That was the first time in my twenty years of life一 no, forty years if you add my previous life, I had come to know this.

Apparently, I’m not good at things like “Tea parties”.

“Well, the pear tart there is awfully delicious”

“The chocolate here is also very delicious. The alcohol gives them a bit of a mature taste.”

“Lady Elizabeth’s cook is also wonderful”

“But he can’t win against Count Adal’s cook”

“Don’t you think Lady Celeste dress is creative and amazing”

“That’s right, it’s Madam Hoyer’s work, no? But Lady Celia also looks great, too.”

First of all, the boasting war at the onset already had me exhausted.

Of course, I as the person with the highest standing was the first to receive that damning praise. Then we all had to smile and quip at each other’s praises while ensuring everyone participated on the topic equally.

We were in one of the multiple courtyards of the royal palace.

Naturally the vast royal palace had areas forbidden to those not of the royal family along with administrative sections with parliamentary halls, liberated areas with libraries, and other facilities accessible to the general public. The areas where only aristocrats or those with affluence were allowed to enter were also one such space.

Young noble ladies still under the patronage of their parents could’t open saloons by themselves, so there seemed to be a new trend occurring where if someone wanted to mingle with a large number of people, I could be invited to a saloon opened by a married lady, a tea parties could be held in places such as courtyards, or arbor in the aristocrat zones of the royal palace.

“It seems…”

While I was speaking as if it were someone else’s business, it was because I hadn’t been bothering to maintain any relations until that point. I tried to avoid socializing with aristocratic groups, especially interacting with noble ladies of the same age. Them I tried to avoid even more so.

Philia in the game was always always followed by a massive number of followers, as if to show off.

I didn’t want to follow the same road as her, but I am at the top of the hierarchy of noble ladies within my age group. I never felt like getting closer to them. Doing so came with the danger they would swarm around me, and I’d unintentionally form a faction.

While part of the reason why I was proactively showing up at these parties is attributed to my desire of having female friends (Julio isn’t accompanying her on girl’s talk), the main reason stemmed from the necessity of socializing for when I will assumed control over Duke’s family in the future.

I didn’t need to worry about the business part thanks to Luke and the excellent members of my household, so as the head of the family, I had to fill in for the symbolic part. Socializing was one aspect, specially among the aristocratic women’s circles. While those were inaccessible to men, it was a power I could not neglect. As the Duchess, I had to get my hands on it.

I might had been on good terms with the queen, who sat at the top of the women’s circles, and also belonged to the faction of noblewoman from my mother’s generation, but it was my role to support the future queen of the crown prince, who would succeed that current outstanding woman.

With such a majestic goal in my mind, I participated in the tea ceremony of young ladies but…… It was tiresome.

They weren’t bad people. Even though they were competing for vanities peculiar to females, they were young ladies with sheltered upbringings. To begin with, they were unconnected with the emotion called ill will.

It was just that I got awfully exhausted each time.

First, they’d talk about weather, and after talking about their outfits for the day, would comment on sweets, showing their vast knowledge. The talks would then turn to the present trends and then they’d gossip about high society. The last part was mostly about men.

“Speaking of which, I haven’t seen Laurenz-sama recently. Baroness Bertocchi was quite worried about him”

“Oh my.”

“Oh, these two haven’t finished yet? I heard he’s been in close contact with an actress from Krona’s place.”

“While there’s nothing to criticize about Laurenz-sama’s, he’s a bit too playful.”

“Though he’s number one in regard to potential as an heir of the upper class without a fiancé……”

“Oh, I think I prefer Amedeo-sama more though.”

“Amedeo-sama has a higher court rank but in terms of appearance, Laurenz-sama wins.”

“If we’re talking about someone without a fiancé, isn’t it His Highness? Of course, I know it’s impossible for someone like me, but I’m already content with looking at his handsome and masculine profile…… “

“But if it’s only about good enough to look at, then after all it’s…… “

At that point in the conversation, everyone’s gazes all turned towards me and I, who was half heartedly listening to them, was started.

“The most beautiful is Luke-sama. He’s so beautiful I can’t even describe it. The first time I saw him, I was completely stunned and fascinated by his appearance.”

“When I visited the Treno cathedral before, the statue of the angel reminded me of Luke-sama.”

“I understand what you mean, he looks so divine I feel like it’s rude to lump him together with those vulgar men.”

I felt my cheeks twitching when they ecstatically talked about, “Luke-sama”.

Luke was indeed beautiful and gentle like angel in his childhood but now, he was like any normal man一, no, he had more desire and was even a little bit more jealous than most men.

While I had first hand experience learning that good looks could fool a person, but of course, I just smiled faintly without disclosing his true nature.

“Thank you for complimenting my fiancé. I feel excited marrying someone whom everyone thinks so highly of. “

“Philia-sama and Luke-sama are a perfect match! If anyone is fitting to stand next to Philia-sama, then it’s indeed someone on the caliber of Luke-sama.”

