Chapter 23. Creating Slight Shambles

And gradually, the mood of the tea party was getting lighter. The fragrant aroma of the teas filled the room, and the delicate pastries were placed on the table, tempting the guests with their exquisite presentation.

As the ladies sipped their teas and savored the delectable treats, the conversation flowed freely. Topics ranged from current events to fashion, arts, and literature. Cassia found herself engaged in animated discussions with the other guests, her initial worries fading into the background.

Lady Estella Valentine, the hostess, gracefully navigated the room, ensuring everyone was attended to and fostering a pleasant atmosphere. Cassia couldn't help but notice how Lady Estella seemed to radiate a genuine warmth and kindness, making her even more captivating.

As the tea party progressed, Cassia's interactions with Lady Estella grew more frequent. They exchanged thoughts on various topics, discovering shared interests and perspectives. Lady Estella's earlier fascination with Cassia seemed to intensify, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and admiration whenever their gazes met.

In the midst of the delightful conversations, Lady Evelyn Windward, known for her penchant for stirring trouble, decided to disrupt the harmonious ambiance once again. She leaned forward in her seat, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Lady Clorance, I have heard a most scandalous rumor about you," Lady Evelyn began, a smirk playing on her lips. "They say that you have been secretly engaged in a forbidden romance with a commoner. Is there any truth to this?"

The room fell into a sudden hush as all eyes turned to Cassia, awaiting her response. She took a moment to compose herself, her voice steady and measured.

"Lady Evelyn, I assure you that the rumor you speak of is entirely false," Cassia responded, her gaze meeting Lady Evelyn's with unwavering determination. "As a lady of noble birth, I hold myself to the highest standards of propriety and respect for the customs of our society. Any suggestion of an inappropriate relationship is a fabrication."

Lady Estella, who had been observing the exchange, spoke up in support. "Indeed, Lady Clorance's character speaks for itself. It is unwise to indulge in baseless gossip and tarnish the reputation of a respected noblewoman."

The other ladies nodded, some casting sidelong glances at Lady Evelyn, conveying their disapproval of her attempt to disrupt the tea party. Lady Evelyn, momentarily taken aback, faltered in her response, realizing that her attempt to create controversy had backfired.

With the tension diffused, the tea party regained its joyful ambiance. Conversations resumed, and laughter filled the air once more. Cassia felt a sense of relief and gratitude for Lady Estella's unwavering support, knowing that she had found an ally amidst the sea of judgment and scrutiny.

As the afternoon sun began to cast a warm glow over the room, the tea party continued with renewed energy and camaraderie. Cassia's initial apprehension had transformed into a newfound confidence, buoyed by the camaraderie and acceptance she had found among the guests.

Together with Lady Estella's gracious presence, Cassia felt a glimmer of hope that her time as Lady Clorance could be more than a mere obligation. Perhaps, in this unfamiliar role, she could forge genuine connections, challenge preconceived notions, and leave a lasting impression on those she encountered.

And gradually, the mood of the tea party was getting lighter. That was until Lady Evelyn Windward, from the House of Windward, decided to disrupt the harmonious ambiance with her obnoxious question.

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"Lady Clorance, if I may ask, what was the reason why you were late for today's event?" Lady Evelyn inquired, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

Instantly, all eyes turned towards me, as if they had been eagerly awaiting this moment. It was evident that they wouldn't let my tardiness go unnoticed. I had anticipated this line of questioning, knowing that they wouldn't easily let go of their grievances.

Amidst the scrutinizing gazes, I glanced at Lady Estella, who seemed to be looking at me with concern. Despite my tarnished reputation, it appeared that Lady Estella had taken a liking to Cassia. She was an exception among the judgmental crowd, even though she had been given the nickname villainess by her own people.

I let out a sigh, closing my eyes momentarily, and placed the tea cup back on the table. As I opened my eyes, they landed directly on Lady Windward, who was snickering alongside the other ladies seated beside her. Their intentions were all too obvious; they were scheming to humiliate me in front of everyone.

