Case 31: Upon a battlefield-like tea party.

Ignoring my little sister's sudden actions a bit, I had something to tell her, too.

''Lyra, you have a swordsmanship lesson on the morning of the next Thursday, right?''

''...? Yes.''

Seeing her usual dazed expression, I pulled my hand up to stroke her head. With an apologetic smile, I spoke,

''I probably won't be able to watch over you at that time.''

''...You don't really have to—''

''I have an appointment that day. You know Lady Blaire of house Dreux, right? She invited me to a tea party.''

''...''

In an instant, Lyra's expression turned cold. It seemed as though the hallway's heater had stopped working out of nowhere. Seriously, how could she and Rachael do this so often? Was it possible in the first place...?

Either way, the incident of Blaire trying to slap me was, fortunately or unfortunately, recorded in its entirety. It kind of blew up these few days on the news, too, so of course Lyra would be aware of it.

''Fufu, don't be so worried,'' I said, caressing Lyra's not-so-chubby cheek. ''I'll be there to resolve the misunderstanding with Lady Blaire. She won't do anything bad to me, I promise.''

''How are you so sure?''

''Well? The house of Dreux would certainly not want to receive Her Highness's wrath, wouldn't they?''

Lyra was a smart kid, so she immediately understood my message.

Besides, even if Blaire were crazy enough to bully me further, I wouldn't have trouble defending myself. Although I looked like I was dying, I was still the Cecilia. But, of course, my main purpose was different. I wanted to befriend a few ladies so that I could keep up with high society news in the future. I only needed one or two.

''...Okay.''

So, a few days later, I departed from the mansion, donning a slightly more casual attire than what I had worn in the banquet. The destination was a residence of the Dreuxs in Syrus, and this time, I rode in the family's car alone.

Not technically 'alone' since there was still the driver and another car for the bodyguards behind me, but I digress.

It would only be a fifteen-minute ride, but I figured I wanted to close my eyes a bit. My energy level hadn't been great these days, even though I was sleeping more than usual.

''Hah...''

Really, a healthy body was so precious.

''Welcome, my lady. May I have your invitation?''

''Of course.''

''...I have indeed confirmed your invitation. Please follow me inside, Lady Orleans.''

The butler greeted me rather professionally at the entrance. At this point, I was hopeful that Blaire would be a bit more tamed in this gathering so that I wouldn't have trouble making friends.

I didn't really want to meet her either, but it was only here that I could see most of the noble young ladies.

''...''

And... obviously, my hope was destroyed the moment I opened the door to the garden, where the party was supposed to be held.

''Oh my, isn't this the infamous seductress? Were you busy cozying up other ladies, perhaps?''

Following Blaire's blatant hostile remarks, everybody turned their gazes toward me. Judging from the refreshments and teacups on the table, the party must have started a while ago. There was only one empty seat at the end of the long table, too.

Did she purposely send me the wrong time?

Well, I certainly forgot how childish these love bouts were. But since she waged war first, it wouldn't be courteous of me not to respond, no?

''I apologize, everyone. I had a call with Her Highness, the third imperial princess, earlier. It went on for a bit longer than expected.'' I replied.

A sharp screech resonated.

It was the sound of Blaire grinding her teeth. On her spotless forehead, I already noticed bulging veins popping up.

It seemed nobody had expected me to crash in so brazenly, seeing so many dazed faces. Frankly, I wasn't a fan of fake interactions and pretentious smiles either, and I didn't feel like putting effort into learning those in the first place.

I walked past Blaire—not before giving her a mocking grin—and sat on my seat.

Coincidental or not, my seat at the end of the table was directly opposite that of Blaire. I got to see her furious face wholly, which was hilarious, and... I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to make friends here, anyway, considering how frightened the other ladies were.

Hm... if I couldn't do that, wouldn't it be a shame for me not to keep teasing Blaire?

At least, asserting my dominance over the daughter of a Duke would elevate my status. Besides, Blaire's scrunted face and her shiny forehead were begging me to do that.

So, amidst the chilling silence, I spoke up again,

''I have certainly heard of Duke Dreux's hospitality to his guests. I greatly admire that quality of him, in fact, but... it seems his daughter is not so similar to him, after all.''

My voice sounded a bit weak, which was natural, but every word I uttered drove the young ladies to be more and more on edge. At some point, the host's thick mana had already enveloped the space, weighing down the girls whilst also suffocating them slightly.

''To think that she won't even have tea served for her guest...''

''You insolent...!''

So Blaire clearly had an anger management issue, and she was having a hard time holding back her violence. For once, I was thinking of 'taking care' of her just like what I did to Gloria. Yet, I didn't find mind control tasteful in the slightest.

If possible, I didn't want to use it at all anymore, even for this unlikable girl...

''...!''

Oops. It seemed I narrowed my eyes by accident.

Cecilia's face could be either sweetly cute or coldly terrifying, depending on what expression she made. The game's Cecilia was one scary lady, I tell you.

But seeing the villainess lady flinching like this made me realize that there was hope. No, there was from the beginning. I just wasn't human enough to believe in her—silly me.

Wasn't there a reform sub-route for Blaire in the game?

Yeah, let's lean on that for now.

''How unsightly of me. I shouldn't be so rude like this.'' I said with a smile. ''I apologize once again, everyone. Shall we continue our party?''

'''' ... ''''

As the others exchanged nervous glances, Blaire's rage remained high. Ultimately, however, she retracted her mana and called for an attendant.

''Prepare tea and refreshments for Lady Orleans.''

''Understood, my lady.''

''And Lady Orleans... may I have a few words with you in private after the party ends?''

Since I had no reason to refuse, I quickly nodded, ''Of course.''

Afterward, the party resumed, albeit in a slightly more somber mood. I could tell the participants were blatantly avoiding me, but it was inevitable, I suppose.

Oh, but except this one.

''Tell me, Lady Orleans. How can your skin be so smooth? Not to mention your hair... woah...''

''I don't have much of a routine, Lady Baux. I usually leave it all to my maid.''

''Can I meet your maid, then? Right, can I visit you sometimes?''

''Sure.''

Marina des Baux from the Marquisate of Baux. Let's see... she was an oddball among the noble ladies, to say the least. Despite holding massive power within the circles, she was as fickle as one could get, only latching onto people she deemed 'interesting to be around.'

She was one of the bigger variables in a run that involved dealing with high society, I remember.

''Also, also.'' She whispered excitedly, her blue eyes gleaming. ''Could you tell me the secret to seduce ladies later?''

''Fufu, of course, of course.''

This time, it seemed she had taken a liking to me.

I was pleasantly surprised, smiling and all, but Blaire was certainly not.

I wondered what would come out of our 'conversation' later.