Chapter 71


    Pleasee this way.


    The ce where the servant guided Lelia was a ss greenhouse in the pce garden. It was smaller, and cuter, than the crystal house where the previous tea party was held.


    Oh, youre here.


    When she opened the door and walked in, Princess Julianna and herdies-in-waiting weed Lelia. As soon as she saw them sitting around a pretty tea table, she grew nervous.


    [I heard it was a very private little tea party]


    There were fourdies in total, including Princess Julianna.


    She looked back just in case, but there seemed to be no more people invited. The only man invited to the party was her, who was disguised as Raymond.


    When she realized it, her mouth went dry.


    Nice to meet you, Sir Raymond. Pleasee over here and sit down.


    Cecil, who invited Lelia earlier, guided her to a seat.


    Lelia walked there with an awkward smile, hiding her nervous look.


    When she sat down, she felt suffocated.


    .


    Four women sitting around arge round tea table were staring at her.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Looking at Lelias eyes were shifting around, not knowing where to look. Thedies lips twitched as they held back theirughter.


    Princess Julianna smiled and spoke in an elegant manner, Thank you for epting my invitation, Sir Raymond.


    Its an honor.


    In fact, I heard that Brother Cedric was a little rude to you. I called you to apologize in his stead.


    Oh You didnt need to do so.


    Lelia said while snorting inwardly.


    Julianna was definitely making up an excuse.


    After thanking her for understanding, Julianna formally introduced thedies one by one.


    We greeted each other earlier, didnt we? Im Cecil.


    The blonde-haireddy was the Princess favorite.


    Im Cordelia.


    The shortdy with purple hair sitting next to Lelia was a writer for Princess Julianna.


    Im Dorothy.


    Finally, the brown-haireddy said she was a self-made business woman.


    They were all women from good families.


    Seeing their graceful manner, Lelia suddenly felt embarrassed at herself for sitting there dressed as a man.


    [You have to pull yourself together. Lets just think about the Holy Relic that will fix Kalix.]


    After counting to ten in her head, her mind calmed down.


    Come to think of it, she didnt see the red-haired woman she saw at the tea party yesterday. She was the woman who asked Lelia a lot of questions. They all looked so close yesterday.


    When she asked about the young woman, the air suddenly became chilly.


    .


    Julianna and thedies exchanged awkward nces.


    [What? Did I ask something I shouldnt have?]


    When Lelia blinked because she didnt know what to say, Julianna smiled and said.


    Unfortunately, the youngdy is not feeling well. So she couldnt make it today.


    Oh, I see.


    Then , Cecil asked cautiously.


    Is Sir Raymond interested in the youngdy?


    Oh, no. Im just curious.


    Miss Grace does stand out a little bit.


    Cecil pouted her lips cutely.


    Julianna suddenly pped her hands and changed the subject.


    Lets not talk about that anymore, lets talk about something fun. Sir Raymond, how is it back at home? Are there many parties there, too?


    Yes There are a lot of parties. Of course, not as many as the capital.


    Yesterday, Lelia asked Romeo more about Parmenia just in case. She thought it was a good idea to know more about it.


    Parmenia is a city with a lot of mines. They are especially famous for their ruby and diamond mines.


    Romeo said Parmenia has one of thergest mines in the Roseberry Empire.


    In the first ce, the Roseberry Empire was famous for being a producer of gemstones.


    As I expected, it wasnt the countryside! Sir Raymond seems way too stylish and put together for a rural noble.


    Thats right!


    Lelia smiled quietly as she looked at the young women who responded kindly.


    Being with women of their age reminded her of Becky, the maid she left back at the Superion castle.


    She wondered if Becky was doing alright.


    Lelia smiled affectionately without realizing, the young women exchanged looks of surprise with each other.


    Miss Cecils cheeks were flushed.


    Maybe.


    When Cecil was about to say something, Julianna intercepted the words and asked yfully.


    You have a nice smile while talking about your home. Do you happen to have a lover you left in your hometown?


    Cecils expression became a little dark for a moment.


    Lelia watched the scene for a while beforeing to her senses.


    Julianna and the otherdies eyes were shining with expectations.


    [This is my opportunity.]


    An opportunity to appear like a womanizer.


    Yeah, its not just one or two.


    When Lelia spoke nonchntly, the girls looked surprised and soon burst intoughter.


    I knew it! Theres no way someone as beautiful as Sir Raymond doesnt have a lover. I just didnt expect there were so many.


