Chapter 69

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 69

Chapter Title: The Baby's First Tea Party

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But that's impossible. Lady Lisette died in childbirth in January. I was born on February 29th.

I knew it made no sense, yet whenever I saw Lord Javelin's expression or watched my father gaze at Baby Bird's shoes, I found myself wishing otherwise.

"Of course. If I were Baby Bird, I'd be heartbroken seeing Lord Javelin like that."

"……."

"Knowing your beloved aunt is grieving because of you... that would hurt more than anything."

At my cautious words, Lord Javelin let out a soft chuckle.

"Go on home safely."

He ruffled my hair lightly, and I beamed with joy.

The next day, Father, my brothers, and I left the capital amid farewells from the entire household.

Two weeks after returning to the territory.

"Good morning, Little One."

"Did you have sweet dreams?"

I received the servants' greetings as I headed to the dressing room with the maids.

I'd woken up too early, and drowsiness was crashing over me. As I rubbed my bleary eyes, Dalia, Linda, and Uni squealed "So cute~!" and pulled out their image stones.

They'd gone beyond just adoring me—it had become a continental-level obsession, capturing my every moment on video to share with the world.

A few weeks in the capital had made these reactions feel awkward and embarrassing again, but exactly two weeks back, and it was all familiar once more.

But...

'Huh?'

I flinched at the sight of servants clustered thickly outside the dressing room door, my bedroom, and even the windows.

"There are way more image stones than usual today."

When I tugged at Lea's sleeve and pointed it out, the three maids burst into giggles.

"Because today is a historic day."

"Exactly, a special occasion."

"Little One's very first tea party!"

That was right. Today was the day I'd finally meet the children of the territory.

True to his word, Father had hosted a tea party for me.

Until now, Duvered had only met with high-ranking vassals inside the castle. Now, it was time to greet everyone from across the entire territory.

Lea settled me into a chair and brushed my hair as she asked,

"Excited?"

"...A little."

Holding a tea party in my name was a first outside my previous life, so even I felt a flutter of anticipation.

As my cheeks flushed, the whirring of image stones buzzed around me.

"Adorable!"

"So lovable today too!"

I shook my head helplessly.

I wore the Melbein dress bought in the capital, along with ribbons, shoes, and accessories that Celia had handpicked with all her might and shipped from the wardrobe.

"You look utterly enchanting today."

"I know!"

In my family-crest-embroidered red dress, even I thought I looked pretty good, so I placed my hands on my hips and tossed my head back with a flourish.

The servants chuckled fondly.

Once preparations were complete and we'd inspected the party setup, it was around lunchtime.

The tea party was about to begin.

Stepping into the garden, I saw it was bustling far more than usual.

Cute little ladies in big bonnets and darling young gentlemen in spacious formalwear wandered the catering course, chatting away.

"I heard there was a bereavement at your house yesterday. My condolences."

"Yes, I rolled over on Sir Rotten while I was asleep... He was such a brave stag beetle."

"Oh my..."

The children were mimicking adult socializing with impressive solemnity.

'Too cute~!'

It was my first time making friends my age, and my heart pounded.

Entering with eager excitement, the servants guarding the venue bowed in unison.

The children rose one by one, offering their greetings to me.

"I greet the Duvered Heir."

"I greet the Duvered Heir."

I nodded back at about a ten-degree angle.

Nos, who'd taught me etiquette, gave a sneaky thumbs-up from the corner of the venue.

"Delighted to meet you all. I'm Leblain Lisette Duvered."

I introduced myself, then quirked an eyebrow upward—a signal to sit.

'How was that?'

Glancing at Nos, he flashed a proud, doting grin and held up two thumbs.

I snickered inwardly.

I'd practiced raising my eyebrow endlessly because it was so tricky.

My table was the one smack in the center.

Reserved for high-ranking vassals' children or external invitees.

'No external guests...? Where'd they go?'

I tilted my head, but the other children quickly struck up conversations, drawing me in.

"Thank you for the invitation. Viscount Misesk is my father."

"Viscountess Neshel is my grandmother."

"Youngest of the Baron Cruolla family."

The kids introduced themselves in a rush.

"And your names?"

At my question, the young ladies and lords blinked with a collective "Eh?"

'Eh... so cute.'

After seeing only intimidating adults in the castle day after day, these tiny, precious children filled me with joy.

The oldest among them, son of Viscount Misesk, spoke up.

"Killian Misesk. Twelve years old."

'Oh, same age as Ishak.'

I smiled brightly, feeling an instant fondness, and Killian's face turned red mid-introduction.

"The eldest son of Viscount Misesk house, and..."

His voice trailed off shyly.

All eyes were on him—he must have been embarrassed.

The total opposite of Ishak, who'd just come down from the mountains after beating a monster wolf to death. I found him utterly endearing.

As I smiled, the children who'd been pouting and glancing between Killian and me piped up quickly.

