The host was friendly, but the schedule was cruel.
Choosing dresses and accessories started early in the morning and ended only after the sun had set.
Of course, I was having a hard time, so Julia was willing to take care of me
I stayed at the Marquis's residence for a full day. Thanks to Julia, I have been there five times.
During each break, we tasted all of the Marquis' desserts and were even treated to dinner.
'Let's try our luck.'
While enjoying tea for dessert, I implicitly asked Julia a favor.
“I would like to custom-make ear decorations suitable for Lord Agnito. Is that possible, My Lady?”
“By ear decoration, do you mean earrings? In social circles, earrings are taboo for men.”
“It’s not an earring.”
I put down ny teacup and hovered in the air.
I raised my hand. Silver ink traced a trail on my index finger.
What was created in the air was a small wing-shaped drawing.
“It’s a decoration that largely surrounds the outer part of the ear. Wings made of metal. We'll cast it and put gems on it to give it a point. I want it to be worn by hanging it around the ear.”
It was a men's ear decoration that would become a trend three years later.
Indeed, Julia is the king of the imperial capital.
She was the only daughter of The Marquis of Ameloth, who owned a jewelry store. She immediately recognized the value of the design.
"Oh my god! Do such accessories already exist?”
“When the nomadic peoples of the southern region held traditional ceremonies, it is said that they wore something made of woven grass. Use this as metal jewelry, I thought it would be really pretty if I made it. The name is... If we build it our way, it could be something like ‘ear cuffs.’”
“Ear cuffs!”
Julia's green eyes sparkled. She quickly brought a sketchbook.
The hand that copied the drawing of wings that I had drawn in the air was as fast as lightning.
“Please just leave it to me. I will go right away and find the chief designer. Call for ear cuffs worthy of Lord Agnito. I'm telling him to come design it. Are you going to wear it to the next imperial palace banquet? It's a shame that the demon-hunting competition is an outdoor banquet. As soon as this is revealed, it will cause a sensational trend! It’s comparable to a body chain!”
“I’m looking forward to seeing Lady Ameloth’s hard work. Please let me know the price. I will pay you later.”
“You mean payment? On the contrary, we would like to buy the ear cuff design. How much will it cost? Yes?"
“You are so excited, Young Lady. At the next banquet, after trying it on, I make a decision based on the reaction.”
I calmed Julia down and postponed the deal.
The design rights were transferred to the Marquis of Ameloth and produced in large quantities.
Rather than allowing it to be distributed,
I wanted Michael exclusively to lead the trend by wearing cuffs.
Julia nodded regretfully and said to me, requested that this design not be shown to other jewelers.
And the whole story ends.
Afterward, she stood with an ecstatic expression on her face and spoke.
“I never thought you would even know the traditional decorations of southern nomadic peoples. I was impressed by His Highness's erudition. If your knowledge exceeds a certain level, it may surpass your senses.”
It was a compliment, but in the end, all that remained was that I had no fashion sense.
Julia sent me back to the imperial palace with regret.
Next, considering my poor stamina, she even suggested choosing a dress and accessories over two days.
It seemed that the intimacy that Julia had built up was greater than that that I had built up.
I was taken aback by the sight of her treating me as if we were a close friend, but I soon smiled and promised the next time.
I, who returned to my residence in the imperial palace, collapsed and fell into sleep.
Half a day of shopping was more difficult for me than three nights of studying.
The next day, I overslept for the first time in a long time. The day before was difficult.
This is because after completing the schedule, the fatigue from the past washed over me like a flood.
It was only around late lunch that I washed my face in the powder room.
While being served, I asked Cedella about the schedule.
“What should I do today?”
“You must attend the Princesses’ regular tea time, Your Highness.”
Regular tea time was an opportunity for royal women over the age of 16 to gather together and discuss political issues.
However, that was only a superficial justification, and in reality, only the women of the direct royal family gathered together.
It was used as a place to freely exchange intimate stories.
The main topic of discussion was the evaluation of the knights under direct reports. There are a lot of explicit words used, so regular tea was an implicit custom to come to time without being accompanied by a direct knight.
'Sometimes, when things got really bad, the level of conversation became obscene.'
