In front of me was a girl around my height, looking like she just walked straight out of a dictionary for the word “bratty noble.”

Her hair was a blinding shade of orange, like a thick orange syrup, styled into twin ringlets on the sides of her head. She wore a bright red dress, which, while not as intricate as others, easily stood out in a sea of whites and blacks.

Based only on her appearance, I guessed she willingly tried her best to stand out. But, if you asked for my opinion, it wasn’t necessary, as her personality easily overshadowed everything else.

“Ohoho~” She laughed, chin up, shoulders back. Of course, she had the all-too-familiar laugh.

Didn’t think these people would actually exist… This is a fantasy world.

“Lady Carine!” she declared, her voice flaring up. “I am Mirabelle Vareid, second daughter of the famous Baron Vareid! I’ve so looked forward to meeting you!”

Have you now?

“It’s a pleasure to be your acquaintance, Lady Mirabelle,” I responded with the appropriate amount of politeness.

“Acquaintance? Oh, we’ll be much more than that!”

Wording, woman!

I cleared my throat as I shifted slightly in my throne. “W-What exactly do you mean by that, Lady Mirabelle?”

Mirabelle leaned forward, hands clasped, eyes beaming. “Oh, I’ve heard so much about you! When I learned how much we have in common, I just had to come! For instance, I hear you have a fondness for drawing!”

I blinked, momentarily thrown off, unsure if I heard her right.

“Drawing?”

“Yes! Your mother is a renowned painter, you must have a great mentor! Oh, how I envy you!” She smiled brightly, fully confident that she was correct. She placed her fingertips at her chest as she continued, “I myself am quite fond of sketching. Perhaps we shall share our projects and improve together?”

I mean, sure, Mother’s a great painter, I think? But my relationship with drawing, especially in my life as Carine, could only be described as… non-existent. In my past life, I would occasionally doodle or draw stick figures whenever I was bored at work, but that was it.

“I… dabble,” I said cautiously, not wanting to outright lie, but also didn’t want to ruin her excited mood.

“Oh, splendid! Then we shall compare our sketches whenever both of us are free!”

I didn’t agree to that! I have no experience with drawing at all, she would see me as a complete fraud if we compared our works.

“Listen, I—”

“I can’t wait until that day! I shall bring my best equipment, or perhaps you could visit? We could even share techniques!”

I managed a polite smile, resisting the urge to sigh. “That sounds… delightful,”

I couldn’t shut her down, curses. Oh well, my schedule would be packed to the brim with training anyway, it wasn’t like I would actually have free time for her or anything.

“And of course, I can’t forget your next hobby!” Mirabelle continued, her smirk widening.

“And what could that be?”

“Hehe, it’s tea ceremonies!” she declared, her fingers pointed straight at the dumbfounded me.

Tea ceremonies can go to hell…

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My mind went back to the countless hours I had put into learning how to sit and lift a cup. Sure, I did them all flawlessly, but that doesn’t shave away the boredom. It was like putting up a show for no one. If you attend a tea ceremony with a couple of friends and they flare you for picking up your cup wrong, are they really your friends?

What I’m trying to say is, who would in their right mind love tea ceremonies?

That’s right, weirdos. Like the one in front of me.

“The elegance! The atmosphere! The talk! Tea ceremonies are the pinnacle of our civilization, don’t you agree, Lady Carine?!” she asked—no, she demanded my agreement that I too adored this torture-turned-culture.

“Yes, tea is… wonderful,” I said, nodding along, even though I was mentally throwing every teapot in the room into a lake.

“Right?!” she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. “I just knew we would be the best of friends. It’s a miracle that I have found my best friend!”

We couldn’t be further apart, really.

I could see a line forming behind Mirabelle, AKA, my way out.

“Lady Mirabelle, shall we continue this conversation some other time? Others are waiting for their turn,” I gestured with my head for her to turn around.

“Oh my, how the time flies when you’re with a friend!” She emphasized the last part for some reason. “Well then, I suppose I shall wait for you after the ceremony. We shall talk more later, ohoho~!” She did the laugh as she walked away.

Glad that was over.

Now, back to attending to parents showering me with their sons’ accomplishments. I wondered how many more of them would try and tell me their son is “perfect in every way”?

—

The procedure finally ended about an hour later. Thankfully, it seemed like no other guests were willing to step up and introduce their sons, and none of them crossed the line to have Leila be involved.

None of the people stood out more than Mirabelle, which I counted as a blessing. I didn’t know how to deal with those types…

Those who already greeted me were free to lounge around here or in the garden, so the room wasn’t as packed as before.

Leila, ever the perfect shadow by my throne, leaned in and whispered, “Great work, Lady Carine. Shall I prepare a drink?”

That would be a godsend. She really did know me well. I gave a slight nod, and she returned it in kind before heading off at her usual calm pace. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit curious as to why she didn’t just make some other maid bring me the drink. Maybe she enjoyed doing things personally? Or maybe she believed it would be faster if she did it. It’s hard to say with Leila.

Anyway, with my soon-to-arrive drink in mind, I was just getting comfortable in my throne trying to ignore the numbness when I spotted them—Mother and Father, making their way toward me.

Where have you two been?! was what I wanted to shout, but I settled for a polite nod.

“No need, Carine. Feel free to sit,” he said, though his voice was far from casual.

No, I would like to stand, please. I think my butt died. But alas, I stayed put, only because it was easier than defying parental commands.

Mother, usually composed, gave me a soft but serious nod. “Yes, I believe it’s better if you remain seated for this.”

“Huh? What’s going on?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

Being so serious all of a sudden, not liking this...

Mother exchanged a glance with Father and then cleared her throat, speaking first. “Carine, you have a… special guest.”

Special guest? What, did someone invite a ghost? Why the sudden tension?

Father continued. “Apologies for not being present for the greetings. We were... delayed by their arrival.”

Delayed? Who on earth could ‘delay’ my parents? My stomach was filled with a wave of anxiety. A guest who could make both of them this... on edge? This wasn’t some random noble, that’s for sure.

Before I could press further, a collective series of gasps echoed from the hallway. The guests who were floating around in their lazy conversation suddenly froze.

And then I saw him.

A tall figure, with golden hair draped over one shoulder like a curtain, casually poked his head into the room. Everyone gasped, again. Everyone seemed to recognize him, but…

…Who?

As the figure stepped fully into view, I could finally see what he looked like. He was tall enough to stand out from the crowd, and his golden-blonde hair seemed to reflect light with how smooth it was. He wore a confident smile as he paced his way up to my throne.

Mother and Father stepped to the side, bowing to him as he continued his march.

He stopped a few steps away in front of me, his green eyes locking onto me with intrigue. There was no polite bow, no flattery, no greetings, he just stood there with a rather infuriating smile, staring at me.

A hush had fallen over the room. Even the air seemed to stop. All of the guests bowed at his presence, including my parents…

…Who???

There had to be something with this guy, if not, I might have to send everyone in the mansion to the hospital.

Then, after a long awkward silence, the figure spoke up. “Hmph, it seems Karvin was right. You do have that feel to you!” he said as he rubbed his chin. Then, without warning, he displayed a flamboyant bow, followed by a quick head turn towards me.

“Greetings! My name is Julient of Setus! The Third Prince of Setus!” He raised his posture and gave me a thumbs up. “But do feel free to call me the Scholar Prince!”

…Who???????

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image [https://i.imgur.com/RdC5Gde.png]