"I'm Sophie Neshel!"

"Max Cruolla here!"

Kids from other tables jumped in too, clamoring to introduce themselves.

It wasn't exactly proper etiquette.

Parents peeking from outside the garden looked flustered, gasping "Oh, dear!" with mouths agape.

But a little chaos like this was nothing to me.

'And milder than I'd expected.'

I'd worried the younger ones might get so nervous they'd have an accident.

"Ah, granddaughter of Viscount Neshel. I heard about you from the viscount last time. You're quite the pianist, aren't you?"

I made sure to acknowledge each child individually.

The kids' faces lit up around the venue.

Then, suddenly.

"Hey! I'm asking you!"

A sharp yell erupted from the entrance.

It was a tall, lanky boy— I could only see the back of his head.

"Ah... it's him again..."

The children slumped, hunching their shoulders with gloomy voices.

"What's wrong?"

Killian drooped his brows and answered.

"A guest from outside... from a great noble house."

"Earlier, when Little One wasn't here, he was yelling nonstop..."

"He said all Duvered kids are rude idiots. So mean..."

I scanned the thoroughly deflated children and stood up.

Then headed straight for the commotion. The kids trailed after me in a pack.

The girl he'd cornered was on the verge of tears.

She had jet-black hair like ebony and beautiful green eyes—an exquisitely doll-like child.

"I-I didn't mean... you touched my face out of nowhere, so I got startled..."

Touched?

She looked at least fourteen, and the boy around fifteen.

Old enough to know you don't touch a lady without permission.

"When a direct heir of a great noble asks a kid from some vassal house her name, you say 'thank you' and answer. Who do you think you are!"

I wedged myself between them, pulling the girl behind me.

"And who are you...!"

This was Billy Penac.

[Penac Count house's second son yelling at some beggar kid to give her name gratefully.]

The pervert who'd stroked my waist in my past life.

And I'd crossed paths with him in this life too.

He was best friends with Duke Ballua's eldest son.

The Penac Counts were a prestigious house, and with his brother a high-ranking priest, even the status-obsessed Ballua heir hung out with him often.

Every time he visited Ballua lands, he'd rake his lecherous gaze over my body.

Eventually, at seventeen, he'd raped some viscount's only daughter, got caught by the imperial guards—but walked free with excuses of being drunk and his father's influence.

"...You're the Little One?"

Spotting the seal ring on my finger, he cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Billy Penac. Attending in place of the Delled young lord. Sorry for the disturbance."

"Yes. You caused a scene at my first tea party."

"Well... yeah... my apologies."

"I think you're apologizing to the wrong person."

"Pardon?"

I took the sniffling girl's hand and addressed the venue's children.

"You need to apologize to my upset guests."

"Apologizing to you is enough—why would I bow to vassal trash...!"

"Just as you said, they're the heirs of Duvered's vassal houses. My children, whom I must protect."

What did you do to my kids?

The children's eyes sparkled as they gazed at me.

Billy scowled, pride wounded.

"I won't! How dare you humiliate me like this! You're not even a real Duvered..."

"What did you say?"

"It's true. You're adopted."

His words implied you're just an orphan, and the venue servants froze.

The parents spying from the garden went icy.

The girl holding my hand tensed, gripping tighter.

"Really."

I muttered softly, and Billy—mistaking it for intimidation—grew smug.

I slipped off my glove and tossed it at his feet.

He choked on a laugh at the white glove signaling a duel.

"Read too many novels, have we? A girl beating a boy only happens in fairy tales."

"Is that so?"

"Don't let arrogance ruin your reputation."

Billy smirked condescendingly.

"I'll handle my reputation. Follow me."

"Unbelievable."

"Before I lodge a formal protest with the Penac house."

"...!"

Billy paled.

He hadn't even received a proper invitation from Duvered, and causing a scene leading to official complaints would be hard for even his mighty father to smooth over.

"...You won't do it if we duel?"

"Correct."

I shrugged and said,

As I stepped aside by the door and gestured "After you," Billy clicked his tongue and stormed out first.

A gentleman dueling a lady was absurd, but since I'd threatened formal protest, he figured he had justification.

Plus, he probably itched to thrash an orphan girl who'd lucked into Duvered adoption.

I moved to a spot away from the tea party area and faced Billy.

He grabbed a wooden sword from his servant and sneered, lip curling.

"This was all your doing, Little One."

"Come at me."

Billy scoffed and lunged. He closed in fast.

But he never reached me.

Our distance shrank to under three meters—then a barrier stopped him cold.

In an instant, fireballs encircled him.

"W-Wait... wait a sec!"

As he screamed, the fireballs morphed into a lion shape with a "Grrrrr!!" and devoured him.

"Gaaah-!"

Billy collapsed, shielding his head with his arms.

His pants darkened with wetness.

I smiled sweetly and said,

"Scared of a little girl?"

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