“Yeah, I thought Philia-sama would become the most beautiful woman around once she became the consort of His Highness, but being together with Luke-sama is…… already like a dream”

I repeat, they aren’t bad people.

There might be some selfishness hidden within their words when they talked about men, and if a certain knight with nasty personality heard them, he might say, [women are desperate because their lives change depending on the man they choose,] but it is a fact that their futures are determined by the man they marry.

Just like how people tried to get into better schools or companies in my previous world, it’s natural they would search for better marriage partners.

So, it’s not like I’m uncomfortable with it but it’s just that their fluffy, sweet conversations are a bit awkward for a woman like me whose mental age is in her 40’s.

I, who learned that girl’s gatherings in my previous world were 70% dirty jokes and 30% badmouthing with girls take pleasure in it, this tea party was too heartwarming for me.

Once the tea party ended, I was feeling exhausted from the murkiness as usual, so I left for the carriage together with my attendant Angela party…… or so I intended but the situation took a troublesome turn.

“Beautiful young lady, please tell me your name.”

The person who grabbed my hand and repeatedly pressed his lips against the glove had a flamboyant appearance. He was not your typical gentleman.

He was a bit shorter compared to the average height this country. He also had a stocky build and his skin color was a bit darker. Inferring from his flamboyant clothing and accent, he might have been an aristocrat from a major southern trading nation…… Maybe the ambassador.

I may have been a young lady of the Duke family, one of the top powers in the country, but that didn’t mean I could be uncouth with foreigners.

While suppressing the goosebumps running through my whole body from my hand, I smiled politely, but left no gaps.

“I would like you to forgive me, but in my country, if an unmarried lady were to give her name to an unknown gentleman, she’d be regarded as unprincipled. Please allow me remain a lady.”

“Ohh…… So modest. In my country, it’s a man’s duty to court a beautiful woman. So, beautiful lady of my destiny, tell me your name…… “

Even though he seems to understand my words, he didn’t seem interested in holding a proper conversation.

A man only a bit taller than me wearing high heels was approaching me with a grin.

He might have had a face that was typically considered as handsome and simply being forceful, but a man with a face flickering with lust isn’t pleasing to the eye.  Unless of course it was someone I liked. Just as I was resisting the urge to smack my folding fan against the face of the man whose hand was about to reach meー一

[一一Your Excellency ambassador Sebro, please retract your hand from that lady.]

I heard a refreshing voice and was then protected by the back of a white uniformed knight.

“Because this person is the sole daughter of the La • Robe Duke house and is someone dear to their majesties.”

“Wh…… at? The daughter of La • Robe?”

All I could only see was a slender back and the long silver hair tied in a bun, but I could tell that the man called the ambassador was badly shaking. Why is he reacting more to the name of my father than to the King or the Queen?

“I, I was discourteous towards you. Please keep it between us…… “

“Very well, if Your Excellency leaves this place before it become rumor.”

“O, Of course.”

As the ambassador of a certain country fled with loud footsteps, the back in front of me suddenly turned around.

“Are you alright, Lady Philia?”

The owner of the cool, yet refreshing voice had the appearance befitting of his voice.

Silver hair, light blue eyes and porcelain like skin. His androgynous beauty, with a sword affixed to his waist, and without any sign of wilderness, was filled with the elegance and integrity befitting a protagonist of the Knight’s tale.

“Lady Philia?”

Even I, who was accustomed to the beauty of Luke, couldn’t help but be fascinated by him. I only finally returned to my senses once the beautiful young man called my name.

“I’m very sorry. I haven’t spoken any words of gratitude even though you saved me.”

“No, that was the natural conduct for a knight. It’s nothing to be thanked for.”

Saying that, his cold expression crumbled down and was replaced by a vibrant smile, he was unexpectedly a knight among knights.

I gave a polite bow while being impressed by how different he was from a certain perverted knight.

“Your ideology is really wonderful, so please allow me to thank you for my feelings sake. As you know, I’m Philia • De • La • Robe. Thank you very much for saving me. Excuse me but what’s your name?”

I asked so I could thank him later under the name of Duke La Robe, and he replied to me without any fervor.

“It’s my honor to greet Lady Philia. I’m Michelle • De • Cross.”

The moment I heard his name, I was dumbfounded.

“…… Michela • De • Cross, the young lady of the Marquis family……?”

“Ah, you know? I go by the name Michelle when on duty.”

He, or rather she, nodded with an eloquent smile at my question. I was shocked and had behaved so rudely.

As I had memorized all the important names on the list of aristocrats, I naturally remembered the name of young lady from the Marquis Cross family and immediately understood.

However, for me, Michela wasn’t simply the daughter of a Marquis family with whom we had little connection but was also the female knight who’d become the rival heroine in the knight route.

She was the youngest of four sisters from the Marquis Cross family, and because her father wished for a son was raised like a man. The person herself also yearned to be a knight and attended the knight’s academy that had in recent years opened its doors for girls. It was there she became the classmate of Laurenz, although with a three years age difference.

