I Won’t Accept Your Regrets

"My apologies to the young lady. It seems that Lady Vistein said something stupid because of her youth. Rose, apologize."

When she spoke in a stern voice, Vistein's eyes trembled.

She bit her lip and stood up.

"I'm sorry. I want to sincerely apologize to Lady Croft."

And then she bowed to me reluctantly.

I wanted to teach her a lesson for her bad temper and turn away from her apology, but today I decided not to go overboard.

In any case, Lisa was the organizer of the tea party, and I had just returned to the Empire.

I didn’t want another squabble because I didn’t accept Vistein’s apology.

"Okay. Raise your head."

"Thank you, Milady."

The answer came from Lisa, but not from Rose Vistein.

The latter was now sitting, not hiding her displeasure from her face.

I turned to Lisa.

She smiled at me. At first glance, it seemed that she was filled with favor for me, but it was very difficult to believe in such a thing.

After all, Marquis Sios and you – you sing in unison.

And even if they disagree on certain issues, if you are a member of the Sios family, a conflict with me is inevitable.

Looking into those sparkling green eyes, I smiled softly.

"But what an awkwardness. I just came to the tea party, and has already raised a fuss. Then can I sit?"

"Of course."

Lisa and I sat down next to each other.

Soon the maids brought tea and desserts.

A three-tiered tray with aromatic tea and various desserts was placed on the table.

When all the desserts were served, Lisa began to broadcast:

"I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone who found precious time today to visit the house of the Marquis. This is a place where you can have fun, so please enjoy."

As soon as Lisa's words stopped, a noble lady with blue hair, who was sitting at the same table with me, took out a large box.

“My lady, this is a special gift in recognition of your invitation. This is the best tea set specially ordered from the master potter. I hope you enjoy it."

"Oh, it can't be."

Lisa smiled with wide eyes, as if surprised.

The daughters of other houses, one after another, also stood up and approached Lisa.

"Thanks a lot for the invitation. Here is the finest wool from Lethine Kingdom."

It was common to show up with a small souvenir to the organizer.

However, the present gifts were treasures befitting the dignity of a Marquis.

These gifts are not an honor to the Marquis, but rather to the future Empress and mother of the first prince.

That wasn’t surprising.

She was now the daughter of the prime minister and the mother of the only prince of the Empire.

And even if Lisa didn’t become Empress, Edmund was an only child and crown prince.

Unless Raymond suddenly has another… Edmund has already been appointed as the next Emperor.

And if Edmund became Emperor, the status of the Marquis’s house would skyrocket.

It is obvious that the young ladies tried in every possible way to catch Lisa's eyes.

She smiled and pretended to be embarrassed to see a pile of presents.

"Now I am embarrassed. Perhaps such precious gifts were burdensome…"

"No, no, Milady."

"I will gladly give you this gift."

When nasal voices filled the entire garden, Vistein opened her mouth.

"But whose is that little one over there?"

Vistein pointed to a rectangular box nearby.

The box, not even wrapped in velvet or anything else, looked pretty dull for a gift.

"Ah… It's perfume."

The answer came from the farthest table.

Now I am interested in what is happening. A girl with pink hair caught my eye.

I didn't look in detail at everyone who flocked here before me, but now I look at her, and I think she looks rather unusual.

A tunic dress with cheap lace embroidery and worn leather shoes.

She didn’t look like a noble young girl, and she came to the tea party without a single accessory.

From the house of the Marquis Celine…

Marquis Celine had the same blue eyes as this lady.

When I first ascended the throne of the Empress, the Marquis’s wife helped me a lot, because I remained clumsy in many ways.

But if this is the daughter of the Marquis Celine… Why is she dressed like that?

Celine was an ancient family with deep roots. There was no good reason to wear such a shabby outfit if you really left Celine's house.

I was wrong?

However, the familiar surname soon flew from the lips of Vistein.

"Mrs. Celine. Did you bring the pain relieving perfume last time? Maybe this is something special? Different from last time?"

"Oh, this perfume is made from herbs, they are very useful for stress, and very effective for insomnia…"

"My lady."

I heard an interesting story, but it was suddenly cut off.

Vistein laughed out loud and continued.

"I heard you visit the academy and do all sorts of lewdness with commoners … So, what exactly is in that box?"

"This is a homemade perfume, so don't need it here…"

Vistein frowned and cut off Celine's words again.

"My lady. Don't you know that our Count Vistein is the largest perfumer in the Empire? Since childhood, I’ve been versed in perfumes. I wonder if you can surpass me in that?"

Vistein put down her fan for show, letting everyone know that she was in a bad mood, and again pounced on Celine.

"If you find it difficult to prepare a proper gift, you better come empty-handed. Do not deceive Ms. Sios with these nonsense. Who among us does not know where the Celine family is today? Everyone understands everything."

The Count’s daughter dared to humiliate the Marquis’s daughter, but no one came to her defense.

It was now clear what had happened to the Marquis Celine.

A plan was brewing for me.

The family of a noble young lady who was once the closest to me. And now she was being insulted right in front of my nose.

Lisa just stared at this scene without saying anything. I think now I can guess why she invited me here.

I felt that she wanted to show me the current realities of the secular world and issue a warning, ‘Don't you dare go against the Sios family'.

Lisa was now playing a good face on a bad game.

I took a sip of tea and slowly opened my mouth.

"Mrs. Vistein."

"Yes?"

"What will be your present for Mrs. Sios?"

Vistein goggled at me.

Gifts at tea parties were completely optional, but this was a tacit agreement.

"I… I didn't prepare a present."

"Banal politeness insists on bringing at least a small souvenir, but the young lady didn’t bring anything? It seems that the family of Count Vistein has become completely impoverished these days."