Chapter 53

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 53

Chapter Title: The Ladies' Tea Party

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After selecting the fabric, Agatha chose patterns and ordered dresses for the new season.

“We’ll prepare the Marquis’s formal suit so we can take his measurements and do a fitting right away.”

“Yes, please take good care of it, Madam.”

“We’ll see you again soon, Madam Agatha.”

Back at the mansion, Agatha immediately penned a letter.

Dearest Lady Iris,

The autumn has already crept in upon us.

I’m planning a small tea party with my close friends in the near future, and it would delight me greatly if you could join us.

I’ve prepared fine tea leaves and desserts, awaiting your arrival.

Looking forward to our enjoyable time together.

Agatha Noblesse.

P.S. I’m curious about the progress on the favor I asked of you at the final imperial ball of summer.

In addition to Lady Iris, she wrote and sent letters to other close allies like Lady Sylvia, Lady Vanessa Beatrice, and Lady Kate Eblain.

Those who had received word from the reclusive Agatha all replied before evening that they would attend.

It was her first public social activity in a long while.

“We need to prepare for the tea party.”

The close maids who received the confirmed letters bowed deeply.

“Shall we summon Head Steward Allen?”

“Yes. The garden needs tidying. I’d love for the view from the terrace to be perfect.”

Agatha turned to the knight standing nearby.

“Sir Leon, could we pull back the guards a bit during the tea party?”

“We’ll station them around the entrance and terrace.”

“Good.”

Agatha checked the room and garden where the tea party would take place, selecting tea leaves and desserts.

A few days later, in the late afternoon.

Several carriages pulled into Agatha’s newlywed mansion.

As if savoring the early autumn, guests emerged one by one from carriages finished in slightly deeper tones: today’s invitees, Marchioness Iris Domunia, Duchess Heiress Kate Eblain, Marchioness Heiress Vanessa Beatrice, Countess Sylvia Camelon, and Madam Shallet.

“Welcome. Madam is waiting inside.”

Head Steward Allen, waiting at the main entrance, greeted them courteously.

“It’s been a while, Allen. Please show us in.”

“Yes, this way, please.”

Led by Lady Iris, the allies moved to the prepared tea party room.

It was their second visit to the newlywed mansion.

The first had been too rushed checking on Agatha Noblesse’s well-being to count as a proper visit.

Now, they had time to take in the surroundings.

Wall paintings beneath soaring ceilings, densely embedded jewels, sunlight cascading along sculptures, and a flawless marble hall.

“My, the mansion is truly beautiful.”

“This must all be Lady Agatha’s personal touch, right?”

Allen smiled warmly as he opened the door at the end of the corridor. The knights bowed politely.

“Madam, your guests have arrived.”

“Welcome, everyone. I hope your journey here was comfortable?”

Agatha, seated on the sofa, greeted them with a radiant smile.

The room was striking, finished in blue stone with elegant carvings on solid wood furniture.

“Lady Agatha, it’s been so long.”

“We enjoyed touring the mansion on the way—hope we’re not late?”

“Of course not. I’m proud as the owner that you like it. Please, have a seat here.”

Plush couches were arranged around a low round table by the terrace, enough for everyone.

Agatha sat first, with Marchioness Iris Domunia to her left and Duchess Heiress Kate Eblain to her right.

Between them sat Marchioness Heiress Vanessa Beatrice, Countess Sylvia Camelon, and Madam Shallet.

Maids approached silently, placing freshly baked scones and steaming hot tea on the table before withdrawing.

Lady Iris spoke first.

“Lady Agatha, congratulations on your husband’s victory. The capital is buzzing with the news.”

“Thank you, Lady Iris. I heard about it myself just days ago at Madam Shallet’s boutique.”

“I heard His Majesty congratulated him personally.”

“Thanks to that, every noble in the capital knows now.”

The first topic was, naturally, Enoch’s triumph.

Starting with Caden, reports of Enoch’s victories kept pouring in.

Caden, Willat, Mulshabet.

