TMLOH 61

Chapter : 61

There was only one week left to prepare for the “Childhood Friends’ Social Exchange Tea Party.”

“We’ve got things we need to decide.”

Normally, that would be a tight deadline. But not this time.

Officially, it was presented as a “tea party organized by the children,” but in truth, the Imperial Household had already taken care of most of the arrangements.

“The location will be the hall in the Crown Prince’s palace. The scale and schedule have already been set by the palace staff, and the table arrangements will follow tradition!”

This week’s collection meeting was therefore a full conference. Naturally, its leader was the origin and centerpiece of this gathering—Pession.

Fewer than I expected.

There were only about twenty participants.

As Mehen had predicted when he suggested I skip, most of the commoner-born prodigies or children of relatively minor families, who tended to be excluded, had withdrawn.

“My health suddenly worsened.”
“It’s due to family circumstances.”
“There’s no one to accompany me.”

Everyone had their excuses, but it was clear they were just pretexts.

If I had backed out, I’d have been accused of the same thing.

Sure enough, suspicious glances from all sides seemed to ask, Why is she still here?

“They just don’t want to be compared.”

“Even if the palace covers the basics, there’s still a lot each person has to prepare.”

The twins, Ciel and Noel, had somehow claimed the seats on either side of me. Beaming, they chimed in one after another.

“And besides, we’re here, aren’t we?”
“The peerless, dazzling gems of House Spherome are right here!”

“Oh dear, we’re just too extraordinary.”
“So troublesome, so troublesome.”

I ignored their nonsense.

The meeting itself proceeded smoothly.

“The things we need to decide are: finalizing the guest list, the style of invitations, decorations and flowers for the hall, types of tea and desserts, light entertainment, the order of events, the gifts for the guests, and the dress code for the day!”

Each of these, of course, had to be discussed—whether to standardize them or leave them to individual choice.

So that’s a party…
Money flowing out endlessly.

Just sitting there, I could almost hear the coins spilling.

Eating, drinking, decorations, entertainment—none of that sprang from thin air. It all came at the cost of money and power, poured into the labor and time of others.

“I’d prefer everything to be uniform,” Pession suggested, only to be met with immediate opposition.

“Alright then. Submit your final guest list by tomorrow. Invitations must be written by the day after and sent to the palace. The Imperial Department will add the royal seal and send them out.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

At the mention of the imperial seal, everyone’s faces lit up with excitement.

“Music will be by the Imperial Orchestra. If anyone wishes to perform, let us know in advance, and we’ll arrange a short recital.”

“Wonderful!”

“The basic teas and desserts will be provided by the Imperial kitchens. If you bring your own, that’s fine, but they’ll be distributed evenly to all tables.”

Ah, yes. He really is the Crown Prince.

For the first time in a while, I felt a sense of distance from Pession. A precious distance.

“The hall decorations will be uniform, but each table can be arranged to your own taste.”

Shimmering blue-silver hair, ruby-red eyes brighter than gemstones, long lashes, a noble brow, a flawless nose—the kind of beauty that defied personal preference, as though God Himself had sculpted him.

Even though I’d seen it countless times, it still left me in awe.

He’s this captivating already, and he’s still so young. How many hearts will he shatter when he’s grown?

“There will also be gifts for every guest. Please select them, prepare them in abundance, and deliver them beforehand.”

Our eyes met.

Pession, who had been absorbed in the meeting, softened his gaze the moment it landed on me.

“!”

Squeals erupted all around us.

I understood. Even I thought my heart might stop for a second.

His smile deepened, making time itself seem to pause.

What was this—charm offensive?

“Wha—wow! What’s with His Highness’s smile?”
“Oh wow, look at Arelline, totally dazed.”
“I was not dazed.”

The twins leered wickedly, as though they’d caught me out.

“Oh, but you couldn’t take your eyes off him.”
“What, Arelline, do you like His Highness too?”

“Be quiet.”

Embarrassed at being so obviously caught off guard by Pession’s beauty, I ignored them.

After the brief uproar, the meeting resumed peacefully.

“Lastly, the dress code. Any ideas?”

The children, who had been swooning over Pession’s looks, gradually regained their senses.

Usually, attire for these gatherings varied wildly.

But since it’s a tea party, extravagant gowns won’t be necessary.

“Just our usual clothes?”
“That’s too casual.”
“How about dazzling evening gowns? I’ve always wanted to wear one!”
“That takes ages for fittings, and most don’t own any.”
“Something reasonable, then.”

Ciel and Noel leaned on their hands, smiling at me as if openly watching a show.

Annoying pests.

Harun, where are you?!

I regretted not having him here to at least block one flank.

“Since it’s a family gathering, wouldn’t traditional ceremonial wear from each house be suitable?”
“Wouldn’t that feel too stiff?”
“Then how about clothing with family or personal emblems, something light?”

Some looked uncomfortable, but—

“Would a magician’s robe with the school crest count?”
“How about a knight’s uniform with the order’s insignia?”
“Both sound fine.”
“Then let’s agree on that!”

And so it was settled immediately.

“Then everything’s decided?”

Pession, still radiant, declared the meeting adjourned.

“Prepare well, everyone. I’ll see you at the tea party!”

On the way back.

For some reason, Pession was being held up by attendants. His pleading eyes begged me to wait, but after what had just happened, I simply left.

Am I just overthinking this?

But still…

I found it harder and harder to meet his gaze head-on.

What’s wrong with me? Why am I like this?

I was frowning at my own confusion when—

“Lady Arelline, are you attending the tea party as well?”

Leslie, surrounded by her clique of friends, approached me.

“I thought you might not, since your health isn’t always the best. You’re very brave.”

Was she picking a fight?

She smiled sweetly, her words honeyed.

“Well then, I’ll look forward to it. I’ll see you on the day of the tea party.”

“…Sure.”

Watching her walk away, I couldn’t shake a vague unease.

“What was that about, Leslie?”
“What did she say to you?”

The twins were back, sticking to me again.

“Go away. Please?”

How long did they plan on trailing me?

“Why so cold, Arelliline? We’re friends now!”
“Right! Arelelel, we’re friends now!”

Ah. Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed to be friends after all.

Sighing, I shoved the clinging twins off.

“So why are you following me?”

They exchanged meaningful looks.

“Let’s prepare for the tea party together!”
“Eh?”

Clamping onto my arms again, they shook me back and forth.

“It’s way too much for one person to handle.”
“And way too boring to do alone!”

“So let’s do it together. Okay? Okay, okay?”

They radiated such manic energy that I knew they wouldn’t let go until I agreed.

“No.”

“Did you just say yes? Great!”
“Knew we could count on you, Arelline!”

And so began something I had absolutely no say in.

Where am I, who am I.

“Wow! Look at this, Noel!”
“Woooow! Look at that, Ciel!”

The twins tore down the corridor, golden eyes glittering.

“Here it is—the Crying Girl with Blue Eyes!”
“Gasp! That’s Alberti’s The Vanished Estate, the record-holder at the Domel 117 auction!”

…What the hell, you nerds.

“Is this heaven?”
“Halbern really is paradise.”

Pressing my aching temples, I let out a long sigh.

The little devils of Spherome had descended on Halbern.