Chapter 368: Chapter 368
I enjoyed the little mutters and awkward conversations trying to lessen the imagination of the ladies. The duchess and Theressa stayed silent most of the time. Only once in a while granting short and polite answers with kind yet obviously fake smiles to not appear as such a pair of witches.
However, it was thanks to the Empress that the subject eventually ended after a little while.
Tranquil as if she was a guarded lake, the Emptess shut off any more of the comments the ladies exchanged, even commencing another topic so their interest would be picked. Which I will say... was awesome because it would still be a victory for me.
"My ladies, has it not been enough of these saddening matters? Let us truly continue... While you were conversing, I could not help but to fall more appreciative of the unique adornment the Ninth, Lady Pristina is currently wearing."
"Gasp! My! It is a joy I was not the only one curious about the piece. From a distance, I could reckon its centre is partially translucent, yet its inside appears to contain a flower... Am I correct?"
’Good eye... Quite the good eye you women have!’
Feeling even better after innocently exposing the duchess and Theressa, the time to advertise my product arrived next.
Explaining with the aid of the Princess, I told a romantic story to it so the women would find it more charming. All prepared in advance, of course, fufufu~
"Hmm... Lady Marianne says <<It was as I wanted a special gift to remain untouched that I decided to make a few of these accessories. Perhaps it is the side the First Empress Calla bestowed upon me as her Confidant... yet flowers are precious to myself. Decorating ourselves with their preserved beauty was a pleasant idea at the time for I was also protecting its significance. >>"
"!! The First Empress indeed was a lover of the delicate flowers."
"The Empress’s Garden is evidence of her like for their natural beauty."
"Yes. My Garden is a bequest I cannot cease to appreciate. Every season, its beauty blooms in different shades... The First Empress Calla... Her Majesty cultivated each seed that lives within it after The First Emperor Oregor gifted the ground and gave the first rose to her Majesty... in the memorable festival sealing the end of his conquer."
"Ah~~ Indeed~ The First Emperor was a devoted man to his Empress... the story between the two still makes the young ladies dream of a man like his First Majesty."
"... Your Majesty, is it true the first seed Her First Empress planted... was that of the first rose?"
"... That I have been told."
Just as the noblewomen present listening to the gracious Empress, I also felt fluttery to think of the romance the First Emperors had... although more quietly while it was that overwhelming pressure exploding out of expectation that reacted within me.... instead of the little squeals the women tried to make cute while laughter broke between them.
’That’s so cute~ So the First Emperor was head over heels for the First Empress~~’ — I thought, truly happy while my little baby panda also shared the flutter in our stomach. Both deeply glad since we did feel a bond with the First Empress Calla as we’ve been wearing the pretty tear that transformed into a lovely bracelet to protect us. — ’I’m sure she was happy with him... receiving roses... I didn’t know but it’s...... it’s really nice...’
"Si~gh! Certainly, their story is appreciated. If not for their love and customs, the festival would not be as anticipated by us women."
"Oh! I genuinely agree. The Emperor’s romanticism became something the ladies envied. The night of the lights of the Summer Festival then became the lovers’ special occasion... Men gift roses to their women. It still makes my heart shake in a relentless race whenever Charles brings a rose to me on those nights~"
’... to their women...?’
"It is undeniably a delightful event. Men not only can gift roses but the flower they know their women like. It is a moment when we learn of their interest."
"Yes. Receiving a flower is the greatest opportunity too, fufufu~ In my case, Thomas confessed his intentions while offering a bouquet~"
"Ah~ how lovely~"
’...’
A little lost while I listened to how some of the young ladies daydreamed to the anecdotes of the older and married women, my mind simply went blank... Until one of the twins accompanying their grandmother Lady Felicia joined the conversation.
"... It would have been wonderful if those flowers could have been preserved like that one the gracious Ninth is wearing..."
"! I was thinking the same as sister! Having such deep meaning, wearing it as a keepsake of their love would be lovely."
"!" — To their idea, I had to lower my head out of embarrassment. So instantly, that I even felt dumb... because even while I didn’t know this tradition existed...
’I’m! Oh gosh...! I- this only shows how much of a maiden we are, Anne!’ — Wishing I hadn’t had the idea already, I felt our cheeks burn from shame. Happy that I couldn’t scream because of the disturbing cringe the realisation of how much a romantic I was.
’... But still... I’m not going to let those roses die... none of those he gave me that day...’
I fidgeted with our cup of tea... thinking of those many roses his bouquet had... that I had carefully pressed one by one so their scent and shape would remain as pretty and enchanting... Only to make something with them later... just as delicate as this necklace so I could have them as a keepsake... just as Lady Felicia’s granddaughters had suggested.
’I... at least want those to remain intact... Just in case the original story... doesn’t change even if I’m here...’ — Slightly bummed I thought thankful... Trying to leave behind the anxiety by listening to the women’s excitement.
The ladies loved the idea, and somehow many wished to have an accessory as valuable and pure. I was delighted and relieved to know their interest had been lit... now the next step was to make it more popular... so even the girls with lower status could get at least something similar.
The tea session continued, talking about matters I didn’t really get, political and about those men at the hunt. The bets were also part of it... I heard the voice of the Duchess and that loud one of Theressa talk many times later. Befriending the noble ladies as they knew how to... thankfully not mentioning my name. Making it clear, that at least my smooth warning was kind of received.
’Hah... Let’s see how much it lasts...’ — I scoffed at some point, aware that they were reckless enough to mess with me again. But even then, I know I can say something and manipulate others better while using the same "condition" they use.
My voice will stay low only for a short while... and once it becomes loud enough...
’You’ll be grateful I once only had these post-it notes... because the pause to write won’t be there to help your stupid wigs later.’