I swiftly turned my gaze toward Lady Windward and spoke, my voice steady and composed. "Could it be that you've forgotten..." Our eyes met, and instead of reacting with anger or embarrassment as she expected, I smiled at her. She was taken aback, momentarily silenced.

Smiling, confounding those who wish for your disgrace, is a powerful weapon. It leaves them wondering why you are smiling when they are doing their best to find fault and tarnish your name.

"It seems you have misunderstood my words, Lady Windward. I have not forgotten this event, nor have I been negligent. I had my own valid reasons for my delay."

A mischievous thought crossed my mind, and I secretly grinned before proceeding with my act. I gasped dramatically and stared at Lady Evelyn's face.

"Oh my goodness! Are you implying that I have a poor memory?" I exclaimed, feigning astonishment.

As expected, Lady Evelyn's face reddened with agitation, clearly affected by my words.

"N-No... That is not what I m-meant, Lady Clorance. Y-You have misunderstood me. How could I dare?" she stammered, flustered and embarrassed.

Of course, it was self-evident. How could a baron's daughter dare to insult someone like Cassia, a count's daughter with close ties to the Imperial Family?

While I might have felt a pang of sympathy for her given her current pathetic state, considering how she had treated the original Cassia in the past, I couldn't help but side with Cassia, even if she despised such treatment.

Lady Windward stood up and hastily walked away, too embarrassed to say anything further. It was only after she left that the head maid of the Valentine household approached Lady Estella.

Well, that was rather unladylike.

The OG Cassia's voice echoed in my head, imagining her disdain at such an act. I shook my head, suppressing a chuckle at my own thoughts.

The mood in the room shifted as another young lady initiated a new topic, to which the others quickly responded. They were clearly attempting to lighten the atmosphere after the dramatic event earlier.

And their new topic of discussion was...

"Lady Clorance, you look absolutely stunning in the gown you're wearing today. May I inquire where you obtained it? Only if you don't mind, of course..." Lady Langley, the one who started the conversation, asked, her eyes filled with genuine curiosity.

Ah, of course. The new topic centered around gowns and dresses, particularly the latest fashion trends from the industry.

Nathalie Langley, the adopted daughter of Viscount Langley, was the one who spoke. Only a few were aware of her true origins, but as a reader of the novel, I was privy to that information.

Nathalie was born as a result of an affair the Viscountess had, and she wasn't the Viscount's biological daughter. However, the Viscount accepted her as his own, especially after losing his own baby with the Viscountess, who tragically passed away during childbirth. Nathalie received an abundance of fatherly love from the Viscount, which fueled Cassia's envy in the original story. Eventually, Nathalie became a close friend of the novel's protagonist, Amoria.

But, things are different now that I possess the role of Cassia, and my primary objective is to avoid the death route and survive this life. Since Nathalie plays a significant role as one of the supporting characters in the story, it is in my best interest to maintain a positive relationship with her and not end up on her bad side.

So, I made an effort to smile politely at Lady Nathalie, hoping that my smile wouldn't make me appear like a villain.

"You don't have to be so cautious with your question, Lady Nathalie," I reassured her. However, she remained frozen, staring at me in disbelief.

"Um... Lady Nathalie?" I called out, trying to bring her back to reality.

Lady Verlice, seated next to Nathalie, tapped her shoulder, snapping her out of her daze as if she had experienced a technical glitch.

"I apologize for Lady Nathalie's behavior, Lady Clorance. Sometimes she tends to blank out when she encounters unexpected situations," Lady Aubrey Verlice explained.

Aubrey, Nathalie's childhood best friend, was the eldest daughter of Viscount Verlice, a renowned businessman in the empire. According to the novel, Nathalie and Aubrey were inseparable, like sisters to each other, until Amoria entered the picture.

Nathalie, engrossed in her friendship with Amoria, unintentionally left Aubrey behind, unaware of the hardship her absence caused. Diagnosed with an incurable illness, Aubrey fell into depression and reached out to Nathalie through letters, but received no response.

