Volume 1 Chapter 60 Mean Villainess, Preparing for the Tea Party
A few days had passed since the day I went to the Royal Central Library, still unaware of how to break the curse.
They say it's a thousand-year curse, so I wonder if it might just automatically lift after a thousand years.
If that were the case, it would be the easiest way to get through this.
But if it's a curse that doesn't lift automatically, and I remain unaware of how to break it, will I end up ending my short life again?
Thinking that makes me a little scared, and it sends shivers down my spine.
The vague anxiety I had occasionally felt──that I might die──could have been due to memories etched in my soul.
"Oh, Elena, what are you daydreaming about?"
"Mother. I'm not really daydreaming."
"You'll be going to get your dress made, so get ready."
"A dress?"
"Yes. Once you students graduate from the academy, you'll officially debut in society, so during your studies, you'll practice by holding tea parties. That's why you need a dress for that occasion."
"Haa..."
Honestly, I'm on the brink of death (provisionally), so I don't have time for such things.
If I had that kind of time, I'd rather go look for Rolus.
...Whether I even deserve to search for Rolus is a troubling question, but I think I should at least want to know if he's doing well.
If possible.
"That's why you don't have time to daydream."
"Eh..."
"Once the fitting is done, you need to write the invitations."
"Invitations?"
"At first, just invite your classmates. You'll have a tea party here with your close friends. Sounds fun, right?"
"Well... that is true."
"Since there might be some kids you won't see after graduation, make lots of memories while you still can."
Indeed, while I can see everyone almost every day now, I don't know what will happen after graduation, and at the very least, I won't be able to see them every day.
"This is just my experience, but it's worth remembering how to write invitations and other things now. When you marry into a family like the Counts, you'll have to send letters everywhere..."
My mother's gaze seemed to drift far away.
It seemed she had struggled with various letters.
"But well, you should just enjoy tea parties with your friends without overthinking it. It might get a bit busy, but do your best, Elena."
"Yes, I will do my best."
"If you work hard, rewards will eventually come your way, you know."
My mother said that with a smile.
While imagining the tea party with friends, I prepared and climbed into the carriage.
"...Wait, Mother, here for the dress?"
We had come to a tailor renowned as one of the best in the Royal Capital.
I was incredibly surprised, thinking we would go to a local tailor.
This shop was not only popular but also quite expensive.
"I always wanted to come here."
"You always wanted to come here?"
It didn't seem like a place you'd visit just because you wanted to.
"See, I told you rewards would come eventually."
Haven't I not even started working hard yet?
"Even so..."
"Your father said we should first make you a nice dress, so I thought this would be a good place."
It seemed she chose this place knowing my father wouldn't spare any expense.
"I can see my father saying that, but is it really okay?"
"You're from a well-established Count family. One or 2 dresses, or even 5 or 6, are completely fine."
How many dresses does she plan to have made?
After that conversation, once we entered the shop, the fitting session began in earnest.
I was measured in great detail.
My mother was chatting happily with the designer.
"Lady, what colors do you prefer?"
The presumed seamstress asked me.
"Colors? Well, I haven't really thought about it."
"For students, dresses in the colors of their crush's hair or eyes are quite popular."
The seamstress, smiling with a giggle, was very cute.
But it's the color of someone I like.
That's quite romantic.
"What if the person you like has black hair?"
"In that case, I would use black as an accent color. Overall, I would create a deep color scheme and gently incorporate black lace."
"I see... So, you mean using black lace or ribbons with a deep green dress?"
"That would surely make a lovely dress."
The seamstress said this with great enthusiasm.
"Oh, I love reading, and among my favorites is the story of Lady Ruby from Six Magic Knight."
"In that case, a red dress would be nice too."
"Then maybe I should have a red dress made!"
* * *
"...And that made me feel quite exhausted."
The day after visiting the tailor.
I was utterly drained in the classroom.
"It's fun to have a dress made, but measuring is such a hassle."
Ms. Parsley agreed.
"Being a woman is tough."
Rudger looked on with a bemused expression.
"I wonder if Rudger would come if I invited you?"
"To a tea party? I'm a commoner, you know."
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)