Chapter 152
New Friends
Seth spoke as if Eleanor’s outfit were terribly inappropriate.
Hilda couldn’t hold back any longer and stepped forward.
“What did you just say about my lady?”
Hilda’s voice was vicious. Not just her tone, but her expression—and the way she strode straight toward Seth—were downright terrifying.
“Her outfit what? Say that again.”
Overwhelmed by her momentum, Seth unconsciously took a few steps back.
He was a knight who never retreated even when facing monsters, yet Hilda—baring her teeth like she was ready to tear him apart—felt more dangerous than any beast.
“If my wording was harsh, I apologize.”
Seth instinctively raised both hands defensively.
Grrrk.
Hilda ground her teeth like an enraged predator.
“However, her clothing is not suitable for attending a tea party.”
Fine. One of us is dying today.
Hilda’s blue eyes gleamed dangerously with that exact meaning.
She looked ready to lunge at him immediately, but Eleanor hurriedly stopped her.
Though Seth clearly didn’t like her much, he wasn’t someone who would casually throw out rude remarks. If he had specifically mentioned her outfit, there had to be a reason.
“In what way is it unsuitable?”
“Well—it’s too thin. Even if the shawl is thick, staying outdoors for a long time dressed that lightly will certainly make you sick.”
And if you get sick, I’ll be killed by my lord immediately.
Seth swallowed the words that rose to his throat.
Eleanor and Hilda both widened their eyes at the same time.
“…Outdoors?”
“Yes.”
Seth’s gaze sharpened as if measuring her.
Eleanor spoke calmly.
“I heard the Genovese tea party would be held in the greenhouse.”
“That’s usually the case, but the Genovese greenhouse is currently under renovation. This tea party will be held in the newly refurbished garden. My younger sister is attending today, so I heard the details. Didn’t the head maid tell you? She must have known.”
Amira had only said that the Genovese tea parties were usually held in the greenhouse—and nothing more.
It was practically wordplay.
She kept nagging me about catching a cold… so she wanted me to learn through experience?
Perhaps Eleanor had irritated her too much lately.
Or perhaps Amira simply thought Eleanor was easy to bully, since she never reacted.
Hilda trembled beside her, shaking with fury.
Eleanor gently patted Hilda’s back and replied,
“…It seems I misunderstood.”
She chose her words carefully.
Though Seth was Karsian’s man, he wasn’t someone Eleanor could confide in freely. Complaining that Amira hadn’t told her might only create unnecessary rumors.
“Let’s change quickly, my lady.”
“There’s no time to choose another dress. Just bring a thicker, longer shawl, please.”
It was better to be slightly cold than to be late to a first meeting.
Hilda seemed to agree and rushed off to the dressing room, swallowing her anger and frustration.
“I’m sorry, Sir Seth. Could you wait a little longer?”
“…Yes. Of course.”
Seth didn’t add anything more and turned away.
Watching him stand at attention, Eleanor thought it was fortunate that he wasn’t the type to report everything to Karsian.
If it had been Sir Russell, he would’ve run straight to Karsian out of concern.
And then Trava Palace would have erupted into chaos—far too big for her to handle.
Just imagining it made her tired, and she squeezed her eyes shut.
Meanwhile, out of Eleanor’s sight, Seth wore a grim expression.
His already sharp eyes grew colder, irritation crawling across his handsome face.
“Amira Stross.”
Muttering the name—one he barely remembered—he glared fiercely at empty air.
***
The Genovese Count’s residence was not far from Trava Palace.
Wrapped in a thick fox-fur shawl, Eleanor stepped down from the carriage. With her hair tied up, the cold winter breeze brushed against her nape.
A tea party in a winter garden—something unimaginable in Cardiff.
If anyone tried that there, no matter how thickly dressed they were, the noble ladies of Juvenile would freeze to death. Winter gardens there had nothing worth seeing, anyway.
But Royster truly was different.
The weather itself was closer to Juvenile’s autumn, and with outdoor heaters placed throughout the garden, it wasn’t as cold as she’d expected. Of course, there was still a chill—but it was bearable.
And surprisingly, the scenery was beautiful.
Unknown trees hung heavy with red berries, and evergreen trees remained lush even in winter. The view looked like a painted scene.
“Seth!”
While being guided toward the tea party area, a woman suddenly popped out in front of them.
She had curly red hair and round silver-gray eyes—a cute woman.
Though their overall aura was different, she was clearly Seth’s younger sister.
