At the breakfast table, Hellenia spoke.
“Ariella, there’s a tea party at House Rosher next week.”
Ariella stopped spreading jam. A tea party. An aristocratic social gathering. The place where Ariella took her first step toward her doom in the original novel.
“A tea party?”
“Yes. It’s held every spring. Mother is hosting it again this year, and an invitation came for House Belfior too. It’s this weekend.”
House Rosher. It was Hellenia’s family home. The reason “Rosher” was part of Ariella’s name. A tea party hosted by her maternal grandmother. In the original novel, Ariella probably hadn’t even cared about something like that.
Hellenia’s voice was cautious. Worry clouded her golden eyes as she looked at Ariella. She knew how the original Ariella had behaved at social gatherings.
Grandis set down his teacup and spoke.
“You don’t have to go if it makes you uncomfortable.”
The doting father was watching Ariella carefully. He looked worried that his daughter might clash with the other young ladies again.
Ariella smiled.
“I’ll go.”
Grandis and Hellenia looked at Ariella at the same time.
“I want to go. I haven’t been out lately.”
Hellenia’s eyes reddened. Grandis cleared his throat. Ririella grabbed Ariella’s arm.
“Big sister, can I go with you?”
“Of course.”
Ririella’s violet eyes sparkled. But beneath that sparkle was worry. She was afraid her sister would be hurt by the other young ladies.
Ariella squeezed Ririella’s hand. Don’t worry. Your big sister isn’t someone who gets pushed around.
Across the table, Leoniel held his teacup. His chilly eyes were studying Ariella. He said nothing. But Ariella knew. He would be going too. To keep an eye on his little sister.
The day of the tea party arrived.
Marga had been bustling around since morning. She took out dresses, chose hairpins, and polished shoes. Everything was ready before Ariella had even opened her eyes.
“Miss, I think this sky-blue dress would be best today. It’ll make your eyes shine even more.”
Marga spoke as she brushed Ariella’s hair. Her touch was gentle. She carefully brushed each strand of silver hair. Ariella quietly closed her eyes beneath that soothing touch.
“Marga, thank you.”
“……What am I supposed to do when you thank me, miss?”
Marga’s voice trembled slightly. But she didn’t cry. Instead, she smoothed Ariella’s hair once more and straightened her dress.
Ariella stood before the mirror. A sky-blue dress. Her silver hair flowed over it. Golden eyes shone back from the mirror.
‘I’m pretty.’
She thought it honestly. In her previous life, she hadn’t had many chances to look in a mirror. All she’d seen reflected in the hospital-room mirror was a pale face. But things were different now. This body was beautiful. Ariella de Belfior Rosher. A young lady renowned throughout the empire for her beauty.
Marga looked at Ariella in the mirror and smiled faintly.
“You’re the prettiest young lady in the world.”
Ariella smiled. Marga smiled too. Wrinkles formed at the nanny’s eyes. How long had she waited to see this smile?
Sol glowed gold on her shoulder. Ar sparkled red between her strands of hair. Ru spun in circles over the hem of her dress. Rin floated quietly by her feet.
“You all need to stay quiet today. Got it?”
The four lights blinked at the same time. They understood.
Ar slapped itself against her cheek.
‘Ariella is pretty!’
“Thank you.”
‘Ar’s coming too!’
“You can come with me. But no playing pranks.”
‘Won’t! Ar’s good!’
Ariella laughed. Ar’s good behavior had a five-minute limit at best.
The garden of House Rosher was spacious. Tables had been set beneath white parasols, and young ladies were gathered in groups of three or four, sipping tea. Rose vines climbed the garden walls, but they had not bloomed yet, leaving only lush green leaves. The early spring sunlight was gentle.
As soon as Ariella entered the garden, eyes turned toward her.
Whispers spread.
“The Belfior young lady is here.”
“She really came. I didn’t think she would.”
“You heard the rumors that she’s changed, right?”
“Who knows? Can we really believe them?”
Ariella paid them no mind. Ririella was holding her arm. Ariella squeezed her hand.
“It’s okay.”
Ririella nodded. But her grip tightened.
Ariella looked around the garden. Her knowledge of the original novel was falling into place. At this tea party, Ariella had looked down on the other young ladies, ignored Ririella, and made enemies. That was where her doom began.
She intended to do the opposite.
They took a seat at one of the tables. Ririella sat beside her. Tea was served. Ariella lifted her cup and inhaled the aroma. It was good tea.
“Big sister, this tea is delicious.”
“Yeah. It smells wonderful.”
Ririella smiled. Ariella smiled too. It was a peaceful afternoon.
For about five minutes.
“Oh my, Lady Belfior.”
A voice reached them. Sweet, but sharp. Ariella looked up.
Three young ladies stood in front of the table. The one in the middle had blond hair and greenish eyes. She was one of the young ladies Ariella had tormented most often in the original novel. Ariella couldn’t remember her name, but she recognized her face.
