Embroided with threads of yellow gold, the brown envelope bore a green seal pressed neatly at the center.
The seal of the Earth element.
"This letter is from… Caelrion himself?"
I immediately unfold the letter.
"I understand you personally declined, and I have no intention of forcing this matter upon you.
However, I find myself rather interested in you.
Your gentle kindness remains in my heart.
Your nature is warm and sincere, and whatever abilities you may possess, I do not believe they would bring suffering to the Viremont family.
I shall await your response, and I ask that you take your time before answering."
I shiver went down my spine in horror.
"WHAT DID I EVEN DO!?"
'Don't tell me it's because of the stunt I pulled during my birthday party…'
'I literally rejected this relationship beforehand and somehow still got a marriage proposal!?'
I spiral deeper into confusion.
"Huh?"
"There's another letter?"
I immediately toss Caelrion's letter aside.
"I'll think about this later."
Then my eyes brighten.
"From Lady Marigold!"
I hurriedly open it.
"I greet you, Lady Velora.
I am flattered that you waited for an announcement that day.
Please do not worry, I merely left in haste due to urgent matters.
There have been no recent gatherings within our estate.
Thank you for asking after me."
"There's no event happening at the Edelweiss estate…"
I let out a disappointed sigh.
"The Edelweiss family, you say?" Erisa asks curiously.
I nod.
"Then why not host a tea gathering yourself, Lady Velora?"
I blink.
"I can?"
"Yes. We would simply need Duke Lucien's permis—"
—slam—
Erisa flinches in shock as I suddenly rush out of the room.
—Few minutes later, Hallway—
I stop outside Duke Lucien's office, sweating heavily while trying to catch my breath.
"Crap…"
"I forgot I still don't remember where his office is."
'After wandering around awkwardly for several minutes, I finally arrive.'
—knock, knock, knock—
I slowly open the door before quietly stepping inside.
Lucien does not even bother looking up from the papers in his hands.
"What are you doing here?"
I gulp down.
"Well—..."
—Few minutes later—
After explaining everything, Lucien slowly lifts his gaze toward me.
"So instead of causing trouble outside the estate, you now intend to create it within the estate itself?"
'This guy…'
'He's becoming more sarcastic by the day.'
"I'm trying to make friends."
I pout slightly while staring back at him.
"What for?"
I stare blankly.
"…"
'Is this guy lonely? Why is he questioning the purpose of friendship?'
"W-well…"
I cross my arms awkwardly.
'I'm not sure either..., what do girls even do with friends?'
"I need someone to go shopping with…"
"And visit cafés…"
"Take Reynard with you."
"He doesn't have any duty yet since he's suspended."
Lucien immediately returns to reading his documents.
'…Wait. I thought Rey didn't even work.'
Pieces slowly begin connecting in my head.
Rey being known as a Red Tide, a knight in 1st Division that almost killed a fellow knight and dropped from 2nd Division.
'Oh…'
"..."
"I also need connections."
"Is that so?"
Lucien asks bluntly while flipping through papers. Yet despite acting uninterested, I notice him glancing at me from time to time.
I freeze.
'How am I supposed to explain I need enough social connections so I don't end up dying like in the original story!?'
I quickly straighten myself.
"For social standing."
Lucien raises an eyebrow.
"You are already a Rosethorne."
"Well… for future gatherings too."
"Since when did you start liking gatherings?"
"This is called change of taste."
Lucien silently stares at me.
"…Taste huh."
"You speak as though you are preparing for something."
"I just think it's important to maintain proper relationships with noble families."
Lucien's gaze narrows slightly.
"Hmm."
"You're getting better with your words." sarcastically.
"Suit yourself."
"You did not need to explain yourself to me."
"…Huh?"
I blink in disbelief.
'Then why did you interrogate me this long for!?'
'This son of a—'
I immediately bow while forcing a stiff smile.
"Thank you very much, older brother. I simply wished to inform you beforehand."
I immediately leave.
—Velora's room—
—bam—
I slam the door wide open.
"KEL! ERISA!"
Kel screams in horror while Erisa remains perfectly calm.
"Yes, Lady Velora?"
"I want to write letter!"
Kel gasps loudly.
"For Lord Caelrion!?"
I stare at her in complete disgust.
"No."
I answer flatly.
"Absolutely not."
I smirk
"I'm hosting a tea gathering instead!"
—Few days later—
"I didn't know hosting a simple tea gathering required this much preparation…"
I collapse over the table.
"Can't someone just do this for me instead?"
"Yes."
"…Then why are you all making me suffer!?"
Erisa softly smiles.
—Few days later—
In the end, I sent invitations to several random noble ladies that's almost around the same age as me.
'Since I didn't want Marigold to feel awkward attending alone, I added a few more noble families.'
'At the same time i did think of inviting the female lead but Im not sure what her family name is. since I know around this time she's still living in the baron family..'
