kscans

Chapter 95 - Chapter 10: Part One - The Afternoon Tea Party

"We can put the fire outside out now, right? It'll be a problem if we don't stop the smoke soon," Dalgan said, wiping sweat from his brow as he pushed a cart loaded with several boxes.

"Right. Considering the number of tables, this should be plenty. What do you think, Roston-senpai?"

"—The other room is ready too. We should quiet things down soon. Still, to leave me out of things only to press me into service for this..."

"Haha, you were out of the Royal Capital until recently, weren't you, senpai? I'll make it up to you."

Roston waved and headed for the hallway. I opened the door a crack, and a chilly breeze touched my face.

The adjacent room was furnished with two magnificent fireplaces. Near one of them stood the duchess, who was also the First Princess, and Alfina. The two princesses were apparently entertaining the Imperial Princess. I wondered what on earth they were talking about.

Clau stood by Alfina's side. A little farther away, Rilka and Sherry stood stock-still. When they noticed I had opened the door, they shot me reproachful looks.

This is a tea party for ladies only. We have no choice but to stick to the background.

Through the window, I could see carriages arriving one after another.

◇◇

The tea party began. First, the three host princesses offered words of welcome in order of age, each time earning a great round of applause from the assembled young ladies. I think I recognized many of the girls from the academy.

Finally, Lisabet stood up. She smiled gently as she took in everyone's gaze. It was the kind of scene that would make me think I'd been dragged into a torture chamber.

Her greeting was standard, expressing her gratitude for the welcome. Once the formalities were over, the maids waiting by the walls began to move among the tables, pouring amber tea into the cups. The attendees took a sip, their faces relaxing slightly.

On the tables were light snacks, made of vegetables, cheese, and meat placed on a base of thinly sliced scones.

The participants nibbled on them while praising the duchess and the Second Princess for the preparations. Then, Doriustia and Alfina rose to their feet.

Here we go. I can tell Rilka and Sherry are nervous. Natalie and Vinaldira in the kitchen must be even more so. Well, Plural is with them, so I'm sure they'll be fine.

Just as I thought it was about time, a young lady in a gorgeous red dress stood up.

"Alfina... Your Highness. I feel it is a touch too cool in here."

It was Hilda. The young ladies around her nodded demurely at the words of the Grand Duke's daughter. I suppose they belong to the Second Prince's faction or Princess Doriustia's entourage. Well, we did keep the heat just low enough that someone could make that complaint.

"My, it is certainly a bit chilly, but it cannot be helped that they struggled with such sudden preparations, is it?"

"Indeed. I hear the cost of heating has been quite high this year. However, this is a special welcome party. And since we are to be classmates, it is only proper to do one's utmost. My deepest apologies, Princess Lisabet."

The Second Princess and Doriustia feigned support to belittle Alfina. It was framed as an older sister apologizing for her younger sister's failure, but their intent was obvious. I scanned the faces in the room. Just under half of the young ladies were covering their mouths, their faces twisted in faint smirks. A third of them lowered their heads, looking troubled. The rest looked at Alfina with sympathy.

It’s interesting to see this ratio, considering most of the guests were invited by those self-styled ‘true’ princesses. There are more people sympathetic to Alfina, or at least neutral, than I expected. No wonder they're getting impatient. In any case, Hilda did a fantastic job for us.

"I see. In that case, shall we, Lady Alfina?"

Alfina nodded at Ruitsa's words. I threw the door wide open, and the warm, heavy air from my room flowed into the venue.

Simultaneously, the door to the opposite room opened. A pincer attack of warm air and humidity. Then, the central door opened, and Dalgan wheeled in a cart stacked with square boxes. With the help of the maids, they began placing the boxes under the tables.

◇◇

This morning, we had arrived at the ducal residence quite early.

Dalgan-senpai burned peat in the garden to heat a large quantity of stones. These were the contents for the boxes placed under the tables, our makeshift kotatsu.

At the same time, I brought a large amount of bamboo firewood into the room next to the venue and burned it furiously. I also placed a pot of water over the fireplace to raise the humidity.

Stones are slow to heat, but once warm, they retain a great deal of thermal energy. Thus, the rooms on either side of the venue had become large reservoirs of heat. In fact, I'd been enduring the stifling temperature myself.

Even the main venue had been warmed, just enough to feel slightly insufficient. We were, of course, burning expensive firewood to do it.

We did it on purpose, to make our opponents think things were going their way. Thanks to Hilda, the setup worked even better than expected.

◇◇

"My, how wonderfully warm it is now."

The temperature in the room rose at once, and smiles blossomed on the attendees' faces.

"To think you had prepared all this. It is just as I would expect of Princess Alfina."

"Truly. It feels as if we can feel the warmth of Princess Alfina's own heart."

Such textbook praise. Are those the same girls who lowered their heads when Doriustia was speaking earlier? What a pain.

Doriustia's face soured as if she had bitten into a bitter bug. The target of her glare, Hilda, flinched and ducked her head. Poor girl.

"W-well then, allow us to present our desserts of welcome!" Doriustia declared, somehow managing to recover her composure. Of course she would be confident in her own offering.

Two large trays were carried into the room.

"My, what a divine aroma."

The cover was first removed from Doriustia's dessert. In the center sat a thick cup, flanked by long, thin baked sweets, with colorful fruits arranged above and below. The maids who brought it began drawing patterns on top of the cups with white cream. Latte art, huh? Not bad.

...So I guess I’m the only fool serving a jet-black confection.

"My, how beautiful. Princess Doriustia, what is this wonderful, unheard-of sweet?" Hilda desperately sang her praises.

"Yes, it is made from a very rare nut. It was quite a struggle to obtain, you know," Doriustia said, nodding in satisfaction before looking at Alfina.

"Alfina, is yours the usual French toast? It is certainly tasty for something made with such ordinary ingredients, but…"

Well, I did bring in ingredients to create that very misunderstanding. Just don't say it out loud.

"No, I too have brought a slightly new confection. I believe it is just as good as French toast," Alfina said with her usual gentle smile. No, I wish you'd say it's better than French toast. At a signal from Ruitsa, the cover was removed from our dessert. Immediately, gasps of surprise filled the air.

"My, a frozen dessert in winter!"

Surprised voices echoed as the room began to buzz. All eyes, as if looking at something unsettling, focused on the tray.

The tray was filled with ice, upon which the plates rested.

"Now everyone, please enjoy it while it is warm," Doriustia urged. Is she trying to have them eat the chocolate first, using its impact to overshadow the next dish? How convenient for me.

"I have never tasted such a rich sweetness!" "What a deep aroma. It is my first time, yet I find it wonderfully captivating."

Unreserved praise rose from the room. I knew that would happen if you fed people chocolate for the first time. Regardless of how she obtained it, it was a superb offering.

"What do you think, Princess Lisabet?" Doriustia puffed out her chest proudly, asking the Imperial Princess with an air of complete confidence.

"Y-yes, it is very wonderful," Lisabet replied with a slightly stiff smile. Her reaction was a little strange. Well, I suppose it isn't new to her.

Oh well. It's our turn next.