Living Up to Your Expectations - Chapter 21

A tranquil afternoon in the palace gardens.

The white gazebo standing in a corner of the garden shone translucent under the sunlight, its shadow falling softly across the lawn beyond the roof. Whenever the wind blew, rose-scented petals would dance inside, gently brushing against our knees.

“Prince Lucius! Oh? …Lady Felicia, you’re together again.”

Yes, we are together.

Today is my tea party with Lord Lucius, after all.

“Good day, Lady Beth. Have you finished today’s studies?”

“Huh?”

…So, you haven’t.

“Lady Beth, is there something you need?”

“Yes! Actually, I made some sweets for Prince Lucius to express my daily gratitude. Here they are, please accept them.”

Cookies, I see.

The attendants standing behind her watched with expressions that seemed to say, “How charming.” But.

“One moment, Lady Beth. Did you make these yourself?”

“Of course, I did. Surely, you’re not doubting me? I made them properly. I’m good at baking! Are you suggesting it’s unbecoming of a noble lady to do such things?”

The attendants frowned with displeasure.

“Not at all? It’s just that these are for royalty to consume. We must be cautious, naturally.”

“What! Are you implying I would put poison in them!? I properly asked the palace kitchen staff and borrowed space there. I made them while everyone was watching!”

I thought as much.

“Caien, confirm with the kitchen.”

“Yes, understood.”

Caien ran off without a sound.

Lady Beth looked down, biting her lip.

“How cruel. I only wanted to do something for Prince Lucius. ”

Her shoulders trembled slightly.

“And she was so excited to make them since morning.”

“How unfortunate. She looked so happy earlier. ”

The attendants’ voices sounded soft, yet deliberately audible.

Caien has returned.

“Lady Felicia, I’m back. The kitchen staff confirmed everything. They said there are no issues.”

The attendants wore expressions that practically said, “See?” How disrespectful.

“Were the kitchen staff suspecting I might put something in too? They were all watching me the whole time instead of working.”

“Spirit Princess, that’s not it. The kitchen staff were watching over you warmly.”

“That’s right. They seemed quite curious about what you could do.”

The attendants quickly followed up.

“What they’re saying isn’t entirely wrong. Listen carefully. If anything were to happen to you, the Spirit Princess, all the kitchen staff would be dismissed. At worst, they could even be executed.”

“Eh…?”

“Naturally, right? If the Spirit Princess were harmed, the spirits might become enraged. —Given your position, the kitchen staff couldn’t focus on their work. Yet they couldn’t refuse your request either. From now on, please properly obtain permission from the appropriate channels? So, you don’t cause any more trouble for busy people.”

“Guh…!”

My, how transparent. Biting her lip in frustration.

Your usual fluffy mask is starting to slip, isn’t it?

“But since you went through the trouble of making them, Lady Beth, why don’t you join us for tea and nibble on the sweets you brought? That would be fine, wouldn’t it? Lord Lucius.”

“Ah, of course. Lady Beth, I’d be delighted to try your sweets.”

“Thank you, Prince Lucius!”

Even though I was the one who invited you. Only thanking His Highness? Hehe.

“Then, over here,” a waiting maid quietly bowed and took the basket containing Lady Beth’s handmade cookies.

At a table slightly apart, the maids quietly began preparing for the tea party.

At the center of the round table covered with a pure white cloth was a floral arrangement of delicate bundled flowers. On either side, gold-rimmed tea sets that softly reflected the sunlight were neatly arranged.

My seat was to Lord Lucius’s immediate right. For Lady Beth, a chair was prepared to his left, with a slight gap between them.

“Everything is ready.”

A waiting maid respectfully bowed and announced.

Following the invitation, we moved to the table and took our respective seats.

The maid who had received the cookie basket carefully arranged the handmade sweets on small plates. Beside them, another maid gently placed a separate dish she had brought.

Lady Beth’s eyes widened as if she’d noticed something.

“Eh? This is—”

Her gaze was clearly directed at the other sweet plate placed beside the cookies.

“It’s a tart.”

I answered lightly while picking up my teacup. Beside the cookies on the plate was a tart.

“Placing Lady Beth’s cookies next to the chef’s tarts.”

“Is she trying to compare them? How mean.”

Whispers from the surroundings. I could hear someone’s deliberately sharp intake of breath. I can hear you, you know.

“That’s right. Lady Beth.”

I continued with a soft smile.

“Since we have the opportunity, why don’t you try imitating me today?”

Lady Beth showed a momentarily puzzled expression. Her eyes darted between me and the table.

“Imitating you?”

Amid the drifting scent of tea, her voice alone sounded oddly detached. A tone mixing confusion and wariness. Behind it flickered the hint of a wavering self-esteem.

“Yes. For example, if I drink tea, you drink tea too. If I have a sweet, you have one the same way. How about that? There are manners for how to eat cookies and tarts too.”

When I tilted my head slightly to ask, she blinked and answered.

“…Why would I do such a thing?”

Her fingertips unconsciously traced the teaspoon placed on the table. Proof she’s unsettled. Hehe, how adorable.

“You’ll likely be invited to more tea parties from now on, won’t you? Imitating a model is the best shortcut to learning etiquette.”

Even as I said it, I felt my smile deepen inwardly.

It wasn’t hard to imagine how much the word “model” would sting her pride.

“Are you saying I should use Lady Felicia as a model?”

Finally, her voice gained an edge. The corners of her mouth twitched, and her eyes narrowed slightly. Not a trace of softness remained on her face.

“Yes. That’s what I said. I promised to look after you, and of course I have His Majesty the King’s permission.”

I smiled softly and nodded.

“Lady Beth.”

Cutting through the tense atmosphere, Lord Lucius’s clear voice rang out.

“Feli’s comportment is very beautiful. I guarantee it will be a good reference for you.”

Beautiful, I nearly let my smile show. And at those words, Lady Beth’s back stiffened visibly.

Everyone presents must have predicted her next line.

“…If Prince Lucius says so.”

After a slight pause, the reply was finally squeezed out. Though framed as acceptance, her voice carried mingled regret and humiliation.

That too was pleasant to hear.

I gently lifted my teacup, quietly deepening my smile. With the porcelain rim at my lips, I directed only my gaze toward Lady Beth.

Shall we begin?