"Lord Caelrion has a younger sister too…"
"I'll invite her as well."
I made a small Tea gathering just enough to be crowded, including Marigold and Caelrion's younger sister.
'And the reason I invited Caelrion's sister…'
"Selmira Viremont."
'Also known as Mira in the original story.'
I slowly narrow my eyes.
'She became friends with the Female Lead while staying within the Earth estate.'
'She's my best Trump card to get closer to the Female lead.'
I clench my fist dramatically while staring upward with determination.
—Tea gathering, Entrance—
Carriages begin arriving one after another before the manor entrance.
"I greet Lady Velora. Thank you kindly for inviting me."
The noble ladies step down gracefully, greeting me one by one as they enter.
I return each greeting with a practiced smile.
My eyes immediately beams with determination.
A familiar carriage arrives.
'Finally… the Edelweiss family.'
I straighten myself before bowing gracefully as Marigold steps down from the carriage.
Marigold gently lifts the sides of her dress and returns the greeting elegantly.
She keeps her gaze lowered, both hands gently clasped together.
"I greet, Lady Velora Rosethorne."
her voice almost too quiet to hear.
I immediately step closer and take both her hands into mine.
"I've been waiting for you!"
I beam brightly at her, smiling so happily it almost feels like flowers might bloom around me.
Marigold visibly flusters before hurriedly bowing her head.
"T-Thank you very much, Lady Velora…"
I gracefully wave her inside with a smile as she carefully walks past me.
I slowly straighten myself once more.
"Now the last one would be…"
"The Viremont family of the Earth element." I mumble.
Another carriage soon arrives before the entrance.
I calmly lift my dress slightly before bowing elegantly.
"Welcome, and thank you for attending."
"I greet the daughter of the Grandduke, Lady Selmira Viremont."
The moment I lift my head, a small girl suddenly points directly at me.
I blink.
Standing before me is a young girl around 145cm tall, likely because she is two years younger than me.
Her golden eyes shines sharply.
"You're my brother's fiancée, right?"
I freeze completely.
It feels as though my face is about to crack open like some hidden beast inside me is moments away from screaming.
My eyebrow and my hand twitches.
'I may be Velora but— I'M STILL A MAN INSIDE!!'
"A-ah… no."
Selmira places a finger against her chin thoughtfully.
"Ehh… that's strange."
"I'm certain I saw a marriage proposal addressed directly to Lady Velora when I visited my brother's office."
She tilts her head innocently.
"Did I read it wrong?"
'This kid… she just says whatever comes to mind without hesitation.'
I force out a stiff laugh while maintaining my smile.
"Ahahaha…"
"Please, allow me to guide you through the venue of today's gathering."
—Few minutes later—
I let out a quiet sigh before stepping forward to give a speech.
"I welcome everyone who has come today."
"I sincerely hope you enjoy the scenery of the Rosethorne estate, along with the preparations made for this gathering."
The moment I finish speaking, soft applause fills the area.
the noble ladies immediately surround me.
Questions begin pouring nonstop from every direction.
"Lady Velora! We heard you know how to prepare flowers and desserts that fairies enjoy!"
"Is it true, Lady Velora?"
"Lady Velora, what kind of abilities do you possess?"
"Have you already formed a contract with a fairy?"
"Have you seen one before?"
"Have you actually spoken to fairies!?"
The ladies chatter endlessly around me without pause, their voices overlapping one after another.
"Ahahaha…"
I force out a smile while standing there surrounded.
'Someone help meee....'
—few hours later—
I let out a tired sigh.
'They finally scattered…'
As I stand from my seat, my eyes finally land on Marigold quietly standing near the flowerbeds.
I immediately walk toward her.
"Lady Marigold."
"Ah, Lady Velora."
"Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Yes… it has been quite delightful."
Though even as she says it, Marigold still appears hesitant, her hands lightly clasped together while avoiding direct eye contact.
'I'm glad I did it near our flower garden.'
"I'm truly glad you came. I've been looking forward to your presence this entire time."
Marigold remains quiet, visibly flustered by my words.
I gently clasp both her hands together before smiling brightly at her.
"You were one of the very first friends I ever had within noble society."
"So I'm genuinely gratefulto thank you for the gift as well. I used it well to create beautiful flowers myself."
Marigold immediately panics, her face growing even redder.
"O-Oh, Lady Velora… I'm glad you love it, thank you very much."
'Nice, she's finally calming down!'
"I truly wish for us to become closer friends."
'Please, for the love of anyone. This is already the third time I've tried befriending her and if someone starts to interrupt us again, I—'
"LADY VELORA!"
A loud voice suddenly echoes from afar.
'Devil!!!!' I start to feel furious.
I turn around.
There stands the small child named Selmira with her arms crossed once more, loudly demanding my attention.
'These siblings… Why are they both so ridiculously persistent!?'