    I thought you wouldnt have a girlfriend because you looked so shy! But there are so many of them!


    Cordelia and Dorothy followed up, and Lelia smiled as naturally as possible.


    Then, Cecil said sullenly.


    Well, how can you have so many lovers? I dont think I can stand it if my lover meets with another woman..


    Lelia thought for a moment and replied,


    Thats what I thought as well, but One day they came to me and said, We agreed to share you, so please ept it. It couldnt be helped, theyre all lovelydies.


    !


    Everyone gasped at Lelias unconventional remark.


    [Argh. I feel like throwing up.]


    Lelia said it herself, but she was really unlucky.


    At this rate, the young women in front of her will think of her as a trashy yboy.


    Despite what she was thinking would happen, Miss Cordelias and Miss Dorothys faces flushed red.


    Miss Cecil, on the other hand, looked somewhat teary, and Princess Julianna frowned.


    Lelia continued, thinking it was time.


    Oh, but Sir Ruth, who went to the party with me, is different. Unlike me, he swore hed spend his whole life with only one woman. Of course, the same goes for Prince Romeo and Lord Kalix.


    Lelia proudly imed that she was the only trashy person.


    This is good enough, right?


    She was sure that she could act as the most trashy man in the world, as long as she got the Holy Relic in return.


    Lelia began to spillpliment afterpliment about Ruth. She even came up with creativepliments, and everyone became more and more curious.


    I didnt know Sir Ruth had that side to him.


    Sir Ruth is a wonderful gentleman.


    Lelias heart cried out everytime apliment came out.


    She couldnt leave her friends out either.


    Lelia wanted to let everyone in the world know about the greatness of her friends as well.


    Prince Romeo is a very sweet man, he also doesnt have a girlfriend.


    Oh, I see.


    Sir Kalix is also a very sensitive man, contrary to his appearance.


    Aha


    Theyve been home for a while. How about Lord Oscar and Lord Griffith?


    Lelia praised them with excitement.


    Thedies nodded mechanically at her words.


    In fact, everyone was only half listening while staring at Lelia.


    To be honest, if it wasnt for Sir Raymond in front of them, they would have been interested in Romeo, Kalix, and Ruth.


    However, most of the capital citys aristocrats have long been revamped by Donatellis paintings.


    The women were enchanted to see a handsome man who seemed to have popped out of the painting.


    Even his calm voice and polite way of speaking was attractive to them.


    Lelia didnt know that, and excitedlyplimented Ruth all on her own.


    On the other hand, Princess Julianna stared at Lelia without saying a word.


    Why is he only praising Ruth and other men?


    Julianna wondered inwardly.


    He suddenly revealed that he had many lovers as if he was a womanizer. She felt like he waspletely different from yesterday. Maybe its because hes rxed at the moment.


    He honestly didnt look like a flirt to her.


    It may be true though, because he looked so beautiful.


    Maybe even in Parmenia, portraits of beautiful men painted by Donatelli were famous.


    Anyway, it was a little weird.


    [I think its because of me.]


    Julianna raised the corners of her lips slightly and smiled.


    It was funny because he seemed to be so transparent. It was a little unexpected, but it was cute.


    You want me to be jealous.


    He said that there were many lovers in his hometown and suddenlyplimented Ruth, it seemed to be all because of her.


    She was confused, but Sir Raymond kept ncing at her and looking away.


    Otherwise, theres no reason to care so much about Ruth.


    Youre a pretty cute person.


    Julianna smiled brightly at Sir Raymond in return.


    But looking at the smile, Sir Raymond / Lelia had a different understanding.


    [It worked!]


    Praising Ruth worked!


    Juliannas mind must be full of thoughts of Ruth by now. Even other women in the room murmured how cool Ruth was.


    As the tea party came to an end, Princess Julianna said, Oh, by the way, theres a ball Im having a few days from now. I hope you will make the asion shine, as all the nobles in the capital are supposed to attend.


    Oh, may Ie with Sir Ruth?


    Of course.


    Lelia bid Princess Julianna and thedies farewell and returned to her room.


    When she returned, her legs gave out in relief.


    Leliaid down on the sofa in the drawing room.


    [Its a sess, though.]


    After she rests, shell go see Ruth and tell him about today. Then he can confess to Julianna.


    [By the way]


    Lelia remembered something ufortable that happened throughout the tea party.


    ***


    Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed what you have read, do consider tipping us a little through: /rainofsnow. Once we receive 6$, an advance chapter will be posted as a thank you. Dont forget to mention the series that youre supporting!