Days after the encounter with my mini nemesis, the day of the tea party arrived.
Already early in the morning, we started to prepare for it. I and Jenni had a rose bath, skincare and a small breakfast of fruits. A light meal, since we would eat too much later during the day.
After, came the dressing and the styling. I had hoped, that after many days of choosing and experimenting with several dresses it would be easier on the day of the party. I was wrong. Very wrong.
My helpful maid had come up with more styles and ideas, which she believed would fit me better. I had told her, several times, it was ok to go with the one we had chosen the day before. Fortunately, she accepted.
Hahahaha.
As if Fanny would let me have a restful morning before a party! If they saw us, they would think I had been invited to a royal wedding or such!
I shivered just thinking of Jenni's future wedding... the work it would be!
Thankfully, I was too young for make-up, my nightmares were filled with Fanny's learning the craft. She would be my worst enemy! Rival only to my nemesis.
By lunchtime, me, Jenni and the Duke departed in our most fancy carriage.
Anyone that saw it would know it was the Mountnero family who passed by, and I did think that was the intention. To have all eyes on us and in our "glory", as the strongest house of the Empire, behind the royal family.
Everyone we passed, on our way to the Marquis house, was in awe by it. I would have been too if I hadn't had to sit in those damned seats. It was the most uncomfortable carriage we had and the thought of sitting on it for a long period was a terror almost comparable with Fanny's long styling. Almost.
Inside the atmosphere was light. The Duke and Jenni were happy, believing my first social event would be a great success.
I, however, knew it wouldn't be, but kept quiet not to spoil their happy mood. More Jenni's in this case. The Duke could be his sour self and I wouldn't care, as long his hatred was not directed at me.
The Marquis lived outside the capital, not far but not close enough for me to have an enjoyable trip on those rigid seats.
To avoid thinking of my poor bum, my mind wandered somewhere else, bored. My second life, except the obvious death traps, with some troublemakers and royalty, was becoming way too boring. Enough to make me even miss my last job. And that needed some great kind of boredom to be accomplished.
Less than a year into this life and I knew already that being a member of the nobility was not for me. We did nothing, at least the girls.
I had yet to start my etiquette lessons, though I already dread them because I knew I would hate them. My days were passed in boredom unless I got in trouble, which didn't mean good things to me.
This boredom made me think, too much. Way too much. And some thoughts started to wander close to my conscience. Thoughts I didn't want and which I prevented by keeping myself busy. But how would I keep myself busy?
And how could I escape this trapping life?
It was clear that I would get resistance from Gobbie and others. But even if I succeed in that, I could only be living outside the family when I became an adult. And I was now fucking seven. There were at least 9 years left for me to endure. So how do I keep those thoughts out?
It was a question I needed to find an answer to quickly.... but maybe not today.
An hour of boredom and we arrived at an enormous palace, surrounded by a big forest and lush gardens. It looked way more pompous than our golden carriage, filled with golden and silver statues and all these strange ornaments. Expensive, but ugly as hell.
As we entered, I wondered why there was such a big amount of unnecessary shit placed everywhere, until I realized that they were there to showcase the Marquis power. Not coming from the nobility himself, the Marquis brought the title and certainly had some inferiority complex about it.
Anyway, it was a waste of money... no matter what he did these people would never acknowledge an outsider. Lucreatia's previous life proved this. So I feared the Marquis work was in vain, it almost made me sad for him.
Almost... because when that insipid man laid eyes on me I could see his distaste over my person.
It started soon.
He greeted the Duke with over the top bow like he was performing in some circus show. The Duke was visibly uncomfortable with it, though I was sure the Marquis thought of it as a success, seeing the way he gleaned.
When it came to greeting us, the daughters, he tried to go for Jenni's hand, thankfully the Duke diverted him into asking where we were supposed to go.
The Marquis was not happy with the interruption but had to accept it, only bowing as a greeting. Then, he told the Duke the adults would be meeting separately for some cocktails while the children would socialize in a different room over some tea.
Glad to leave that shitty shit, I took hold of Jenni's arm and followed one of the butlers to the room where the "socializing over some tea" was happening. But before that, I made sure to pass that shitty shit and give him my best haughty look.
Because I am a better bitch than you sir.
He didn't seem happy, but he couldn't show it, as the Duke was right there to watch his every move.
"What a lack of a proper Lady does on a household." Commented Jenni in a whisper. A small jab on the Marquis lack of manners.
In my view, it didn't justify the behaviour, as we weren't proper ladies as well, and I wouldn't say we made fools of ourselves. Well, Jenni didn't at least.
Still, that comment made me sick in my stomach, thinking of why he was so interesting in greeting Jenni and why the Duke stopped him. Bastard.
He had eyes on the Mountnero family! I didn't know what to say... if he was stupid or crazy. Sure he was a criminal, she was 8!
Though I knew he was just making acquaintance for the future (Ewwww!!!!), I was surprised that he didn't realise that in no way in hell would the Duke allow such a thing. Lucreatia may have been the favourite, but Jenni was loved by her father as well.
And a wrong move and the Marquis would appear dead on a sidewalk of a bad neighbourhood. And I probably would have helped dump the body. Awful shit.
I already wanted to leave the house and these people... but I couldn't, so I pressed forward with innocent Jenni beside me.
At the entrance to the tea room, we were greeted by the Marquis daughter, two years older than my current body and... a more circus performer than her father.
She was filled with precious stones and ornaments, that lacked coordination between each other and the full ball orange dress she was wearing. The colour was almost neon and hurt the eyes of any fool that looked directly at it. Thankfully it was mostly buried in accessories, making it impossible to blind me or poor Jenni.
The girl was not even 10 and had already heavy makeup on her youthful face, which aged her too much.
What were those maids doing to her? She needed a Fanny urgently in her life.
"Ladies of the Great Mountnero family, welcome to my humble tea party." There was an extravagant bow and a smile to Jenni, ignoring me completely.
That was ok, as long that was all it was, however, something told me it wouldn't be.
As I looked at the room I scoffed at the word "humble" used by the girl.
There was nothing "humble" in the room. From the golden adorned chairs and tables to the massive paintings and sculptures, to tons and tons of food. And chocolate fountains! Several!! The Empire could have been fed just by all the food in this room.
Both, me and Jenni entered the room and looked at the impressive waste of money inside. We walked slowly checking where best to sit.
After greeting some of Jenni's acquaintances and other ladies, who were all smiles to Jenni and distaste look at me, both I and Jenni choose a more quiet place, near the window to sit. The small table for four faced a lush rose garden and seemed pretty quiet. We wanted to enjoy some of the many, many candies and cakes at that party, in peace so this was the perfect place.
Before I could even start appreciating my tea, a strong high pitch noise came from the ladies sitting close by the door. With my back to the door, I couldn't see what they were fretting about, but I didn't want to know. I had a feeling inside my heart that told me nothing good was coming from it.
And I was right because I saw Jenni, who could see the door, getting up and muttering:
"Your majesty."
My blood left my face...
Hahaha.... fucking perfect.
So what did you think about it?? I hate the Marquis by the way! Awful man!!
But are excited about the next chapter??? Tell me!
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