[TKOSINM] 196 - Host A Tea Party

Kristen the Great smiled quietly at Noel’s appearance.

“I am thinking that the date of the public announcement should be as soon as possible, about a week later. What do you think?”

“You have my consent.”

“Great. Now that has been settled...There is a different reason as to why I called you both.”

“What is it?”

Noel and Irene looked at the Grand Duke, baffled by his remark. The Grand Duke then calmly smiled and spoke.

“Do host a tea party.”

“...!”

At the utterly unexpected request from the Grand Duke, Irene’s eyes widened. Noel also asked with a dumbfounded face.

“Is there any reason to do that?”

“There is.”

Kristen the Great nodded resolutely.

“Even though you have been married for a while, you have yet to do any official marital activities. There is no harm in being mysterious and discreet, but if the mystery is prolonged too much, it is bound to lead to unwanted rumours. Besides, if it is known that the tea party is organised by Darling herself here, it could shut the mouths of those who doubt her eligibility. What do you think?”

The Grand Duke looked at Irene with a friendly gaze and asked. Irene’s expression became serious.

Children that grew up in noble families entered society naturally by hosting and attending meetings frequently. This was because social gatherings promoted relationships and ties and provided various information from the outside world, just like how Irene found out about Noel at Duchess Jasmine’s ball.

It did not take long for her to think it through.

“Yes, I understand. I will host one.”

Sheer determination was visible on Irene’s face.

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But what did she need to do to host a tea party?

After the exchange with the Grand Duke, they left the room.

On the way, Irene’s mind was complicated.

I don’t even know the first thing about organising this kind of event.

Initially, she would have been able to receive some help from her mother with the preparation if a tea party were to take place. But her mother was no longer beside her.

Does Noel know?

“Irene, are you okay?”

Just in time, Noel initiated a conversation between them, and Irene took this opportunity to ask him.

“Noel, do you know what to do when hosting a tea party?”

But at her question, Noel spoke in a troubled way.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know either. Why don’t you ask for advice from the maids?”

Irene’s expression darkened again at Noel’s words.

“No, I’m sure they will think it’s weird if I say I don’t know how to arrange a simple tea party.”

It was not by any means an exaggeration. Anyone clueless about Irene’s situation would think it was strange for a noble young lady not to know the fundamentals of planning a tea party.

My reputation affects Noel’s, too. So if mine is stained...

It was the biggest reason that she could not easily ask the people around her for it. But simultaneously, she could not plan a gathering half-heartedly either. As long as two people were bound by marriage, one could affect the other partner even with minor things. Knowing this, Irene did not want to expose any bit of her flaws.

“Does Louiselle know?”

“Well, I think Louiselle probably doesn’t know because she has only done combat-related things.”

“It must be so....”

At Noel’s realistic words, Irene’s expression became depressed again.

I’m worried.

Concerns and burdens pressed down onto Irene’s petite shoulders. This tea party was her first official event, which she would attend as its hostess and as the future Madame of the Grand Duchy. Hence, she could not help but be stressed.

Noel looked at Irene despondently. He wanted to help her, but he also knew nothing about hosting a tea party. Neither could he offer a helping hand since he knew that Irene would not wish to involve him in her own business.

“Isn’t there any noblewoman who you can seek advice from?”

“Hmm, I don’t think there is....”

Irene stopped walking amid their talk. His line just now suddenly brought a character to her mind. Noel looked at her curiously.

“...maybe there is. There is a good chance that it will work...”

Irene said confidently.

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