All belonged to families in the second tier of the Noblesse succession, with evidence mounting that their succession rights would soon be stripped—even their assets, excluding land, would revert to House Aratus.

The young Lady Vanessa’s eyes sparkled as she asked,

“I heard His Majesty ordered the revocation of titles, so there’ll be executions too. Will it be a public one?”

“No, it’ll likely be private. They’re kin, after all—we should show mercy on their final path.”

The allies let out faint sighs.

“Lady Agatha, you’re too merciful. Other nobles spreading nonsense should see this side of you.”

“You all know me.”

“Oh my.”

Agatha smiled and lifted her teacup. Though much subdued, rumors of conspiracy and traps in this territorial war still lingered.

She wondered why whispers that should have faded dragged on so long.

“Speaking of which, these rumors are lingering unusually. Makes you wonder if someone’s fanning them behind the scenes.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to tell you, Lady Agatha—I’ve learned something recently, and your perfect timing with this invitation made me wait just for today.”

Lady Iris snapped open her fan and continued.

“It’s about House Neuta.”

Lady Kate reacted immediately.

“Is House Neuta behind these rumors?”

“Not at the start, but they do seem to be fueling them to keep the flames alive.”

“Goodness, the rabbit has no fear of the wolf.”

The allies exchanged knowing chuckles, glancing at Agatha.

Agatha smiled faintly.

“Time to get to the point, I see.”

She set her teacup down with a deliberate clink and turned to Lady Iris.

“Lady Iris, what came of the favor I asked at the imperial ball?”

Lady Iris Domunia’s task had been to monitor the movements of neutral family figures Agatha had connected her with during her marriage to House Neuta.

Laughter glinted in Lady Iris’s eyes.

“I caught someone perfect right in my sights.”

Every ally’s eyes lit up.

“Viscountess Admar has been frequenting the boutique favored by the Neuta Duchess Dowager lately.”

“Aren’t your tastes completely different from hers?”

“That’s how I remember it too.”

Viscountess Admar was someone Agatha still maintained a cordial friendship with.

“Ah, so that’s it.”

Lady Vanessa Beatrice chimed in meaningfully.

“You might not know, but Lady Agatha had me watching the boutiques, dye shops, and jewelers used by House Neuta.”

Lady Vanessa smiled and snapped her fan shut.

“I noticed unusually high jewelry spending—turns out it was gifts. Viscountess Admar’s house was on the list. Multiple times, even.”

“Oh my!”

Lady Kate Eblain nodded next.

“They’re definitely splashing cash. Fabric consumption from merchants has spiked too, confirming their return to autumn social season.”

“You mean that stuffy old cloth?”

“Hohoho!”

The noblewomen and ladies burst into laughter at Lady Iris’s quip.

“Anyway, it seems those three really hold grudges against you, Lady Agatha. I heard they’re plotting to harass you this season.”

With Madam Shallet’s insight from social circles and inner palace sources, the picture was clear.

The sixth ex-husband, Duke Neuta, had been spot-on at the summer imperial ball.

The question is where the game will unfold...

Tap, tap. Agatha lightly tapped her fan’s tip. The allies, smiles faded, watched her intently.

House Neuta knew Agatha’s influence, so their plans would be kept secretive.

Leaks were inevitable from a great house, though.

“For now, their funds show no anomalies beyond heavy spending on dresses and jewels for the new season—same as usual otherwise.”

“I see.”

After hearing Lady Kate last, Agatha’s conclusion was singular.

“So, we just prepare so thoroughly that whatever they try is futile, right?”

“Brilliant, Lady Agatha.”

She doubted House Neuta’s preparations would amount to much anyway.

Overprepare to the point where their schemes didn’t matter.

If push came to shove, they could strike first.

“They’ll approach eventually—then we decide the timing. For now—”

Agatha lifted her teacup with a bright smile.

“Shall we enjoy the rest of tea time? Plenty to discuss in the autumn social season ahead.”

“Absolutely, wonderful idea, Lady Agatha.”

“This tea has such a lovely aroma. Where did you source it?”