Conland's Annual Tea Party was in three days. Catherine Rouleau had extended her work hours from 4 hours a day to 7. The additional hours were spent learning all the prominent women who be attending the Tea Party this year. As Resena scanned the list, her face froze in silence. Both Larna and Marsell were on the guest list for this year's tea party. As Catherine walked up to the table, she noticed Resena's entire demeanor change.
"Resena, is something wrong? Why do you look so frightened!" Catherine began to panic, what could have caused her to look so afraid, suddenly, she noticed what Resena was staring at. "The list! Oh no! She must've noticed their names." In that moment it dawned on Catherine why she was so frightened. Walking towards her, Catherine slowly pulled the list from her hand.
"Resena, look at me." Resena still continued to look down at the table. Just then, Catherine grabbed her cheeks.
"Resena! You must snap out it! I know this must have come as shock to you. I'm sorry, I did not know if they would be attending this year, but you must hold yourself together! We always knew you would run into them eventually, better it be now and get it out the way."
Catherine gave an empathetic sigh. She felt so bad for Resena and the mental anguish that family placed on her but now was not the time to throw away all of her hard work and progress. Gently touching her hands, Catherine began to speak.
"You can do this Resena, I believe in you. I'll be right there with you the entire time so I promise, nothing bad will happen. You have the strength to face them!"
Resena looked directly into Catherine's eyes, there was so much faith in them. She knew she could not let her instructor down. "I can do this. I can do this!" Resean chanted in her head. Before speaking again.
"So, the next name we were going over is Clare Hanbor. She's the wife of Martin Hanbor."
"Martin? The owner of Hanbor Cooper?"
"Yes! Do you know him?"
"I met with him briefly at my birthday party. He was very nice."
"Excellent! So, you'll another person there!"
"Well, I never got the chance to meet his wife."
"Oh, no worries, Clare is great! Very sweet, besides, I'm sure he spoke highly of you to her, so she'll still be very familiar."
"The next name…"
Catherine and Resena completed the entire list by the time the sun began to set. Just then, Julius walked into the grand room.
"Mrs. Rouleau. A pleasure always to see you. Will you be joining us for dinner this evening?"
"Oh, no. I just wanted to go over the entire list of guests for the tea party this year! I won't take up anymore of your time."
"Nonsense, you've been amazing to Resena, she's truly enjoyed being under your teachings. Resena, would you like Catherine to join us for dinner?"
Resena's eyes darted up, she'd been reading more of the list as Julius and Catherine spoke.
"Absolutely! Mrs. Catherine, if you don't mind, I'd love for you to stay for dinner this evening."
Smiling. "Spoken like a true Duchess. Lady Resena, it would be an honor."
Julius smiled with pride, Resena had matured so much in just a few weeks. Thinking back to when he first met her, here stood a beautiful and confident young woman of high society. He was sure she would be great at the tea party.
After dinner, Catherine informed Resena she would be to the estate tomorrow to see what dress Grace of Estrada's chose for the Tea Party.
"I have no doubt it will be a beautiful dress. I gave her my notes on what I think your first tea party attire should be."
After saying good night to Catherine, Julius and Resena made their way to the courtyard. Staring at the sky, Julius began to think about all he'd learned from the night Paul Clansky came. He told himself he would tell Resena after the tea party, he didn't want to cause her any stress before her big debut.
"It's beautiful out here tonight, isn't it?" Resena smiled while looking at Julius, the sky was shimmering bright with stars.
"Indeed, it is. I think the stars are a fan of yours. They always shine the brightest when you come out here."
Blushing, Resena looked back at the sky. "Will I ever get used to him saying things like that?" She thought as he continued to talk.
"Are you excited about the tea party?" Resena was prepared to simply say yes, but she'd told herself she would stop hiding how she feels from Julius, so she decided to answer honestly.
"Yes and no. Yes, because I've never been to the annual tea parties, but I always wanted to go. I'm also excited to meet some new people. If they are all as friendly as many of the people I met at my birthday party, I have no doubt I'll enjoy myself."
Julius looked puzzled, it seemed Resena truly looked forward to the event, so then why would she say no?
"Resena, why you say-"
"My aunt and cousin will be there too." As if she knew the question he was about to ask, Resena answered before Julius could finish. They stared in silence for what seemed like an eternity before Julius finally spoke.
"I see. I can imagine why that would indeed bring you concern. Do you want me to go with you?!" Resena was not sure why, but that question made her laugh hysterically! Julius looked on puzzled, "why is she laughing? Does she think I'm joking?". As Resena continued to laugh, Julius began to speak.
"Resena, I'm serious. I really will go with you if you want me too."
Wiping the tears out of her eyes, Resena looked over at her concerned fiancé. This was one of the things she loved most about him, in an instant, he would always be ready to support her.
