Chapter Four
New Friends, Old Enemy
White.
Bella had put me in white.
And not just any white. A white lace dress. Complete with matching lace gloves.
This was a disaster.
I didn’t know how comfortable the previous version of me was with this getup, but me in my past life was not someone who could wear white. Especially not where food was concerned.
The only saving grace was that in keeping her memories, I also had all the knowledge she’d gained through her life—including all the etiquette I would need to survive this kind of event.
Thank you, Original Alicia, for being such a model noble lady. Your time spent studying all this hooey was not in vain.
“Are you sure about this?” I asked Bella, fidgeting with the dainty headband she’d situated in my hair right before we’d left. “White is a bit…”
“It suits you perfectly, my lady,” she said without batting an eyelid. “And you may have missed it on the invitation, but Lady Georgina requested her guests all wear white to her tea party.”
“Oh.”
Why white, of all the colours?
Why, why, why?
“Don’t worry too much, my lady. If you have any issues or feel unwell, I will be with the other maids close by.” Her smile radiated warmth in a way that settled a few of my nerves.
“What do maids talk about while we have these tea parties?” I wondered aloud, looking out of the window.
Bella cleared her throat. “The local gossip, of course. It’s far grittier than what you ladies discuss.”
“That explains how you know everything about everyone.”
She beamed as if I’d tripled her pay. “I’m an excellent listener. And don’t worry. I tell you everything good I find out.”
“As you should.”
The carriage drew to a stop, and seconds later, Harry knocked on the carriage door before opening it. “We’ve arrived at Alansia Manor, my lady.”
“Thank you, Harry. My sister hasn’t arrived yet, is that correct?” I asked, taking his hand as I got out.
“No, she hasn’t. I don’t see any of our carriages yet, and I don’t believe anyone else has left since the Marchioness returned.”
“Good. Please make sure you’re comfortable while you wait. The breeze is rather chilly today.” I smiled and nodded for Bella to follow me.
Alansia Manor was a sprawling mansion not dissimilar to what I knew as the Jacobethan style of Vermillion House, although it was larger than our property.
The gardens that surrounded it were extensive and well-maintained, and honestly, they might have been slightly prettier than the Imperial Gardens at the palace.
Thankfully, the carriage had stopped right outside the front door, so I didn’t have a marathon to walk before I could go inside.
The butler bowed. “Lady Alicia, please allow me to escort you to the greenhouse. Lady Georgina is awaiting your arrival.”
“Thank you.”
He stepped outside and turned to the side, and I followed him along the curving path.
“Will your maid be waiting for you, my lady?” he asked.
“Yes, if that’s not a problem.”
“I will show her to the waiting room Lady Georgina has had prepared for the attendants once you’ve arrived.”
“Thank you, sir. That’s most kind,” Bella said quietly from behind me.
We turned a corner and the greenhouse loomed over us. It wasn’t a greenhouse I was used to in my past life—it was like a gorgeous, giant sunroom that was something I’d expect to see in a botanical garden.
I was slightly jealous we didn’t have one at Vermillion House.
I didn’t intend to live there much longer, but still.
“Lady Alicia Vermillion has arrived,” the butler announced in a booming voice as we approached the table surrounded by ladies.
The young woman at the head of the table turned with a beaming smile on her face. Her hair was red—flaming scarlet red, the kind that fit perfectly with her light purple eyes, reminding me once again that I was living in a fantasy world.
“Lady Alicia! I was so thrilled to get your response. Please, come and have a seat.” Her smile never dropped, neither did the excitement in her eyes as she motioned to the chair immediately next to her. “It’s so wonderful to finally meet you. I’m Georgina.”
Meet me?
Ah. That’s right. The previous memories told me that she was sickly as a child and teenager, so her debut into society was delayed. Where most ladies debuted by the age of twenty, Lady Georgina Alansia had only done so six months ago—just before her twenty-second birthday.
“Thank you so much for inviting me, Lady Georgina.” I bobbed into a small curtsey. She was, after all, a duke’s daughter, thus higher-ranking than me. “It’s an honour.”
She blushed. “It’s an honour to have you attend. We’re still waiting for Lady Elisa but let me introduce you to the other ladies for now. I’m sure you’ve all met before, but opposite you is Lady Vivian, the daughter of Duke and Duchess Trelawney.”
Lady Vivian smiled warmly at me, and her dark curls bounced as she slightly tilted her head. “It’s good to see you again, Lady Alicia.”
“And you, Lady Vivian,” I replied.