“Why are you here, brother? People say if men stick their noses into women’s gatherings, their—thing—falls off!”
“…Camelia Merveny. Greetings first.”
Seth growled in a threatening voice, his face twisted darkly.
If Eleanor hadn’t been there, he looked ready to smack the back of his sister’s head.
“Oh! Oh my goodness! Hello! I’m Camelia Merveny! Oh dear heavens—!”
Only then did Camelia notice Eleanor.
Her pale cheeks flushed red as she bowed deeply.
Judging by her shock, it didn’t seem intentional.
If she’d done it on purpose, she wouldn’t have mentioned that “thing.”
Eleanor swallowed her laughter and smiled politely.
“Nice to meet you, Lady Camelia. I’m Eleanor.”
Camelia’s mouth fell wide open.
She froze in place like she’d suffered a massive shock, staring at Eleanor without blinking.
Caught off guard, Eleanor blinked in confusion.
“Excuse us for a moment.”
And with that, Seth grabbed Camelia by the back of the neck.
He dragged her off to a corner and whispered something harshly into her ear. Though the words couldn’t be heard, judging by his mouth, there were plenty of curses mixed in.
“The tea tables are prepared just ahead. I’ll wait here. Let’s meet again here once the party ends.”
Seth returned quickly, acting as if nothing had happened.
“You’re busy these days—feel free to leave early.”
“No. I’ll wait.”
“You’ll be cold…”
“I’m fine.”
Seth wouldn’t budge despite her concern.
As Eleanor hesitated, Camelia staggered back over and slipped neatly between them.
“Eleanor, that guy will be fine even if he freezes! It’d be better if he did. Oh—may I call you by your name? I’ve really wanted to. May I?”
“Ah—yes. Of course.”
“Then let’s go!”
Camelia laughed brightly and hooked her arm through Eleanor’s, dragging her off with surprising strength for someone wearing a dress.
Behind them, Seth let out an annoyed sigh—but Camelia acted like she hadn’t heard a thing.
They truly were very different siblings.
“Cammy, who are you bothering this time?”
“That face… don’t tell me—”
As Camelia bounced toward the table with Eleanor in tow, two women who had just arrived turned pale and stared between them.
Eleanor bowed awkwardly.
“Thank you for inviting me, Lady Deborah. I’m Eleanor.”
She had attended countless parties in her life—but this was the first time she’d ever been introduced like this.
Fortunately, Lady Deborah Genovese and Lady Luciano didn’t take offense. Instead, they hurriedly rescued Eleanor from Camelia’s grasp.
“Cammy!”
“I’m so sorry, Lady Eleanor. Camelia tends to be so rude with first meetings…”
“No, it’s fine. I’m grateful she’s being so friendly.”
Eleanor waved her hands with an awkward smile.
Though said out of courtesy, Camelia only seemed more encouraged—her eyes sparkling as she clung closer.
“Sit here with me, Eleanor! By the heater! And call me Camelia—no ‘lady’ or anything like that.”
Perhaps she’d noticed Eleanor’s thin clothing—she guided her to the warmest seat.
And her kindness didn’t stop there.
Camelia pushed food closer, poured tea herself, and fussed over Eleanor endlessly. It was almost overwhelming—but strangely, it didn’t feel unpleasant.
Unlike the nobles of Cardiff, Camelia showed no hint of pretense.
The other nobles at the tea party were similar. No rude questions, no mention of rumors.
Compared to the women of Cardiff, they felt gentler, less artificial.
Eleanor had always thought tea parties were wars without blades.
But this place was different.
It truly lived up to its name—a warm gathering where people shared tea and slowly, kindly got to know one another.
Camelia was perhaps a little too eager to learn about Eleanor—but even that was endearing. Her occasional unladylike remarks were amusing rather than offensive.
Before she knew it, time had flown by, and it was time to leave.
“I had a lovely time. Thank you again for coming, Eleanor. I hope we can meet like this often.”
Deborah Genovese smiled warmly.
Her expression was far more natural than it had been hours ago—mentioning the future suggested she’d taken a liking to Eleanor.
Eleanor nodded without thinking.
She had believed there was no need to form ties in a place she would eventually leave—but since she still had time, perhaps meeting a little more wouldn’t hurt.
She didn’t foolishly believe she could truly become friends with them—given her past betrayals and her changed status.
Still—
It was a really nice tea party.
Honestly, it was the most enjoyable tea party she had ever experienced in her life.
If only it hadn’t been a little cold.
