Published: September 6, 2025
“Magnificent, isn’t it?”
Brynhildr let out a sigh of admiration as she looked at the hair ornament that had arrived from Ehrenfest.
Inside the wooden box was a pure white flower that complemented Adolphine’s wavy wine-red hair. It was a large rose made of lace, surrounded by soft green leaves that evoked the feeling of spring.
Perhaps thanks to Tulli’s foresight in preparing the design and threads, the threads forming the flower looked truly exquisite, giving the petals a subtle sheen. But that wasn’t all. Glass-like, bead-like pieces were sewn in, sparkling like morning dew.
…Tulli, you’re amazing.
“This hair ornament is truly fitting as a gift from Prince Siegiswald to Lady Adolphine, isn’t it?”
I looked up at Brynhildr, who nodded with a dreamy expression in her amber eyes.
“Yes, it’s very beautiful. Rosemine-sama’s personal attendant has really improved her skills.”
Among the close aides, Brynhildr was known for her sharp eye and strict standards, so receiving praise from her was very gratifying. Smiling softly at the compliment to Tulli’s skills, I coordinated schedules with Charlotte’s attendant and instructed them to contact Drevannel.
“Understood.”
When we consulted Drevannel about the tea party invitation from Ehrenfest, they said they already planned to host a tea party and wanted us to attend. Participating felt less stressful than hosting, and as we had no other plans, Charlotte and I agreed.
When the formal invitation arrived, Charlotte and I both held our heads in our hands.
“So, we’re actually going to attend this?”
“The invitation has already been extended, and it wouldn’t do for both of us to refuse, right?”
…Don’t think of attending as being easier because you don’t have to prepare—remember, we’re the hosts!
But regret was too late. We had already accepted, and with a formal invitation from the high-ranking territories, we had no choice but to go… to a tea party attended only by the upper territories.
It seemed to be a tea party hosted by Drevannel, the high-ranking territory that Adolphine, betrothed to the first prince, would support as the future center of Jurgenschmidt. The attendees included high nobility from Classenburg, Hannelore of Dunkelfelger, a lord candidate from Drevannel who was Adolphine’s half-sister, a first-year lord candidate from Glessen Meyer, a fourth-year lord candidate from Haufletze, and Dietlinde of Arensbach.
The top six high-ranking territories were lined up, and Ehrenfest, ranked tenth but jumping in, was included—while those ranked seventh and below were not invited.
…Frankly, we’re completely out of place! Totally out of place! At times like this, I want to lose consciousness, but instead of excitement, a strange calm remains, so I don’t feel like fainting at all!
Reality is often uncooperative. Of course, I understood that I couldn’t just throw Charlotte alone into such a tea party. We had to steel ourselves and go.
“Depending on how you look at it, it might be advantageous.”
“Advantageous?”
I nodded toward Charlotte, who tilted her head in puzzlement, and affirmed, “Yes.” Since we had to go anyway, I wanted to approach it positively.
“If the tea party was only with Drevannel, there might be deep conversations or hard-to-refuse demands, but with many attendees, the conversations naturally become neutral and uncontroversial.”
We would chat about neutral topics, present the hair ornament, and complete the most important mission. After some thought, I looked up with determination.
“To provide topics for Ehrenfest, I’ll introduce a new confection at the tea party.”
“What will you bring?”
“Mille crepe cake.”
It’s a cake made by layering thin crepes with cream in between. Since the refined upper territories were our audience, we would use crepes made only from wheat flour—no buckwheat galettes. Although it’s more labor-intensive, the beautiful layers visible when sliced are stunning, and individual sweetness preferences can be accommodated.