Chapter 66

What were they even talking about?

‘Rumors?’

Melissa blinked and looked around.

Everyone was smiling or whispering as they glanced her way, yet no one approached her directly.

…Why?

A strange sense of distance crept in.

They were only a few steps away, yet they felt impossibly far, as if she stood in another world.

Though their faces were bright with laughter, there was something in those smiles that pushed her away.

At that moment, the servants gathered in the garden suddenly split to both sides, opening a path.

The guests noticed and began to murmur excitedly.

“She’s finally here!”

All at once, every gaze turned in the same direction.

The invisible weight pressing on Melissa lifted slightly, and she let out a shallow breath.

But before she could finish that breath, a voice rang out, sharp and clear.

“Lady Ines Lynn Valenstein!”

The sound burst like a cheer, and Melissa froze.

So she’s here.

Lifting her head, she saw the woman who now held everyone’s attention.

A beauty with spring-pink hair braided with white blossoms, and eyes shaped softly like crescent moons, smiling with warmth.

Even surrounded by so many eyes, she carried herself with perfect grace and ease.

‘She’s truly beautiful.’

Melissa’s eyes widened before she took a small, quiet breath.

Their gazes met.

Eyes bluer and brighter than Demius’s lingered on her, and the woman smiled gently.

“It seems all our guests have arrived.”

“Oh, how kind of you, Lady Valenstein!”

A man nearby cast a quick look at Melissa before turning to Ines with an overly sweet smile.

“I’ve wanted to meet you again for years. It’s been far too long since you last graced the North with your presence!”

“How fares the capital these days? You must tell us about it while you’re here.”

“You look as radiant as ever, my lady!”

A woman gasped as she admired Ines’s dress.

“Is that the latest style from the capital? The fabric looks so much lighter than before!”

“It’s like butterfly wings, transparent and airy.”

“Now that you’ve returned, the North feels alive again!”

Compliments spilled endlessly like water.

Then someone spoke up loud enough for all to hear.

“I heard there’s something to celebrate. Is that why you’ve honored us with your visit?”

Another person eagerly chimed in.

“Do you mean the paper she published in the Imperial Journal? The one analyzing the connection between the recent climate shifts and monster outbreaks?”

“Oh yes, that one. Lady Valenstein’s brilliance never ceases to amaze me. Truly, her achievements are too many to count on one hand.”

The man laughed softly, then glanced sideways at Melissa.

“Still, I can’t help but think her visit to the Eisenhart territory is because of… that matter.”

“Oh, indeed.”

“Yes, surely because of that.”

The guests’ eyes flickered between Ines and Melissa.

Some gazed at Ines with admiration and anticipation, while others looked at Melissa with undisguised scorn.

But Ines only smiled, saying nothing.

Her silence stretched long enough for one impatient man to clear his throat and speak.

“Though recent events were unfortunate, I expect good news will soon come from both families.”

“Ah, so that’s what you meant!”

Laughter rippled across the garden.

Ines remained smiling, serene as glass.

Melissa, however, stood frozen among the laughter.

‘That matter?’

What were they talking about?

Everyone seemed to know, yet no one said it aloud.

It was like trying to grasp the surface of a glass marble filled with something she couldn’t see.

As confusion clouded her thoughts, Ines finally spoke.

“Shall we sit? The servants have been waiting for you.”

“Oh, of course!”

The crowd turned to the waiting servants on the garden’s edge.

They carried silver trays and elegant teapots, each set beautifully arranged with sweets and pastries that gleamed in the sun.

“Magnificent, as expected!”

The guests gasped and took their seats, sending polite smiles toward Ines.

A man with a smooth, handsome face sat close beside her, speaking in a tone filled with charm.

“I’ve longed for this moment. Lady Valenstein’s tea parties are always the epitome of grace.”

“I agree. Any gathering you attend becomes a delight, my lady.”

“I look forward to the next one already. Wherever you go, I, Lucen, will follow.”

Laughter echoed again.

Everyone chatted cheerfully as they sat down. Everyone except Melissa.

She stood alone, still in the middle of the garden.

Where should I sit?

She had never attended a tea party before, and no one seemed inclined to show her a seat.

Those who weren’t speaking stole glances at her over fans or shoulders, their lips curling faintly.

“Miss Melissa?”

A soft voice broke through the noise.

Startled, she turned and met a pair of bright blue eyes.

Ines was smiling at her, graceful as ever.

“Do you not have a seat?”

“Ah… no.”

“Then why not sit here?”

“…!”

Gasps rippled across the crowd.

Everyone stared at Ines’s outstretched hand.

That seat was beside her, the one reserved for the hostess of the tea party.

Mouths twitched as guests forced strained smiles.

“Ha… ha. Truly, your generosity knows no bounds, my lady.”

Their awkward laughter spread quickly as others rushed to join in.

“Yes, indeed. Lady Valenstein has always been so considerate. I remember how you donated such a large sum to the temple, and organized a charity for the poor as well.”

“Such a kind soul. His Grace the Duke must be very proud of you.”

“Of course. Everyone knows how dearly the Duke treasures his daughter.”

Laughter filled the air, hollow and weightless.

“Allow me to serve the tea.”

Servants moved between the tables, bowing politely as they poured cool tea over glimmering ice.

The guests seized the chance to look away, coughing lightly or hiding their expressions behind fans.

One servant, carrying a glass teapot, approached the head of the table where Ines sat.

But something about him seemed off.

His face was pale, his steps unsteady, like he might collapse at any moment.

‘Is he ill?’

Melissa frowned slightly in concern.

Then it happened.

The servant stumbled just as he passed in front of her.

A sharp, splashing sound filled the air.

Shaa—

…What?

Melissa blinked, feeling water drip from her soaked hair.

What just happened?

Her hair clung heavily to her neck, but that wasn’t what held her still.

‘Someone… tripped him?’

The servant hadn’t fallen on his own.

Someone had stuck out a foot.

Her gaze dropped, following the direction of that shoe beneath a hem of silk, then slowly rose.

And she met a pair of sky-blue eyes.

Ines.

The hostess of the tea party.

The woman who had sent her the invitation smiled serenely.

‘…So this is…’

Melissa’s thoughts wavered in confusion.

Could this be a greeting of some kind?

She recalled something from a book she’d once read, Customs and Cultures of the World.

In one region, people threw tomatoes at each other during festivals to wash away bad luck and celebrate good fortune.

So maybe this was…

‘Which volume was that?’

Melissa’s eyes trembled.

She had read that book so many times she could recall every page, every custom.

She had never once forgotten its contents.

But now her mind felt blank, as though someone had swept everything clean.

…Why?

As confusion clouded her eyes, a gentle voice reached her ears.

“My.”

She looked up.

The woman with the spring-pink hair smiled gracefully.

“I seem to have made a mistake.”