If my memory serves me right, in chapter 48, Aubrey pleaded with her father to allow her to see Nathalie outside their estate. Unable to bear seeing his daughter in such pain, her father granted her permission, albeit with a servant accompanying her. When Aubrey arrived at the scene, she saw Nathalie happily enjoying tea at a café with Amoria and Grace, their smiles radiating joy.

Unable to bear the pain piercing her heart, Aubrey left, retreated to her carriage, returned to the estate, and locked herself in her room. Aubrey's death was announced the following day.

It was a tragic turn of events. Seeing a character from the novel I had read, who had met such an unfortunate fate, standing before me, I couldn't simply let history repeat itself. I couldn't be so heartless as to let this girl die as she did in the novel.

"It's alright, Lady Verlice," I replied with a reassuring smile.

As stated in the novel, Aubrey's illness was not incurable but rather treatable. She met her untimely demise due to a misdiagnosis by the doctors who examined her. I had researched the symptoms of her illness and discovered both its nature and the cure.

Reading Aubrey's side of the story had deeply saddened me, and I felt compelled to save her. Besides, saving her wouldn't jeopardize my chances of survival in this world.

"Ah... I also apologize for my behavior just now, Lady Clorance. I was simply astounded that you knew my name," Nathalie timidly admitted.

Unintentionally, I let out a giggle that surprised everyone in the room.

"Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh. It's just that I find Lady Nathalie incredibly charming," I sincerely remarked.

Startled, Lady Nathalie jumped from her seat. "M-Me? Charming?"

"Oh my goodness, Nathalie, you scared me!"

"But Riri, did I hear the Lady correctly? Did she really...?"

Laughter and giggles filled the room. I hadn't expected the reaction from these two best friends to be so endearing.

Turning my attention to Lady Estella, I furrowed my brow. Why is she pouting?

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Estella couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and disappointment as Lady Clorance referred to Nathalie as charming. Her hands tightened around the fabric of her gown, her knuckles turning white. She had always admired Cassia, longing to be close to her and even imagining a deep friendship between them. But it seemed that Cassia remained unaware of Estella's feelings.

Estella's heart sank, realizing that her adoration for Cassia might go unnoticed or unreciprocated. She had hoped for a connection, a bond that would transcend the societal expectations and barriers. However, it seemed that Cassia's attention was now directed towards Nathalie, leaving Estella to wrestle with her unrequited emotions.

Suppressing her disappointment, Estella forced a smile and tried to hide her true feelings. She couldn't let her jealousy show, especially in front of the others. After all, she didn't want to ruin the pleasant atmosphere of the tea party.

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"But the Lady knows my name..." Nathalie mumbled, her voice barely audible, yet I caught her words. A chuckle escaped my lips once more, unable to contain my delight at her innocent charm.

"Indeed, I am familiar with your name," I replied, my voice carrying a hint of amusement. Turning to face the gathering, I spoke with a regal air. "In fact, I have made it a point to acquaint myself with each and every one of you in attendance. It would be impolite of me not to do so."

A hush fell over the room as the weight of my words sank in. The guests exchanged curious glances, intrigued by my mysterious statement. With a slight fidgeting of my fingers, betraying my underlying nervousness, I continued.

"However, there is another reason why I took the effort to memorize the names of all those present," I mused aloud, my eyes momentarily averting their gaze. Why did I let that slip? My nerves began to gnaw at me.

Lady Estella, ever inquisitive, seized the opportunity and inquired, her voice tinged with curiosity, "May I ask, Lady Clorance, what that reason might be?"

I paused, my gaze fixed upon the intricate patterns adorning the tea set before me. Taking a deep breath, I mustered the courage to reveal my true intentions. "To be honest, I... had hoped to forge new friendships within the confines of this delightful tea party."

A stunned silence enveloped the room, the air heavy with anticipation. As I raised my eyes, I found every guest fixated on me, their expressions a mixture of surprise, intrigue, and confusion.

Oh, shit! Did I just say something I shouldn't have?

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Cassia's list on how to survive as a reader who reincarnated inside my favorite novel and became the main villainess who's destined to die.

#1 - Change Cassia's reputation
Status: ??%

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To Be Continued...