Finally, the day of the tea party had come…!
The tea party hosted by Angela was a large scale event held at a corner of the east garden. It was a prestigious party where wives and daughters of the country's prominent aristocrats gathered.
While I could say that my family had escaped from destitution, it was not an event in which a daughter of a countryside earldom could attend.
I looked up to the clear summer sky with no clouds in sight.
(Un, I know. Only at such times was the weather was sunny and not rainy.)
Round tables with black tablecloth were lined up, and snacks and confectionaries were carried out one after another. Incidentally, all of the tableware was black and red.
Angela's kuroko maids were serving tea, and I was currently sitting on a prepared black chair. By the way, the cushion was also red.
TN: Something like this but outdoor I guess. It’s a horrible theme colours for outdoor party though.
(Uu, I feel nervous.)
Today's participants were about five wives of powerful noble families, the most important being Angela's relatives, the duchess and the marquise. And there were about 10 young ladies who were their daughters. Their ages were more or less similar, but they had the impression of children.
As the tea party was sponsored by the princess, they were in high spirits and wore gorgeous dresses.
And they all used the pheromone perfume… even the children.
(This reduces my appetite… it's just right for my diet though.)
My weight, which had increased by 10 kilograms before I came, had decreased by 8 kilograms in the past two months.
It was thanks to my cousin Ryuze's, who showed excess skin ship at the moment, enthusiastic participation in my exercise.
While I couldn't achieve the goal Angela had set for me, since it's around "Don't you think your face is a little rounder than before?", I'd like to think that it's at an acceptable level.
First of all, after enjoying the greetings and chatting, the organizer Angela introduced me and I desperately tried to describe the items.
It's a large opportunity to gain more customers, so I had to try my best.
[…So, what you are using now are the highest rank items. These are valuable products of Hakusu earldom that are limited in production.]
Since they're influential aristocrats, I tried to introduce mainly the products with exquisite values.
They were terrible prices that were set by the miserly Ryuze, but it's certain that their quality were good.
Of course, we also dealt ordinary products for those who had less money, and we planned to produce simple products for commoners in the future.
[And today's main item is this perfume.]
I introduced the perfume made from musk and amber with flourish.
[It contains the ingredients of the popular pheromone perfume that everyone is currently using. Are there people who are currently using that pheromone perfume and yet feel that there is no effect?]
After my question, a few ladies timidly raised their hands. And for some reason, a young child also raised her voice.
[Papa always tells mama that she's smelly! I was also told that I'm smelly too!]
The wife group was overwhelmed by the child's cruel words. The killing ability of innocent and honest words was too high.
And the person who was told by her father that she's "smelly" was also pitiful.
[…E, eeto. This, this perfume, it properly makes up for that deficiency, and is characterized by its refreshing floral scent that is not too strong. My cousin Earl Hakusu also highly praises it.]
When I gave out Ryuze's name, daughters of marriageable age rushed towards me.
(Oo, as expected of onii-sama!)
The ikemen effect made the noblewomen and daughters interested. Ryuze seemed to be favoured.
I had prepared several scent samples, and the item was reserved one after another.
Sitting next to me, Angela seemed to be in a good mood. It seemed that she was satisfied with the pattern.
On her eyelids, her eyelash extensions drew round and elegant curves.
[Well then, let's proceed to our usual art presentation.]
With Angela's voices, all of their faces tightened. Although they were experience about it, all of them were becoming nervous about the presentation.
First of all, it's the announcement of the children's group. But just because they're children, they were not to make light of.
The beautiful voices that were spun as the song began were clear like a famous foreign boy choir.
TN: Vienna’s Boys Choir
Of course, the tone and the strength of their voices were exquisite.
(U-n… my song after I was taught by my tutors is to be lamented.)
I realized again that talent could make such an obvious difference.
Thinking about my presentation after this made my chest heavier.
Though I became a little better after I was taught by Prince Marlow and Lucas, the status was only promoted from very unskillful to unskillful. My ability was less than a young child's.
Of course, I was really thankful to them. I always participated in Prince Marlow's invitation of his hobby, presented him preferential face lotion and soaps made from rare materials that couldn't be commercialized, and we researched herb tea together… I thought that it was fun.
However, he was careful not to serve a large amount of sweets to prevent making me fatter.
In order to prepare for the future of the crown prince's death, I taught him the art of self-defense when we had time.
Here, Lucas was also involved. He said that he was interested in the techniques of the previous Earl Hakusu who defeated his country's army in the past.
After seeing my increased weight, his attitude was colder than last year, but it was not terrible. It was a good relationship where we could talk normally.
(While negligence is taboo, I don't feel like I'm being hated. The atmosphere is like a friend of opposite sex.)
While thinking about the two princes to escape from reality, my turn had come.
The participants urged me to sing with a smile.
As it had been decided for the presenter to stand at the center of the garden, I moved swiftly.
(It's alright. I've practiced with Prince Marlow and Lucas.)
I breathed in heavily and opened my mouth.
It should be a relatively easy song to sing… but as expected, I sang it terribly.
(This is hard to keep up until the end. That small child is really laughing! Just say that it's "unskillful~", because I heard it exactly~!)
The other women looked at me with sympathy. Although I was not made fun of, it's hard enough as it was.
(As I thought, I'm blanking out.)
I became desperate while singing, but at the same time, a new singing voice was heard from nearby.
The voice had dignified strength, playing a soft and clear sound.
When I moved my gaze awkwardly, Angela had stood up from her seat and sang together!
The princess' melody covered up my horrible singing.
(Angela, amazing! …That said, is she saving me?)
While I was puzzled, the song went on and I was able to safely sing it to the end. Other ladies rose up and applauded.
After that, the song presentation continued, and at the end Angela concluded the event with a song with high level of difficulty.
After the tea party, I ran to Angela and thanked her.
[Your Highness, thank you for your assistance earlier. Thanks to you, I could sing to the end.]
[I, I would be troubled if there's a problem at the tea party organized by me!]
Angela slightly blushed, bent down her eyelash extensions and turned away.
Rather than angry, she seemed shy.
[I've been thinking for a while… Britney, you are always so formal, calling me "Your Highness". Why do you never call me Angela? Only calling onii-sama with his name is sly!]
[E…?]
[Now, call me by my name!]
While I got nervous, I softly opened my mouth.
[…A, Angela, -sama.]
I saw Angela smiled broadly. She seemed to be happy, and she puffed up her small chest with a "fufun".
[From now on, always call me so. It's too much for my friend to call me "Your Highness" after all.]
I was surprised by her words and I could only watch her walking away silently.
Before I knew it, I seemed to be regarded as a friend by the princess.
TN: Congrats, Britney. You’re officially designated as Angela’s friend.