"I know. I think that's why it sounded so funny to me. You care about me so much that if it brought me comfort, you'd come to an all-ladies event just to sooth me. I truly dear that the most about you."
Resena continued to smile as she turned her head and looked up at the stars.
"Julius, do you know why I love the starts so much?"
"I can't say that I do."
Smiling. "It's magnificent you know. Even though they are lightyears apart, when you look up, they all seem so close. I wonder if that's why they burn so bright; to make sure that no matter how far they are from each other, their light will always reach."
Julius listened on, though he was confused, he wanted to know where Resena was going with her analogy.
"That's how it is for me and you. No matter how far you are from me, I can always see your light. It lets me know everything will always be okay, you're my hero after all."
Julius sat in shock. His cheeks crimsoned red. Hearing those words melted his heart in a way he'd never experienced, and while it was true, he'd seem somewhat of hero to her, Resena changed him in ways that he never thought was possible. In a way, she rescued him as well. Looking back at Julius while smiling, Resena continued is a soft tone.
"I have to do this alone. This is something I must face if I ever plan on being a wife worthy to stand by your side. But I must admit, it will be a lot easier knowing I have your light with me."
Julius could no longer bare it, his passion was overloaded with each word she spoke, that smile on her face made it unbearable to hold back. Julius gently placed his hands on each of her cheeks. Pulling her closer to him he spoke in hush tone.
"Resena, you have always been worthied to stand by my side."
He then gently took her lips into his. The stars indeed shined brightly, and he knew it was all because of Resena.
"Wait a minute Ressie, let me zip up the back for you."
Sabrina stood in the back of Resena helping her zip her dress for the annual Tea Party. Grace chose a sapphire blue gown with a lace overlay, with long sleeves, off the shoulders. There were hints of gold threaded through the gown that made is slightly shimmer. The shoes she chose were beautiful gold babydoll heels with blue roses on the top of the foot. As usual, Grace had truly out done herself.
"Resena when you're finished putting your dress on, I'll finish your hair and makeup."
Carla yelled over the behind the dressing screen. She and Sabrina were so excited for her tea party debut. To make sure she was not alone, Julius asked Catherine to add them both to the list as her ladies' maids.
"Alright! She's ready!" Sabrina shouted as Resena made her way around the screen.
"Oh my gosh! You look beautiful!" Blushing, Resena made her way to the vanity chair so Carla could put the final touches on her hair and makeup.
"I tell you! Grace is certainly a genius. She always knows exactly what to do to bring out your color!"
After the ladies were finished getting ready, they made their way down to the foyer where Julius and Bellman were waiting along with some of the other servants. As Resena made her way to the front Julius could hardly believe his eyes. Resena was gorgeous, who knew that color blue would look so radiant on her. Though he'd never cared much for these types of events, he found himself feeling sad he would not be attending.
"As always, you look absolutely amazing."
Smiling and blushing at the same time, Resena softly thanked him. Just then, Bellman walked up.
"Lady Resena your car is ready, and if I do say so myself, you'll be the most beautiful there."
Blushing. "Thank you, Bellman."
Resena, Carla, and Sabrina all made their way to the car. Julius ordered a stretched limo for the ladies, a beautiful champagne colored limo with lights underneath. As the ladies made their way into the vehicle, Julius gently grabbed Resena's hand.
"Have a great time. I know you'll do great, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me on your communicator. I'll come running."
"Thank you. I'll see you soon." Just as Resena was about to get into the car, she turned around and gave Julius a kiss on his cheek. Blushing, she hurried herself into the car.
The ladies arrived at the Grand Pierre at 2pm. The Tea Party was set to begin at 2:30. Carla looked on in amazement.
"Wow! This is really beautiful! Oh Ms. Resena, thank you so much for bringing us with you." Just then, Sabrina walked up.
"And not to worry, if anyone says anything out of place, I'll stuff some cake in their mouths." The ladies all laughed as they made their way to the entrance. There, they were met by a man holding a guest list.
"Good afternoon, welcome to the Grand Pierre, will you ladies be joining the annual tea party?"
"Yes, we're under the reservation of Blackwell."
"Oh yes, Ms. Resena Blackwell, and are these your ladies' maids?"
"Yes, they are."
"Excellent, please make your ways to the grand courtyard."
As the ladies made their way to the courtyard, Resena began to feel nervous. The time had finally come, she would be making her debut to the women of high society, but more importantly, she would see her aunt and cousin after weeks of being gone.
"There's nothing to worry about Reese, we'll be right here with you."
Carla smiled at her dear friend, she knew more than anyone how anxious Resena was feeling. The ladies all held hands as they made their way to their table.