CH 5

“Sure. Of course.”

I couldn’t believe it even though it was a definite answer.

As I opened my eyes wide and stared blankly, Liliana smiled quietly with a pleasant laugh.

She tilted her head slightly, her black hair fluttering.

Her hair was usually shiny and smooth, but it seemed to be shinier than usual, perhaps because she paid more attention today.

Her black hair, slightly reddish under the sun, looked covetous.

As the end of her eyes folded gently over the white skin, the beautifully gleaming purple eyes closed slightly.

Even though it was half hidden, at those alluring eyes and bright expression, I trembled, unable to refuse the request.

“Really, can I go to attend Sister’s tea party?”

“Really! Of course!”

I had a hard time asking, but Liliana smiled broadly as if she was happy.

‘What are you up to?’

However, her smile was too bright to have a hidden meaning.

As Liliana smiled brightly, I saw a vision of red roses blooming splendidly behind her.

Just doubting what she said seemed to create a sense of guilt.

“I am so happy to see my beloved little sister at the tea party I’m hosting.”

Liliana turned her head and said to Isabel.

“So dress up my little sister properly.”

“But…”

“But? You dare to talk back to my words?”

Isabel quickly opened her mouth as Liliana’s eyes became fierce.

“It’s not that, Miss Daisy doesn’t have a dress for the tea party!”

“What?”

“Miss has grown taller than last year, so I have to adjust to a new dress for going out, but Miss keeps refusing to go to the salon, so I stop…”

I never imagined that it was the reason she kept bringing up the salon.

Isabel didn’t hide her sad expression and spoke pitifully.

Liliana’s expression became serious as if her sad face had worked.

‘Come to think of it… I thought I don’t need expensive clothes because I wear simple clothes every time.’

I didn’t have any friends that I could meet freely, and even if I went out occasionally, I only had to go to the temple, so I wasn’t interested in new clothes.

So I didn’t know Isabel was grumbling about it.

‘Now, you may say that I have been walking around without respecting the noble’s dignity, saying that the prestige of the duke has fallen.’

I closed my eyes tightly in preparation for the incoming nagging.

Because I didn’t have the courage to face the eyes that would turn vicious.

But contrary to my expectations, the brutal beating didn’t come back.

“It would have been enough to call a designer, right?”

“That’s…”

Isabel declined to comment.

That’s because I ordered not to call a designer because I was aware of Liliana and Viola.

Liliana sighed loudly as Isabel bowed her head.

“Is it because of me…”

She murmured softly, but it was loud enough to be heard by me who was nearby.

So I gathered up my courage and glanced at Liliana.

Her expression seemed to be stained with guilt.

“Daisy, I’m sorry but I’ll lend you my clothes today. I still have the dress I used to wear when I was a kid… It’s not new, but there will be something suitable.”

“Yes…”

Well, it might be a shame for her, who was sensitive to fashion and lead the fashion style, that the dress looked unstylish at first glance.

But it was definitely prettier and better than the dress I had.

“You should call a designer tomorrow and make a new dress, outdoor clothes, and indoor clothes for Daisy. Throw away the old clothes.”

“Yes!”

Isabel nodded enthusiastically at Liliana’s words.

‘Yes, Isabel. You must have wanted to have a master who wears a pretty dress too.’

As I understood Isabel’s mind, I sighed softly inside.

For a brief moment, Liliana’s hand led me to her dressing room.

✲ ✲ ✲

As a matter of fact, the most beautiful flower in the social world had always been different since my childhood.

Liliana’s dress, as I expected, was better than the ones I had, and had a design that wouldn’t look tacky at all even if it was worn years later.

Liliana picked out my dress with a wistful look.

“If possible, I want to choose new clothes together. It would be nice to go to a salon together next time.”

‘I feel suffocated just thinking about it, can I not go?’

I didn’t bring up these words because I didn’t know what to say.

‘Maybe it’s because the clothes are pretty, I’m feeling good right now.’

Although the light yellow dress, which was suitable for early summer, was made of thin material, it was subtly glossy, and the sound of cloth moving smoothly every time I walked was good to hear.

As I hummed inwardly, I arrived at the tea party in no time.

The tea party, which was held outdoors in the summer, was splendid and beautiful enough to be hosted by Liliana.

The faces of the nobles seen everywhere were full of smiles, and their gaze didn’t leave Liliana.

Liliana left for a moment with an apologetic look on her face as the people who came here desperately called her.

“Sorry. Have some tea for a while. I’ll be right back.”

‘The best beauty in the empire that attracts both men and women.’

Unlike her who was surrounded by people before I knew it, I sat in front of the empty table she had guided me to.

‘You asked me to wait for a while, but just do it moderately.’

This kind of position where I didn’t know anyone was too burdensome for me.

I wasn’t sure what Liliana was thinking when she called me here in the first place.

