Father, I Won’t Do Anything

The tea party Elia had brought Jaina to today was hosted by the Marchioness of Demiton, Elia’s former lady-in-waiting.

‘Social circles truly revolve around connections.’

Without Elia, Jaina would never have been invited to any such gathering.

“It has been too long, Princess Elia. And this young lady is…?”

“Jaina, the daughter of an old comrade of mine.”

“A pleasure to meet you.”

Elia had decided not to mention Diamid at this social event.

It was because Jaina had expressed her desire to avoid unnecessarily provoking Diamid’s ire.

Though Elia had shown reluctance, Jaina remained firm, leaving her no choice but to comply.

“Oh, if I may be so bold, might I ask the name of this former comrade?”

“I dare not carelessly utter that name.”

“I see, there are circumstances involved. While I may not know the identity, for the Princess to speak so must mean an exceptional individual.”

Additionally, they agreed to keep Jaina’s lineage as Bezrice’s daughter a secret.

Just as with Moben, there were many who would covet a young dragon as an experimental specimen or trophy.

Fortunately, being Marchioness Demiton’s intimate social circle, while puzzled, none pried into Jaina’s background or made pointed remarks about her status.

Rather, with Elia vouching for Jaina’s standing, the others regarded her with curious interest, gradually approaching one by one.

“Hello, I’m Juliana of the Count of Tornee household.”

“I’m Marien of the Count of Wetzel household. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

The attendees introduced themselves in turn. Eventually, the final turn arrived.

“I’m Chloe of the Count Newin household.”

“Chloe, it has been too long – you’ve grown even more beautiful.”

“You flatter me.”

A lovely young girl around Jaina’s age, demurely lowering her gaze.

Though an unfamiliar face, Jaina tilted her head, finding the surname ‘Newin’ strangely familiar.

‘Where have I heard that before?’

However, having resided solely at the Magic Tower, she could hardly be expected to recognize any imperial nobility.

Dismissing it as a mere coincidence, Jaina was suddenly reminded of the noble boy she had encountered with Hilvenzia at the recent festival.

‘That’s the same surname as the one who stole my cotton candy before.’

He had definitely claimed Count Newin was his father.

‘Come to think of it, they do seem to resemble each other… Could they be siblings?’

Apparently staring too intently, Jaina found herself making eye contact with Chloe Newin.

“Hmph.”

The Newin girl blatantly turned her head away.

‘Does she bear some ill will towards me?’

And Jaina’s premonition soon proved accurate.

“Oh my, the flowers the Princess gave us are just lovely. Her Highness’s taste remains impeccable as ever.”

“I can’t take full credit, my ladies-in-waiting assisted greatly. It’s thanks to the excellent training Marchioness Demiton provided them back at the Princess Palace.”

“You give me too much face, Your Highness.”

“Not at all. Everyone is well aware of the Marchioness’s virtuous character and capabilities.”

“Indeed. Just look at this delightful tea party. Normally I don’t care much for cookies, but these are pleasantly savory instead of overly sweet…”

Under the warm afternoon sunlight in the courtyard gardens, the tea party ambiance was one of gentle smiles and leisurely conversation.

‘Except…’

Chloe Newin alone fixated an uncomfortable stare upon Jaina.

Yet seeming to read the atmosphere, she refrained from overtly provoking Jaina.

Too many watching eyes were present to act so brazenly.

“It seems the introductions have concluded, shall we relocate?”

As time passed, suggestions arose to rearrange the seating between the ladies and young misses.

Just as Elia had mentioned, it did seem conducive to making new friends.

“The children will likely have more fun mingling with their peers.”

“This could be an excellent opportunity to grow acquainted.”

As they began rising from their seats, the nearby Elia leaned over to murmur to Jaina:

“How are you faring so far? Not too overwhelmed, I hope?”

“The relaxed atmosphere is more exciting than daunting. It doesn’t seem so bad.”

While Mikael had disdained tea parties as frivolous gatherings, savoring tea and desserts while casually conversing did seem rather enjoyable.

Jaina surveyed the young misses who had been looking slightly bored.

‘I wonder if anyone could become my friend?’

As much fun as spending time with Mikael and Hilvenzia, having peer friends closer to her own age also appealed.

Her heart fluttering inexplicably, Jaina took a deep breath to steady herself.

Even in her past life as a drifter, she had struggled to integrate with her peers.

