In the blink of an eye, another week had passed and just like that, the day of the tea party arrived.
Various aristocrat households across the capital of Amberale who received an invitation prepared to attend.
Throughout the last week, Aristia had been attending classes, teaching Alaric, and testing out the ingredients for storage. She had been quite busy. To her happiness, most of them worked out well.
She didn't know if it was just her imagination, but she felt something had changed in the way the servants viewed her in the two weeks she had been there. Even Adeline had changed. She wasn't being as careful and distant anymore. She had even grown close to Adeline.
Adeline woke her up early from her sleep and was now getting her ready. Ever since she came into this world and refused to let the maids bath her, Adeline had been the one bathing her.
She bathed her with scented oils and combed her hair. Then, she left it down and clipped it with a crystal hairpin. She helped her put on the dress they picked at the store and exited the room, leaving Aristia staring at her pretty doll face in the mirror.
[Ah, this face will always be the prettiest.] She thought, feeling her cheeks.
Soon, it was time to leave and the family of four got into the lavish carriage and set off in the direction of the tea party.
The Anton House was just a few minutes away from the Amberale Ducal House.
[So, this is the house Catherine grew up in.] Aristia thought, looking up at the mansion when they arrived. The mansion was befitting of a Duke. It was very grand.
A servant led them to the garden where other aristocrats had already arrived and were conversing.
A servant immediately announced their arrival and not long after, some aristocrats surrounded them, trying to start up a conversation with them.
This reminded Aristia of the times back in her world when she'd be surrounded just like this by people trying to strike up a conversation and build connections.
Excusing themselves from the crowd, they made their way over to the host who was also approaching them.
"I am glad you came, Your Highness." A feminine voice called out playfully.
"Why, of course I would. I have asked that you do not refer to me as Grand Duchess or Your Highness, have I not? We are friends, your Grace." Catherine said to Duchess Alistair with mock seriousness.
The Duchess laughed before bowing in greeting to Wilson who nodded in acknowledgement, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Aristia followed suit curtsying lightly, making Alaric bow as they greeted "Greetings, Aunt."
Alistair smiled. "Tia, Allie. How do you do?"
Aristia look up to see her. She blinked in surprise.
[What a beauty. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in this book world is beautiful.] She stared at the pretty Duchess with waist-long scarlet red hair and emerald green eyes. She didn't want to look strange so she averted her eyes.
The Grand Duchess moved to talk with Alistair and was soon joined by Marchioness Avery Eldridge and Marchioness Clarisse Kiran. Avery Eldridge had similar features with her older sister.
Catherine was childhood friends with her sister in-law, Alistair Anton, and also close to her Alistair's sister, Avery Eldridge.
Avery and Alistair also had a good relationship with their sister in-law, Clarisse Kiran which made Catherine relate with her as well and soon, the four Madams of the four families became really good friends.
Aristia held Alaric and moved to meet their cousins; the Anton kids. As they approached, they heard a voice say loudly,
"Tia!! Allie!!!" It was a boy with scarlet red hair and red eyes. It wasn't hard to tell who he was after meeting the woman earlier— Liam Anton, the first child of the Antons. He waved his cousins over.
As they approached the other aristocrat children, Aristia scanned the faces of each of them. Not all the aristocrats attended the tea party. Eight families out of the twelve families attended.
Her family was not included as they were part of the royal family. it was considered an honour for them to even accept the invitation and attend. The King and his family rarely attended any event. Usually, Catherine wouldn't even bother, but because it was her dear friend and sister-in-law, she attended.
She didn't see the supposed Villainess of the novel among the crowd even though her mother was present, but she did confirm one thing;
[Just as I thought, they're all pretty.] She nodded her head.
They engaged in conversation as Liam led them through a pathway to a greenhouse.
[Greenhouses exist here?] Aristia was pleasantly surprised. They should have been one at the Grand Duke's Mansion but she hadn't really had time to tour the mansion's exterior.
There was a large round table inside the greenhouse with seats arranged in front of them and teacups atop the tables.
"Here, I introduce you to my mother's greenhouse." Liam introduced as he led them into the greenhouse, eliciting gasps from the noble children with him.
The reason? The greenhouse was beautiful with a flowery scent that was not overbearing but was instead relaxing.
It was clear that the Duchess really made sure the greenhouse was well taken care of.
The greenhouse created a picturesque and fairytale like background as the sunlight shone on the round table filled with porcelain teaset.
"What a beautiful scene." Aristia muttered as they all took their seats. Aristia noticed that not all the noble children attended as they were not up to the number she counted during her history class.
A maid led in front of some maids as they carried teapots in their hands and walked around the table, filling the empty teacups with tea.
As they started to drink tea, Aristia frowned a little bit. This wasn't how she liked her tea. Before she could reach for the sugar, someone beat her to it.
A small hand that was still larger than hers, scooped two spoons of sugar from the sugar bowl into her tea.
Aristia turned to the person in surprise and found none other than Liam smiling at her.
"There you go, Tia. Just as you like it." He said calmly as he did the same for Alaric and his siblings.
It only took a moment for Aristia to recall that the original Aristia had a sweet tooth too. She smiled and thanked him.
"Thank you, brother Liam." She responded.
"Young Master Liam is so caring."
"Young Master Liam's kindness knows no bounds."
"Yes. Young Master Liam is a true gentleman."
Her attention was drawn back when she heard the aristocrat children praising Liam one after the other.
[What?] Aristia raised her eyebrows in bemusement. [What do these kids know about being a gentleman? And they already know how to praise and curry favour at such a young age.]
She wasn't surprised though, as that was an attitude most aristocrats possessed and commonly displayed at every social gathering and it wasn't strange for their children to imitate or mirror such attitude.
"As expected of someone related to the third Princess." Someone praised.
Aristia paused. [How did I get involved?!]
Nevertheless, she smiled at them. But most of the children seemed to be avoiding her.
The mini tea party held by Liam went on with the usual discussions about events and clothes and the likes, but mostly with the children currying favour with those who were from families with higher statuses or titles.
[Do they ever get tired of talking and smiling nonstop?] Aristia thought while keeping a silent smile on her face.