“It’s been a while. I never expected to see you at a tea party like this.”
The blond young lady smiled. The smile did not reach her eyes.
“Hello.”
Ariella rose from her seat and greeted her. Naturally. Politely. It was something the original Ariella would never have done.
The blond young lady’s eyes wavered slightly. Her face said she hadn’t expected this.
“Would you like to sit down? Please have a cup of tea with us.”
The two young ladies beside the blond one looked at each other. Their eyes were filled with confusion.
The blond young lady kept her smile in place as she spoke.
“No, thank you. We just came to say hello.”
Then she added,
“I heard rumors that you’d changed. Seeing you in person, you really do seem different.”
It wasn’t a compliment. Ariella knew what she meant. ‘You’re just pretending to be different, aren’t you?’
Ariella smiled.
“I can’t make excuses for what I did before. I’m truly sorry.”
The blond young lady’s smile stiffened. Her expression said she hadn’t expected an apology. One of the young ladies beside her couldn’t hold back.
“An apology? Lady Belfior is apologizing? Are you going to apologize for spilling tea on my dress at last year’s tea party too?”
The atmosphere changed. Young ladies at the surrounding tables stole glances in their direction.
Ariella looked at her. Brown hair and blue eyes. Anger colored her voice. It was genuine anger. The memory of what the original Ariella had done to her still seemed fresh.
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
Ariella lowered her head. Sincerely.
“I can’t make excuses for what I did. I’m truly sorry.”
The garden fell silent. The young ladies closed their mouths. They had never seen Lady Belfior lower her head and apologize.
The brown-haired young lady looked at the blond one in confusion. The blond young lady’s eyes narrowed. Then she spoke.
“I don’t think this is something an apology can resolve.”
Ariella raised her head.
“You did more than one or two things last year, Lady Belfior. You insulted other young ladies at tea parties, and you ignored your own sister, the Saint. Does one apology make it as if none of that ever happened?”
The blond young lady’s voice rose. Everyone’s attention was completely fixed on them now. This wasn’t a greeting. She had come from the beginning to humiliate Ariella in public.
Ririella tugged at Ariella’s sleeve. Her violet eyes trembled with anxiety.
Ariella gently took Ririella’s hand. It’s okay. Then she looked at the blond young lady.
“That’s right.”
Her voice was quiet and clear.
“One apology doesn’t make it as if none of that ever happened. That’s why I’m not here just to apologize.”
The blond young lady faltered.
“I did wrong, so I deserve to be criticized. I should hear it, of course.”
Ariella took one step forward. Her eyes met the blond young lady’s.
“But you shouldn’t lie to my face.”
The blond young lady’s eyes widened.
“L-lie?”
“You just said I ‘ignored my own sister, the Saint.’”
Ariella smiled. It wasn’t a cold smile. But it was a firm one.
“It’s true that I ignored Ririella. I won’t deny it. But dragging my sister into this and using her to attack me means you’re turning my sister into a tool.”
The garden fell silent. Only the sound of the wind could be heard.
“If you want to point out what I did wrong, then point out what I did wrong. But leave my sister out of it.”
The blond young lady’s face flushed red. The two young ladies beside her stood there with their mouths hanging open. The young ladies at the surrounding tables held their breath.
Ariella sat down again. She lifted her teacup and took a sip.
“Have some before the tea gets cold. It’s really delicious.”
The blond young lady stood there, speechless. Then she turned around. The three young ladies walked away quickly.
Ririella was looking at Ariella. Her violet eyes were moist.
“Big sister.”
“What is it?”
“……Thank you.”
Ariella gave Ririella’s shoulder a light tap.
“You don’t have to thank me. I’m your big sister.”
Ririella buried her face against Ariella’s arm. Her shoulders were trembling. Whether she was crying or laughing, Ariella couldn’t tell. Probably both.
Sol glowed quietly above her shoulder.
‘It’s okay.’
Ariella smiled faintly. Yes, it’s okay.
At the edge of the garden, Leoniel stood behind the rose vines.
He held a teacup, but he hadn’t taken a single sip. His chilly eyes watched Ariella.
He had seen her lower her head and apologize. He had seen her face the young lady’s attack head-on. He had seen her protect Ririella.
Leoniel’s eyes narrowed.
‘That’s too natural to be an act.’
But he turned away. He still didn’t know. Not yet.
He set down his teacup and turned around. His red hair disappeared among the rose vines.
Ariella sensed his presence. Someone had been watching her from the edge of the garden. But by the time she turned around, no one was there.
Ariella smiled faintly.
‘Big brother, you were watching.’
She didn’t mind. It was fine if he watched. She had nothing to hide.
Ririella had fallen asleep leaning against Ariella’s arm. It was a warm afternoon. The spirits drifted quietly around them.
The first social gathering had come to an end.