I secretly sighed.
The tea time attendees this time included Rosenit. Thinking about spending time with Rosenit, I already felt drained.
On the other hand, the maids, including Cedella, were motivated.
“It’s an important occasion, so will you try to decorate today as well, Your Highness?”
“Uh, yes, yes.”
The time had come to once again engage in decorative labor to conform to the physiology of the imperial palace.
The mint-colored dress was puffed up with a pannier and had a light pink bustle.
Points were given with lace. Lime blonde hair was elegantly twisted up and pinned.
After putting on my makeup and accessories, I stood in front of the full-length mirror.
The maids, including Cedella, were proud of the results reflected in the mirror.
“Lord Agnito will be surprised again.”
The tempting words encouraged me. I gave a special command.
“Hmm, there’s still time until regular tea time, right? Well, then it's been a while. Let’s enjoy refreshments together.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I will summon Lord Agnito.”
The owner, who plans to drink tea for more than an hour, asks to have tea together. The maids recognizing my intention, they smiled and moved.
The best tea time spot for family members is in the green room.
It was set up in a drawing room known for its beauty.
Michael, who was working in the waiting room for the direct knight, came into the reception room with his valet, Hugh.
Michael made eye contact with me and paused for a moment. Because of that, the greeting was a little later than usual.
“...Meet Your Highness the Princess. Oh, you are always beautifully decorated.”
“I heard that they say they feel proud when the host they serve is beautiful. I tried to inspire Michael’s loyalty.”
I joked, quoting exactly what Peony said before.
“It seems effective.”
"Ha ha ha."
Michael's words, which were taken seriously, made everyone laugh.
I offered them a seat.
“Everyone, take your seats. It's been a while since I have had some free time. I made a place to talk.”
“Thank you for your care.”
Today's tea was not black tea made through tea blending, but pure herbal tea.
After moving into a fresh green room, I now have a sunny balcony. Kim and Eve received Peony's help.
Arthur began growing a small herb garden.
So recently, he started learning little by little the alchemy of making fertilizer and gardening magic.
The four servants, including me, Michael, and Cedella, all held their share of teacups.
Michael had been wondering about my bright outfit from a while ago. The question was put into his mouth before the tea.
“I didn’t hear about the schedule. But is there an important imperial palace banquet today?”
Cedella answered instead.
“The Princesses have a regular tea time. The most noble women in Hadelamid gathered together. It is an event that requires as much care as any other imperial palace banquet.”
"Right."
“It is customary to go without a direct knight at regular tea times. Hugh forgot to give the schedule to Lord Agnito. I apologize on his behalf.”
Michael's nerves were focused on other things rather than minor mistakes.
“Thank you for the kind explanation, but I don’t understand. Escort is the most important duty of the direct knight. Why you’re not accompanying your direct knight?”
“It is a place to share the close bond between sisters. Since you have to communicate heart to heart, escorts and attendants can be an uncomfortable barrier."
“Yes. I get it."
Michael still looked unconvinced but did not pursue it further.
I came forward to change the topic.
“So, Michael’s work is finished for today. Once you finish drinking the herbal tea, you can go back to your dorm.”
"All right."
I gave various reasons.
It was a frequent occurrence to send Michael home from work early. He was considerate to give him training time.
“I will be at Coloso Arena. Please call me again anytime.”
"Yes."
After some small talk, the table was cleared. I take Michael to the training ground first.
After sending it, I fixed my makeup.
I was lost in thought for a moment. I felt that Michael's request to call him again at any time was somehow stronger than usual.
This is because it felt serious.
'Now that I think about it, I'm a little worried about Betty.'
Brigitte, who must have been upset by the agenda of relocating the poor, will not look kindly on me.
'It would be a good idea to be prepared just in case.'
For me, regular tea time was like being in the middle of enemy territory.
But my worries weren't about myself.
I looked back at the young boy.
"Phew."
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Just watch Coloso Arena quietly. And if anything happens to Michael, give me a signal.”
“To Lord Agnito... All right."
As I become isolated, it becomes difficult to protect my family.
I also considered the possibility of Michael being the target.
“Then let’s go now.”
I led Cedella and Peony to the regular tea time spot.
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