Chapter 44

"Change your perspective, and this tea party might be a good opportunity for you, I think."

At those words, Amelia turned to Logan.

Then, she tilted her head.

"An opportunity...?"

"Yes, an opportunity. To dispel the bad rumors about you, you know..."

While Amelia was trying to gauge the true meaning of Logan's words, Oscar returned with the tea set in hand.

Two cups of tea were placed before them.

The aroma of the tea being poured into the cups, bubbling gently, calmed her agitated heart a little.

"Thank you, Oscar."

"You're welcome."

Oscar smiled and bowed before stepping back.

At Logan's urging, she blew on the tea and said, "Itadakimasu," before taking a sip.

The muscatel aroma of the Darjeeling tea slipped through her nostrils.

As the rich flavor spread through her mouth, she couldn't help but let out a breath, "Ah..."

(I really do like it...)

She placed the cup down, savoring the moment, and waited for the next words.

After finishing his tea, Logan spoke again.

"To be honest, the current you is nothing like the rumors. If you go to the tea party and communicate normally, the misunderstanding will be cleared up quickly."

"Is that so...? I don't really feel that way..."

"That lack of self-awareness is part of it, too. At the very least, you are not arrogant, selfish, or inhumane. Rather, the opposite. I guarantee it."

"Thank you..."

He praised her for being a person of character, contrary to the rumors, and for being her true self.

Amelia's heart overflowed with an indescribable joy.

However, part of her still didn't quite get it.

"...I think you still need to learn some etiquette and how to behave in public."

"V... That's embarrassing..."

"No one is born knowing everything. Everything is a matter of experience. If you can't do it, you can learn. Given your abilities, you'll master it in no time."

"That's... too much praise..."

"You don't need to overestimate yourself. First, you need to recognize your own high capabilities."

"Uu... Yes..."

She agreed, but it still didn't quite click.

Moreover, being praised so much made her chest feel itchy and uncomfortable.

With little experience of being affirmed by others, she found it difficult to react.

To cover up her embarrassment, she changed the subject.

"But... I mean, I look like this... I've been called ugly, and I've seen all sorts of things..."

Her voice grew smaller as she spoke.

She was sure that standing next to Logan, looking so ugly and gaunt, would embarrass him.

The thought made her feel uneasy.

She gripped her dress tightly at her knees, and Logan scratched his head before speaking.

"There's one more thing you need to realize..."

"Yes?"

She waited for Logan's next words.

But he didn't say anything for a while.

After a long pause, Logan spoke.

"...You are very beautiful."

Steam seemed to rise from the top of Amelia's head.

"That... is a joke..."

"I'm being serious. I've said it before. Your poor nutritional state has damaged your true appearance... but you are actually very beautiful. So, have confidence."

Logan spoke faster than usual and slightly averted his eyes.

It was a sign that he felt embarrassed.

Even Amelia could tell that he was speaking from the heart, not just to comfort her.

"Those are very kind words... Thank you..."

Her voice grew smaller again, but this time out of embarrassment.

Being praised for her appearance, which was a major source of her insecurity, made her feel as if she were on cloud nine.

She felt heat in her face and the steady pounding of her heart.

But, honestly, it still didn't quite click.

The negative words she had been subjected to over the years were too powerful for her to accept Logan's evaluation easily.

However, she didn't want to continue being the same as before, always looking down and thinking, "I'm not good enough..."

She understood Logan's intention.

If his evaluation of her was correct, she should attend and change people's perceptions.

(But, I'm scared...)

What if she wasn't accepted?

What if she was mocked and ridiculed by many people again?

(And most importantly... if I cause trouble for Lord Logan...?)

Such negative emotions filled her heart like mud.

However, as if to overwhelm these negative emotions, a hot will emerged from the depths of her heart.

A will she never had before.

It was a strong desire to change.

(Ah, I see...)

Now she understood.

The nagging feeling in her heart earlier.

(I want to change...)

She looked down at the still warm Darjeeling.

Even a small change, like Logan switching from coffee to tea, would be good.

She wanted to change the situation by taking action.

Until now, she had run away, gone with the flow, and just endured without taking a stand.

This tea party, if she chose to decline and not attend, would be easier and she wouldn't get hurt.

But that was one choice, and...

(I want to change...)

If she did nothing, nothing would change.

Relying on others and leaving things to chance wouldn't lead to a better outcome.

Indeed, it was scary to take a step forward with courage.

There was also the fear of failure.

But...

(I'm not alone now...)

She had allies, important people.

She wasn't the same as before.

Since coming to the Helmburg family, she had gained friends like Sylphie and Oscar.

On that day, Logan had patted her head and said, "I'm on your side," and her mindset had truly changed.

People can persevere in even the most difficult situations if they have at least one absolute ally.

Just as she had been able to endure harsh treatment in her childhood because her mother was there for her.

This was the final push for Amelia's will.

She reaffirmed her resolve.

(I want to change...)

– I'll try my best, Amelia thought.

"I've decided."

Amelia looked at Logan and said,

"I'll go. I want to attend the tea party."

"Is that so?"

Logan's lips curved into a faint smile, as if he could sense the firm resolve in Amelia's eyes.

"You're doing well."

His voice was gentle.

His large hand, slowly reaching out, gently stroked Amelia's lustrous red hair.

Gently, as if handling a treasure.

(Ah... This is too much...)

Usually, she only saw his strict and serious side, so when he showed this occasional gentleness, it always got to her.

Her expression softened, and she let him continue for a while.

"Since that's decided, we need to go buy a dress."

Just as they finished their tea, Logan said, as if he had just remembered.

"Yes... Wait, a dress?"

"Of course. You wouldn't think of wearing one of the dresses you brought from home, would you?"

"U... That would be..."

The dresses she brought from home were all worn out, faded, and dirty, and were not suitable for a tea party hosted by a duke.

(I'll ask Sylphie to help me pick one out when the time is right... I remember Lord Logan said he would cover the expenses for daily necessities... Does a tea party dress count as a daily necessity?)

While she was casually thinking about such trivial matters, Logan said, as if it were a natural progression.

"I've taken the whole day off tomorrow. Let's go to the city and buy one."

"E... In other words..."

In other words, that means...

(L, Lord Logan and I... going out...!?)

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