Even though she saw that frivolous Laurenz as a rival despite being a sword genius, she couldn’t throw away her woman’s heart and continued to chase after him…… or so was the setting of thefemale knight Michele in the game.

I already understood there were inconsistencies between the game and reality. Personality wise, even if common features were shared between 2-D and 3-D in appearance, they weren’t similar at all.

However, that was my first time feeling something so out of tune from the game like her.

The Michela in the game was obviously a woman, yet she was brave enough to forcibly disguise herself as a male knight.

But the Michela before her was a perfect, refreshing, beautiful young male knight, and was quite natural.

“Lady Michela一, I mean the Marquis young lady……”

“Please feel free to call me Michela. Of course, I don’t mind Michelle”

“Thank you, please call me Philia too. That, does Michela know of me?”

It should have been the first meeting between her and the shut-in me. Lots of people didn’t know how I looked until I recently started participating in all sorts of events with Luke.

So when I asked why, she replied as if it was something trifling.

“Of course I know, I had thought I’d be serving you in the future.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m currently serving by the Queen’s side, and my goal is to become the head knight for the next Queen in the future. That idiot His Highness… Forgive my rudeness, I believe only you, the young lady of the Duke Last Robe family, can become the consort of His Highness the crown prince and support this country.”

I felt like I heard the phrase idiot His Highness just now, but because Michela spoke with a dignified and serious expression, I didn’t pay it much attention thinking I misheard it.

“How should I say, I’m sorry I couldn’t live up to your expectations”

“No, you needed to mind it. Not after I met with him and confirmed that you’d be wasted on that fool.”

She said idiot after all. What’s more, she didn’t even add the title. I then thought about information from the list of aristocrats, not the game’s settings.

“Well…… I may be mistaken, but Michela is a cousin of His Highness the crown prince, correct?”

“Yes, the Queen is my aunt, I’m afraid.”

“You seem to respect her, don’t you?”

“Of course. I am serving her not because of duty, but because I’m sincerely devoted to her.”

“……. W-what about His Highness?”

“That arrogant, good for nothing, and infidel idiot who doesn’t have any other merit except being related by blood with the Queen? I’ve been aware of this ever since I was a child, but even if I serve him as the King, it’d be impossible for me to sincerely offer him my sword. To begin with, I don’t feel like serving that filthy man.”

I feel like I’m coming to like her. It’s just I have to be careful about getting involved with the game’s characters……

Just as I was hesitating, Michela’s expression suddenly softened.

“Ever since the engagement’s announcement, I had been wanting to speak with you at least once.”

“With me? About the thing from earlier?”

“No, not about that…… My fiancé is also younger than me.”

Only when she said the word fiancé, Michela’s face became slightly shy and feminine. I felt my heart tighten. She was older than me, but she was so cute.

No, it’s not the time to let my heart flutter. Michela has a fiancé, someone who wasn’t in the game.

“You have a fiancé? I didn’t know.”

“We haven’t made it public as he’s not yet an adult.  When he turns 18 next year, we are planning to make it official and announce it publicly…… There’s is a bigger age discrepancy on my side, but Luke-sama is also 18 years old, right? As someone who has a younger husband like me, I want to ask about lots of thing.”

Turning 18 next year, meaning it wasn’t Laurenz. Judging from Michela’s appearance, it didn’t simply seem to be a political marriage either.

“I’m glad to hear it. Michela-sama likes him, don’t you?”

“Yeah, he’s so cute I can’t get enough of him.”

“I-I see. I arbitrarily imagined that Michela-sama would like a knight just like herself. Perhaps…… Cesari-sama.”

Michela laughed, showing her white teeth, when I pushed the conversation forward a bit forcibly.

“Hahaha, I think it’d be more fitting for that man with his perverted taste and hobby of conquering straight-laced, married, woman despite also indiscriminately having relations with various others while also secretly looking at women in his heart to go somewhere and rot.”

I was convinced. I was convinced that I could become close friends with her.

“Michela, I also would like to speak with you more…… Would you like to be my friend?”

I was embarrassed to say those words at my age and said them while feeling my cheeks grow hotter.

The smile disappeared from Michela’s face. I thought she was a person who would nod immediately, but instead she became serious.

“I’m really sorry, but I can’t accept your offer.”

“Huh……?”

Before me, while I was surprised from hearing the unexpected answer, Michela knelt in and elegant and swift manner.

“I would like to apologize for making you say that. I should have been the one to request for it.”

Michela took my hand and dropped a soft kiss, barely touching it.

“…… Philia, I swear to be always sincere to you and take care of you, so please be my friend.”

“一一hh!!”

I glimpsed at a world I shouldn’t have.

“…… N, No, I have Luke…… “

“Philia?”

“Huh? Ah, sorry. I lost my composure there.”

I cleared my through afterwards to cover up my suspicious behavior and smiled sincerely.

“Of course, I’m delighted to receive it, Michela. I think we will become wonderful friends.”

“Thank you, Philia.”

Michela stood up, grabbed both of my hands and smiled sweetly.

After all, she is too invigorating, and she was the most knight-like knight among those I knew.

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