What did I know about her and the rest of these women?
The Trelawneys were known as the shield of the empire, talented in magic, and Lady Vivian was a skilled mage herself who’d attended the academy and spent time at the Magic Tower.
She was short-tempered and sharp-tongued, and it was said that she was either your worst enemy or your most loyal friend.
I wondered which was the case for me.
I knew which one it was in the version of this world that I knew, and I was sincerely hoping it was not the case in this iteration of the world.
“Next to you is Lady Sasha, the daughter of Marquess Ambrose.”
The Ambroses—the empire’s geniuses. The Marquess was the Emperor’s right hand and most trusted aide, and that had been the case for generation after generation, since the founding of the Sada Empire four hundred years ago.
The Marchioness had taught at the magic academy before having children, and now they were older, she often took on private students.
Lady Sasha was tall, with chestnut brown hair, hazel eyes, and an aura that gave off the feeling that she was the most knowledgeable teddy bear in the world.
“Next to Lady Vivian is Lady Blair, the daughter of Marquess Rainforth.”
The second sword of the empire. Alongside House Vermillion, the Rainforths produced the best knights. The only sword masters capable of using a sword aura in history came from either the royal family, the Vermillions, or the Rainforths.
There were only three known sword masters right now. My father, Marquess Rainforth, and Grand Duke Kalon Stein.
Lady Blair had one vibe, and that was badass. Her jet-black hair was styled into a ponytail that had simple adornments, and her dress fit her aura perfectly. It was a light, simple dress that gave me the feeling that she could cut down an army in it if she felt so inclined.
“Lady Elisa Sayles has arrived!” the butler announced.
“Oh, gosh, I’m not late, am I? I’m so sorry, Lady Georgina, one of the horses was playing up and we were delayed as we changed him out.” Lady Elisa clasped her hands to her stomach, panic flushing her cheeks.
Lady Georgina laughed. “Of course not! We haven’t even poured the tea yet.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” She flattened one of her hands against her chest, and I caught the tremble of her fingers.
She was terrified.
“Let me introduce you to everyone, Lady Elisa.” Lady Georgina repeated the same thing as she just had to me. “Everyone, this is Lady Elisa, the recently adopted daughter of Count Sayles.”
That’s why she was so scared.
In this society, blood was everything, and she would be looked down on by some for not being their biological child.
I didn’t care, of course. Sadly, that wouldn’t be the case for everyone.
“Her mother was Count Sayles’ younger sister, but she sadly passed recently, so the Count and Countess adopted her into their household just before she turned eighteen.
” Lady Georgina squeezed Lady Elisa’s hand.
“She recently moved to the capital from the southern coast, and the upcoming spring banquet and ball will be her debut into high society. I thought I should invite her today so that we might all help her.”
“Oh, absolutely,” Lady Sasha said, nodding her head. “I’m so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing, Lady Elisa, and I’m sure I speak for us all when I say that.”
We all murmured our assent.
“Thank you.” She bowed her head. “My aunt and uncle have been extremely kind to me, and I’m very grateful for them.”
Lady Georgina smiled. “Your seat is just there at the end of the table, Lady Elisa.”
She sat down as Lady Georgina motioned for the tea to be brought in.
“Now, I think that’s everyone!” She clapped her hands.
“This is only my third time hosting a tea party, so I do hope you’ll all excuse any missteps.
Today’s tea is a blend from Stein—the rose is a rare kind that only blooms in the Stein mountains during autumn, and it was a gift from the Grand Duke to my father after he helped handle a monster outbreak there a few weeks ago.
It wasn’t to Father’s taste, but I enjoyed it, so he happily handed it over to me.
I do hope you’ll find it to your liking. ”
Stein.
Stein.
Stein.
I couldn’t escape the damn place.
“Lady Sophia Vermillion has arrived!” The butler’s voice boomed through the greenhouse.
Lady Georgina stilled, and all of us turned our eyes in the direction of the doorway. Sophia scuttled in, clutching tightly at her skirts.
“I’m so sorry I’m late. I think Mother took the main carriage so I—” Sophia froze when she saw me. “Alicia?”
“Oh, goodness, Sophia!” I pressed my hand to my chest, widening my eyes in mock surprise. “I’m so sorry, but I have the main carriage with me. I had no idea you were coming, or we could have travelled here together.”
Anger flashed in her eyes, but she quickly schooled her expression back to one of nonchalance. “Oh, no, it’s my fault. I should have checked with you.”