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It wasn't without reason that being the aide to the male lead was called one of the toughest jobs in a romance fantasy. But just because it was tough didn't mean you could quit.
If Ezkhiel's already packed schedule got any more stressful, Letticia would personally march into the temple, the duke's mansion, or even the imperial palace and set them all on fire.
"Still, you really shouldn't let anyone talk down to you, Ez. If those idiot brothers come bothering you again, tell me right away. I'll go and lodge a complaint myself."
"It's all right. I already passed along their request, that His Highness refrain from showing any particular interest in Lady Averil."
"And how did His Highness respond when you told him that?"
"He said Lady Averil's brothers are a bit too overprotective, but he understands. Since she's constantly under scrutiny, it can't really be helped…"
Ezkhiel repeated the Crown Prince's response, though with an expression that made it clear he didn't quite agree. Then, with a worried look, he asked.
"But Letty, is Lenard close with Lady Averil?"
"Well… for now, she's been asking him questions about business management, and my brother seems to like some of her business ideas."
"From the Duke's family's perspective, wouldn't that look close enough? What if they go and raise a fuss with Lenard too…?"
"Then my brother can grab a polo stick or a hunting rifle and head out, can't he? Personally, I'm voting for the rifle."
"...Letty."
At her half-joking comment, Ezkhiel could only say her name with an expression that didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
But from Letticia's point of view, the real concern wasn't Lenard at all, it was Ezkhiel.
"Ez, my brother will handle things on his own just fine. What matters right now is you. If, by any chance, His Highness tries to make you dig up information about Lady Averil, or if he throws a tantrum because she turned him down for a date, you come straight to me and tell me, alright?"
"…Letty, just what do you think of His Highness?"
"I said if, didn't I? It'd be best if nothing happened, but if it does, I need you to let me know."
Letticia's firm tone left Ezkhiel with no choice but to nod.
If anyone else had spoken like that, he would have accused them of slandering the Crown Prince. But since it was Letticia, he simply accepted it.
No matter how oddly Matthias had been behaving lately, it wasn't enough to undo the trust Ezkhiel had built up with him over four years.
Sensing his reluctance, Letticia didn't press the matter further.
Though gentle on the surface, Ezkhiel was not someone who easily overturned convictions built from experience.
For that to change, Matthias would have to do things like assign a secret shadow to Ariette, deliberately learn her schedule to "accidentally" run into her, or claim he wanted to support her business and then buy a hundred boxes of dessert from the second Faymont branch.
And sadly, aside from the last, all of that actually happened in the original novel. Damn that wretched original story.
'If it comes down to it, before I have to watch that filth unfold, I'll just seduce Ez and put an end to it myself. Then I'll prepare countermeasures for those three idiots as well.'
Letticia's top priority was her family and Ezkhiel. Of course, she intended to look out for Ariette and her other friends too, but above all else, making sure Ezkhiel lived peacefully came first.
With that thought, Letticia picked up a cookie and popped it into Ezkhiel's mouth. He looked a bit awkward but still obediently accepted and ate it.
For a brief moment, they enjoyed a peaceful evening together.
***
The day of the gathering dawned.
As the meeting time drew near, the sound of carriages began to echo outside. By the time the hour struck, all the invited guests had arrived, ready to exchange greetings with one another.
"Even though you're already acquainted, since we're starting this gathering, let me make the introductions once again. This is Lady Ariette Averil, who has just joined our circle."
"I look forward to getting along with you both."
"Welcome, Lady Averil."
With Letticia's introduction, Ariette offered her greeting, and the other two ladies gave her words of welcome in return.
Unlike Seraphina, who seemed to be genuinely pleased, Dayna was polite but kept a bit more distance compared to how she treated Seraphina. Still, she behaved with the courtesy expected from the daughter of a merchant family when meeting someone new.
Perhaps because of Dayna's unfamiliar presence, Ariette looked a little awkward. Letticia then spoke gently.
"We'll need some time to get closer, so why don't we have some tea together and chat?"
"That's a lovely idea. What kind of tea have you prepared?"
Seraphina chimed in with a smile. At her prompt, Letticia gestured for a maid to bring out the tea food.
"Today, I matched the tea to the desserts. These are éclairs currently being developed at Faymont."
As the maid transferred the tea food from the tray and set them neatly on the table, surprise spread across the faces of Seraphina, Dayna, and Ariette.