‘She’s been weird since last night. Why the hell?’

I didn’t have the courage to ask, but I was curious.

‘Phew.’

I sighed softly.

‘There will be no one who pays attention to me anyway.’

I just sat quietly like this, and while I was full of thoughts of leaving, a shadow suddenly fell in front of me and I lifted my head.

And at the same time, tea poured over my head.

“Oh! I’m sorry! I didn’t know you were in front of me!”

The quiet tea time alone ended in an instant.

At the high-pitched voice, I could feel the eyes of those around me being drawn toward me.

I was surprised to see the tea dripping down my chin, and as I stood there, I heard the sound of laughter over my head

“How dare someone like you attends Liliana’s tea party.”

“You should understand your place.”

A young lady and a young master, whom I had never met before, muttered in small voices, and I couldn’t even get angry as I looked at the wet dress.

‘Oh, did she invite me to a tea party to make me feel miserable?’

How dare you want to drink tea with me? Thinking that it was intended to show that, I smiled automatically.

‘I’ve already given up, Sister.’

So you don’t have to do this.

As I watched the tea dripping down my chin, the sound of ridicule rang in my ears.

‘I’m sure I’ll get scolded again if I stay still here.’

Even in this situation, I felt that I should leave before Liliana came.

I swallowed my sadness and tried to get up from my seat.

If it wasn’t for the harsh voice that was close to criticism.

“What kind of fuss is this?”

“Oh, Lilliana. Hello.”

The woman who poured tea on me looked at Liliana, blushed her cheeks, and greeted her with respect.

Liliana glanced at her, then glanced at me, and frowned.

“Daisy?”

“…”

Liliana looked at me with startled eyes.

She seemed surprised like someone who really knew nothing about the situation.

It was even more upsetting.

“Why-why do you look like this…”

“I’m so sorry I made a fuss at your tea party.”

“What?”

I couldn’t stand the feeling of being miserable anymore.

I jumped up from my seat and managed to smile.

“I’ll go in first.”

I couldn’t say anything that would stop my lips from trembling.

I took a heavy step at the mocking gaze I felt from behind.

‘Yes, I’m a person who can only run away.’

I felt miserable but I was used to it.

* * *

Liliana really did her best from dawn for today’s tea party.

Usually, she would have created a small party hall, not a big tea party, and interacted only with her friends.

‘But that would be burdensome for Daisy.’

So she decided to create a place where Daisy could feel comfortable.

Liliana tried to show everyone that she had begun to care for her youngest sister by showing her love for Daisy in private.

While preparing for the tea party, she was excited to spend time with Daisy.

‘I hope I can get a little closer to Daisy today.’

Excitedly, she invited Daisy directly and chose the dress herself.

Daisy seemed bewildered because this had never happened before, but soon Liliana was relieved to see her smile happily.

Was it wrong to invite Daisy with a pathetic and complacent thought?

As the host of the party, while serving guests, she noticed that the surroundings had become noisy.

And at the center of it was Daisy.

Seeing the atmosphere was so bleak, she cut off the conversation and rushed closer, then Liliana realized that something was wrong.

Daisy hurriedly apologized to her, covered in tea water, and left her seat before Liliana could catch her.

It was not her illusion that Daisy’s face was pale as she quickly escaped.

Liliana stared blankly at Daisy as she moved away, and turned her head so fiercely that she could hear a whiff of laughter from the side.

“Really. I don’t know why she was making such a fuss and attending senselessly.”

“If the blood flowing is of low descent, your eyesight will decrease that much.”

The young lady and young master, who hadn’t even spoken a few words to her, glanced at Liliana with a smile while talking to each other.

Like a child who wanted to be praised for doing a good job, Liliana realized the situation was like that.

Liliana opened her fan and covered her mouth, and spoke to the young lady and young master whose names she couldn’t even remember properly.

“How rude of you.”

Liliana’s eyebrows were raised fiercely as if she wasn’t trying to hide her unpleasant feelings.

“Did you pour tea on my sister just now?”

“Well, it was a mistake….”

“And my sister has low blood?”

It wasn’t like the usual Liliana, who was usually polite and had a beautiful smile that seemed to melt away.

The young lady, who grew up beautifully enough to be called the flower of society, was surrounded by a bitter atmosphere.

The two turned their eyes as they perceived something was wrong, but the other people invited to the party turned away from them.

Liliana’s dislike of her youngest sister was already famous in society, so they acted like that.

They were stupid people.

Liliana was a person who didn’t do things she didn’t like in the first place.

It meant that if she didn’t want to, she wouldn’t have invited Daisy to the VIP seat, but those two didn’t notice it.

Liliana looked at the two with cold eyes and soon left her seat with her back to them.

She heard an apology calling for her pitifully from behind, but the voice couldn’t hold back her step.

The most important thing for Liliana right now was Daisy.