An Intruder At The Tea Gathering

Several weeks after Noel visited the ducal residence.

In the early-summer garden, tables and chairs adorned with rose motifs had been arranged, and on the tables stood tiered trays of sweets and teapots set alongside floral decorations.

“It’s such a lovely setup…!”

Sharon exclaimed, then turned toward Marguerite—

“Hey, you look pale with nerves, which isn’t like you at all. Are you all right…?”

Her expression turned doubtful.

“Y-Yes… probably…”

Just as Sharon said, Marguerite was nervous. If she were to explain why, even Sharon, who looked puzzled now, would surely become tense as well.

Today was the day of the tea gathering that Noel had requested.

However, because the Third Prince’s (Noel’s) attendance was incognito, the other participants had not been informed.

Under the pretense of a rehearsal for a tea gathering to be held on a grander scale someday, or simply a friendly get-together, Marguerite had invited Sharon, while Lucien had invited Nicholas.

Ordinarily, tea gatherings were mainly attended by women, but this time men were included for Noel’s sake.

Marguerite had made arrangements many times before, but this was her first time actually participating in a tea gathering herself—and her first participation was one she herself was hosting, with a prince in attendance.

Once she realized that, even Marguerite could not help but feel nervous.

“Ah. I believe I saw you at the banquet.”

“My name is Sharon Murese.”

“A daughter of Count Murese, then. I am Nicholas Meresen.”

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

As Nicholas and Sharon exchanged polite greetings, Butler Richard announced the arrival of a guest.

Seeing Lucien and Marguerite head together toward the entrance, Nicholas and Sharon followed behind.

They realized that the arrival was neither of their own invitees, but a guest of both—or someone of higher rank than themselves.

Stopped at the entrance was a two-horse carriage. Though its crest had been concealed, its luxurious construction made it clear that it belonged to a distinguished house.

Even before the door opened, Lucien and Marguerite bowed their heads. Following suit, Nicholas and Sharon bowed as well.

“It’s incognito, so there’s no need to be so formal.”

A voice tinged with a wry smile spoke.

As they raised their heads, wondering whose unfamiliar voice it was, Nicholas and Sharon’s eyes widened.

Stepping down from the carriage was Third Prince Noel Filienne.

A man who usually stood at Queen Emilenne’s side and showed no expression—yet now he was letting out cheerful, amused laughter.

They had heard that the royal family was involved in the marriage between House de Broy and House Clavel, but now the proof stood right before them. If so, then from here on, House de Broy and House Clavel might receive the royal family’s protection.

Their expressions shifted into those befitting a marquis’s son and a count’s daughter.

“Your Highness, it has been some time.”

“Good day to you, Your Highness.”

“Hey there, Nicholas, Lady Sharon. I’ll call you by your names. You can call me Noel casually as well.”

“That is far too generous—”

Nicholas’s voice, layering courtesy upon courtesy in response to Noel’s words, cut off there.

Another carriage entered through the gate.

Moreover, it drew so close it nearly touched Noel’s carriage before the horses were brought to a stop.

Such behavior toward a clearly higher-ranking carriage was unmistakably rude.

What caught Marguerite’s eye as her expression darkened was the crest of House Clavel.

Without waiting for the coachman’s hand, the door opened from within.

Stepping down with golden hair swaying was a beautiful young girl wearing a low-cut dress more suited to an evening party than a tea gathering.

“Isabella…!?”

Ignoring Marguerite’s shocked gaze, Isabella hurried toward the entrance, boldly took Noel’s arm, and entwined it with her own without hesitation.

“It’s been so long, Noel-sama!”

“Isabella, let go of his arm. Your behavior toward a member of the royal family is excessively rude.”

“Oh my, Sister, you’ve become awfully strict about status the moment you married into a ducal house. You never cared about that back home…”

The implication that she had been treated like a servant caused Marguerite’s expression to stiffen.

It was not that she felt ashamed of her past treatment being exposed. If such things were spoken before Noel, the one to be punished would be House Clavel. Gazing at her sister, who did not even grasp that, Marguerite felt disbelief.

“But it’s all right. The one who invited me here was Noel-sama himself. Thank you very much, Noel-sama, for telling me about the tea gathering.”

At Isabella’s words, Noel nodded.

“She said she absolutely wanted to see Lady Marguerite, so I told her about today. Sorry about this, but could you let her participate?”

‘—!?’

At the unexpected words, Marguerite’s eyes flew open. Not only Marguerite, but Lucien, Nicholas, and Sharon all caught their breath.

Marguerite quickly composed a smile and nodded.

“Yes, of course.”

If it was Noel’s request, she could not refuse.

Isabella stood beside Noel with a composed expression, as though it were only natural.

‘Just what is Noel-sama thinking…?’

Just like Marguerite’s confusion, Lucien too furrowed his brow inwardly at the inscrutable actions of the Third Prince.