Unlike the usual custard-filled éclairs, these had a thin layer of fruit jam on top to hint at their flavor, arranged as a seven-colored set.
"Wait… are these éclairs filled with cream mixed with fruit jam?"
"Yes. Lady Averil once mentioned to me that it would be nice if éclairs came with fruit-flavored cream, so I had them created."
"Seven flavors… could this be the rainbow éclairs I suggested?"
"Strictly speaking, I swapped indigo out for pink, but once finalized, that's the name I intend to give them. The flavors are strawberry, orange, lemon, melon, blueberry, grape, and peach."
After letting the servants taste-test them and gathering feedback from the staff, Letticia had decided to make fruit-cream desserts the signature menu item of the second Faymont branch.
After that, Letticia suggested to Chelsea that they try making the "rainbow éclairs" Ariette had once mentioned.
Chelsea, thinking the idea too good to waste, readily agreed, and the two of them began choosing fruits. They debated endlessly over which to include, strawberry or cherry, melon or watermelon, green grape or something else, until finally they admitted that matching all seven rainbow colors was impossible. In the end, they decided to leave out indigo and replace it with pink.
Color was important, yes, but what mattered even more was how popular the fruit would be. And in that regard, few fruits could surpass the pink peach.
"For the first batch, I deliberately made them small so you can taste each flavor and see which you like best. Since the tea food is already sweet, I excluded flavored teas and prepared Arenne, Ridere, and Brie instead. Is that alright with everyone?"
"Yes. I usually enjoy creamy tea desserts with Arenne, so that's perfect."
"I'll have Ridere, please, Letticia."
"I want Brie!"
Once the tea was poured, the tasting of the éclairs began.
Seraphina carefully savored each one, trying to decide which paired best with Arenne. Dayna, on the other hand, seemed to be imagining how other people might react when they tasted them.
But among them all, no one looked as happy as Ariette. Seeing her idea brought to life, she beamed with such radiant joy that it seemed she could float straight to heaven as she bit into each éclair one by one.
"These are absolutely delicious, Lady Sharon! The pâtissier at Faymont must truly be a genius!"
"Your idea helped speed up the development process. Which flavor do you like best?"
"I think I like strawberry the most, but the orange is also really good. What about you, Lady Eskis? Lady Hailey?"
"For me, grape is the best. Its deep flavor pairs wonderfully with the refreshing scent of Arenne."
"Since it's this season, I'd choose melon. When people think of summer fruits, melon is one of the first that comes to mind."
Thanks to the éclairs, conversation flowed quite smoothly. Dayna still wasn't acting overly familiar, but since the topic was the new dessert, and especially because Ariette had come up with the idea, she didn't seem to have any reservations about speaking with her.
After about fifteen minutes, once the atmosphere had relaxed a little, Seraphina was the first to bring up another topic.
"As you all know, the purpose of our gatherings is to build closer ties among representatives of each faction. And to truly strengthen those ties, I think it's important we do activities that can increase our sense of unity."
"Th-then… what would be best for that? Did you already have something in mind?"
Ariette's voice trembled slightly as she asked, sounding nervous at the more serious turn in conversation. To ease the tension, Letticia spoke lightly.
"Well, the best way to grow closer is to teach one another something. Learning from what each person does best would benefit everyone."
"So, you're suggesting we take turns teaching each other what we're skilled at. I think that's a great idea."
As Dayna chimed in, Ariette's face brightened. Put that way, it wouldn't feel like she was the only one being taught. Instead, it would become a gathering where everyone shared and learned, keeping things balanced without leaving her indebted.
"Then, for today, why don't we start with Lady Eskis teaching us? I heard you brought something prepared."
"Yes. I'd like to share what I learned about the traditional tea party customs of the West. If anything doesn't quite suit the capital's ways, please feel free to point it out."
Just as they'd planned beforehand, Seraphina's lesson began.
She had clearly prepared thoroughly, speaking with ease about the kinds of tea most enjoyed in the West, the proper way to pour water from a teapot, and even the origins of those customs.
Some of it was new even to Letticia, which made it rather entertaining. Dayna too seemed intrigued, listening intently from time to time. And Ariette, her head bobbing in eager nods, looked as though she would have started scribbling notes immediately if she'd been allowed.
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