Vivian greeted Amanda as she approached.
“Welcome, young lady. For a while I was worried that you might be sick because I hadn’t seen you in some time. I’m glad you were able to come today.”
Amanda felt a little guilty when she noticed Vivian’s disappointment, and she gave a humble smile.
“I’ve always wanted to attend your parties, but as you know I spend so much time managing the household. I’m glad to see you again after all this time.”
Vivian was well aware that Amanda managed the Windsor household, but she didn’t believe that Amanda didn’t have time to attend her gatherings. Vivian herself was also in charge of the estate of her late husband, but she wasn’t so busy that she couldn’t attend parties either. However, Vivian simply smiled and didn’t say such details.
“By the way, who is this cute young lady? Is she your sister?”
“Yes she is, Madame.”
Amelia, who was listening to the two women’s conversation, turned to greet Vivian.
“Hello, Madame. I’m Amelia Windsor. I am here with my sister.”
Although Amelia was still young, she was sure to grow up beautifully. She may not have the same intense beauty as her sister, but her lively aura spoke of great promise in the future.
“Oh, all of the Windsor children are simply beautiful. It’s a pleasure to meet you, young lady.”
Somehow, Amanda felt as if she herself had been praised. After they exchanged their greetings, a white-haired old man who appeared to be a butler approached Vivian and whispered politely in her ear.
“Pardon me, My Lady. All the guests have arrived and we are ready for the party. “
“Thank you, Alex.”
Vivian looked back at Amanda and Amelia in apology.
“This is a simple tea party, but I hope you enjoy yourselves. We’re going to have a big ball next time, so please come and grace our seats. “
“Yes, Madame.”
Vivian moved to the head of the table with a benevolent smile on her face. Amanda didn’t know if this was meant to be a small tea party for close friends to gather, but there were more than twenty noble ladies and young daughters. No matter how small the event may be, Vivian was a powerful member of the community, and the number of people attending would inevitably differ from the norm.
Vivian took the lead to greet everyone.
“Welcome, all. Firstly I’d like to thank everyone for accepting my invitation. I feel wonderful because the weather is sunny, too. So now let’s sit down and enjoy all the delicious refreshments together.”
Several ladies smiled at Vivian’s introduction. To outsiders this may not be a big deal, but one of the most important details about these parties was placement. The closer to the host you were, the better the seats.
Amanda took a table with Amelia at the far end of the garden. It couldn’t be helped. Chairs were prepared in accordance with the number of guests at each table, and Amelia had suddenly been added when only one Windsor was expected to attend. To prevent this situation, the host had to be informed of the number of people before attending the party, but Amanda had already responded too late.
Since Amelia could not sit in someone else’s seat, it was only natural that they sat down somewhere else. Since Amanda didn’t actively attend social gatherings anyway, and there was also the possibility of her not attending and taking the seat. If she were a powerful young woman she could easily request inner seats in this situation, but the position of House Windsor in high society was not a lofty one.
Amanda didn’t feel disappointed– it was all rather expected. Vivian had welcomed her anyway even Amanda did not make many appearances. It also occurred to Amanda that perhaps this distant corner was more suitable for enjoying the atmosphere with Amelia.
However, earlier Layla had looked between Amanda and Vivian with a disgusted expression, and now Layla still was glowering at Amanda where she was seated.
Hailey, the daughter of Viscount Jenner, noticed that Layla was in a black mood and quickly said something in attempt to appease her.
“Oh, look over there. Is Lady Windsor trying to fit in with the enemy? No wonder the capital ignores southern society because of that trend.”
In short, Amanda was a disgrace to southern society. Layla jumped at the opportunity to scratch her itch.
“Yes, that’s the style that I would wear only in the kingdom of Carthenia.”
The Kingdom of Carthenia was the poorest country on the continent. Those who knew about fashion could immediately realize that she meant Amanda’s dress was unfashionable.
Normally, Layla’s nose was held so high she ignored the other young nobles in lower ranks than she was. However, there were some who wanted to get along with Layla because of her high position and beautiful appearance. Hailey was one of those people. She hurriedly opened her mouth at the chance to win Layla’s favor.
“Although she wears green like Lady Brown, she simply pales in comparison.”
Layla covered her mouth and smiled as if she had honey on her tongue. Scarlett, the daughter Count Smith, was listening to them quietly.
“Do you mean the dress of Lady Windsor? It doesn’t seem new, but isn’t it adorned beautifully? I thought I should try remake my dress at home instead of looking for something new too…”
Layla’s fine brow furrowed at Scarlett’s foolish remarks. Layla thought Scarlett ugly and stupid, but she liked her status as a daughter of a count. In addition, Scarlett’s face was so plain that Layla had brought her along to emphasize her own beauty.
But that didn’t matter right now. Layla hid her displeasure and spoke with a thin smile on her lips.
“I had no idea that Lady Smith was this ignorant of fashion.”
“Huh?”
“What makes that so beautiful? You should have your eyesight checked. If other people found out, no one would want to go to the dress shop with you.”
“W-well…I mean…”
Scarlett had a habit of stammering when she was flustered or excited. Layla simply smiled. Scarlett was even more intimidated by Layla, who was one of the leaders of style in the south.
Hailey watched Layla’s smiling lips and swallowed nervously. It didn’t matter what was right or wrong in the aristocratic world. Lady Brown was a powerful woman.
Although Count Windsor was not someone to be ignored, his position and wealth was very different compared to Marquis Brown. Furthermore, the Windsors were house of knights, while the Browns did business in politics.
House Jenner, where Hailey was from, was under the strong influence of the Browns. When Hailey saw Scarlett’s frightened expression, she quickly clicked her tongue.
“I suppose Lady Windsor doesn’t even realize how embarrassing she is, attending a tea party dressed like that.”
“Well, if she doesn’t know how embarrassing she is…should we teach her a lesson?”
“A lesson?”
Hailey’s eyes widened at the unexpected suggestion. But Layla had already made up her mind. Scarlett, who was quietly listening, spoke up in a stammering voice.
“S-she was just talking to Lady Holland, maybe they’re friends–”
Layla firmly cut off Scarlett’s noise.
“Do you think that Lady Windsor is closer to Marchioness Holland than I am?”
There was no comparison between Amanda, who rarely appeared in high society, and Layla, who came from the powerful Marquis Brown.
Scarlett’s face whitened.
“O-oh, no. I’m not saying that. I don’t know if…”
“If there’s anything you want to say, say it straight. I can’t stand listening to your simpering today.”
“…Hic!“
Scarlett’s hands leapt to her mouth. She was worried that Amanda and Vivian might be close, but Layla’s reaction frightened her into silence. However, Layla only became more agitated when Scarlett took Amanda’s side.
‘What about me…?’
So far Layla had tried to ignore Amanda as much as possible, but she felt like her head was about to erupt. She hated when people compared them because they had blonde hair, but today the comparisons stood out even more because they wore the same color of dress.
Of course, Layla’s dress was far more beautiful, but it wasn’t all. There was an overall harmony in Amanda’s beauty. And Layla didn’t want to admit it. All she could think of was that Amanda wore the same color of dress on purpose to embarrass her. It was impossible for Amanda to know, but that didn’t matter to Layla. She was insulted. She couldn’t forgive.
Layla had a sword hidden in her smile, and Hailey attempted to get on her good side yet again.
“What lesson should we teach her?”
“Why don’t we try this?”