk about at a tea party. I wish the two of them could chat and I could explore the palace grounds alone.

But that's probably impossible. If I wander around the palace grounds by myself, the guards will catch me, tie me up, and throw me in jail.

Lost in thought, I arrive at a beautiful room. The walls facing outside are all sliding doors, wide open.

"Wow..."

Before I can exclaim how lovely it is, my sister gives me a look to stop me. She looks so intense today, almost as if she's emitting death rays from her eyes.

"Hello, Miss Katarina, Miss Marianna, thank you for coming."

"Thank you for inviting us today..."

The prince interrupts my sister as she tries to give an elegant greeting.

"Katarina, let's skip the formalities today. It's like a playdate with a classmate and her sister, so please, just relax."

"Yes, Prince Alexander."

My sister manages to bow gracefully to the end without losing her composure. She's truly impressive.

Now it's my turn to greet him.

"Thank you for inviting us today..."

"No, it's fine. Just relax. You might bite your tongue again if you're too tense."

Ugh.

I won't bite my tongue! And I could have finished my greeting in ten seconds. He's so impatient.

"Ha ha ha. Sorry, sorry. Did you want to finish your greeting?"

The prince laughs merrily.

"Marianna, your mouth!"

My sister gives me a subtle warning without moving her lips, and I realize I was pouting.

Phew. That was close. I almost showed disrespect.

I look around the luxurious room in amazement, and the maids serve us fragrant tea. The aroma is so delightful, and then the apple pies I baked are served on plates. Everything is done with such elegance and smoothness.

"Is this one baked by Marianna?"

The prince looks at it curiously.

"Yes. My mother and I baked it. My sister tasted it for us. I hope it suits your taste, Prince Alexander."

My sister seems to have shrunk a bit, but the prince cuts a large piece and takes a bite.

"Delicious! The apple pie served in the palace looks different, but this is incredibly tasty."

I knew it, I knew it!

"This is a recipe my mother learned from my grandmother, our family's pride, or rather, the pride of the poor baron's family in Alhan's countryside!"

Huh?

Did someone just make a strange "gasp" sound?

I turn around and see a young knight with a handsome face standing by the wall, his face red and his shoulders trembling. A maid who was rearranging the tea set on the opposite cart has her eyes closed in discomfort, her mouth forming a line as if she's trying to hold back something.

Did I say something strange? Me.

The prince is shaking, his chin almost touching his left shoulder, and my sister is looking at the corner of the ceiling with teary eyes.

"No, I'm sorry, Miss Marianna. You're quite amusing."

"Ah. Is that so? My grandmother often complains that my grandfather is so preoccupied with raising horses that he's not good at making money."

"Ha ha ha!"

The knight behind us bursts out laughing and quickly tries to compose himself. The maid's arm is shaking, and tea is spilling from the cup.

"Your Highness, I apologize! My sister is being so uncouth!"

My sister stands up and bows so deeply it looks like she might hit the floor with her forehead. Oh my.

The prince, who is being apologized to, has his eyes closed, one hand on his forehead, and is looking down, his stomach twitching silently.

Everyone must be so starved for laughter. They're laughing so much at such a simple conversation.

Well, despite everything, the tea party went smoothly.

I'm certain that whenever I mention my grandparents, everyone except my sister makes a pained expression!

My sister looked like her soul was half out of her mouth.

The topics of conversation at the tea party included my hobby of reading. When I mentioned that I read about all sorts of things, especially the mechanisms by which traits are passed from parents to offspring in plants and animals, the prince leaned in, listening intently.

He kept asking questions, and I answered them. My sister took on the role of a modest listener.

Time flew by, and the tea party ended. Phew, what a relief.

"Today was a truly enjoyable and meaningful time. Will you come again?"

Oh, that's a bit much.

As I think this, my sister says, "It would be an honor," and gives another elegant bow.

"Will Miss Marianna come again?"

"Um, let me think about it... *cough*!"

My sister jabbed me sharply in the side with the edge of her hand.