Constantly relocating between relatives meant frequent moves and school transfers.

Of course, it had sparked her love of reading, leading her to discover the novel …

“Excuse me, you’re Jaina, correct?”

Lost in contemplation, Jaina snapped to attention at the voice beside her. Turning, she found a young miss regarding her with wide eyes.

“To be invited to a gathering so many dream of attending, yet you describe it as merely ‘not bad’? Do you comprehend what an immense honor this is?”

It was Chloe Newin.

Having eyed Jaina with discomfort earlier, she was evidently seeking to provoke an issue.

Jaina found it rather puzzling.

‘Must she interpret my words in such a manner?’

Considering the context and her tone, unless intentionally seeking fault, her statement could not be so misconstrued.

To any impartial observer, Chloe was clearly picking an unnecessary argument.

“Well…”

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Elia seemed prepared to come to Jaina’s defense as she adjusted her seat position.

However, Jaina had no intention of prolonging this exchange, not wishing to needlessly draw the other ladies’ and misses’ attention in their direction.

‘It could inadvertently lead to questions about my background.’

This was merely a baited trap to ensnare her. Jaina steeled her resolve.

‘The arrogance befitting a noble child, I suppose.’

Grasping Elia’s arm to halt her intervention, Jaina lightly responded:

“A fair critique. I shall be more mindful going forward.”

Then, to preclude Chloe from further interjections, Jaina swiftly redirected her attention to Elia.

“…So, what were you saying earlier?”

With a glance towards Chloe, Elia played along with Jaina’s cue.

“I was wondering if you’d like me to pack up any remaining desserts for you?”

Chloe Newin could only gape dumbfoundedly at Jaina, having missed her opportune timing.

Recalling how Chloe had blankly stared at Rosian, who had escorted Jaina to the party venue, Jaina mused.

‘It seems she harbors affections for the Crown Prince… To behave so boorishly before the Princess, her purported object of admiration.’

While potentially adept at verbal sparring thanks to her social experience, her inability to consider consequences betrayed her immaturity.

Yet Chloe wasn’t alone in her failure to respond with graceful poise.

“Was there perhaps some issue with what my daughter just said?”

The Countess Newin, accompanying Chloe, pursed her lips as she interjected.

This was the Countess’s first attendance at Marchioness Demiton’s exclusive social gathering, having spent considerable effort over many years to finally gain admission today.

After shamelessly maneuvering to secure seats closest to Princess Elia ahead of the other members…

‘Didn’t they just ignore our Chloe? I had such high hopes since the Princess was attending today.’

Having doted upon her beloved daughter Chloe, the Countess felt displeased to see her sweetly dismissed by some unknown girl.

“Our Chloe may be young, but she is ever so wise beyond her years…”

“Pfft.”

Just as the Countess was appealing to Elia in a subdued tone, a mocking laugh came from the side.

“Wh-what was that…?”

Turning their heads, they saw a young miss concealing her mouth behind a folding fan as she giggled. Though her face was obscured, Jaina felt an uncanny sense of recognition.

Surely there was no one here she could possibly know, yet the familiarity persisted.

“Hey, that one’s mine, so back off.”

“Wha-what?”

As the young miss whispered something provocatively into Chloe’s ear, the latter stuttered in shock.

“From which household does this rude girl hail to behave so improperly…?”

“Can’t understand? I spotted him first, so what right do you have to steal my prey?”

“As if I’ll do as you demand!”

“Chloe?!”

The flustered Countess Newin hurriedly called out to her daughter, but the two refused to cease.

An argument concealed behind the fan’s veil, audible only to Jaina’s keen hearing.

Tilting her head bemusedly as she observed them, Jaina’s eyes widened in realization.

‘Isn’t that the girl I dueled over the ribbon incident?’

Chloe Newin appeared extremely displeased by Marilyn’s sudden intrusion.

With a haughty, scowling expression, Chloe strode up to Jaina and unceremoniously dropped her fan.

“Oh dear, how clumsy of me. Could you retrieve that for me?”

Her arrogant, condescending manner of ordering around subordinates, coupled with that upturned gaze.

‘It seems less like an accidental drop and more of an intentional toss?’

To pick up the fan, Jaina would have to bow before Chloe.

Yet refusing the request would undoubtedly prompt Chloe to seize upon it as a pretext for further vexation.

In that case…