The day of Lady Caroline's tea party had finally arrived.
"My lady, wake up! It's already nine. Come on, we don't have much time!" Maria's excited voice pierced through my sleep.
"We don't have much time for what?" I mumbled, still half-asleep.
"To get you ready! It's the day of the tea party!" she squealed in a pitch far too high for this hour.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, Maria. The tea party is at four in the afternoon. We have plenty of time."
She stared at me with such horror that I genuinely feared she might faint.
"All right, all right—fine. I'm up," I surrendered quickly. "Do your magic on me, oh great fairy."
She giggled, then called the rest of the maids into the room. At once, the quiet morning turned into a hive of activity—some preparing my bath, others ironing my dress, arranging accessories, arranging what looked like half a garden of flowers.
They began with the bath. The water was warm, filled with rose petals and scented oils whose sweetness enveloped the entire room. They scrubbed and massaged my skin, washed my hair, and smeared some odd-smelling paste over my face.
Good lord—it's just a tea party.
But I didn't complain. Their excitement warmed my heart, and I let them do whatever they wished. This was the first time I would leave this mansion since I arrived, and knowing how much they cared... it softened something inside me. I would never endure this place without them.
By the time they brought me breakfast, it was already one in the afternoon.
"Well... I suppose we truly didn't have much time," I muttered with a small laugh. "Noble life is utterly insane."
They applied light makeup, then braided my hair into a loose side braid decorated with tiny pale-pink flowers.
The dress the Duke had chosen was surprisingly conservative compared to his usual tastes—showing only my collarbone. A blessing, really.
I supposed he wanted to be the only one who saw more.
That sick bastard.
Still, the dress itself was lovely: white, with a delicate arrangement of pale pink flowers circling my waist like a belt.
When they finished, I stared at my reflection. I looked fresh, soft... innocent.
"Oh, my lady, you look so beautiful—like an angel," Maria whispered, eyes glistening.
"No, a fairy!" Marie insisted, and the rest of the maids joyfully agreed.
Their affection overwhelmed me. I smiled brightly at all of them.
"Thank you. I am so lucky to have you."
"No, miss," they said, nearly in unison, "we are lucky to serve you."
I descended the stairs toward the main entrance, only to find Henry standing there, watching me. I halted briefly.
"I'm going to the tea party now, brother," I said calmly.
He stared for a full minute before giving a single nod and walking away without a word.
At the carriage, a knight stood waiting—one I had never seen before.
'Is he new?'
"Oh, my lady! Your hat—I forgot it! I'll fetch it at once!" Maria exclaimed before running inside.
Left alone, I turned to the knight. "Who are you?"
"Oh, princess, you're here. And the rumors are true—you really are quite a beauty," he said with a smirk so arrogant it nearly knocked the breath out of me.
I froze. Who did he think he was, speaking to me like that? But instead of reprimanding him, I simply stared—because he was undeniably handsome. Dark blond hair, warm brown eyes, tall, broad-shouldered, clearly trained... dangerously distracting.
He smirked wider. "You like what you see, princess?"
My face ignited in mortification. And why in heaven's name was he calling me princess?
"Who are you?" I repeated, louder, attempting to reclaim some authority.
He chuckled—dimples appearing—and I immediately looked away.
Control yourself, Aria.
"I'm Leonardo. Call me Leo. I'll be your escort knight."
"What? You?" I blurted, stunned.
My eyes darted toward the mansion, searching for the Duke. Another test? Another trap? Then I spotted the head maid watching from a window, and dread settled in my stomach. She knew the Duke's true nature— aside from the two guards who shadow him everywhere.
They were once slaves he bought when they were very young, both of them rendered impotent long before they came into his service. Even after he later granted them their freedom, they chose to remain by his side, unwavering and loyal. I had been certain one of them would accompany me today.
Leo's voice cut through my thoughts, slightly irritated. "I'm a capable knight, my lady. You can trust me."
"Oh—I did not mean to offend you, sir. I only expected one of the Duke's men."
He smirked again. "I'm far better than those blocks of wood."
What an appallingly rude man. How is he so unafraid of consequences?
"What a humble person you are, Sir Leo," I said sweetly, with obvious sarcasm.
He chuckled, voice deep, and to my own embarrassment, I smiled.
When he noticed my smile, he licked his lips.
A shiver ran through me. I looked instantly toward the window—yes, the head maid still watched.
Damn it. I must stop talking to him. I do not need another incident like last year.
Maria returned and placed my hat—a small piece adorned with flowers—onto my head.
"Let us go now, Sir Leo," I said firmly.
He offered his hand to help me into the carriage. The moment his hand touched mine, a jolt shot through me. I attempted to withdraw, but he tightened his grip, smirking like the devil himself.
I pulled away as soon as I could and sat down. Maria followed, and the carriage rolled forward.
"Is he a new knight?" I asked her quietly.
"Yes, my lady. And I heard he's exceptionally talented. Even as a commoner, he was appointed head of the Duke's second squad. Oh—and he's very handsome, isn't he?" she added with a girlish giggle.
So he wasn't just arrogant—he had the skill to justify it. Still, his manner of speaking was entirely improper. Someone that talented should understand fear, hierarchy... caution.
Unless this was all part of one of the Duke's twisted games.
I must keep my distance from him.
The journey to the Bennet Dukedom took half an hour.
"We're almost there, my lady," Maria said.
Anxiety tightened my chest. I had never met nobles outside the Duke's cursed household. Despite the Duchess's strict lessons, I feared I'd embarrass myself. What if they mocked me?
I miss my old life. Living freely with Andie, without watching every step, every word...
"They will love you, my lady. Truly," Maria said, noticing my worry.
I smiled at her, though my heart beat relentlessly.
The carriage stopped. The coachman announced our arrival at the Bennet estate.
Breathe, Aria. It is only a tea party. Their opinions mean nothing. You are not one of them, nor do you wish to be.
Leo opened the door and extended his hand. I took it, stepping down carefully though my body trembled.
He tightened his hold just slightly and gave me a soft, confident smile. "You look beautiful, my lady."
My cheeks flushed instantly. I snatched my hand away the moment I noticed the coachman watching—another pair of eyes reporting back, no doubt.
But strangely... I realized my shaking had stopped.
Perhaps he wasn't entirely unbearable.
"Have a good day, Sir Leo," I said stiffly, establishing boundaries once more