With her plate in her hand, Meia walked around the courtyard for a while looking for Mr Monet, but she was unable to find him anywhere. It seemed he really was not here yet?

Unfortunately, she could not keep running around the courtyard forever. It was not that big after all. That meant she had to overcome herself to join one of the groups.

If she was going to have to talk to strangers anyway, it would be good if she could manage to get to know one or two people. Many of the women here still seemed quite young. Maybe she could manage to make a friend? Nothing would make her happier. But it would probably be better to remain realistic. As long as she would not have to stand alone, that would be enough for now. Sadly, she did not know anyone in Wiestahl, or at least there was no one there she could call a friend. Accordingly, she had no one to talk to. Her father hardly ever spoke to her and when he did, it was usually only instructions. Besides, he was completely unsuitable to have a conversation with. The housemaid, on the other hand, although polite, was distant and, furthermore, already about 50 years old. She had no interest in her and certainly had other worries than she had.

Meia looked searchingly through the people. After a moment, her eyes caught two women. They were standing a little apart at one of the tables, eating some of the oysters. As Meia noticed, one was apparently slurping them. Anyway, the two met all the criteria Meia had. They were not too beautiful. They looked only slightly older than herself. But most importantly, they looked friendly. It was up to Meia to make the first move and first of all, she crept up on them unobtrusively.

"... last summer he wanted something from my old man, that's when I met him. That evening we went out drinking with friends and I really felt that we got on well, but then everyday life came back and I've only seen him once since then, at the funeral."

"What did he want?"

"They wouldn't tell me, but what could he have wanted. All my father can do is dig, and probably once more somewhere he's not allowed."

"You think so? I can't imagine."

"We were paid in jewels and in the spring one of his men came to our house and picked up a folder. Normally he always sends the results there by mail."

"Hm, that really sounds ..."

As Meia had to discover, they were already having a conversation. And while eating. Was that not rude? Meia was sure it was rude.

In any case it was definitely better to wait for a gap and then to strike without hesitation. But what was she supposed to say?

Thoughtfully, she looked at the bread in her hand and fell into deliberation. - 'Umm! This bread is delicious!' Meia declared in surprise as she chewed, at which point Ms One turned to her. 'Oh, is it really that delicious? I had thought it was a side dish,' Ms One asked. 'Yes, I thought so too at first,' Meia replies to her with an impressive smile. 'Are you here alone?' asks Ms Two. 'No, Jean invited me, but unfortunately he's not here right yet because he has an important business meeting,' Meia explains without really making eye contact because that's normal. 'Mr Monet?', Ms Two whispers questioningly to Ms One in disbelief. After a bit of chattering, they both then ask, 'Wouldn't you like to join us for so long?' - Meia nodded in satisfaction. This scenario would definitely lead to a positive outcome. But did she really want to be accepted just because of Mr Monet? Meia remembered her resolution from before again. People's true motives were unimportant. She should take what she could get.

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"Umm. This bro-"

"Hey, Bianka!" Suddenly, one woman seemed completely enthralled and shook the other until she turned around. "She's back there." she told her, pointing towards the pool.

Without exchanging any more words, they both hurried away, leaving Meia alone at the table.

They had actively ignored her and that despite the fact that she had been standing right next to them.

It certainly had nothing to do with her personally. They probably just had not heard her.

Meia watched where the two ran off to. Cackling loudly, they pushed past other guests to get to the edge of the pool. A whole group left their place by the water especially for them, albeit reluctantly. From the edge of the pool, the two tried to attract the attention of a third woman in the water with shouts and energetic waving.

"Hey, Clesete!", and the like, they called out several times.

At this point at the latest, Meia was glad that she had not been heard by them. Because the woman in the water was Mrs Monet. The two of them were certainly friends with her, even if they seemed more like her admirers at the moment.

Mrs Monet floated on her back in the pool, looking up at the stars. Leisurely, she swayed her limbs so as not to sink, but remained floating on the spot. That was all she did. Nor did she hear the calls, or perhaps she ignored them.

Meia may not have liked Ms Monet, but her confidence was truly exemplary. In front of so many people, in that wide-legged pose on her back and dressed only in her curtain, she was the only one in the water. No one else was in the pool. There was not even anyone else in a swimsuit. She was the only one.

The pool was the centre of the courtyard. It could be seen from all angles and within a very short time Meia had already been able to make out several people who looked at her suspiciously often. Nevertheless, she seemed completely indifferent. It seemed as if she did not care about anything. These were probably the airs and graces of a leader. Ms Monet did what she wanted and the others admired her for it. So did the two women at the edge of the pool.

When Ms Monet finally noticed the shouts, she tilted upright, took a look to make sure who the shouts were coming from and then leisurely swam off to join them.

She did not hurry at all and it took a long time for her to arrive. Then, as she left the pool, Meia could see that it really did have an incline, as the butler had said. With each step her body lifted further out of the water, a bucket of water ran from her hair back into the pool. Even when wet, it was a quantity of hair second to none.

Meanwhile the two women could hardly contain their joy. They talked to her, both praised her curtain and one of them wanted to put her bathrobe on her.

Mrs Monet took it from her and put it on by herself. As she did so, she held her hair back with one hand, causing another gush of water to splash down.

~Maybe she should wring them out?~ She took half the pool outside.

While the women continued to fight for her attention, Ms Monet just smiled and acted reserved. She did not give them more than a few words. The reunion did not seem to trigger any real emotion in her. Her expression remained almost the same throughout, an indifferent smile. - Somehow she looked tired. The bags under her eyes were even worse than before. Rujell had meant she was having a bad day today? Maybe she was having trouble sleeping or had some kind of health problem?

There was no use in thinking about it.

Meia took her eyes off them. She had her own problems, after all.

.../ End Part