“Lady Merellis, will you be coming to my tea party this weekend?”
“Oh no, please come to mine instead!”
After class, I was immediately surrounded by a group of girls as soon as I entered the parlor. Since I had spent my break forging stronger connections to various families, word must have somehow made it to school as well as I ended up being absolutely swamped with invitations.
I was grateful, though, because it was important for me to befriend people my own age. I politely responded to all of them and then went to go sit down alone.
“Hello, Lady Merellis. May I sit here?”
“Oh, Lady Foulard. Of course, have a seat.”
Lady Foulard was Count Dranbaldt’s daughter and Dan’s fiancée.
“By the way, Lady Merellis. I heard you wore a beautiful ruby necklace to the tea party at Count Caldina’s manor. Everyone’s just dying to know where you got it.”
“Oh, really? I’m flattered that everyone liked it.”
“I’m one of them, of course! Would you perhaps consider telling me who made it for you?”
“He he he. You liked it too, Lady Foulard? Of course I’ll tell you, but I do have to wait until after the dukes from Rimmel leave. Apparently the jeweler is in quite a panic because I ordered a bit too much from them! I promise I’ll tell you once the visit is over.”
“Oh, all right. But make sure you let me know before any of the others! I know that jeweler will be swamped with requests if you wear their pieces to an official event.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, I’m sure of it. Every time you wear a new dress or piece of jewelry, everyone rushes to that same store to get one of their own. And you don’t just work with famous designers either—you find lesser-known talents and help others discover them! Everyone is so excited to see what you’ll wear next!”
“You flatter me with all your compliments, dear. But I promise. I’ll tell you first, before anyone else.”
“He he he. I can’t wait!”
We chatted for a while, but all of a sudden, the entire room went silent. Ellia, the daughter of Marquis Marea, had entered. She had a group of girlfriends flocking around her. It would probably be more accurate to call them her cronies.
“Hello, Lady Merellis.”
“Lady Ellia. Long time no see.”
“Excuse me, but who is that?” She spoke politely, but the look in her eyes was anything but that as she turned her gaze toward Foulard.
I felt a spark of irritation but put a smile on my face, doing my best to conceal my feelings. “This is Lady Foulard, Baron Adram’s daughter.”
“Oh, is that right?” Despite the question, Ellia sounded wholly uninterested. Normally when one was introduced to someone for the first time, you’d at least make small talk or curtsy. Instead, she completely ignored Foulard.
“She’s engaged to Count Dranbaldt’s son, Dan,” I said, testing how she’d react to that one.
“Oh, really?! Well, I’m very envious to hear that!” Just as I suspected, her attitude completely changed once she heard Foulard was engaged. The young woman really was simpleminded. “Speaking of engagement, Lady Merellis. Will you be attending the party sponsored by the kingdom with Lord Louis?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Oh, I’m jealous. I don’t have a fiancé yet, so I’m going with my family. Aren’t there any good men out there?”
She was being so transparent it was difficult to hold back my laughter. Apparently, she—or perhaps her father—had finally gotten the message that I was very influential in high society. She was trying to get me to put in a good word for her with Prince Edgar. And if I did that, that would send a clear message to other families.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll do just fine finding a fiancé without my help, Lady Ellia.” I had long since decided I was going to stay out of it, so I just smiled at her.
“That’s a shame.”
She didn’t press the issue any further and left. I apologized to Foulard for the intrusion, and then we continued chatting about the latest fashions.